Resources
Straight answers on what it actually takes to remodel a Bay Area backyard — the codes, the materials, and the decisions that matter.
The Bay Area is not one climate. Fog on the Peninsula, heat in the South Bay, and afternoon wind through the gaps all change how a backyard should be designed.
7 min read
Los Gatos backyards present unique challenges: hillside terrain, protected trees, and fire-safety requirements. How to design a yard that works with the land.
7 min read
A practical look at how adding a backyard ADU affects your remaining outdoor space — setbacks, privacy sightlines, and how to preserve usable yard.
8 min read
Trenching, foundations, drainage, and utility connections — the unseen site work that determines whether an ADU build goes smoothly or hits delays.
7 min read
A practical comparison of the three ADU types California allows: detached backyard units, garage and interior conversions, and junior ADUs within the main house.
7 min read
How to design a backyard ADU that looks like it belongs — matching roof lines, materials, and landscape so the unit reads as part of the property rather than an afterthought.
7 min read
A clear breakdown of California's new ADU laws that took effect in 2026, written for Bay Area homeowners planning a backyard unit.
7 min read