2023 Live Project Update: An Attached ADU in Portland, Maine
It’s almost been exactly a year and Backyard ADUs is excited to return with a brand new Portland, Maine, live project update! Once again we are keeping this journal entry to update you each step of the way, from feasibility to fruition. This time around we are highlighting a unique project that breaks the mold of what many think of when it comes to reasons for building an ADU. Yes, we often build small homes in backyards for aging parents or children with disabilities or families who want to generate rental income but this time we are building a 400 square foot attached ADU for the homeowners to use as a family room and home office, while also adding a much needed extra bathroom. While it is rare for us to incorporate a loft, in this case, it makes too much sense not to as it will increase usable space while keeping a small footprint. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
June 20, 2023
Many people think they may not have the space to put an ADU in their backyard or add one onto their current home, but you would be surprised at the magic we can make happen. We are starting with a 2-story primary home and a detached garage, along with a large deck and pretty small yard. The plan is to tear down the garage and build the attached space over top of the majority of the garage’s current footprint.
Site where the new attached ADU will soon stand, after removing the garage.
June 29, 2023
While the garage is being removed, the factory where our house parts are made is busy getting each piece ready to be shipped and delivered. By building indoors in a controlled environment we are able to speed up build time and keep cost down for the homeowner. Just over 3 weeks until delivery day and it is already looking great!
You probably notice how one end differs from the other and that’s because this is the top to our ADU with one side having a vaulted ceiling and the other having the roof lifted on set day to become the loft space.
One of the house parts that will become the vaulted ceiling and loft after being built in our factory
July 20, 2023
Great news! The garage has been hauled away and we were able to get the excavation done to prepare for delivery and set day next week.
Today the team got started on installing the ICF (insulated concrete forms) so we can pour the frost-protected shallow foundation this weekend, with plenty of time for it to cure for the home’s arrival.
June 21, 2023
The team was able to pour the concrete into the form and the foundation will be cured and ready to be set on in four days.
Both of the house parts also arrived. This will be an easy one for the team due to it being only two parts, one on top of the other. Just two men and our crane team will be able to make this one happen, while others will return to build the breezeway between the ADU and the main home in the days following.
June 25, 2023
Today was originally due to be set day and the team arrived early this morning to receive some unexpected news. When it came time to move the crane into place logistical concerns prevented it from happening today. So while set day is pushed back, we look forward to being able to successfully lift the home into place soon. Stay tuned!
August 3, 2023
Set day is finally here! A smaller crane was brought in and was moved into place, a tight squeeze but went without a hitch. We were then able to move forward with setting this soon-to-be attached addition into the homeowners’ backyard. We also made it happen with only two members of construction team and the members of the crane company!
Form for the foundation sits where the garage once stood.
One of the house parts sitting next to the newly poured foundation with the sil plates ready to support the home once it is set.
The top house part will be stored off-site until its time to be set.
Now you can see the small space we were working with when trying to fit both the crane and house parts. Great job team!
Our Maine Construction Manager, Don, guides the vaulted ceiling and loft space house part, lining it up with the first box that had already been set on the foundation.
August 17, 2023
In order to attach the addition onto the existing home, the utilities will need to be connected through the basement. Currently, the homeowner is removing some cement board siding, which is necessary to cut the utilities into the basement. Cement board siding may or may not contain asbestos so, for that reason, the homeowner has taken the responsibility to handle this part on their own, cutting significant cost, and at which point we will jump back in to efficiently finish the home.
The addition set next to the primary home, awaiting next steps.
Until our next update, checkout the 2022 Portland live project update HERE.