Creative Ways to Make Space: Accessory Dwelling Units
Interested in an apartment above your garage, a backyard studio, or a workshop detached from your house? ADUs are fully functional living spaces that can have many uses.
South Minneapolis ADU
Building a Garage Apartment in South Minneapolis
Follow along as we build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) above a new garage in South Minneapolis.
Trench
We are prepping to bring utilities to the new structure from the house by digging a trench through the yard.
Trench for Plumbing and Internet
We are digging the plumbing and internet cable trench; the electrical will run overhead. After pressure testing and inspection top will be covered with 6-8″ of sand. It is important to take a picture for the inspector. Then cover with 3″ rigid insulation, and finally backfill. Even though we are technically below the frost line of 42″ for our climate zone the 3″ rigid foam on the sides and the top of the plumbing add additional thermal protection and are required by code.
A trench is dug to connect plumbing and internet from the house to the new ADU.
We have roughed in the plumbing access to the house. We will not break all the way through until after the holiday when we are further along with our new structure. This will minimize the disruption to the family.
In January, we’ll bore an 8″-10″ access to the lower level of the home. When we bore into the house a temporary dust protection will be set up and the opening will be insulated until we are ready to tie into the house’s plumbing and internet. Electrical will run overhead.
We drill into the block to tie in plumbing and internet through the trench from the house to the ADU.
Buried treasure! Buried treasure! We unearthed a vintage perfume bottle while digging the utilities trench in the yard at this 1931 South Minneapolis Home.
Want to learn more about
this type of project?
We’re here to help! Check out our planning resources below, or reach out to us here.
How Much Does it Cost to Build an ADU?
Learn what it costs to build a garage apartment ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) in Minneapolis or St. Paul, and what drives those costs.
Every White Crane Remodeling Project Starts With Design
Learn why having both designers and construction professionals on our team allows us to guide clients seamlessly through the entire remodeling process.
