Quick Facts
- Type: New Construction ADU
- Size: 826 sqft
- Timeline: About 6 months from permit issuance to final inspection
- Estimate: Property-specific written estimate
- City: Arcadia
The Goal
The homeowners on Paloma Dr in Arcadia didn't want an ADU that looked like an accessory unit — they wanted a detached home that matched the quality of the main house. The brief called for a two-bedroom, two-bath layout with genuine architectural presence: tall ceilings, a tile roof to match the property, a large island kitchen, and a walk-in closet with the kind of built-ins usually reserved for custom homes. The goal was a premium, ground-up build that would command the top of the San Gabriel Valley rental or guest-house market.
Scope of Work
- Ground-up 826 sq ft new construction with two bedrooms and two bathrooms
- 10-foot ceilings for a scale rarely found in ADUs
- Tile roof matched to the quality of the main home
- Large quartz island kitchen with a designer range hood and shaker cabinetry
- Walk-in closet with built-in shelving, drawers, and baskets
- Stacked in-unit laundry and two fully tiled bathrooms with glass enclosures
About This Project
This new construction ADU on Paloma Dr in Arcadia is a ground-up build of 826 sq ft with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Ten-foot ceilings give the unit a scale and openness rarely found in ADUs, and the tile roof matches the quality of the main home.
The kitchen anchors the open living space with a large quartz island, white shaker cabinetry, a designer range hood, and stainless steel appliances. Pendant lighting over the island and recessed lighting throughout keep the space bright.
A standout feature is the walk-in closet finished with built-in shelving, drawers, and baskets — closer to what you would expect in a custom home than an accessory unit. The unit also includes a stacked washer and dryer and two fully tiled bathrooms with modern vanities and glass shower enclosures.
Arcadia is one of the strongest ADU markets in the San Gabriel Valley, and this project shows what a premium ground-up build looks like: high ceilings, quality finishes, and a layout that lives like a full-size home.
Challenges We Solved
Engineering for 10-foot ceilings
Taller-than-standard ceilings change framing, wall heights, and the mechanical layout. The team engineered the structure and specified the systems to deliver the open, airy feel the owners wanted while keeping the unit efficient to heat and cool.
Matching the main home's tile roof and detailing
In Arcadia, a backyard unit that clashes with the main house drags down the whole property. Matching the tile roof and exterior detailing meant sourcing compatible materials and holding the finish quality of the ADU to the same standard as the primary residence.
Fitting custom-home features into an ADU footprint
A walk-in closet with built-ins, a large island, and two full bathrooms are a lot to fit in 826 sq ft. Careful space planning grouped plumbing and used the tall ceilings to keep the unit feeling generous rather than crowded.
Project Gallery
The Outcome
- A premium two-bedroom, two-bath ADU delivered turnkey
- 10-foot ceilings and a tile roof matching the main home
- Custom-home touches including a built-in walk-in closet
- Video walkthrough documents the finished unit
Typical rental income: A premium two-bedroom, two-bath ADU in Arcadia typically rents in the range of roughly $2,800–$3,800 per month, reflecting the strength of the San Gabriel Valley market and the unit's high finish level.
Property value: A detached unit finished to custom-home standards typically adds strong resale value in Arcadia and gives the owner a flexible guest house or high-end rental.
Budget and rental figures are typical ranges for this project type and city, not a client's private cost or a guarantee. Vision ADU provides a written, itemized estimate after a free site evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an ADU have high ceilings?
Yes. This Arcadia unit features 10-foot ceilings, which give it a scale and openness most ADUs lack. Taller ceilings require additional structural and mechanical planning, but they meaningfully change how a unit feels and rents.
What does a premium two-bedroom ADU cost in Arcadia?
A high-finish two-bedroom, two-bath new-construction ADU in Arcadia depends on finish selections, roof type, utility requirements, and site conditions. Vision ADU prepares a written, itemized estimate after evaluating the property.
Should an ADU match the main house?
In neighborhoods like Arcadia it usually pays to match — a tile roof and coordinated exterior keep the property cohesive and protect resale value. Matching materials adds some cost but avoids a backyard unit that looks like an afterthought.
How long does a premium ADU build take?
A high-finish new-construction ADU of this size typically takes about 6 months of construction after permits, plus the plan-check period. Premium features like a tile roof and custom built-ins add finishing time but not necessarily major delays.
See More
- View the full project in our portfolio
- A 1,100 sq ft Detached ADU That Lives Like a Full Second Home in Reseda — Reseda, property-specific written estimate
- Building a Complete 320 sq ft Detached ADU on a Tight Coastal Lot in Huntington Beach — Huntington Beach, property-specific written estimate
- A Full Inside-and-Out Home Remodel on Mines Blvd in Whittier — Whittier, property-specific written estimate