Thinking of Engaging an Architect to Improve Your Rental Property?

Dustin Edwards • March 18, 2022

An Architect Could Bring Valuable Ideas to Improve or Increase Your Long Beach Rental Property

There are many reasons why you could improve your Long Beach rental property. When you engage with an architect be sure to request references of previous projects both completed and in various stages of construction. Especially when considering using an architect for a rental property, ask the architect about their experience specifically with rental properties as the approach differs dramatically when compared with a personal residence.  Be clear with them about your ideas as well as your budget. Ask clarifying questions about costs and timeframes.


Below are some suggestions of what could add additional value to your Long Beach rental property.


Adding a Bathroom to Your Rental Property

Adding a second bathroom to a single family home rental property can give your tenants a second option to get ready in the morning. With many people working from home, bathrooms are a hot commodity especially if there are children and multiple people getting ready. A two bathroom home is generally far more appealing to tenants and will often fetch higher rents.


The cost of a new bathroom is about $22,000 for a new addition on average. Adding a bathroom to an existing space can be $7,600 on average but you will lose square footage in the living spaces. When you add a new bathroom factors that increase costs include:


  • Location
  • Size
  • Design
  • Age of Property


There is also the possibility of unexpected costs to keep in mind. Be sure to put additional money into your budget in the event problems arise once the walls begin to come down. Problems such as leaks, mold, pests or worse, are common to uncover. It's better to be prepared and if there is nothing unexpected, the extra money can go back into the general budget. 


Adding an Additional Bedroom to Your Rental Property

More bedrooms can allow a property to rent for more. An additional room can increase market value as many new tenants may be looking for the extra space to work from home or if they are looking to start a family. A benefit of adding new bedrooms is the added square footage. More square footage, means your property could sell for more should you ever want to. 


A more affordable option that doesn’t add square footage is dividing an existing space into a seperate bedroom. Depending on what room is being divided installing a wall can range between $2,500 to $6,000 per wall. And an additional $1,000 to $2,000 if you need to add doors and windows.  In these scenarios an architect's advice on the flow of the floor plan can be essential and consulting with a property management company on what is common in the neighborhood can help you in your decision making process.


While some additions to your Long Beach rental can be more demanding like bathrooms, bedrooms in comparison are far easier. When adding an additional bedroom you have no need for additional plumbing. The cost to add a bedroom is in the range of $15,000 to $17,500 from foundation to roof depending on the size.


Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

When you are thinking about developing an ADU in Long Beach for your rental property your first thought will probably revolve around upfront costs. The statewide median cost of an ADU is approximately $250 per square foot. While many people initially only consider adding a small unit, it is important to understand the neighborhood and market. Though this is the largest investment of the ones listed, the costs for upsizing an ADU is not exponential. Meaning you can build a larger unit and gain overall value for it.


Consider the configuration you want for your ADU because this will determine the size of the ADU. To determine what a fair, marketable rent should be, examine the cost of other rental in the area including single family homes, apartments, or townhouses.


When it comes time to add more space to your Long Beach rental property there are many choices to consider. To help you understand how adding bedrooms, bathrooms or an ADU can contribute to your monthly rental income, or how they can increase long term value to your property call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.

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ADUs and Junior ADUs, which one is the right one for your property?

By Dustin Edwards • June 6, 2025
With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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