Ryan O'Connell

Your ADU Friend

I help people build homes in their backyards or convert part of their house into an apartment.

We're fighting the housing shortage, helping Californian (and other area) homeowners create security for themselves and their family members.

We build homes and communities. Join over 75,000 homeowners in our social media community:

  • $1,999

Breakthrough Achiever course

  • Course
  • 7 Lessons

Welcome to the Breakthrough Achiever course! Let's eliminate procrastination, impatience, neglecting yourself, criticizing yourself, resisting change, distrusting of others that can help you, and perfectionism! These are the internal enemies of accomplishing your goal ADU goals!

  • Free

Get Another $50 Million in ADU Grants

  • Course
  • 2 Lessons

If you've ever been frustrated by how hard it is to understand or access state grants, this program is for you. California has already approved $50 Million in ADU grants in two different bills. And now they're deciding how to use the money! Let's help them make the right decisions... In this free program, I'm going to teach you how to influence how this funding gets used with a couple easy emails.

  • Free

99K ADU Project

  • Course
  • 11 Lessons

Are you struggling to budget and finance your ADU? ME TOO. I'm going to try to build an ADU for less than $99K... And even better... I'm going to do it for one of you in the audience!!!

  • Free

Condo ADUs in California

  • Course
  • 3 Lessons

California allows for the separate sale of ADUs, but it's still pretty complicated. These free resources will give you tools to encourage your city to adopt a condo-friendly ordinance, it will give the city staff tools to make that ordinance, and it will have resources for developers once the ordinances are adopted.

  • $599

Consultation & Networking Call - 60 minutes

  • Coaching session

A One-on-One call about your project with Ryan O'Connell. Usually best at the very beginning of a project or if there is a permitting challenge with a city misbehaving, then you can book time with me. However, for the price of one call you can have 6-months of membership in my subscription membership community! Frankly, it's better! Check it out here: https://community.how-to-adu.com/how-to-adu

  • $97

Ask the Lending Experts!

  • Webinar
  • Jun 15, 2023 at 4:00 PM PDT

This installment of our ADU Ask the Expert Series, focuses on lending! Which lending option is right for you? Never before in history has there has ever been as many opportunities to fund your ADU build! Which is great! ...but confusing. Ryan interviews lenders focused on getting answers to YOUR QUESTIONS so you can get unstuck and get building!

  • $97

Can you really build TWO units for $100k in California?

  • Webinar
  • May 18, 2023 at 4:00 PM PDT

Learn how to: build multiple units, avoid owner-occupancy requirements, keep costs <$80k on an ADU, think like an investor, understand 1031 exchange and land trusts for tax savings, convert existing space to maximize options/number of doors, how to do a Jr & Sr ADU on the same property save significantly on construction fees!

  • $97

Q&A Live with Ryan O'Connell

  • Webinar
  • Apr 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM PDT

You can watch the stream here: shorturl.at/lyAW2 on the How To ADU Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/events/728143599013533 or YouTube as a Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz6dhDq3IZw or if you are already a Backyard Breakthrough member, you can watch it on that private group.

  • $97

New ADU Laws in 2023

  • Webinar
  • Oct 5, 2022 at 4:30 PM PDT

Your ADU plans might change completely when you learn about the 3 new laws that California just passed relating to ADUs. There are over a dozen rule changes including 2-story ADUs across the state, fewer reasons for cities to reject your permit, and clearer rules around the 60 day time limit for permitting agencies. Q&A session where we can dive into specific projects, time permitting.

  • $99

$40k ADU Grant - Group Update

  • Closed
  • Webinar
  • Nov 1, 2022 at 4:00 PM PDT

You want the $40k grant, but you're afraid it's too good to be true. Let's dive into the reality on the ground - we're going to talk to real homeowners who applied in August and see where they are in the process. Sharing docs, agreements, and maps of what to expect Q&A session where we can dive into specific projects, time permitting.

  • Free

ADU Rules by State

  • Download
  • 1 file

State-wide ADU rules at a glance in the USA - this is list compiled from my personal notes with some of the notable state-wide ADU legislation (last updated August 31, 2024). Always check with your local jurisdiction for local rules about what you can do in your area. ADU means different things in different regions!

  • $97

Finding Your ADU Builders, Architects, and Designers

  • Webinar
  • Jul 18, 2023 at 4:00 PM PDT

Want a seamless and hassle-free ADU building process?  Talk to the experts that have deep understanding of local regulations and zoning requirements.  During this exclusive event, you will have the opportunity to gain invaluable insights from the guest speakers who will share their knowledge and expertise on ADU construction. They will discuss the various benefits of adding an ADU to your property.

  • $199

List of Every ADU in California

  • Download
  • 1 file

Every jurisdiction in California has a legal requirement to report all its housing permits to the state agency for Housing and Community Development (HCD) each year. This shows you how to access the free HCD dashboard to find a list of every ADU permit in a city.

  • Free

HCD School District letters

  • Download
  • 2 files

School districts typically charge impact fees, even on small ADUs. Here are some copies of letters that the state has written to school districts. You may find it useful to read these, or share these letters with your local school district if you think they're applicable. This is not legal advice for your specific situation.

Testimonials

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM ROCKS!!!!!!  By being part of the exclusive FB group I've gotten two difficult questions answered by Ryan and others already, and I was successfully able to negotiate with the city into building a second ADU on my lot! 

Trudy H.

Building Homes and Communities

Join 75,000 California Homeowners

We're planning and building Accessory Dwelling Units and other homes all across California

Book a Call

Schedule a 1-on-1 deep dive into your project

Watch & Learn

Watch over 100 free videos about planning and building your ADU on our YouTube channel

Tiktok?!

I'm as surprised as you are - there are over 50k people learning about housing on tiktok

Homeowner Group

Join other homeowners who share free advice, resources and photos of their stunning ADUs 🤩