See inside villas ADUs or courtyard homes starting at $95,000

• Villa builds backyard homes, also known as ADUs, with each unit starting at $95,000.
• The startup has about 20 homes, ranging from 440 to 1,200 square feet, for sale from $95,000.
• See the factory where his houses are built and some properties already set up in people’s backyards.

Bay Area startup Villa sells homes that are built in a factory and then installed in backyards.

These homes, called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, have their own address, separate from the main house they are located nearby.

The company offers units ranging from a 440-square-foot studio to a 1,200-square-foot three-bedroom studio, with 20 floor plans available. According to Villa, the models are priced between $95,000 and $180,000, though that doesn’t include the cost of installation and other expenses. Villa permits, builds and installs ADUs for its clients.

In California, ADUs have become increasingly popular, especially since the state passed legislation in 2020 that made it easier for homeowners to install them.

Across the country, a growing focus on sustainability and affordability has also increased their appeal. For many Americans, they are a tangible way to reduce their environmental footprint, a budget-friendly alternative to traditional housing, or a means to earn extra income.

“We did some research on why our customers buy ADUs; more than 50 percent of them are doing it for a family member,” Heather Miksch, Villa’s vice president of operations, told Business Insider. “ADUs are a really exciting way to keep families together close together, especially in California where housing prices are so high.”

Take a look inside some of the Villa’s small houses and meet their owners.