A family builds a 110-square-meter house in their backyard to care for their mother while preserving her independence

Shalini Karnani Bonjour, 50, is building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in her backyard so she can care for her mother without compromising her independence. The project began after her father died. Her mother had lived with him in Michigan for more than twenty years and was left completely alone after his passing.

Following his death, the family decided to sell the family home and move her mother to California so she could be closer to them. They explored several housing and care options, but none proved to be the right fit. After a lengthy search, they decided to buy a larger home in the Coachella Valley.

The property suited their needs because it had a ground-floor layout that would allow her mother to move around easily and use the kitchen and laundry room without having to climb stairs. “In 2024 we found a 2,222-square-foot house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms that met all our requirements and fit our budget,” Bonjour says. Before purchasing the home and moving forward with the ADU, the family confirmed with both the city and the homeowners association that the project was permitted.

However, the house required extensive renovations before they could focus fully on the ADU. The family had to invest significant time and money in upgrading the main house to make it more comfortable and functional for everyone.

During that process, Bonjour also began working with an architect and searching for contractors to carry out the project. She says she interviewed more than ten companies because finding reliable professionals was not easy.

Once they found the right builder, they chose a single-storey ADU with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The initial estimate was $398,000, but after several additions and upgrades, the projected cost rose to $475,000.

Construction began in March 2025 and, although it was originally expected to take six months, the project has been delayed and is still under way. Even so, Bonjour believes the effort “will be rewarding in the end.” She adds that, without her experience as a real estate agent, “this would feel like an impossible task,” particularly when dealing with contractors and the homeowners association.

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