What To Do Before Talking To An ADU Contractor

Know Your Budget

Know your budget before approaching ADU contractors.

It's easy to do, but doing it will stop you from getting overly optimistic and ending up disappointed. You want to be sure that your investment in ADUs will be worthwhile. Not all ADUs are created equal, so understanding how much you can afford to spend on yours will help you determine what you can expect to gain from it in the long run.

As a general rule, consult with your contractor regarding their estimate before completing any legal paperwork or signing the contract.

Know What ADUs Are Allowed In Your City

You might believe that knowing the type of ADU you want to construct—a garage conversion, a basement apartment in the backyard, etc.—is sufficient. However, you also need to be aware of the rules and regulations that apply in your city. Garage conversions are not permitted in some cities, while they are in others but only if the garage is separate from the house. Depending on the city, ADUs may only be permitted if they are 800 square feet or less.

All single-family homes and some duplexes are permitted to add an ADU in San Francisco, for instance, provided that the home satisfies certain requirements (for instance, there must be enough space for a bedroom). However, there are much stricter regulations regarding where you can build an ADU and what it can look like in other parts of Calimesa. You cannot construct an ADU on a multifamily lot or a lot larger than 10 acres, for example, in Los Angeles. Instead, you must have a lot with a single-family home.

Know Where To Put Your ADU

Consider where the location of your new structure should be before speaking with an ADU contractor. This choice will be influenced by the location of your current residence. For instance, if you reside in a rural area, you might have access to plenty of land for the construction of additional structures. However, this would restrict your choices if your house is in a confined urban area.

When choosing a location for your new structure, it's crucial to keep practical factors in mind.

Find A Good Contractor

Hiring an ADU contractor is one of the most important steps in starting an ADU project. Finding someone who can offer you and your project the kind of experience and expertise you're looking for is crucial when looking for a good contractor.

ADU construction involves a lot of moving parts, and your contractor is in charge of making sure everything goes according to plan. They will collaborate with you to make sure that your vision for your house is flawlessly realized.

Verify The Contractor's General Liability Insurance

If your contractor isn't competent enough to even have their own insurance policy, it means they don't have general liability insurance. Both the contractor and the client are covered by general liability insurance in the event of accidents or

accidents occurring during the construction process. Without it, if there's an accident at the site, you might be held financially responsible for it.

Check The Contractor's License

The first thing that you need to do is to check the contractor's license. You can visit your local government office or the website of a state licensing board in order to determine if a certain contractor has an operating license. A licensed contractor must have general liability insurance as well as workers' compensation insurance. If they don't have these insurances, they won't be able to obtain a license.

Verify that you are in compliance with local laws

Not every city allows ADUs, and if yours does, it might have very specific rules about how large they can be, how far from the property line they need to be, and whether or not they can be rented out.

Some cities require occupancy permits for ADUs, while others have strict rules against renting them out. Not only will this affect your ability to get a mortgage on your new home, but if you break these rules, you may face fines or other serious penalties.

Get a Copy of the Contractor's Certifications

Any reputable builder will possess the necessary licenses required by your state or city to construct an ADU. Prior to hiring them, request a copy of those certifications. Do not hire them if they lack these certifications or refuse to provide copies.

If you want to build an ADU, contact Eano because they are the best at doing so on a budget.

To find out more information in Calimesa, please visit us at myadu4less.