A second home in your backyard.

Site coverage, setback, height, and utility capacity are assessed against local ADU ordinances and state law. Architectural plans are drawn and submitted; under SB 9 and AB 68, most ministerial ADU permits must be issued within 60 days — though corrections and resubmittals can extend this. Design decisions on unit layout, kitchen, and bath are finalized before permit issuance.

Underground utility stubs — water, sewer, gas, and electrical — are trenched from the existing house or street connection to the ADU pad location. Utility companies are notified and inspections scheduled; this step often has the longest calendar variance due to utility company scheduling.

Continuous footings and stem walls or a monolithic slab are formed and poured to the structural engineer's specification, with anchor bolts positioned for the framing plan. A foundation inspection is completed before framing begins.

Floor, wall, and roof framing are erected and sheathed. For a prefabricated or panelized ADU, panels are craned into position and connected on-site; stick-framed ADUs are built conventionally. A framing inspection is completed before dry-in.

Roofing underlayment is installed immediately after framing inspection to protect the structure from weather. Finish roofing materials — tile, shingle, or metal — are applied, all penetrations are flashed, and the structure is fully weather-sealed before any interior work begins.

Windows and exterior doors are set in rough openings and flashed to the weather-resistant barrier. Energy-compliant glazing (Title-24) is required; sizes should be ordered at framing to avoid delays.

All rough plumbing supply, drain, vent, electrical rough-in, and any mini-split line sets are installed and routed to the utility connections placed at the foundation stage. Rough inspections for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical are completed before insulation.

Wall and ceiling insulation is installed to Title-24 energy values and inspected, then drywall is hung, taped, floated, and painted. Moisture-resistant drywall is used in the kitchen and bath wet zones.

Cabinets are installed in the kitchen and bath; countertops are templated, fabricated, and set. Shower waterproofing and tile are set and grouted in sequence (waterproofing inspection before tile). Vanity, toilet, and all plumbing rough connections are made ready for finish.

Finish flooring — LVP, tile, or hardwood — is installed throughout the unit. Interior doors, base trim, casing, and closet systems are fitted. Final paint is applied to all walls, ceilings, and trim.

Siding, stucco, or other cladding is applied and finished to match or complement the main house exterior. Exterior trim, fascia, and any hardscape immediately around the ADU are completed.

All trade systems are trimmed out and function-tested. The city conducts a final inspection covering structure, fire, electrical, plumbing, and energy compliance. Upon sign-off, the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, and we hand over a turnkey, code-compliant unit ready for occupancy.