Interested in having an ADU of your own? Here’s how to build an ADU in 4 easy steps.
1 Budget And Financing
The first step to ADU Plans los angeles ca is to figure out which type of ADU you want to build. With that established, you will start to be able to figure out the general costs associated with building that type of unit. Knowing your costs from the start will help prevent you from overspending down the line and possibly running out of money for your project before it is complete.
With your budget created, you can then figure out how you will finance your ADU. The typical options for a project like this include:
- Cash-out refinancing
- Home equity loans & HELOCs
- Peer to peer lending
- Renovation loan
- Saving account
If you plan to rent out your ADU, you should have no difficulty getting a loan because many ADUs can pay for themselves through rent payments.
2 Design And Planning
With your budget established, you can then begin designing your ADU to fit within your budget. Keep in mind that your design tastes will greatly impact your overall costs.
Once you have your design down, you will need a number of professional drawings and calculations for the contractors to use. These include things like:
- Structural drawing
- Stormwater management
- Soil engineering
- Plumbing drawing
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering
- Land survey
- General notes and details associated with drawings
- Energy calculations
- Electrical drawing
- Architectural drawing
3 Obtain Permits And Contractor
With all your drawings and calculations made, you can submit your plans for permit approval. Once approved, it is time to find a contractor to build your unit. We recommended working with an ADU professional who has built-in your area before. They will be aware of the different rules and regulations associated with ADUs and may have connections to local suppliers to save you money on raw materials.
4 Build And Furnish ADU
Once you have found a contractor, it is time for them to build. We recommend working with one who is easy to communicate with so that you stay up to date on your project throughout the entirety of the time it takes to complete it.
Once completed, all you have to do is furnish your ADU, add appliances, and enjoy it!
