Has Anyone Built an ADU Recently?
I’ve been thinking about adding an ADU in my backyard, mostly for my parents when they come to stay for longer stretches, but maybe also as a small rental later. I keep hearing mixed stories about how straightforward the whole process is supposed to be in California. Some folks claim it’s quick, others say the permitting alone feels like its own construction project. So before I dive into anything too serious, I’m curious if anyone here has built an ADU recently and what actually surprised you once things got moving?
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When I went through the ADU build last year, the biggest surprise for me wasn’t the construction itself but all the tiny decisions that pop up in the middle of it, and how quickly they stack. Things like where to route plumbing, whether to add a small kitchenette window, or how much insulation is “enough” for such a compact space — they sound minor, but each one influences the next step. Another thing that caught me off guard was how helpful it was to talk to a design–build team early on. I didn’t even plan on that at first; I found myself scrolling through different companies and eventually looked at luxxremodel to get a better feel for how teams structure the process. Seeing examples of finished ADUs gave me a more realistic picture of what fits on a small lot. If you’re just starting out, I’d say don’t underestimate how much smoother things feel once you have someone walking you through the sequence of decisions instead of trying to decode everything alone.