Guide
What homeowners need to know.
Scope questions
What is included, what is excluded, and what assumptions would change the price?
Permit questions
Who prepares drawings, submits plans, responds to city comments, and coordinates inspections?
Site questions
What do you know about utilities, access, foundation, drainage, fire access, and existing structure condition?
Cost table
Use ranges until scope is real.
| Item | Planning range | Why it moves |
|---|---|---|
| Early consultation | Often free-$1k+ | May be sales-oriented unless tied to a real deliverable. |
| Feasibility review | $1k-$5k+ | Better when you need property-specific answers. |
| Construction proposal | After scope | Only useful when drawings and assumptions are explicit. |
Mistakes
Avoid these expensive shortcuts.
- Asking only 'how much per square foot?'
- Not asking who owns permit corrections.
- Skipping utility and site-work exclusions.
- Accepting verbal scope where the money lives.
FAQ
Fast answers.
What is the most important question to ask an ADU builder?
Ask what assumptions are behind the price and what would cause that price to change.
Sources