Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building an ADU

Nerdwallet recently discussed the cost of home renovations, pointing out that, on average, such projects set homeowners back at least $6,200. However, this amount of money is tiny compared to the costs of building an ADU, which can often be at least ten times that. As such, how do you ensure you invest well in property modifications like these and avoid potential pitfalls that could inflate those costs?

Below, we offer all the information you need to take these worries off your shoulders, with ample warning to avoid common mistakes related to:

• Skipping ADU design steps

• ADU cost preparations

• Researching ADU laws and regulations

• Planning for ADUs in California's climate

So, read on to learn what to expect so that you can create an ADU that adds value to your property without worrying about potential errors, handle any challenges that might appear, and be proud of the results.

Forgoing Feasibility Studies

Building ADUs is becoming more popular every year, with Yahoo reporting that they have accounted for 20% of new home builds in recent years. The sudden influx of new builds means that the process is a well-worn road, and people have already made many mistakes you can learn from.

One of the most neglected steps is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study. These will help you understand how the results of building an ADU will impact you and your property, or if it is even possible, to avoid you from suffering unexpected setbacks.

At the same time, make sure to confirm your plans align with zoning laws and lot coverage limits. These define:

• How much of the land you can build on

• How far from property lines you need to build

• Whether you need to consider vehicle access

• If slopes or unstable soil are going to impact your construction significantly.

If you fail to perform this step, local authorities may even reject your project when you apply for a permit. As such, get it done before you lay down a single construction line.

Unexpected Delays in Processes

Several aspects of the building process may cause delays. You must ensure that your budget can handle them or that you plan the steps you take in construction to account for them.

Some of the most common delays include:

• Slow permit approval

• Construction delays

• Low contractor availability

• Redesign timelines due to changes

• Seasonal construction delays

• Extreme weather event issues

• Shipping delays

Each of these could cause significant issues for your project, raising its price or preventing you from completing it. As such, ensure you have the time and budget to respond to such difficulties.

If you hear any warnings during the construction process, do not ignore them. Actively seek professional advice or get an expert crew to perform the construction process for you, preventing many structural or compliance issues due to their experience. Their suggestions will come from facing the same problems in the past, and their advice could save you a lot of money, even if it demands a small investment.

Not Preparing for Regular Inspections

Remember that several inspection stages for such a project ensure you comply with building codes. Inspections are not a once-and-done process, either. You may need to commission an inspection of your:

• Pre-construction site

• Foundation

• Underground utilities

• Framing

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Insulation

• Drywall

• Fire safety code adherence

Different cities and countries may have other codes, so investigate what your local area needs before sourcing an inspection. After all work is complete, you will also need a final inspection. As mentioned above, follow any advice from professionals before these inspections to save you weeks on your timeline and help you retain a good reputation with the local inspectors.

Unexpected Budget Changes

Over the timeline of your project, you should expect slight increases in costs here and there. However, these "hidden fees" can consume your budget over time. Some examples of these include:

• Soil testing

• Drainage changes

• Updates to match 2025 building energy requirements

• Adjustments following inspections

• Needing to upgrade existing utilities to handle more buildings

• Accessibility features

Better Homes & Gardens reports that these can increase the cost of building by several thousand dollars. Therefore, you should be realistic about these and research the project beforehand.

Also, remember that labor costs in California can often be higher than national averages. As such, budget accordingly for skilled traders who can give you the best job results, but understand that this will cause you additional outgoings.

If you need to prepare for these possibilities, you may want to research ADU loans or grants. These can help you take the edge off of any significant surprise costs. However, ensure that you fully understand their terms and conditions so they do not become an additional source of stress.

Not Consulting Professionals

Benzinga reports that the median house price in California is now over $900,000, so people are scrambling to build ADUs to take advantage of the state's increase in renters. However, don't rush. Instead, perform your due diligence to avoid errors or fines.

For example, not working with consultants makes you much more likely to skip an important step that might cause potential issues later on. As such, speak with:

• Architects

• Engineers

• Construction workers

• ADU specialists

• Energy consultants

• Interior designers

Each will have a different insight into your process to help you avoid extra expenses.

Not Consulting Neighbors

While they may not be experts, you want to avoid significant objections from those who live in your immediate area. As such, discuss your plans with your neighbors early to reduce the risk of encountering a dispute during or after construction. You may have planned to build the ADU in a specific location they do not like, but moving it to an equally acceptable location will solve that issue.

While any neighbors should expect you to make a significant amount of noise when you start construction, warning the neighbors can intercept any concerns or lower the likelihood of complaints they may have. As such, consider building a temporary soundproofing fence or similar noise blocks. If your neighbor worries about noise from the final ADU, you might also want to consider soundproofing within the construction.

If parking is a premium and you are planning to rent out the ADU, consider how that will also impact the situation on the road. If people cannot park on the road, consider adjusting your driveway to allow anyone in the ADU to park their vehicle there instead.

Designing Based on Hype Instead of Goals

When planning your building, ensure you do it for the right reasons. While the number of ADUs appearing throughout California is high, you don't have much freedom to change the purpose of one once you build it due to its small size. As such, work out what you want to do with it before you start construction.

A singular vision will allow you to guide design decisions and help you set a budget. It will also prevent you from overthinking every aspect of the architecture and allow you to focus on its singular purpose.

Ensure Practicality

During the planning process, understand that your building will be very small. As such, ensure the ADU utilizes the open space inside it more than having more rooms. Consider:

• Leveraging multifunctional rooms to prevent cramped quarters

• Prioritizing natural light to create a welcoming living space

• Investing in high-quality insulation to ensure both comfort and compliance

• Ensuring the ADU has clear circulation spaces for people to move around in

• Combining furniture with storage to help people make the best use of space

Ensure that you also install adequate ventilation to keep the air quality high despite the compact space of the ADU.

Understand the Demographic to Use the ADU

If you plan to rent out the location, remember that those using the space will not likely be homeowners and, thus, will likely have less disposable income. You will want to incorporate energy-efficient features to offer lower utility bills to potential renters and make the location more appealing. For example:

• LED lighting

• Energy-star appliances

• Efficient HVAC systems

• Double-glazing

Similarly, using materials such as vinyl flooring or quartz countertops will reduce the location's upkeep needs, so cleaning it yourself should not be too difficult when people move out. In addition, defining a specific outdoor area as part of the ADU and designing with it in mind will allow people to host guests more easily without worrying about cramped quarters or intruding on your spaces.

Even if you do not rent out the location, each feature you add offers a more positive experience to anyone living there, so installing them may be universally beneficial.

Start Building an ADU with ADUHelpCenter.com

ADU construction can often be a disaster unless you know what you're doing. So, put away the DIY kit and leave the bulk of the work to the professionals.

With careful planning, building an ADU can boost your property value and meet your housing needs. ADUHelpCenter.com has the knowledge and experience needed to help you during this process. We can even tailor unique solutions to any ADU issue you might have.

So, contact us today and learn what ADUHelpCenter.com can do to help you avoid the pitfalls of the construction process today.