Building an ADU can be a challenging process, but it doesn’t need to be. If you are aware of the most common ADU mistakes, you will be able to avoid them and make the building process that much more simple.
Not Hiring A Qualified Professional
A professional ADU contractor should be able to help you every step of the way. Their main intent should be to build you a high quality ADU. It should never be to see how much money they can get out of you.
You should always hire an ADU professional who is fully licensed and insured. They should have positive reviews from people within your area, and focus solely on building ADU’s. A general contractor will more than likely not have the appropriate knowledge of local zoning codes and regulations to ensure your ADU is built in accordance with them.
Not Researching Feasibility
Individuals have big ideas for what they want their ADU to look like, but don’t always do the research to determine whether or not those ideas are feasible.
With strict regulations surrounding the development of ADU’s, it is important to understand all of them before beginning your design process. If you don’t, you will end up wasting time and money designing something that will not be approved for a building permit.
Not Including Basic Living Necessities
You have to include a kitchen and a bathroom, however there are other aspects that benefit the value of one’s life that individuals tend to forget about. Especially if you plan to rent out your ADU, here are a few aspects to remember to include.
- A washer and dryer (or a machine that is two in one)
- Enough space in the bathroom (small cramped bathrooms may meet the basic requirements, but having room to open your door without having to shimmy through it is a nice touch)
- Plenty of storage (cabinets and closets)
Not Setting A Budget
Poor budgeting will always result in overspending. It could also result in realizing you don’t have the money to complete your project. To avoid this, you should always properly budget out your project right from the start. You should also account for unforeseen obstacles as well to ensure you have enough money to complete the project.
