ADU Guides and Resources
Practical guides for San Diego homeowners planning an ADU project. Browse by topic or search for what you need.
19 guides
How to Hire an ADU Builder: A Step-by-Step Guide
The full hiring process from first search to signed contract, including a 14-point homeowner checklist and what to watch for at each stage.
How to Compare ADU Contractors: A Side-by-Side Guide
Why ADU bids look different even for the same project, and a six-category framework for making a fair comparison before you sign.
How ADU Builder Matching Services Work
What ADU builder matching services do, how the step-by-step process works, and what to look for before you submit your project details.
How to Vet an ADU Builder: A Homeowner's Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for reviewing a contractor's portfolio, references, license, insurance, and bids before you commit.
How to Find a Qualified ADU Contractor
Where to look, what to search for, and how to tell a contractor with real ADU experience from a general builder who dabbles in them.
ADU Builder Reviews: How to Find and Evaluate Them
Which review platforms matter, what ratings actually tell you about real project performance, and the signals that indicate a profile may not reflect reality.
ADU Contractor Red Flags: 7 Warning Signs Before You Sign
Seven warning signs that an ADU contractor may not be the right hire, including license problems, illegal deposit requests, and bid vagueness. Includes a pre-signing checklist.
San Diego ADU Bonus Program and Grants: A Homeowner's Guide
How San Diego's ADU Bonus Program works (one bonus market-rate ADU per affordable ADU), what changed in August 2025, the SDHC $250K loan, and every other active financial incentive.
ADU Cost San Diego: A Realistic Budget Guide
What ADUs actually cost in San Diego by type, what drives the price up or down, and the budget factors most homeowners underestimate.
San Francisco ADU Programs and Grants: A Homeowner's Guide
What ADU programs exist in San Francisco, which grants are currently active (and which are paused), how the three permit pathways differ, and what eligibility requirements apply.
ADU Financing Options: A Practical Guide for California Homeowners
Compare HELOCs, home equity loans, cash-out refinances, and construction loans. Covers the CalHFA ADU Grant (currently paused), SDHC programs, and how to choose the right product for your equity and credit profile.
ADU Cost Calculator
Estimate your ADU project cost by type. Average ranges: JADU ~$55k, garage conversion ~$120k, detached ADU ~$280k. Based on 2025 California market data.
San Diego ADU Permit Guide
How the ADU permit process works in San Diego, what zoning rules apply by city, and what homeowners need to know before they start building.
ADU Laws in California: AB 68, SB 9, and SB 1211 Explained
What California's landmark ADU bills actually changed, what local governments can still control, and what every California homeowner should know before applying for permits.
The ADU Permit Process Step by Step
What happens between 'I want to build an ADU' and 'I have a certificate of occupancy' — every stage from site check and design through plan review, construction inspections, and final sign-off.
Detached ADUs in San Diego: Costs, Permits, and What to Know
What detached ADUs cost in San Diego, how the permit process works, setback requirements, how they compare to garage conversions, and a homeowner checklist.
Garage Conversions in San Diego: A Complete Guide
Permits, costs, parking rules, common construction challenges, and realistic timelines for converting an attached or detached garage into a legal ADU.
Prefab ADUs in San Diego: Costs, Permits, and What to Know
How prefab and modular ADUs work, what they cost in San Diego, and the site and permit requirements that affect whether one is right for your property.
ADU Project Timeline by Type
How long each ADU type takes from start to move-in: JADU (3–9 months), garage conversion (4–12 months), custom detached ADU (12–24+ months).
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Browse local ADU contractors by project type and service area, or submit your project details to get matched with qualified builders.