My mom's house was sold and the funds from the sale were used to construct the ADU. It makes sense for our family as my mom will have her own separate dwelling unit, but will be close enough for me to check on her and to be able to help her out when needed. Everything went very fast and I was very surprised by how everything moved. Olga, our permit manager, did a fantastic job with the permitting and got everything approved in a timely manner. It was amazing! Right now we're in the final stages of completion and waiting for the last inspection, which is happening really quickly - less than four months from the start of the process. It was wonderful to see the building of the ADU come to life. It was amazing to see how fast everything came together and we are looking forward to my mom's arrival. We are very happy with how everything has turned out. read more

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My parents built an ADU in their backyard and didn't tell me it was for ME ! I knew they were building something on their property because I could see the construction but they gave me the impression that they were just adding more space to their property. They used ADU Builders Bay Area and worked with Sergio the most. I didn't really get to follow the process of the construction but my parents changed the floor plan and finishes about a million times. I'm sure Sergio had his hands full with them. It's a 2 bedroom ADU and so much bigger than I imagined. The kitchen has tons of counter space which is amazing. Everything is super modern but not too fancy. It doesn't look like a model and I really like that. After being here for a couple months it's perfectly situated to my life. It's got enough space and my own privacy, but I can have my friends over whenever I want. And, the best part, it's only a few steps from my family! I have no idea how they got the permits and handled the construction process but that would be a terrible review from me because I have no idea what they did. But the finished product is perfect. It's a really nice little house and I love it. I'm a little surprised they were able to keep it a secret for so long read more

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I spoke with several contractors before choosing to go with ADU Builders Bay Area. We decided to build an attached 1-bedroom ADU that we will use for long-term rental. I was looking for someone who could build the ADU in a realistic manner and complete it in a timely fashion all within our budget for the project. The bid they provided was detailed, outlined realistic costs for completing the work and their promises seemed realistic for the bid seemed fair and within our budget for what we were trying to complete. Every time I inquired as to the cost of something or what the next step for completion would be I would receive a prompt and thorough response from our project manager, Paul. I also greatly appreciated that Aisha handling all of the permits for the project. From what I gather from our friends who have built ADUs in the past, obtaining approval for the permits can be very stressful and even cause significant delays. However, Aisha handled everything flawlessly and we never even knew there were any issues. I also had to consider how the contractor would interact with me and with my home. I am living in the main house on my property while the attached ADU was under construction. Mark and his crew treated me and my home with the utmost respect. They were always on time and kept a very neat and organized work space. They left my property clean at the end of each day. The finished 1 bedroom attached ADU looks very good. The flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances and bathroom look solid. The finish work is not over the top, yet looks very attractive. We just finished the ADU and it looks great. We found a renter right away and they are very happy with the place. ADU Builders Bay Area did a fantastic job. They were very realistic with respect to the price and the process and I would recommend them to anyone. read more

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ADU Builders Bay Area built our detached ADU. My experience was very smooth compared to rest of Bay Area. I met with them in winter and we went back and forth with a couple designs before arriving to about 500 sq ft single story plan. Maria took care of all of the City requirements and was very responsive and kept me updated throughout the process. The construction took about 4 months. The team were very careful with the main house and I was worried about the noise but they were very respectful. After it was completed it really feels like a little house and not just an add-on. It's very energy efficient, has a lot of storage and the neighbors have even asked who we used for this ADU. It was a good investment. read more

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We hired ADU Builders Bay Area to build our backyard ADU in Campbell. These guys walked us through the entire building process. This was our first building, so we had many questions but they guided us through every stage from plans to completion. We built a one bedroom structure for a guest house / occasional family visit. The disagner Mia does a great job detailing how the design can still be efficient in a smaller size. It took about 5 months to build after we got our permits. Consistent arrival of the crew, and overall good job of keeping the work site clean. Big credit to Nicholas, our PM, for this. It was very easy to set up, and it's exactly what I was looking for in the end. read more

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Building an ADU could put a marriage to the test, to say the least. For instance, my wife and I have a lot of difference in the way we do things. For her, she goes through each step with utmost deliberation. For me, I tend to look at the more abstract, holistic view, and the process as a whole. Trying to plan this out two years ago led to some pretty serious disagreements, to the point where we completely dropped the idea. We've dubbed the whole ordeal an - ADU divorce. We recently decided to come back to this idea and this time, we decided to get a builder on board. From the first meeting we had with ADU Builders Bay Area, we knew we found a company with a lot of experience dealing with couples in our situation. They assigned project manager Lisa to us. When I started to tell everyone my plans for the deck, Lisa would have to tell me to hold on so we could do the cost of the deck and the necessary permits. When my wife would get overwhelmed by the 15 different types of cabinet pulls, Lisa would have to step in and tell her that there are a few sets of cabinet pulls to choose from, and she could swap a few of the cabinet pulls in the set she chooses. She gave options for decisions that had a lot of emotional value to her, and presented them in a way that would bypass the emotional attachment by describing them as 'Option A and B.' Neither of us could argue the facts since a neutral third party had laid everything out. We had a shared online dashboard, so we were both able to see updates, and so there would be no timelines disputes. Rather than fighting, we collaborated on the project. Instead of fighting over bathroom tiles, we looked at construction photos together that Lisa posted daily. We now have a completed ADU, a garage conversion in Santa Clara that we are both proud of. We not only gained a new rental unit, but we also gained a whole new conflict free process that gave us a chance to work together towards a common goal. Any couple who is anxious about the stress of doing this type of project should definitely work with this team. They are not just builders, they are excellent project and relationship managers. read more

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I just finished building a backyard ADU in San Jose and I can add to the accolades for the ADU Builders Bay Area staff. From design to closing the day I received the keys to the ADU it took about five months. The designer Kate created a very bright and modern studio as requested with a full kitchen. The permitting process in San Jose is long and arduous but I was very relieved that the builder knew the process and would handle everything. The construction team worked very hard to complete the ADU as promised even on many of the very rainy days. Every week the project manager Andrew would send out many photos of the progress which was very nice to receive. The studio is very nice and looks and feels very high in with the good materials that were selected for the construction. I have already put the studio out on short term rental and it is working out very well. I would definitely recommend this company. read more

ADU Builders Bay Area - General Contractors Near Me - San Jose, California

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We built a backyard ADU at our property in Los Gatos. This was a long term project of ours. The purpose was to create an additional space for our kinds to use in the future, and also provide a potential rental income for the main time. The process began with an on-site consult where Marcos evaluated the yard and chatted about design options. He explained our setback issues as well as the connection for utilities to us which was helpful since we weren't familiar with local government issues. Once construction started, progress was steady. Our new home took about 5 months from pouring the foundation to final walk-through. The communication was good. Ann were great at sending updates on weekly progress. The finished unit feels solid and functional.Plumbing and electrical systems are functioning well. The project was very successful in both adding usable square footage to the house as well as increasing its value. read more

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We wrapped up our ADU build in Campbell a little while ago and I figured I'd leave a review now that the dust has finally settled a bit. We used ADU Builders Bay Area for the project. I mainly worked with Kevin during planning and Marco was the one I saw most often once construction started. This was built in the back of an older family property that already had a pretty awkward layout to begin with, so fitting another structure back there took more planning than I expected. The side access was tight, there were a couple large trees near the build area, and the yard grading wasn't completely level either. The first few months honestly felt slower than the actual building part. There was a lot of waiting on approvals, revisions, utility planning, and figuring out where everything was actually going to run. I think people underestimate how much time gets spent before walls even go up. Once framing started, things finally felt real. It was also the stage where the place looked its absolute worst lol. Just exposed wood, trenches, wiring everywhere, dirt piles in the backyard. My nsband kept saying it looked like we accidentally started building a storage warehouse behind the house. One thing that surprised us was how many small decisions come up during construction. Window sizes, slider placement, exterior texture, lighting locations, roof overhang details... stuff I never thought I'd care about suddenly became conversations every other day. What I appreciated most was that nobody disappeared when problems came up. Kevin always answered texts, and Marco was pretty direct anytime something needed to change or take longer. The transformation near the end was honestly the weirdest part. For months it looked rough and unfinished, then suddenly the stucco went on, the sliders got installed, and it finally started looking like an actual little home instead of a construction site. The sliding doors ended up being one of my favorite parts because they opened up the whole side of the unit and brought in way more light than I expected. Overall the process took exact time as we planed and definitely tested my patience more than once, but the finished ADU came out solid and fits the property naturally. If anyone is thinking about building one in the South Bay, my biggest advice is just prepare yourself mentally for how many moving parts there are. It's not a quick project. read more

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We recently completed a detached ADU at our Saratoga residence and worked with ADU Builders Bay Area through the design, permit and construction phases The main objective of the project was to create a calm and private space for our relatives to come visit and stay with us. First we had a consultation with Rendell and he came to our lot, discussed all the zoning and buildability issues which gave us a rough idea of what we were working with and in turn what challenges there would be when building. The building was started shortly after permits were issued. The building was completed within about 5 months. Each week the team leaded by Mark continued to put in a lot of effort. The finished unit is a comfortable space with a logical design that is simple yet functional and easy to maintain. Overall, we are very satisfied with the result! read more

ADU Builders Bay Area - General Contractors Near Me - San Jose, California

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Our ADU project almost got canceled because of the number of trees in our backyard. One of the major criteria we set forth for our ADU project from the very beginning was that we didn't want to have to cut down any of the trees in our back yard to build an ADU. This would have been the case for several of the builders we spoke with. They wanted to build our ADU by tearing down trees in our back yard and then building a small box. Others wanted to build a small box against the back fence of our property. Designer Kate approached the trees in a completely different way than the rest of the builders. She worked with an arborist and actually redesigned the plan to work within the trees and their root zones. The ADU fits perfectly into the yard in a much better way than our original intention for the space. The construction was done very carefully around the trees. An arborist worked with Kate to ensure the best design and an incredible amount of thought and care went into building around several large trees and their root zones during the excavation and the foundation work. I saw Mike, the supervisor, stop large trucks and re-route crews many times to ensure that no damage occurred to the trees, and that the soil was not compacted too much near the roots. And, as you can see from the photos, the best part of the yard landscaping (after the new ADU) is how it fits into the yard - it doesn't feel like the ADU took over the yard, instead it seems to fit into the space that was already there! read more

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Our latest project is a backyard ADU we are building behind our Sunnyvale home. This one is being positioned as a long-term rental as opposed to a short-term vacation rental. We got several bids from contractors and ADU Builders Bay Area's bid seemed most reasonable. Their bid details were good so we went with them. They were very clear and detailed in how they would construct and also anticipated the permits, inspections and the construction process. After several revisions we finally settled on this configuration. Our goal was to maximize floor space without loosing sight of the small footprint of the unit. The unit is 850sf with one bedroom / bath and one open living / kitchen area. After discussion with the team we moved the kitchen to the other side of the dining room and re-sited the window. Both changes have created a really spacious feeling by improving ventilation and bringing in more light. There were a few problems but we knew before hand that our PM Nicolas would announce a problem and then the schedule for the day would change to handle the issue. The house has been completed and rented out. Investment-wise the project is meeting our targets read more

ADU Builders Bay Area - General Contractors Near Me - San Jose, California

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The ADU build process was far more complicated than I thought. ADU Builders Bay Area completed our project and we had a generally positive experience. One thing that I didn't realize I would be doing a lot of was going back on decisions. I can think of at least 3 different colours and styles of kitchen cabinets I had decided on and had either drawings or samples made for, all within a week. Needless to say my husband, our designer Kate and our our project manager Jorge must have been driven mad by the constant changes of mind. It was a lengthy process but that was due in part to the design changes and the process to obtain approvals for a couple of items. Kate and Jorge were always responsive when we had questions. It all came together by the end of the project. The new ADU looks natural on the property. My takeaway is that if you're going to attempt to build one, mentally prepare yourself because building one is a very involved process and there are a lot of moving parts. Fair price, despite all the challenges, it was definitely worth it -- the quality and functionality really increased our property's value and gave us a very practical extra space. read more

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I'm one of those people who notices everything. It probably shouldn't have taken that long, but it did. Worked with ADU Builders Bay Area. That looks like really good quality construction. I only noticed a few tiny things like alignment and spacing, which actually were good but needed to be slightly corrected. The lines between the wood were a little too thick I thought and the air spaces were very small but otherwise very professionally built. We noticed some tile spacing in the shower that wasn't consistent. It's not something that a lot of people would notice, but I noticed it. They made an adjustment to correct it. After installation, they had to swap out one of the fixtures that did not match the others. What I appreciated is that I didn't have to argue about it. After finishing, you don't pay attention to all the details anymore and our project is almost finished. I am starting to notice a few different things, like how the house pulls air through, how the light enters, and how sound carries. All of these are better than I thought they would be. It's fairly detail-heavy so I'm sure there are likely a few errors scattered throughout. What matters is whether it gets handled. For me, it did. read more

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My friends told me how ADU Builders Bay Area helped them out after having some issues with other contractors, so we gave it a try for our backyard ADU job in San Jose. It was a bumpy road, but worthwhile in the end. There were some stressful delays waiting on permits and inspections, but that is apparently how ADUs are built around California. Honest communication was maintained throughout the project. When something went late, the proper reasons were given and not ignored for several days. We worked primarily with Daniel & project manager Ann, the latter handling a lot of paperwork and scheduling, while the former overseer Daniel coordinated all the actual building construction. There were also some additional hours added due to delays in utility work which has become more common when constructing ADUs. The finished unit was just what we wanted: simple, functional and good quality without going over the top and installing lots of bells and whistles. I was recommend them for anyone who's planning to install similar constructions on their property in California. read more

ADU Builders Bay Area - General Contractors Near Me - San Jose, California

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I'm a realtor in San Jose, so I've seen a lot of construction projects go sideways for my clients. When I decided to build an ADU on my own property in Campbell, I was honestly terrified. I know too much. I've seen the disasters. I interviewed three companies and picked ADU Builders Bay Area mostly because their project manager, a woman named Sarah, didn't try to sell me a dream. She showed up with a tablet, walked my yard, and said "here's what's realistic, here's what it'll cost, here's how long it'll take, here's where things usually go wrong." I appreciated that. The build was for a 600 square foot one-bedroom in the back. Wanted to rent it out for extra income. Nothing fancy but needed to be solid. Permits took about 8 weeks with the city of San Jose. Sarah handled all of it. I didn't have to take time off work to go down to the planning department. She just sent me updates. Construction started in October. The crew showed up at 8 every morning, parked considerately, didn't block the whole street. The foreman was a guy named Hector. He'd give me a quick rundown at the end of each day if I was home. There was one issue with the windows. Wrong size showed up, like 2 inches off. Hector noticed it immediately, sent them back, had the right ones in 10 days. Kept the rest of the project moving so it didn't delay anything. That's the kind of thing I was watching for. Finished in about 5 months. Right on the timeline Sarah gave me after permits. Rented it in one week. The unit itself is solid. Good insulation, you can't hear her TV from the main house. Good water pressure. If you're thinking about doing this, just know it's a process. But these guys made it as painless as possible. No drama, just building. read more

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ADU Builders Bay Area helped us add an additional unit to our home in Cupertino to accommodate more members of our family to live with us. We had a generally good experience and it took around six months in total to complete the entire project from start to finish. The build took a while as we were keen to get it right and worked closely with the design team to finalise the internal configuration to ensure the kitchen and bathroom were ample in size. The design team came up with some brilliant alternatives to our initial thoughts and helped to incorporate all the facilities we needed. After receiving the appropriate permits, construction continued at a steady pace. Our new home is so comfortable and low maintenance to care for. I like the natural feel of our living room with all the windows. What a wonderful addition this space has become to the home. It seemed natural all along. read more

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I appreciate the team for their understanding regarding our circumstances. We constructed an ADU for my father. He is in the early stages of Parkinson's. We relocated to San Jose from Carlsbad, CA. It's difficult to discuss the project and refer to it an ADU. It was a project that held great emotional significance. We spent a great deal of our first meeting discussing the \why\ of the project. It is not often that project teams are given the opportunity to express their \why, and it was great to see that they listened. Lisa, the designer, was the first to bring up square footage. It was not a request, but she mentioned that she was never about the square footage. She even talked about my dad's move and his routines. She was the most considerate of all, and she suggested things like no threshold doorways, a bench in the shower, grab bars, and no institutional styled lever handles on all doors. I love that construction manager Nick would call my dad Mr. James. He would show my dad the site so he could see the progress. I was very stressed about the construction permits and the budget. I was very anxious during the build and Anna was an excellent project manager. We should give credit where it is due; she had no other choice. I remember calling her in tears once because I panicked over what I thought was an insignificant issue with some tiles, and she said, "It's okay. This is a big deal. Let's talk it through." When my dad first looked inside his completed home, he sat in his new chair, looked out at our backyard, and was silent. He just nodded and smiled. That was worth the money and the stress. ADU Builders Bay Area didn't just build a house. They built our family's next chapter with care and wonderful craftsmanship. read more

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My kid just started at San Jose State, and like all the other students, she was trying to navigate the whole housing thing - dorms, shared apartments, rents that seem to go up every year. I've got a house in Willow Glen with a backyard that's pretty decent, but it's mostly just grass. So, I thought, why not build an ADU, you know, one of those accessory dwelling units? That way, she can have her own space, but still be close to home. We decided to go with ADU Builders Bay Area for our project. Our project manager, Sarah, made the whole process really easy to follow. When we asked our daughter what she wanted in her new space, she didn't have a long list of demands. She just wanted a few basic things: a strong Wi-Fi signal, good water pressure in the shower, and a comfortable place to get ready for school in the morning. That was about it. She was pretty easy to please, which made the whole process a lot simpler for us. Sarah designed a small studio with a kitchenette, a full bathroom, and a desk area where she can study. Nothing over the top, just a comfortable and practical layout. We had a great experience with the construction project, it only took around five months to complete. The crew that worked on it was really respectful and kept everything organized from start to finish. Now, my daughter has her own little space in the backyard, which is perfect because she can still come over to the house for dinner whenever she wants, so she's still close by but also has her own independence. It's been a great arrangement for both of us.She really liked the place, and for her, the essentials were all there. As a college student, these are basically the most important things, so she was pretty happy with her stay. We're thrilled that we took the plunge and did it. Luckily, teaming up with ADU Bay Area made the whole process a lot smoother than we thought it would be. read more

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We decided to build an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, with the help of ADU Builders Bay Area, for a couple of main reasons - to create some extra living space and to have a potential source of rental income in the future. It was really simple - they took care of everything from designing to getting permits and building, so we didn't have to deal with a bunch of different companies. The whole thing took about 5 months to finish. We had a few small delays, but they didn't really cause any major problems for the project. The design phase really turned out to be super helpful. Irene was a huge help in making some key decisions about the layout - like how to make the most of the space we had without making it feel cramped or overwhelming. She had some great ideas for maximizing the area, and it was really useful to get her input on how to balance everything. The construction of this place is solid, I'd say. Nothing major has gone wrong yet. All the important stuff - like the pipes, the wiring, and the appliances - are working just like they're supposed to. We always knew what was going on, thanks to our construction manager Max - he made sure we were kept in the loop the whole time. We're really pleased with the final result of the project - it's a space that works well and is built to last, which will definitely add to the property's value. The whole thing came together nicely, and we're happy to see it all finished. read more

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I built a small ADU on my grandma's property in Santa Clara so she could have some extra income renting it out short term. Space was pretty limited from the start, so we knew it would end up being more of a compact studio than anything else. We worked with ADU Builders Bay Area. I mostly dealt with Mike, and Jorge was the one on site a lot. Communication was straightforward, no overpromising, which I appreciated. The start was longer than anticipated. A lot of back and forth between the approvals and the production plans before we kicked off in earnest. It was rather a drawn out beginning at times The project broke into full gear after the initial stages. Along the way there were some unexpected inspections/scheduling conflicts, some minor errors that needed to be corrected, but the project moved along fine despite this detractions. It is quite a small space, but completed for short-term rental purposes. It does not have enough room for a full-time resident. There is a kitchenette with a mini fridge, for making snacks and beverages between activities. The glass door panel is really cool and isn't very exposure even though it's glass. It brings in lots of light.. After getting it finished, it looks even better than I initially thought. Grandma started renting it out and it's doing what we built it for. Not an easy or quick process, but it worked out in the end read more

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Last year, we bought a house that needed a lot of work in Berryessa, San Jose. While planning the renovation, we thought about building an ADU in the backyard for my parents. It seemed like a good way to have them nearby without being too close all the time. After reviewing our options, we decided to work with Bay Area ADU Builders. They made the process pretty straightforward and enjoyable. We received a few estimates, and as far as we knew, the figures worked for them. Unlike other renovations carrying a longer timeline, this particular project completed in about a 6-month range. The project manager, Maria, was fantastic. We had a pretty good idea of timeframes, but she was the one to alert us and send photos of what had been completed. She held our hand through the permit acquisition, and we appreciated the every 7 days check-in. The backyard is completely different now. It went from an ugly space to a nice one-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and bathroom. My parents love it, and it's nice having them close, but not too close. Everyone has their own space, which is fantastic. Capture timeframes in the pre-work phase: In the pre-work phase - Permits timeline. In the work phase - Budget your costs, communicate. Construction fees are the least of your problems when it comes to permits and other utilities. I had a good experience and would do it again. read more

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We finished this detached ADU in our Santa Clara back yard early this year with the help of ADU Builders Bay Area. Our idea of the project was to build a comfortable permanent home for our family, but at the same time it might be a good opportunity to earn some money in the future by renting it. We wanted the unit to be long-term construction, but not luxurious and expensive. Their process began with a site visit where Alex gauged the size of my yard, and explained what size structure would be feasible to construct in light of local setback restrictions. Helpful. My wife and I had originally intended to build something significantly larger in scope, in keeping with our original concepts, but the zoning restrictions meant that a smaller structure would be the maximum size that could be erected on the lot. Design and permitting only took a 45 days. From break ground to completion it only took a little under 6 months. The finished ADU is 720 square feet with one bedroom, one bathroom, full sized kitchen. It's very functional and has great natural light in the living area throughout the day. Thanks to Marcos for organization of the project and constant updates on the process were top notch. I only ever dealt with with him throughout. So far everything has worked great and feels like a solid product. read more

Our land in the Los Gatos hills is beautiful but has steep hills, protected oak trees, and difficult soil. Two other builders took a look at the land and either gave prohibitively expensive quotes to make the problems go away or gave suggestions that were more in line with a concrete bunker than anything livable. ADU Builders Bay Area chose to build a pier and beam foundation with a balanced layout to be compliant with the protected trees and a cantilevered design to reduce grading costs and to give him nice views. While this design was more expensive than many of competitors, the detailed work done on this plan relieved a lot of headaches and unforseen costs. The entire construction process was a masterpiece. Bob, the crane operator, and Alex, the foreman, worked together in unison. There were a few surprises along the hillside to dig. The rough shale that would need more engineering on the project was just one. Ann, the project manager, always has at least 3 options to offer so the customer can choose among changes in budget, time, and scope. We chose one, and they performed as expected. The completed ADU seems like it wasn't just put on the hill, but rather seems like it was sculpted from the hill itself. It is by far the most remarkable addition to our property. This project took a certain level of mastery, and they possessed it in abundance. Definitely recommended! read more

Most people think you build an ADU for rental income or for aging parents. Ours has a much simpler, quieter purpose: it's for us, the, "empty nesters." After both kids left for college, our four-bedroom house in San Jose just felt too, big. There was too much space, too much cleaning, too much everything. It was hard having to leave the house with the yard we loved but we just couldn't keep rattling around. We decided to partner with ADU Builders Bay Area to do something a little out of the box. We turned our unused formal living room and part of our patio into a legal JADU. We now fully occupy that 550 sq ft space which includes a bedroom, a lovely bathroom, a kitchenette, and a private entrance. As for the big house? It is now just a place for our kids to come when they are home for Thanksgiving, along with my husband's growing collection of power tools and my yoga/library chaos. It's awesome to have the extra space, but not to have to live in it all the time Karen was our designer and she deserves all the credit. For the first time in the entire process, someone inquired about the particulars of our everyday life rather than the square footage of the kitchen, for example, taking our lifestyle into consideration. We told her we don't do much cooking, and only wanted enough space for coffee and an air fryer for our Trader Joe's dinners. And we wanted a kitchen to talk about, not to really use. She seemed to understand. We may not have gotten a big kitchen, but we made it clear we wanted a seriously nice shower and a generous closet; those really are the most useful amenities for us at our age, and she made it happen. The shower is impressive. The closet is beyond generous. And she thought through the space in a way that the entire 550 square feet feels much larger than it is. The construction was clean, remarkably so. I was sure they'd leave a dust cloud, but they did such an amazing job of sealing the dust, we barely knew they were there, besides the sounds of the saw, of course. The crew was respectful. Funnily enough, our old dog is blind, and during the last week of our renovation, he was getting confused and was trying to walk into ADU and not the main house and would just stand in there and wagging his tail. We interpreted that as a sign from the universe that we had made the right decision. Our utility bills are now cut by fifty percent. The house now feels cozy instead of cavernous. We did not make this for some return on investment. We built this for our own sanity and comfort for this next stage of life. ADU Builders Bay Area understood our vision. They were not trying to upsell us to things we didn't need. They just understood our strange little plan and executed it. read more

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My husband and I live in Los Angeles but own rental property in San Jose. Given the distance, we were a bit apprehensive about building an ADU from 25 miles away. After speaking with a few contractors, we felt an unusual sense of control after beginning to work with Yair from ADU Builders Bay Area. He was the first to explain a remote system for owner involvement. We knew we were getting a builder, but we also had the sense of getting a system for management. Ann, the project manager, was the builder and primary point of contact. After she guided us through the vision and project scope, we utilized a proprietary system for the project's documentation, which included invoices and change orders. Of the many project management systems out there, the daily photo system was the most innovative and unique, and we have never seen anything like it. Albums with 20-30 photos from the previous workday were sent to us every day by 5 PM PST. The photos were not just a few generic pictures of the site, but detailed images showing the wiring of the electrical panels, plumbing before it was covered by the slab, and Batting insulation in the walls. I mean, it was very meticulous. I was even able to recognize the brand of the outlet boxes. During one of her random city inspections, there was a request for an additional detail regarding one more seismic hold-down. Ann contacted us immediately and also forwarded the inspector's note. Ann's engineer was able to draft a quick response, which was sent to the city, and the document was signed within 24 hours. The planning department's backlog resulted in a 4-week delay. Ann's straightforwardness was appreciated. Every week, like clockwork, she would say, "Okay, let's recap. This is what the city says. This is what we plan to do to pivot when we get the green light." The update was an indicator that we had passed the backlog and the process was quite a breeze. For the last few weeks, we had to complete the project with scheduled city inspections, and we had to turnover the unit to the new residents. The project was 8% over the initial budget. This was due to the approved change orders that were communicated to the residents regarding the increased costs of materials.The new project timelines for the residents and our new project goals were dictated by the unit being leased prior to final inspection. For out-of-state owners, Ann's team is the only team to partner with. read more

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My hubbu lost his job as a pastry chef. His dream was to open a small-batch bakery, but in San Jose, the prices for renting a commercial kitchen are out of control. We looked for other options to make this dream a reality, including converting our detached garage in the Berryessa area, which also needed to meet a variety of commercial-grade health code requirements for a cottage food operation, and potentially a retail permit. Most residential builders were a no- go for these commercial specs. ADU Builders Bay Area, however, has been focused. They even sent a consultant to make sure the commercial health code requirements were met. They designed the building for us to include sealed concrete floors, commercial-grade sensitive ventilation, and numerous stainless steel pieces, as well as separate stations for handwashing. It was basically a mini restaurant. And, the project manager, Nick, was a legend. He got our tight budget and moved things along to help. There was a big delay because of the health inspector, and my wife was losing faith. Carlos was great though. He communicated well with the inspector, and was able to clarify and get them to re-inspect. The day we finally got the go ahead from the Santa Clara County Health Department, my husband was crying. The starting point of "The Berryessa Bun" was that garage.Now, we provide pastries for three local coffee shops and weekend pick-ups. The ADU isn't just a building; it's the start of a new chapter of our family life and the rekindled confidence. ADU Builders Bay Area recognized that this was more that a construction job and took time to understand the purpose of building a "dream".They were involved partners in building and constructive problem solving, all the way through the process. If you have any unconventional plans for an ADU, a studio, a workshop, a business, consult with them. They have the ideas to bring it to life read more

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Building ADUs as purely an investment vehicle makes my reviews unemotional and fact filled. ADU Builders Bay Area has now built two units for me (one in San Jose and another in Sunnyvale), and I am working on building my third with them. Here is the analytics from my building experience: Efficiency: The secret to their success is their mastery of permits. In the past, I had to deal with 4-6 month delays with other builders. With ADU Builders, their specialized team has had to deal with construction permits in 3-4 weeks for my San Jose builds. Time is valuable, especially when dealing with construction loans. Predictable Costing: From my experience, their first bids are detailed enough for me to be able to comprehend. During my Sunnyvale build, I had to deal with an unexpected site condition, but this was documented and communicated before construction began. Construction Quality & Tenant Appeal: The finishes used are standard in the industry and are materials like quartz countertops, soft-close cabinets, and LVP flooring. It is not custom luxury and it is not builder-grade basic, but there is better finishes that can be used for rentals. It is the perfect balance to for rentals to maximize their earning potential and be able to for turnover with limited maintenance. I have had my first unit for 22 months and the only repair has been a clogged drain. Communication: It's systematic, not personal. Portal updates and calls are automated, they don't engage. As a 882 The Moon investor, I appreciate this. I don't need a friend, I need an efficient report about my asset. Verdict: Their prices are not the cheapest. But when you think about the total cost of ownership, including delay costs, interest during construction, repairs during ownership, and the quality of the asset they designed, the premium they charge vanishes. They provide a fully built, financeable, low management, income generating property. For an investing viewpoint, they are the most reasonable option in the South Bay. read more

This is not my first rodeo with ADUs. I actually had one constructed on my own property last year, so I came into this project with a good idea of how things are supposed to go -- and more importantly, how things can go wrong if you have the wrong contractor. This project was constructing a tiny rental unit in my mom's backyard here in Santa Clara. She's retired now, and I was attempting to assist her in earning some passive income without the hassle of having to handle a large renovation. Going back to the company I'd used before was my initial idea, but they don't operate in this section of the Bay. Fortunately, one of my mom's neighbors had recently completed the same project and suggested ADU Builders Bay Area so I called them. They were from the start professional and forthright. They navigated us through the local permit problems (Santa Clara doesn't mess around), and worked with us to design a unit that was really functional -- kitchenette, tiny living space, full bath, and private entry. Nothing luxurious, but just what my mom required. Work progressed without a hitch, and I liked that the crew was very communicative along the way. I'm not standing over the site daily, but when I stopped by, everything looked tidy and on track, which if you've had experience with contractors in the past, is a minor miracle in its own right. The unit's now finished, and my mom's already gotten interest from a couple potential tenants. It looks great and feels like a real extension of the main property, not just some afterthought. All in all, I'd absolutely recommend these guys if you're looking to build in the South Bay. They did right by my mom, and that means a lot. read more

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We have an ancient tree in the center of our backyard in the Willow Glen area of San Jose, and it is the heart of our property. Every other builder we spoke to about a detached ADU said the same thing: "The tree has to go or we have to make the ADU tiny and shove it in the corner". We were heartbroken and about to give up. Then we spoke to Ben from ADU Builders Bay Area. He brought an arborist to our first meeting. This arborist spent an hour understanding the root system of our tree. A week later, Ben came back with a design that changed the course of history for us. The new ADU had a design of a soft "L" that wrapped around the vital root zone of the tree. The equitable pier system they were going to use to build the foundation was going to disturb the tree the least. It was more complicated and, yes, more expensive, but they had a plan to save our tree. The construction phase was an exercise in patience and precision. The foreman, Javier, was the protector of the tree. He marked off a giant "No-Go" area with bright construction fencing and the crew was instructed to use hand tools and not construction equipment in the area. Once, a delivery truck was about to enter a restricted zone, and Javier literally ran out to stop him and forced him to back up. I'm serious. We witnessed this from the kitchen. They really impressed us. Our ADU is now finished and looks beautiful, modern, and full of light. We have an oak tree right next to it, and its branches are now providing shade to the new patio and it remains untouched. We spend every evening there. ADU Builders Bay Area had vision. They don't just see construction sites. They understand the value of integrity. They didn't take the easy way out, and that is worth more than the square footage. read more

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When you consider the difficulties we faced at the start of the project, the outcome is even more impressive. After signing the contract, the person we considered the Sales Manager vanished. She referred us to the Project Manager, who, at least, was too busy to answer us. The first six weeks of the design and permit phase we felt like we had entered a time warp. Emails went unanswered, and we had no one to push for a timeline to be established. We had no doubt that we were regretting this decision. To vent my frustrations, I googled the Senior Operations Manager's email, and wrote a very long email to him detailing our frustrations. To our surprise, the response was almost immediate and it changed everything. I received a phone call from the Manager two hours later. He did not make excuses and he apologized to us. By the end of the day, we were assigned to a new Senior Project Manager, Elena. She was great! To begin with, she reviewed the status of the entire project, then scheduled a 90-minute video call to explain the timeline and the communication strategy. With 'brutal honesty' she wanted to eliminate any positive reassurances. Thus, from this point on, there will be a recurring call every Monday lasting 30 minutes, and a written update due every Thursday. She fully accepted all the blame for the deadlines not being met. The company, unprompted, credited our account quite a bit due to the delays and the resultant frustrations. Under Elena's leadership, the project did a complete 180. She remained calm, and was thorough and proactive. The construction phase was seamless. The ADU is beautiful. The company's leadership response to a failure is most noteworthy. They did not conceal; they repaired. They empowered an exceptional PM to regain the relationship and get the project back on track. With this level of accountability and recovery, they deserve this five-star review. read more

ADU Builders Bay Area - General Contractors Near Me - San Jose, California

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We have been navigating the pre-construction process for the past year and a half, so I believe I have enough context to provide a review. My husband and I own a home in Santa Clara with a uniquely configured, but decently sized backyard. We hoped to include an ADU, but were unsure how to proceed. Scheduling a preliminary consultation with ADU Builders Bay Area proved to be worthwhile. We spent two hours with senior planner Tahir . He brought maps for our parcel, zoning code descriptions for our parcel, and provided an extensive explanation of the process. He informed us about a large setback issue concerning our rear property line which we were unaware of. To illustrate what the city would permit us versus what we desired to build, he created some rough sketches on his tablet. He budgeted a reasonable mid-range estimate to actualize our project per square foot, and detailed the many factors that would cause a budget to spike. Most importantly, he gave us a list of things to do which includes: 1) get a formal topography survey, 2) get an arborist report done for the two big ol' oaks, and 3) get the utility maps for the property. Tahir said, "Before you spend a dime on the architectural plans, do these 3. It will save you thousands in redesign." We left with a clear set of materials and a clear sense. We've got a savings target to meet and a path to follow. This trust was cultivated more through the educational and honest approach than any sales pitch. When the time comes for us to start, we will start our official project with them and I will edit my review when the ADU is done. read more

Our new ADU turned out fantastic after 5 months of construction. The ADU that we built from the very beginning was intended to be a flexible space that would allow us to have occasional guests, and also to serve as a home office for my wife and mme. ADU Builders Bay Area really did a great job of listening to our needs and producing many alternatives to choose from. A pocket door that separates the sleeping area from the rest of the ADU was a very smart idea on their part that we had not thought of before. They maintained good communication throughout the entire period of the construction. Mike would send us a text message at the start of each day to let us know what they planned to do. He also would send us pictures of the progress. Occasionally, the project manager Mila would call us to discuss certain matters. Even during the difficult time with the City permits, she was very good at keeping us informed of the status. The on-site construction team were efficient and very respectful of our property. They took good care of our landscaping and kept the property clean every night. We made a couple of changes to the construction once it had started. The changes involved the countertops and the shower. The ADU Builder was very fair in terms of cost for the changes they made for us and kept us informed throughout the process. The new completed 550 sqft ADU looks fantastic. The large window on the two sides makes it look really big. The ADU finished bathroom is also excellent with the good warm finishes. My wife and I are now using it for alternative purposes and that is as our new daily office. We have also put our parents up in here for a week. We are very happy with the work done by ADU Builders Bay Area on our project. We are already planning our next ADU project with them! read more

I have been in the cabinetry and finish carpentry business for 5 years, and despite the chaos and delinquent payments, I have had the pleasure of working with ADU Builders Bay Area. I have done carpentry work for 4 projects, and I would say that most contractors don't treat employees with the level of respect that ADU Builders Bay Area does. Most contractors have disorganized and chaotic jobs and payment issues, and ADU Builders Bay would say that Nick's sites are the most organized. Nick is one of the organized PMs. He is reasonable, and he is organized. Nick does the most to coordinate the other trades, so my team does not have to waste time correcting other contractors' issues. Everything is ready to go when we are. I operate in a cash-based system, and most customers do not have cash for the small businesses they start. Their small business accountants stick to specific cash flow policies, and I can always count on them to pay on the same day, which allows me to pay on time to my contractors. Most customers do not pay on time. Most contractors have disorganized sites and payment issues, and ADU Builders Bay is a godsend. Nick's sites are head and shoulders above the other contractors. Nick demonstrates an acute attention to detail. He notes what could be improved, \ how his feedback is to better the end result for the homeowner, not to simply criticize. It motivates us to perform at the highest level. As a subcontractor, you gain an instinctive understanding of the builders you appreciate working for and those you don't. ADU Builders Bay Area sits at the highest point of this scale. Any homeowner who engages them understands they have selected a builder who draws and values skilled tradespeople, which positively impacts the end result read more

My family lives on a quiet cul-de-sac in Campbell. When our next-door neighbor started their ADU project with ADU Builders Bay Area, I was a bit irritated. I don't live there full-time, but I stay with my family every week for a few days, so the construction definitely affected me too. I started getting exasperated imagining a year of construction, noise, dirt, and unusual trucks. During the first week, I arrived home to a handwritten note on my doorstep from the construction manager named Tony. He introduced himself to us, left his contact number, and told us their construction hours (8am-4pm, with a hard cutoff). The note, stated: We will do our absolute best to be good neighbors. And to my surprise, they did. The crew organized the parking so they wouldn't block the street. There were dust screens. The construction portable toilet was the most discreet one you could find. And then there was the real surprise about the old wooden fence. Many of my neighbors knew the old wooden fence was partially on our property line and wobbly. Tony asked us to split the cost of a brand new, taller, privacy fence for the entire length since they had to take a section down for access. He got three bids and presented them after we agreed. They installed a beautiful, solid fence at a fantastic price, and coordinated everything. Then, halfway through the project, there was a rainstorm, and mud washed into a corner of the lawn. Before I could even see the mud, Tony had someone out there cleaning it and putting down new sod. The ADU came out excellent, but the best part was that the entire process was a positive experience, and we ended up appreciating our new fence more than the other improvements. The workers were nice, and Tony's communication was fantastic. If your neighbor is doing a project and using these guys, you can relax. They are the good, thoughtful construction company you want. read more