I'm excited to write this review as our ADU is almost complete and I don't want to wait a few more days to write this because I'm already happy with how it's turning out.. Our project manager is Andrew and our designer was Irene. Both are very friendly and were great to work with. Irene worked with us to define the various areas of the home and develop many of the details of the design. Andrew organized the construction phase of the project and made sure everything was completed on time. One of the things that I like most about this ADU is its exterior. The two bay windows provide a lot of character to an otherwise rectangular form and provide a lot of natural light. You can still see the progress being made to finish off the kitchen. It has lots of cabinet space. We have last few bits of interior finishing to complete and all going well we should be done within a few days. So far we are loving the whole experience and it's really exciting to see something that began with a simple frame come to life. read more

See all

I just finished building my 400 sq. ft. studio ADU. I built this ADU as an investment on my property and plan to rent it out to help offset the mortgage payments. The floor plan of my studio ADU worked out well. The amount of storage in the kitchen of a 400 sq. ft. studio ADU is plenty. The way that everything in the kitchen is setup is very practical. The bathroom is also great. The dark green tile in the shower is very nice and contrasts well with the rest of the interior of the studio ADU. The pre-approved plan went through the permitting process very efficiently. In fact the permit issued within a few days. My permit MNG Alana was very helpful throughout the process. She handled all the paperwork for the pre-approved ADU plan. Nick the construction manager did an excellent job of completing the structure. The ADU was completed in approximately 3 months which was way under what I anticipated. All final inspections completed today and everything looks great. Now it is just a matter of getting the unit ready for a tenant. I am really happy with my investment. read more

See all

I am thrilled with how my ADU turned out. As a homeowner, I was nervous to take on a construction project, but in the end, it was so much easier than I had anticipated. Ann, the project manager for the construction of , facilitated all of the necessary paperwork and was always available to answer any questions or complete any documents remotely. Mike and his team did a great job constructing the ADU. He and his crew were very easy to work with, and did a great job building the space. It turned out great! I especially love the kitchen and the bathroom of my ADU. The space is bright, clean, comfortable and contains everything I need. It has been a pleasure having Ann and Mike and their construction crew complete the space for me. read more

See all

I used ADU Builders California for a garage conversion and it turned out pretty good. I don't like to write too long of a review. They really worked with me to make the best of the small space. It was important to design the interior to include a kitchen, bathroom and a separate area to sit. They did a great job fitting all of this in without making it too cramped. The process was simple and took very little time to complete- 4 months only. They handled all of the permits and inspect ions. There were a couple of issues but nothing major and they were sorted. After finishing it out, the space feels clean, functional and easy to use. No longer does it have the feel of a "converted garage". Overall, a solid experience. read more

See all

We came to ADU Builders after having a pretty bad experience with another contractor who originally started our ADU. There were issues with some of the foundation work, so their team first had to inspect everything, explain what could stay and what needed to be redone, and figure out how to get the project properly permitted and back on track. We're building the ADU mainly as a future space for our 17-year-old son, so after everything that happened with the first contractor, we really wanted to make sure it was done right. Our project manager Joe was great about explaining what needed to be fixed and why, and we always knew what was happening next. The finished ADU turned out beautifully and, most importantly, everything is now properly completed and permitted. It feels like a real little home, and my son is already excited about having his own space. We're very grateful to the team for taking over a difficult project and getting it done right. read more

See all

Let me save you the agony we have gone through. First we hired a highly praised custom home builder to do our ADU in Orangevale. Big mistake. To them, it was just a small and unimportant job. They never had a superintendent on site, subs were unqualified, and there was a lot of rework. Five months later, we gave them a framed shell, and we terminated the contract. It felt impossible to start over. We specifically found ADU Builders California because they ONLY specialize in ADUs and JADUs. That specialization was everything. While the custom builder saw a nuisance, this team saw a treasure. They built this system for accessory dwelling units. The design phase was the most efficient because we had standardized and customizable plans. Olga, the permit manager, was the most important. She knew everything there was to know about ADU planning. What was the most important was the supervision. Max, the superintendent, lived on that site. He was the most experienced and in charge of the subs. The difference in quality was apparent from day one: The lumber was better, the concrete was smoother, the electrical boxes were better. And yes, they were more expensive than the first guy's initial quote. Considering the money spent on the first failed attempt, the lost time, the stress, and everything else, their service was cheaper. They transformed a discouraging mess into a beautiful, permitted, and fully functioning ADU. If you are thinking of using a generalist builder for an ADU, consult these specialists first. We learned our lesson and it was an expensive one. read more

See all

Hiring a construction company that was 400 miles away felt risky. Looking for ADU Builders in California felt like a last-ditch effort since I live in Orange County and my rental is in North Sacramento (Robla area). But these guys surprised me in a good way. We needed to boost our rental income by adding an ADU, but local builders were either booked for a long time or super expensive. After a really good chat on Zoom, I decided to take a chance on these people. I have to give thanks where it's due. Olga is amazing when it comes to handling permits. It seemed like she got everything approved in no time. Andrew, the project manager, really helped me throughout the four months. He sent so many updates and pictures that I sometimes forgot I hadn't actually seen the place myself. I went up to visit three times, and each time the site looked cleaner than my garage. I was very impressed with the finished unit: - It's already cutting down on electricity costs with those solar panels on the roof. - The kitchen is small, but it has more storage than my place in Orange County. - Our first potential tenant, an older lady, really liked the small bench in the shower. Did anything slow things down? Yes, the plumbing inspection got pushed back twice, but Andrew kept me informed and sorted it out. We wrapped up three weeks ago, and the inspection went smoothly. We're already showing it to potential renters. Don't hesitate because of the distance; these folks really know what they are doing. Would I hire them again? Absolutely! I'm actually planning to do the same for another property next. Highly recommended! read more

See all

We hired ADU Builders California to build a separate unit in our yard, mostly to give our family some extra room to live in. Overall, everything went smoother than we thought it would. We began with Robert's visit to the site, where they told us what size unit would work best for our lot and what the local rules were. This helped us get a better idea of what to expect from the start. The design part took a while because we made some changes, but the team was understanding and gave us helpful ideas, especially when it came to how to lay things out and where to put everything. Things started moving quickly once the permits were in place. The construction work went ahead at a steady pace, and it took just under six months to complete the entire project. There were a few minor hold-ups when it came to the inspections, but overall, everything went pretty smoothly and there was nothing that caused any major concerns or delays. The place is really cozy, it's around 700 square feet, and it has a bedroom, bathroom, and a living area with a kitchen all separate. The way it's laid out makes it feel pretty comfortable, not too tight or anything. We're really pleased with the way things went, everything seemed to run smoothly and we're happy with the end result. Worth every penny! read more

See all

We finally finished our ADU and I'm still getting used to the fact that it's actually there now. We went with ADU Builder Cali for the build. The start felt slow. A lot of time went into planning, permits and going back and forth on small design changes. At some point I started wondering if I was overthinking things like window size or where the door should go. The framing stage was the weirdest part. It looked smaller than I expected and kind of boxy sitting in that narrow side yard. I remember standing there thinking it didn't look right at all . Things really started falling into place when the outside panels were put up and the door and light were added. That's when it began to look like a real building, rather than just a box. It was exciting to see it all come together like that. We had to go back and redo some of the electrical work, which was pretty annoying, but luckily it didn't turn into a huge problem and we were able to get it sorted out. Also didn't expect how tiring all the small decisions would be. By the end I was way less picky about finishes than I was at the beginning. Now that it's done, it actually fits that side space better than I thought. It doesn't stick out as much as I was worried it would. Not an easy process, but worth it in the end. read more

See all

I wanted to share my positive experience with ADU Builders. My husband and I were looking to build a backyard unit for over a year. We wanted to be able to have our relatives stay with us for longer periods of time than a guest room would allow for. After contacting ADU Builders in December 2025, they completed a 580 sq ft detached ADU by April. At first, it was slow going because of all the back-and-forth regarding the designs and city approvals but once we got the ok, it really took off. The team handled all of the required county permits as well as all of the required inspections - which was good because that was something I did NOT want to deal with. The guys were very respectful and we even saved my 2 large rose bushes right on the fence line. The 2 rainy weeks we had in while back put construction way behind but the team were always keeping my husband and me updated as to what was going on through lots of pictures. My aunt is really enjoying the new space. The kitchen area is the perfect size and it just feels solid and well built. We have even received many compliments from our neighbors on how good it looks. All in all we had a great experience building our ADU with ADU Builders. read more

See all

ADU Builders California completed our backyard ADU project a few months ago and we are very happy with the result. We had never done a full gut renovation before and had multiple contractors bid on the project. After much consideration we chose them as they seemed the most organized and realistic in their approach. Our experience with this builder began by having their salesman Arthur do a site evaluation of our lot. He walked the lot and explained the zoning restrictions and setbacks that limited what could be built, and advised us on what connections would be available for utilities like gas. Based on what he found, we decided to build something slightly smaller than our lot was capable of holding. The design process was just a few rounds of revisions to meet our preferences for a more open floor plan as well as ample storage and an efficient kitchen configuration. The team offered very practical suggestions during this process. After all the permits were cleared we started construction which occurred over a period of roughly 6 months with only a few minor delays that occurred mostly when awaiting some specific inspections. Throughout the process excellent communication occurred. They were all professional and kept the site clean and organized, except for the yard waste and any construction trash. This simple off the plans design is close to completion at around 800 square feet. It has one bedroom, one bathroom and open plan living area. It added a lot of space to our property and through the whole process was very smooth. read more

See all

I work from home full time and have been remote for about 4 years now. Up until recently I tried to turn bits of our home into office space, but the process wasn't all that successful. We hired the ADU Builders California company to build our office ADU. It's not a large guest house or rental that I could have put on the market, but a small workspace where I can do my work and close the door from the rest of the world. It took me a bit longer to decide on a design because I kept changing my layout and windows, I really wanted to make sure that there was plenty of natural light and that the interior felt airy and not closed in. The majority of the initial plans were put together by Derek, and Evan was always available to check in and overview the construction progress. They were both very understanding and patient while I continued to make small changes throughout the project. Watching it go from basically a floating platform in the dirt to an actual structure was honestly pretty cool. . Then the outside panels, windows and deck went up and it really became a coherent finished product. My favourite part has to be the big glass doors, they open up the place so little gets felt that you almost feel like your outside. Inside the space, which will serve as an office and studio, is relatively simple, and I was worried it looked slightly grey and boring but it's strangely calm and quite comforting. I use it every day and really wish I had gotten it sooner. Working from home would be a lot less messy if "home" and "work" weren't the same space. read more

See all

Finally finished our ADU a few weeks ago!!! We used ADU Builders California. Overall good experience but definitely a longer process than I thought going in. The planning stage honestly felt never ending. Permits, revisions, changing layouts, changing my mind again lol. I think I switched wall colors 3 different times and at some point my husband told me to stop looking at Pinterest. Jorge was patient with us though and always answered when we had questions. One weird thing about these projects is during construction everything temporarily looks terrible. During framing I was convinced parts of the layout looked wrong and I started panicking a little. Later once drywall and finishes went in it made way more sense. We also had a small issue with one of the hookups originally being placed wrong but it got corrected pretty fast. Now that we're actually using the ADU, most of the tiny details I stressed over don't even matter anymore. Space came out quiet, comfortable and fits the backyard naturally. Biggest thing I'd tell people is just be mentally prepared because there are SO many decisions during the process. read more

See all

I almost didn't go through with this project. I was hesitating for months. Eventually moved forward with ADU Builders California. I was skeptical for a hot second during the building process because I got to see all of the wiring and half-built walls for a split second - looked SO Slobbery! But once the walls went up and we started picking out finishes, everything has looked so much better and so much more finished. There were a few minor teething problems encountered whilst constructing the cabinets, including one door that did not fit properly. However, this was sorted in no time. There's another quirk I didn't think of while planning. I find myself going outside to check on things. I don't do it anymore that I finished. The space feels normal. Like it belongs there. It's probably as good as it gets. read more

See all

I recently completed the ADU for this property. I know an ADU is a larger improvement than say a new paint job or flooring but it was worth it for us because we needed a comfortable space for our kids to stay when they visit plus some potential rental income. The ADU Builders team took all of our ideas and incorporated all of them into the floor plan. Irene, the designer, also provided us with some great insight on how to change up the floor plan to make the unit appear much larger than it actually is. The team handled all of the permitting for the project with ups and downs along the way but were able to get it all done. The site team did a great job keeping the yard tidy as well as the area around. Especially Alex was very helpful in deciding on the best location for the new pathway for around. It took approximately 5,5 months for the entire ADU to be completed from start to finish. The quality of work done was excellent. The insulation is top-notch to keep the home cool during Sacramento's hot summer months. The end result is a beautiful, complete small home instead of an added on. I have already referred 2 of my friends to ADU Builders because they are really good at what they do! Thank you for amazing work. Highly recommend Alex and the rest of his team. read more

See all

Our ADU project in Roseville finished up a couple month ago with ADU Builders California and went better than expected for such a long process. In looking back on the process of building the House, the most unexpected aspect was how much time is consumed in the months leading up to actual construction (getting permits, making revisions, dealing with utilities) The most stressful part was that work hadn't really started, for weeks we were mired in discussions over how to spend money while the plans on the wall hung there gathering dust. But once it finally started to change from week by week, it seemed a lot more pleasant. We dealt primarily with Ivan on the planning side and then Chris on the construction side. Good communication throughout with only some minor delays/ issues with inspection process and a couple of scheduling changes. This ADU was built to house visiting family and potentially to rent out. It was important that the quality of construction, finishes and design be consistent with the main house, and very functional for visitors. I was slightly worried the finished unit would look out of place in my backyard, but it looks much better finished than it did in the framing and exposed plywood stages. read more

I built an ADU behind my house in Rancho Cordova with ADU Builders California. It is to be used as my art studio and workspace that is separate from the main house. Im a ceramic artist and for years the garage, dining room and half the patio would get taken over by supplies, clay and equipment. Eventualy it became impractical for me to continue to have my workspace in the garage. I didn't want a huge space, I didn't want a bunch of fancy stuff. I just wanted a good sized space with lots of natural light, good insulation, and enough separation from the main house so I can be distracted by stuff going on in the house as little as possible. We worked mainly with two people, Daniel and Kate. Kate made the suggestion to flip the positioning of the windows early on in the planning of the ADU and I can confidently say it makes for better afternoon light than how I originally wanted to orient the ADU. I use my ADU daily and it has revolutionized my practice. I am able to work in a quiet space that is very organized and separate from the rest of my house. Looking back I think having a clear intent for the ADU from the get go was key as then every design decision was made with reference to that intent. read more

ADU Builders - New built ADU porch, plastic windows - General Contractors Near Me - Sacramento, California

See all

My parents built me a backyard ADU, which is kind of a weird concept, I guess. But it's actually been a great situation for me financially because I'm 21, a student at San Jose State, and I really wasn't looking forward to the bad roommate, overpriced apartment, or dorm situation. I told them about my dislike for the options, and they proposed an idea to me: to live in the ADU They converted our garage into the ADU in conjunction with ADU Builders California. I was not really part of that construction venture, which I find to be dull, but of course my mom sent me random pictures of progress updates. She was obsessed with the project manager named Anya and talked about her all the time. I'd be hearing the phrase, "Anya said this," and "Anya did that" all the time. Anyway, the most important thing here is I got a really, really cute place! My friends come over and they get really jealous because I have my own studio and I don't have to deal with a weird roommate or a landlord. I really liked the construction guys too, they were super chill and I got to see them almost every day for a couple of months. They would wave at me when I got home from class, they played music, but it wasn't too loud. Now I get to have the best of both worlds. I have my own front door so I have my own space, but if I want to get food or if my mom wants to hang out, it's like a 30 second walk to the main house. My dad even brought me coffee once. My grandma lives in the other small house they built, and she'll text me to come watch tv with her. I can imagine my parents probably dealt with a lot of stress making this happen, but from my end, I got a really nice apartment, and I get to be close to my family without feeling like I'm living in their house. If you're a parent thinking of doing this for your kid, do it. And if you're a kid whose parents are doing this, say thank you because it's actually the best. read more

See all

We completed our detached ADU in October 2025 with ADU Builders California I waited a bit before writing this because I wanted to see how things hold up after my mom move-in. The building process is not an overnight process. Allow plenty of time from planning through construction, because design, permits and construction take time. Once we got underway progress has been steadily on going with no real big variations week to week although there have been some ups and downs. There were a couple details that needed attention: - one of the light switches is kind of in an odd location. - the cabinet color was not exactly what we choose Both got fixed after we brought it up. With most of the place occupied by actual stuff instead of storage boxes, it's still working out decently. The kitchen isn't huge, but it's just fine. The living area gets a lot of light, and the storage is sufficient. So far we have found no issues with plumbing or electrical which was one of my main concerns when we started. End result: a well-built, usable space. Would I do it again? Probably yes read more

See all

Finally finished with our new backyard ADU here in Folsom, built by ADU Builders California. Mike and Daniel were fair and decent to work with. Straightforward with any changes or errors. The purpose of this unit is mainly so my parents have a place to rest comfortably for the long term. Our ADU built out was more complex than we anticipated with many minutes details which I won't go into anymore because to be honest by built out time I just didn't care about about half of them. The most surreal part for me was when we got to the framing stage and the thing looked so small. But once the drywall went up the windows were put in and the exterior was finished it really started to feel like a home. The ADU addition process was not exactly quick: however, the finished product is nice and integrates well into the existing structure and yard. read more

See all

I am not a contractor, but I can do a lot of things myself, like, I can do electrical work, I can do plumbing, I can even frame walls. When we decided to convert our garage in Sunnyvale to an ADU, I thought this would be pretty straight forward. I'll just do it with my own subs, I will save a ton of money. My wife was a little dubious, but she let me go with it. Moving on six months, I had to deal with permits that I messed up on three times. Spent an extra $15,000 and I ended up with a half-finished frame that got electrical work that failed to pass an inspection. To top it off, the electrician I gave a deposit to disappeared. Ghosted me. I had plumbing that was failed by the inspector and I couldn't even tell what the issue was. Despite the money I lost, an unfinished, disaster of a project, my wife kept asking me about it and it became so much more difficult to avoid the reality. I was mortified. Basically, I called ADU Builders California just to see how much it would cost to have the whole thing torn down before I met with Ann, a project manager. I walked her through my chaos, anticipating the lecture of 'well, you could have called us first'. She skipped it, however. And then, as I awaited her lecture, she seemed to take notes and ended with, 'we handle these types of situations regularly. Let us develop a strategy for how we can take the salvageable and dispose of the unsalvageable in a week'. To my surprise, she returned a week later with a pretty thorough analysis. I have to admit, my framing was acceptable. The electrical work, however, was totally unsalvageable and required a complete overhaul. The plumbing, however, was reasonable and simply required a bit of fine tuning. Overall, the number she presented to me was a bit of a gut punch, but she was fair in her breakdown. No unexpected surprises. Everything was honest with no hidden clauses in fine print. The crew sent, with a foreman called Marcus, arrived and got right to it. Not a single person made a comment about the poor quality of my framing. They simply fixed it. From that point onward, I didn't have to interact with any inspectors. After four months, I legally had a beautifully renovated one-bedroom apartment above my disaster zone. On the first night after the final inspection, I sat on the floor and just breathed. The relief was indescribable. My wife still loves to joke about it, but she enjoys the rental income. If you're handy and thinking you can DIY an ADU to save money, think again. It's more complicated than it looks. read more

See all

My apartment is in midtown LA, and I have two roommates. My grandma, at 78 years old, lives by herself in this enormous home in Arden-Arcade, and it's definitely too much for her. She is still sharp and even still drives, but the the stairs are becoming an issue, and the large yard is too much. My mom and aunt have been discussing some options here. Assisted living? No chance, grandma would rather die. She can't go to a small condo either, she would absolutely hate that. One of the ideas was to put an ADU in grandma's backyard, and I would then move in with grandma in the big house. I would be staying with grandma, giving her company and helping her out, and in the process she would get a much more manageable, brand new, single level backyard home. I was sceptical at first. The first thoughts in my head were how odd the situation was and I couldn't believe I was going to live with my grandma. But then I started to think more on it, such as how much I was spending on rent and how much I hated living with roommates and clearly my grandma's health wasn't going to get better. So, my aunt's coworker said good things about ADU Builders California, and that is who we went with. This guy David was the project manager. My mom did the bulk of the coordination because she's the organized one. I went to a few meetings. It was nice how patient David was with my grandma. She would ask the same questions like three times, he'd just answer them like it was the first time again. He also suggested "wider doorways and a roll-in shower" for my grandma to just wave them off, but my mom was like yes do that. I wasn't really paying attention, but I think the build took like 7 months? The crew was fine, they parked in the street, cleaned up. Grandma would bring them lemonade and they were really nice about it. Anyway, now I live in the main house and grandma lives in the ADU... which is really nice. I finish work and she's made dinner because she's bored and likes to cook. She complains about my music. I help her with her iPhone, and on the yard work that she can't do anymore, I do the yard work on weekends. It's like having a roommate who actually gives a damn if you come home. The ADU is cute. Little things mean a lot, and everything is on the same level here. The shower has a nice bench, and there are grab bars, but they made it look nice so it doesn't feel like a hospital. She has a little patio here where she can sit, and read, and she tells everyone it's her little "cottage" and she sounds so proud. It's not a layout that works for everyone, but it works for us. Grandma's not alone, it's not like I'm paying $1400 for a shoebox, and the company put something solid that should last a while. If you've been looking into something like this for an elderly parent, it's worth it. Just be sure you actually like the person you're going to be living with read more

See all

As parents, we have built our own ideal space that we get to enjoy now that our son has a place of his own. This entire process has also been a huge relief for our son. He gets the chance to learn some independence and pay his own "rent" which will go to covering some bills for the accessory dwelling unit. In the future, he will get to spend time with his friends without the feeling of having to babysit them. He has his own apartment without the huge expenses that he will have in the future. He gets to have the apartment and have his own place and responsibilities. The positive changes in our son and the entire family have been immeasurable. We have our own space back, and he has been able to learn about entertaining, being more social, and sharing with his friends which are all tremendously helpful in preparing for college. Thanks to Alex and ADU Builders California, our son has even gotten privileges that he has wanted for quite a long time, and the rest of the family appreciates the adjustment and changes that have occurred. The entire family gets to enjoy a place of their own. We have our quiet evenings again. It's teaching him independence in a controlled way. The unit is designed so well that when he eventually moves out, it will be a great guest house or rental. ADU Builders California didn't just think of a teenage bedroom, they thought of a tool for family transition and growth. They constructed a space that allows a kid to have wings, while keeping his roots deep in our backyard. read more

See all

I currently live in Simi Valley, CA, where I work as a project manager for a tech company. My aging aunt needed a place to live in her longtime hometown of Stockton, so I purchased a property there, intending to build an ADU for her and rent the main house. I needed a builder whose processes could manage the distance. ADU Builders California was the company had streamlined digital work processes accessible to clients. The project portal was the thing where I had to access and review every document, invoice, inspection report, and change order. There was some communication on the milestone comments, but I knew which milestones the comments were geared toward, so I could read comments when I had time and move on to the next milestone. Each milestone had an assigned PM. Ann was mine, so I had to wait until she posted the milestone comments. In addition to that, we had a standing 15-minute sync every week. It was not posted in the portal, but I knew the agenda was posted 24 hours in advance, as were the updates, which made those calls efficient. When a critical pat decision was needed like roofing materials during a supply chain shortage, Ann didn't just call She sent one of her emails, and I read the problem, the 3 options she offered, and her pros,cons,cost,delay recommendation. I made a decision between meetings in 5 minutes. I appreciated being regarded as a competent and engaged stakeholder. The information distance being zero made the physical distance irrelevant. The project was completed within the revised schedule and budget. My aunt is settled now. They didn't just build a house, they managed to create a seamless service experience for a remote professional client. It was impeccable. read more

See all

Constructing an ADU in central Sacramento let us incorporate our values into the property. We aimed for the lowest possible carbon footprint and being hyper efficient and all-electric. ADU Builders California considered our values and gave us the most responsible bid. Everyone else provided lip service to the green building movement, but no one else had a dedicated sustainability consultant and a net-zero building portfolio. They included design features for passive solar gain with large south facing windows, summer shading overhangs, and overheating vents. They also integrated the solar and battery systems extremely well and took care of the PG&E interconnection. We appreciated that they coordinated everything with their solar partner. There were some difficulties. The sustainable materials caused a three-week delay, and some high-performance systems increased the cost of construction by 12%. Anna, our PM, was clear about the trade-offs. The end result is a unit that is remarkably quiet, in which the HVAC optimally uses and according to the initial data provided by our tenants is net-positive on energy. They did not see our sustainability targets as an afterthought, or an encumbrace, but as a fundamental design parameter. If you are dedicated to building green, they have the knowledge and the connections to get it done properly. read more

See all

The master-planned community we live in has an HOA that neighbors often warn each other about. If there was a make-or-break point for our project, it was the Design Review Board, and ADU Builders California understood this. Their designer, Tom, who was part architect and part diplomat. Tom took the time to read our CC&Rs, the HOA Design Guidelines, went to a previous HOA Design Review Meeting to learn the board's pet peeves, and even consulted with a neighbor who had recently obtained an ADU. Tom knew that the design was as much about what we wanted as it was about what the HOA was likely to approve. He had plans for architectural renderings that were in the same design and color as the existing homes. He made the ADU less visible from the street and more visible from the landscaping than the other ADUs. From the start, Tom led the presentation. He used community, harmony, preservation of property values, and the consistent addition of architecture as the HOA's Newspeak. He created answers for all objections in advance. We made a minor concession on the roof tile to meet the shade requirement, and in return, we were unanimously approved. Our neighbors said that was completely unheard of and were shocked that we were the first to submit. The construction process was smooth and straightforward, but the strategic work described above made the project possible. Most builders consider the HOA to be the client's concern. This team viewed it as the first and most important construction phase. If you have an HOA, their construction skill may be secondary to their ability to work within the limits of HOA. They are experts at this vital first step. read more

We built a backyard ADU for our family's use. These are our first experiences with this process and I wanted to leave a review after a 7 months with ADU Builders. First we met Vic on our property for an on-site consultation, he walked us through the land with a tentative placement of a unit and answered some initial questions. Then after we had more questions and then finally he came out and measured and went back on the tentative plans from the first meeting and further cemented our understanding of what we could expect from a unit on our property. Design by Milana. We went through multiple revisions to achieve an open yet functional space. She had great input on the layout of the space specifically how the design of the kitchen and living area flows together. Permitting took a lot longer then initially anticipated. Once permitting was out of the way, our project manager was Andrew who did a great job managing the constriction of our house on site. Good communication when adked for updates. The almost completed unit is approximately 740 sqft. It feels just right, good natural light and functional layout, we are on the finishline. It's a nice alteration to the house and adds more room. read more

See all

My dad is a Vietnam veteran. He suffers from PTSD and mobility issues and was living alone in a dilapidated apartment in Modesto. It was distressing for me to see him living like that. I wanted nothing more than to bring him to our home in Stockton. However, he is quite independent and our home was too disorderly for him to settle fully with teenagers in the house. The only viable option was to build an ADU and I wanted this unit to be a place he would like. I chose this company after an extensive search because they stated that they designed for accessibility, which was the case, but I was happy at how positively they approached my idea. When I called, they introduced me to project manager Robert. He understood the goal immeasurably better than anyone else. He was the first to consider more than the inclusion of grab bars, and instead asked me about my dad's routines, the bad knees, and the need for quiet. The plan included wall and ceiling soundproofing, a zero-threshold entrance, a fully covered, well-lit path, motion sensor lighting, and a wheelchair accessible bathroom. Robert also suggested a small, enclosed patio outside where my dad could sit and smoke his pipe without feeling too exposed. Luis the foreman and his team showed considerable respect. When Dad visited the site, Luis guided him and explained everything. That's the first time I've seen Dad, usually gruff and suspicious, smile. Moving in was emotional. We pushed Dad in. He noticed the wide doorways, the easy-to-use taps, and the emergency call button Robert had sneakily put in. I apologize for not sharing photos since I would like to maintain my privacy. Now my dad has his independence and dignity for 6 months. He's safe, warm, and just a few steps away. I have peace of mind. I'll always be grateful to ADU Builders California. They contracted a remedy for my hero. It means the world to me. read more

There are multiple lessons to be learned from this review. We found out the hard way. Our property has a high water table. Our neighbors told us water would be an issue, and sure enough, when the excavation team began digging out the foundation for our ADU, they hit water and soft silty soil. Remember that contractors often operate on the mentality of 'if all you have is a hammer, everything is a nail.' Our contractor would have just poured more concrete and moved on. But ADU Builders is not your typical contractor. They did the unexpected: they stopped. The foreman is not allowed to make that kind of decision, but he called the project manager, James, who arrived on the site within a couple of hours with a soil engineer. James told us that standard slab construction would be a guaranteed failure in a few years. They then outlined a plan to build a deep, reinforced, pier foundation to ensure that the ADU will be bonded to soil that will not erode, and to complement that with an extensive system of perimeter drains. These measures are certainly a portion of the increased costs and time. They are also things that we would have to document for building codes. Luckily, James provided the engineering reports and long-term warranty to ensure that we could build responsibly. They absorbed the cost of the additional engineering and the project delay. We paid for the actual solution, but they have submitted three subcontractor bids to us. Although the foundation took three weeks longer than we initially scheduled, it is now built like a tank. Every inspector that has seen it has complimented the build. This experience showed us their core value. They'd rather stop, solve, and do it right than plow ahead knowing it's wrong. In an industry where cover-ups are common, we found that the added time, integrity, and technical competence was worth the investment read more

See all

This is my second ADU, but my first with ADU Builders California. The first ADU I built was in Sacramento two years ago. It was a huge learning experience, but also a huge headache. Once the ADU was built, we sold the house, and it was the main reason we got top dollar in a really competitive market. It was a great investment. So, when we moved into a bigger house in Rocklin with the intention of bringing my parents from Colorado, I knew I had to have an ADU. From my first ADU Builders California meeting, I felt it was different. I felt I had the right to explain my experience and what I wanted to avoid thr feedback cycle. Nick, my project manager, was quite the opposite of defensive. He explained how he tries to avoid those problems. I really enjoyed how direct and simple their contract was. I really enjoyed their portal to track change orders, and set up the lines of communication from the beginning. I knew what I wanted and I am sure others would say I was a difficult client, But i asked a lot, and in the end it was a fair exchange. For example, I needed them to get a soil report done before we started. Not only did they accommodate, but they had a geotech engineer report sent out with a week. That report identified some soil fill that needed to be compacted soil, which we did before foundation design, which saved us from a massive problem mid-pour. We've been under construction for about 4 months now and the progress is remarkable. My parents FaceTime me from Colorado every Sunday and I use the app to give them a tour. This company feels like they've systemized excellence from learning all the things that can go wrong. Other companies take everything wrong, but especially for someone like me doing this for a second time, they are an obvious choice. I'm building a home for my parents, but I'm also building priceless peace of mind for myself. read more

Building my wife's parents new permanent home and planning their relocation from a large, unsafe, and sprawling house in Phoenix, was more than just a guest house. It would need a safe, accessible, and dignified space to age in place. We were touched and moved by the sensitivity and expertise of ADU Builders California, Maria. Instead of being grab bars and an afterthought, integrated with the unit as a whole, we designed them to be a feature that embeds inline with universal design. The front entrance is even and gently sloped with no steps. Each doorway is universal design compliant and fully 36 inches wide. The bath has a zero threshold linear drain wet room with a foldable grab bar, integrated with the tile. The kitchen has varying heights of intermediate surfaces of the countertop, pull out shelving that is distributed everywhere, and lever handles on faucets and doors, which are easier for people with arthritis. Superintendent Max, along with the unit's crew, was very applicable. They understood the purpose of the unit and their work was neatly excellent. When listening to my retired engineer father-in-law, Joe would explain some walls of the reinforced bathroom or the slope of the driveway. That kind of respect goes a long way. The ADU is complete and a masterpiece. It's bright and beautiful unit, feels spacious, welcoming, and safe. It's been 3 months since my in-laws moved in. My mother-in-law said: I didn't realize how much energy I was spending just navigating my old house until I moved here. That's a big shout out to Maria and the rest of the crew. They built a unit that promotes self-reliance. read more