What to Ask When Looking to Hire a Contractor for your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Fullerton?
You’ve done your research and you’re convinced that an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is the right choice for you. You may even have a few ideas about what you want your ADU to look like. But before you start construction, there’s one more important step: hiring a contractor.
Be it your home, a guesthouse, or an in-law suite, you want to be sure that the person you’re hiring is up for the task. Here are seven questions that will help weed out any contractors who aren’t qualified to take on your accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project.
Why Is It Important to Ask the Right Questions?
No matter the size of your project, it is always important to do your research before hiring a contractor. This is especially true when you are planning on building an ADU.
An ADU is a significant investment, and you want to make sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. By asking the right questions, you can be sure that the contractor you hire is the best possible fit for your needs.
Hiring a Contractor for your Accessory Dwelling Unit
Here are 7 questions you need to ask before hiring a contractor for building your Accessory Dwelling Unit in Fullerton:
1. Are you a licensed professional?
You want to be sure that the person you are hiring is a licensed professional. This will protect you in case anything goes wrong during the construction process.
Checking for licensing is easy enough. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) licenses and regulates contractors in California, so all you have to do is visit their website and use their search function to verify that your contractor is, in fact, licensed.
If your contractor is not licensed, you should proceed with caution. Hiring an unlicensed contractor puts you at risk of being held liable for any damages or injuries that occur during the construction process.
2. How long have you been in the field?
The number of years a contractor has been working in the industry is an important factor to consider. Newer contractors may be just as good as more experienced ones, but they may not have handled as many projects.
On the other hand, an experienced contractor will have seen it all and know exactly what needs to be done in order to avoid any issues. They will also be able to adapt more easily to changes that might come up during the construction process.
Construction is a very detail-oriented process, so you want to make sure that your contractor is experienced enough to handle all the nuances that come with it. The ideal contractor would have at least five years of experience under their belt.
3. Do you have a portfolio of similar projects from the past?
When evaluating a contractor, always ask to see a portfolio of their previous work. This will give you a good idea of their experience level and the quality of their work.
A portfolio will also show you if the contractor has worked on similar projects in the past and if they have the necessary skills to complete your ADU project.
Make sure to ask for references as well so you can speak to some of their previous clients and get first-hand feedback about working with them.
The ideal contractor would have a portfolio of similar projects that they have completed in the past. Asking to see a portfolio of a contractor’s previous work is a great way to evaluate their experience and the quality of their work. Make sure to ask for references as well so you can speak to some of their previous clients and get first-hand feedback about working with them.
4. Will You be Able to Obtain all of the Necessary Building Permits?
In order to build an ADU, you will need to obtain several different building permits from your local municipality. These permits are necessary in order to ensure that your ADU is built up to code and meets all the safety requirements.
Your contractor should be able to help you with this process and guide you through what permits you will need to obtain. They should also be familiar with the building code requirements in your area and be able to ensure that your ADU meets all of them.
5. How many ADUs have you built?
The number of ADUs a contractor has built in the past is another important factor to consider. If a contractor has only built one or two ADUs, they may not be as familiar with the process as someone who has built several.
This lack of experience could lead to problems down the road, so it’s always best to hire a contractor who has built several ADUs in the past. This way, you can be confident that they know what they’re doing and will be able to build your ADU without any issues.
When hiring a contractor to build your ADU, always make sure to ask about their experience with similar projects. The ideal contractor would have a portfolio of similar projects that they have completed in the past and be able to obtain all of the necessary building permits. They should also be familiar with the building code requirements in your area. Hiring an experienced contractor will give you peace of mind knowing that your ADU is being built by someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
6. What is your estimated completion time?
When you are discussing your ADU project with a potential contractor, be sure to ask about their estimated completion time. You want to make sure that they are realistic in their estimation and will be able to complete the project within the timeframe that you have set.
A good ADU contractor in Fullerton will be able to give you a detailed timeline of the construction. This timeline should include milestones for each phase of the construction process and a final completion date. Make sure to ask questions about the timeline so you can be sure that you are on the same page with your contractor.
The ideal contractor will be able to give you a detailed timeline of the construction process, including milestones for each phase of the construction process and a final completion date.
7. How early can you give me a quote?
When you are ready to start your ADU project, the first step is to get a quote from a contractor. This quote will give you an idea of how much the project will cost and will help you determine if it is within your budget.
You should always get multiple quotes from different contractors before making a decision. For the most reliable services, you can get in touch with reputable contractors such as Orange Country Construction.
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FAQ ADU & Garage Conversion Fullerton
Does Fullerton allow ADUS?
ADU stands for “Accessory Dwelling Unit” and the JADU is a “Junior ADU” in Fullerton. The name ADU is the official name the State of California gave when they mandated that Fullerton must allow them to be built. It’s also another name for “grandma unit” or “guest house” and more.
What is a Garage Conversion?
In the city of Fullerton there are many houses that don’t have a large back yard, so the state mandates that Fullerton and all cities allow garage conversion (JADU or Junior ADU) to be built. Fullerton can’t make you add more parking due to this. Build a small home in your garage legally.
What make an ADU legaly in Fullerton?
Every ADU built in Fullerton needs to have a minimum of a small kitchen with a fridge, range (or cook-top), cabinets for storage, sink and a certain amount of countertop space for food preparations. Fullerton also requires a hood and fan with ducting to the outside for the kitchen. Then you also need a full bathroom (tub or shower or both) and a sleeping area of no less than 7′ x 7′.
How much does an ADU cost in Fullerton?
There is not magical short answer due to the fact that an ADU in Fullerton requires it to function as a small home requiring all the utilities, living spaces and more. Some ADUS pull all their power, water and sewer from the main home when others are a full stand-alone unit with their own utility bills. This will change the pricing dramatically.
Does my ADU need to be detached in Fullerton?
In Fullerton you can do either, attached or detached. If it’s attached to your home, you have to have a separate entrance for the ADU and no access from the house into the ADU. You can also convert your garage to an ADU.
What is a JADU?
Basically in Fullerton, a JADU is the same as an ADU but it’s limited to 500 square feet or less. Most of the time they are built in small backyards or as a garage conversion, or converting existing rooms in your house.
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