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Design Policy

SnapADU’s standard plans have been designed to provide the most versatile, cost-effective ADUs with the shortest build cycle possible. We understand that each ADU and property is unique and, at times, small modifications may be needed or desired.

To maintain our commitment to an efficient process and our ability to deliver the highest quality ADU, we have established clear limits on what modifications can be made and at what cost. Below you will find more detailed information on Standard, Standard Plus, Semi-Custom, and Custom plans. Note that in most cases, finish materials are customizable and can be finalized via our material selection portal.

Standard Plus

Below are the type of modifications included at a Standard Plus level. Homeowner may encounter additional material costs, for instance when adding an island or upgrading materials.

Layout & Construction

  • Rotating or flipping floor plan
  • Adding “pony” walls
  • Removing interior walls (non-structural)
  • Adding architectural beams (faux wood, box beams)

Doors, Windows, & Exterior

  • Changing door types (i.e. changing from a sliding glass door to French doors)
  • Swapping out doors for windows provided the opening width remains unchanged (and vice versa)
  • Relocating or deleting doors/windows, provided it does not affect egress
  • Changing standard exterior finishes, including stucco, siding, and basic trimwork

Kitchen, Bath & Mechanicals

  • Swapping out showers for tubs (and vice versa)
  • Upgrading materials (additional cost for materials)
  • Adding kitchen island

Semi-Custom

The below modifications are generally included in a Semi-Custom project.

Layout

  • Moving interior walls within the footprint of the ADU
  • Note that significant layout changes may move the project into a Custom lane

Doors & Windows

  • Changing door/window widths
  • Changing window heights/handing
  • Adding non-standard doors/windows
  • Adding glass wall systems (i.e. La Cantina doors)

Kitchen & Bath

  • Modifying cabinetry and layout of fixtures
  • Adding non-standard showers
  • ADA baths

Walls & Foundation

  • Raised foundations/stem walls
  • Alterations to the concrete slab/foundation (e.g. recessed shower pans, deepened footings)
  • Thickened exterior walls (2×6 walls are standard, recessed windows would require thicker walls)

Roof & Ceiling

  • Altering roof lines/eaves
  • Framing with roof rafters in lieu of roof trusses
  • Raising ceiling height (8’ wall height with vaulted ceilings are standard)
  • Changing flat ceilings to vaulted (our ADUs are already designed to have vaulted ceilings to the greatest extent possible, with flat ceilings only where needed to accommodate mechanical equipment)

Mechanicals

  • Changing mechanical equipment (we install fan coils in the attic which provide heating & cooling)
  • Relocating/adding plumbing fixtures
  • Relocating/adding electrical fixtures

Custom

The below modifications are generally included in a Custom project. Note that projects that have a significant number of the modifications listed under Semi-Custom may also end up treated as Custom.

Layout

  • Enlarging, shrinking, or reconfiguring the footprint of the ADU
  • Adding new structures like a garage under or beside the ADU
  • Connecting multiple ADUs
  • Any other significant redesign that fundamentally alters the structure

Customer Referrals

We refer the following custom requests to qualified vendors for design and/or construction. These trades are not handled in-house because they are not central to the ADU build, and partnering with specialists ensures you have the best possible experience.

Layout & Construction

  • Modifications or remodeling to main home or other existing structures
  • Non-traditional structures and methods (e.g. earth homes)
  • Heavily custom plan with a specific vision beyond our expertise (think extremely high end with unique construction materials)

Exterior Work

  • Landscaping
  • Outdoor kitchens & BBQs
  • Pools