Building a guest house with Snap ADU

Already have your financing for the project lined up? Feel free to skip this step. Otherwise, now's the time to explore funding options. You will have an estimated all-in cost for your complete ADU project (design, permit, sitework, build), and we can recommend lenders specializing in ADU financing.

We will provide a detailed proposal that outlines a comprehensive view of anticipated all-inclusive ADU costs. As part of our thorough approach, we review over 75 factors related to your property to ensure that we accurately scope and budget for the entire project in your proposal. Together with our detailed discovery calls and virtual site visits, the proposal encompasses the same info covered in the Feasibility Reports that other companies typically charge $2,500 for. Signing the proposal authorizes us to kick off your Feasibility Study (and we always bill after the work is done).

Feasibility entails a planimetric & topographic survey, utility mapping & planning, and full assessment of local requirements and site specifics. During this crucial phase, we also draft your floor plan and exterior elevations, plus produce 3D renderings. At this time we will also complete any required boundary surveys, septic planning or preliminary reviews with the jurisdiction. We present all of this in a Feasibility Study along with your preliminary budget for the entire project.

Timing: 8-10 weeks (standard plan), 10-12 weeks (custom plan)

After your approval of the Feasibility Report, our drafting team will produce all the necessary architectural drawings, calculations, and reports for city permit applications, plus any required documents for your HOA, required soils reports, or construction loan application. Producing construction documents includes a thorough constructability analysis to ensure all aspects of the design are feasible and compliant. Once the CDs are finalized, we present a Construction Estimate Agreement (CEA), locking in the price for up to 6 months during the permitting process.

Timing: 4-6 weeks

We submit plans to the city & pull required permits. We work closely with the building department to ensure submitted construction plans move as swiftly as possible through plan review & permitting processes. Our in-house permitting team will also let you know what plan check & permit fees must be paid.

Timing: 3-6 months

We support our clients in making interior & exterior design selections early in the process to ensure we can keep your project on time and on budget. While the city is reviewing your plans, you’ll make your design choices. You can choose an included standard design from our Look Book or select finishes a la carte. We can also work with your provided materials.

Once we have permits, construction can typically start moving within 2-4 weeks. We handle the entire process, all the way to the final punch list with you to make sure your ADU meets or surpasses your expectations. Timing on this phase will depend heavily on the responsiveness of the city inspectors and also the size of the unit (with two story units taking about 3-4 weeks longer).

Timing: 5-7 months