Don't make VERY expensive ADU mistakes!

[@pcatful]

A detached ADU may require a separate sewer connection (can't be connected to the house sewer). Even when this occurs on the site, fees will be levied. Fire sprinklers may require a new water connection and fees for that.

[@mdachelis7]

You sir, are a gold mine of information. Thank you for what you do. As a homeowner who just completed an owner-builder 850 sq ft adu in Walnut Creek, #5 really resonated with me. I was lucky to have my father’s help (GC for 35 years), but without his help there is NO WAY I’d recommend that process on someone who’s never gone through it before. Keep up the amazing content!

[@HowToADU]

Yeah, contractor in the family is one of the common themes for people who successfully take on owner-builder! Glad you like it Dean

[@lpsglitterpaws8536]

We are planning on building an ADU in Alamo next to WC. Who did you go with?

[@richelljose8235]

I currently live in Walnut Creek and am thinking of building an ADU - would love to connect and get as much advice as I can.

[@factorydirecthousing]

Thank you for mentioning the importance of a GC!! Many clients we have want to be owner builder and do NOT realize what they are paying for when they hire a GC.

[@eddieruiz8503]

It's always nice to learn something new everytime I watch your videos. Thank you Ryan.

[@HowToADU]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching :)

[@kdockrey]

From my experience, only hire an architect/builder/GC who has built an ADU previously in your area. I interviewed many who claimed to have built ADUs, but all they could present was plans and 3-D models. Make them show an ADU that they have built.

[@HowToADU]

Love that advice. A lot of fakers out there. Some cities have online permit portals that will let you pull up permits if the builder or designer can share an address with you.

[@kdockrey]

@@HowToADU I am not sure that LADBS has any such online portal.

[@HowToADU]

@@kdockrey I think it's www.ladbs.org/onlinepermits - having said that the link for building check is currently broken :(

[@brianc7096]

Excellent video as always, a few more arguments in favor of hiring a GC with regard to subcontractors: -GCs will have a trusted set of subs that they have refined over years if not decades that perform good work, more or less on time, and on budget. The worst subs can still put together a pretty website, find a few happy clients or friends/family to act as references, place online reviews, and as long as they haven't been sued or lost their license, it will be very hard to tell. The best subs often won't even have a public presence because they get so much repeat business they don't need to attract new business. Asking to walk current jobs and speak to clients should work for a GC, but a subcontractor likely wouldn't waste the time for a job as small as an ADU. -If for any reason the sub needs to open up some time on their schedule, you'll be the first one pushed back. Once your critical path is thrown off, your schedule could be absolutely decimated. -Most subs would prefer not to work with uninformed homeowners, it's more headaches and management time instead of being able to get in there and do the work. Quality subs that are very busy these days likely won't even return your call, whereas the low quality subs that can't get repeat business will call you right back and be happy to put together an overly optimistic (and completely nonbinding) estimate so that they get the work. -Beyond the totally valid example of issues coming from failed inspections, a non-expert (assuming they completely understand the plans) will not know what is needed unless it is explicitly stated on the plans. Acceptable tolerances, code violations inspectors don't spot, use of inappropriate materials and methods, or even just being able to answer the basic questions a sub has on exactly what they should do, will be beyond your abilities.

[@HowToADU]

100%

[@themoneyteamsanchez3505]

Amazing information, thank you for all your hard work.

[@86boanerges]

Thanks for your informative channel. Might book a consultation soon after I figure out what we want to on our over 11000 TPA lot in San Diego with a 2474 sf ft SFH. Quick question: Does a conversion of a part of existing SFH to an ADU require adding 2 electrical sub panels in each unit?

[@lorenazaragoza6411]

Thanks for all the knowledge. I reached out to my lender regarding the CALhsf program and she said the refi would be at 6.8%!!! I’m going to wait a bit and see if the banks come up with better products. I know you shared that Calcom will do a second but at a 200k minimum. That’s too much for me. I’ll sit on it for a bit. Thanks for all you do. I admire your passion

[@HowToADU]

Yeah the refi rates are crazy. You might want to call CalCon since they offer a loan that takes a second position and doesn’t require a refi

[@narenb6844]

I have been approved for Cal HFA ADU through HPP Cares. My understanding is that the money will be in a escrow account managed by HPP Cares. The money will be paid by HPP Care towards appropriate expenses for the ADU project. How long can the funds stay in the escrow account ? Is there a time by which the funds need to be used ?

[@susandudley171]

Congratulations

[@r0syyyy]

Ugh! I wish we were best friends so I could ask you all of my questions. I have my meeting with Realm on Wednesday. I’m crossing my fingers that all goes well. Thanks for all of the videos.

[@HowToADU]

Aww. You can ask! I hope Realm will take good care of you too! :)

[@R900DZ]

Great discussion, thanks

[@elisan320]

BTW: Thank you so much for all your information. You're awesome!

[@jhoed.9881]

Will a city permit if I build both a detached adu and a junior adu in the same property?

[@HowToADU]

The state law in California requires cities to grant one junior ADU and one detached ADU on the same property (under all the right conditions). Talk to your planning department before starting the project, and if they disagree with this or seem uninformed, you can always write to the HCD for technical assistance and the HCD will help the city understand the rules.

[@davidmashrique3189]

As long as they are on the plans, yes

[@lorirawleigh2554]

Thank you for this! How do I get on the mailing list for grant information?

[@HowToADU]

CalHFA has a mailing list on their website, and several of the entities that processed applications last year have their own mailing lists. There's an update about the grant and how to apply for ADU incentives in the most recent video on this channel too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5yxhpmoisR8aq8

[@elisan320]

Is this service that you provide included in your price?

[@HowToADU]

Hey, which service? I haven't watched this video in a while and today is kind of hectic. Broadly speaking, I don't do a lot of private services anymore. If you want help with the early stages of the project (and finding a builder or designer), you should check with our sponsors at Realm! f.realmhome.com/?

[@leticiarios8123]

Can I have 2 adu attach to my house to each side with 3 meters.

[@HowToADU]

Properties with single family dwellings can generally build 1 ADU. You can permit a JADU and an ADU if one of the structures already exists. Properties with multifamily dwellings can generally permit two detached ADUs. Contact your planning department for details

[@johnrodman3864]

​@@HowToADU

[@donsmith9081]

Thank You.

[@luluromero1373]

Question, how many ADUS can you have in one property?

[@HowToADU]

Depends on the property and the ADUs :) Here's a short video about how some of the rules are interpreted to allow 2 ADUs and a JADU (under very specific circumstances) kzbin.infofiYxXHoHpLQ?feature=share

[@RickKarvasales]

This guy is great 5 Stars

[@HowToADU]

Thanks for watching !

[@r.behlen7733]

I like "out of compliance" :)

[@ginacardarella]

Thank you

[@HowToADU]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching

[@ManufacturedHousingExpert]

Great videos.

[@HowToADU]

Thank you

[@explosivetwist]

GC gets better material pricing. Gets efficient reliable subs. Quality of work from years of experience. Knows how to work with inspectors. Gets it done faster. Why do people want to owner-build? Never makes sense to me.

[@HowToADU]

I think the amount of dollars is so huge that people get confused. Reminds me of the "relativity trap" in Predictably Irrational. The amount of the savings seems so large that they stop valuing their own time or the return on the investment of a well-executed unit vs an amateur unit. At the same time, some people are doing it for fun or doing it to learn life skills - that's awesome.

[@explosivetwist]

@@HowToADU certainly, if done for life learning skills or for the satisfaction of building your own home it's reasonable. but it goes back to your own video, the stress, naivety, and devaluation of a person's own economic productivity is thrown out when they see they can save on contractor overhead & profit.

[@1lizzylizzy]

My dad, an old GC, used to say, the most challenging and cheapest thing to do is the plan. Once you start tearing out walls or concrete, then it gets expensive. First, and most important is to do the due diligence and plan. After that, follow the plan.

[@HowToADU]

Love that advice. It's easier to move pencil marks than lumber!

[@teedawg2386]

I live in the San Gabriel valley (Los Angeles county) , 2 story with the garage attached downstairs. I want to turn the garage into an ADU to offset payments. Is that something doable? I tried searching but can’t find any info on it :( . But this company is telling me it’s ok. As long as I’m not changing the structure?

[@HowToADU]

Even if you change the structure, it’s probably doable. These can be pretty expensive though so do your research, get multiple bids, watch lots of good KZbin videos ;)

[@explosivetwist]

You can do it in la county. What city? Converting a garage will require changes to the framing, the concrete slab and possibly below the slab, and how the walls and ceiling are finished.

[@alanwesley598]

Doesn't this guy sell wine in other videos?

[@HowToADU]

Good memory! I helped start a company called Naked Wines. That was some years ago!

[@staceylam762]

You are so cute and smart!

[@HowToADU]

😊 thank you!

[@franciscocendejas1046]

I think he's married with children 😂

[@toddjersey800]

Ryan. These are great but maybe too long?

[@HowToADU]

Aww that’s because you already know this stuff ;) you know your 27+ minute videos have like 1000x more views than you under 7 minute videos right ;)

[@ManufacturedHousingExpert]

We can help out an ADU in Your backyard.

[@HowToADU]

Have we met?

[@ManufacturedHousingExpert]

@@HowToADU We have not, but would love to!