- Review and engage the services of an experienced architect that specialize in small houses, ADU’s or Casitas.
- Once you hire an architect, the first step is to evaluate your property and check all regulations pertaining to accessory dwelling units.
- When you have the parameters of what you can build, an architect can sit with you and review your program. A program is architect-speak for “what do you want, need and can afford”.
- If the ADU is not attached, then usually a simple footprint of the existing lot and house is measured and drawn.
- If the ADU is attached or a garage conversion, then more extensive measuring is called for.
- The architect will draw several schemes of design that could work for your project based upon the program as stated above.
- When a scheme is decided upon, which might take several iterations, then the architect will create a design set of drawings. This will include floor plan, elevations (side views) and a roof plan.
- The final design may or may not be required to be submitted for planning approval.
What are the steps to building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?
- An architect draws and submits a set of plans for submitting for a permit.
- A structural engineer may be required to design some structural elements which are included in the permit submittal.
- After the city or municipality reviews the submittal, they may require some changes to comply with local building codes. Once these items are revised and resubmitted and after a period of time for review, a permit is issued. This process may take a month more or less depending on staffing and work flow of the local building department.
- When the permit is issued and applicable fees paid, the contractor or homeowner can start work.
- There are numerous stages when the construction work will be required to be inspected by the local authority.
- The usual stages are foundation layout, size and reinforcing bar, then floor framing, wall framing and roof framing. Some stages can be combined. There will be electrical and plumbing inspections, then insulation and drywall. Near the end of construction, there will be some final inspections of electrical, plumbing, roofing, etc.
- The timing of construction is of course in the hands of the contractor and availability of labor and materials.
- Construction might take several months to complete depending on the size and design of the project. A small out building can usually be built more quickly than something like adding a second floor addition to a garage for a mother-in-law suite.
Hiring an architect to design your casita or ADU works best if you select someone that has local knowledge of your specific area.
Richard Esteb is an architect who specializes in design of ADUs and Casitas in Tucson, Oro Valley, Saddlebrooke, Sun City Oro Valley, Pima County or anywhere in southern Arizona.
