ADU Project Timeline
Plan the stages—not just the construction date.
An ADU schedule begins before a crew arrives. Property research, design, agency review, utility coordination and construction each need time.
Start a property review →
Early planning and design
Gather records, evaluate the site and settle on the intended layout. Delayed decisions about size, finishes or the type of ADU can lead to redesign later. Establish who owns each next step.
Approvals and procurement
Allow for plan-check corrections, utility responses and material lead times. Some tasks overlap; others must wait for approved information. Ask which dependencies control the earliest realistic start.
Construction and completion
Site conditions, inspections, weather, material availability and changes can affect progress. Request a project-specific schedule with milestones and regular updates. Do not treat a generic online duration as a contractual completion date.
Start with the California ADU Handbook.
The March 2026 edition covers statewide ADU and JADU planning topics. Download the 55-page PDF free, with no signup required.
Bring the plan back to your property.
Virtual Estimates Available. Share your address and goals to discuss the next step.
Request a feasibility reviewBrowse all ADU resources