Building an accessory dwelling unit in San Francisco comes with unique hurdles, from steep hills in Glen Park to strict seismic requirements and dense neighborhood lots. Alpha ADU Solutions builds ADU structures in San Francisco, CA. Building an accessory dwelling unit requires a contractor who knows the local area. Alpha ADU Solutions works on accessory dwelling unit projects across San Francisco.
Questions You Need to Ask Before Signing Anything
When you sit across the table from a prospective builder, you need to ask how many accessory dwelling units they have actually completed within city limits. Local experience matters because San Francisco Department of Building Inspection rules are very particular. You must ask who pulls the permits and who handles the structural engineering for your accessory dwelling unit. If a builder tells you to pull owner-builder permits to save money, you should not hire them. At Alpha ADU Solutions, our team handles the permit process with the city so you do not have to spend your days arguing with plan checkers down at 1660 Mission Street.
What a Real Quote Should Look Like
A legitimate proposal for an accessory dwelling unit should not fit on the back of a napkin, but it should also not be a 100-page mystery novel. Alpha ADU Solutions provides a line-item breakdown that spells out framing, foundation work, utility hookups, and interior finishes clearly. If a bid looks suspiciously lower than the rest, somebody is missing something important. You must look closely at the allowance figures for finishes like cabinets and flooring. Contractors sometimes lowball these numbers upfront just to win the job, knowing you will face massive change orders later when you pick out materials that actually look good.
Red Flags That Mean Walk Away
- They ask for more than the legal state limit for a down payment before any work begins on your accessory dwelling unit.
- They do not have a valid license number listed on their truck, website, or paperwork.
- They dodge direct questions about their liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
- They hesitate when you ask to see references from past local clients who built similar structures in San Francisco.
How to Verify They're Legit
You should not just take a contractor's word for it when they say they are insured and experienced in building an accessory dwelling unit. You can head over to the California Contractors State License Board website and run their license number immediately. An active status with no current disciplinary actions, suspensions, or missing bonds is required. You must make sure their workers' compensation insurance is up to date if they employ a crew, or you could be held liable if someone gets hurt on your property. Doing this five-minute background check upfront saves you months of legal nightmares down the road when building an accessory dwelling unit in San Francisco, CA.