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One Company Designs and Builds Your ADU in Sacramento, CA
Most people think building an ADU requires hiring three separate companies. First, you hire an architect to draw the plans. Then you hire an engineer to sign off on the structure. After that, you hire a contractor to build it. Each company charges its own fees. Also, they do not always talk to each other, which causes mistakes and delays.
Our team at ADU Contractors Sacramento uses a different approach. We call it the design-build model. This means one company writes the plans and builds the structure. You sign one contract. You call one phone number. You talk to one project lead from the first visit to the final city inspection.
This means that your budget is set from day one. We do not design something we cannot afford to build. Our designers and builders work together before the first line goes on paper.
What We Handle Under One Roof
Our design-build service covers every phase of your project. Here is what that looks like in practice.
The Design and Structural Drawing Phase
We start by checking the ground where your ADU will sit.
We dig and inspect the soil under the future footprint. We compact the subsoil and place structural concrete footer reinforcement steel inside the footing trenches. Before we pour, we measure how well the soil resists pressure using a soil compaction dynamic cone penetrometer. This tool is pushed into the ground to record the resistance at different depths. The readings tell us exactly how to size the concrete footings. This foundation process satisfies California Residential Code Section R403.1.1, which sets the reinforcing requirements for all concrete footings on residential structures.
The Permit Drawing and Zoning Check Phase
We do not draw plans and hope they pass review. We check every city rule before we start drafting.
Our drafters lay out the site plan on polyester film drafting sheets so the drawings are durable and accurate for the city plan check. We calculate lot coverage and setbacks using an electronic digital wheel planimeter rolled across the scaled drawing. This tool traces the boundary of the building footprint and gives us an exact area reading. This step satisfies Sacramento County Zoning Code Section 5.10.1, which sets the maximum lot coverage percentage and minimum setback distances for all accessory structures.
The Structural Connection and Build Phase
Once permits are approved, our crew builds the structure and locks every connection down tight.
We bolt the steel connection plates and anchors at the beam and column joints. We use high-strength structural A325 steel bolts throughout the moment connections. We test the tension on every bolt after installation using a skidmore-wilhelm bolt tension calibrator. This tool measures the actual clamping force inside the bolt under load. Correct tension is what keeps the frame from shifting in an earthquake. This process satisfies California Building Code Section 1613.1, which requires seismic structural connections to meet specific load-resistance values.
Why Sacramento Homeowners Work With Our Design-Build Team
Not every contractor in Sacramento can draw plans and build at the same time. Most builders hire an outside architect and act as a go-between. This creates delays, miscommunication, and extra costs. We do things differently.
Here is what makes our process stand apart from general contractors and standalone design firms.
We Draw the Plans In-House
Our drafters and field supervisors work at the same company. This means the person drawing your ADU has already talked to the person building it. We do not outsource your design to a third party and hope it translates cleanly to the job site.
We Have Pulled ADU Permits All Across Sacramento
We have submitted plans to the City of Sacramento Building Division and the Sacramento County Planning Department. We know which details each office requires. We write our plan packages to answer plan checker questions before they are asked.
You Get a Fixed Price Before We Break Ground
We do not give you a rough estimate and adjust it later. We put every cost in writing before the project starts. That includes permit fees, engineering reports, site preparation, utility hookups, framing, mechanical systems, and all interior finishes.
One Person Runs Your Project From Start to Finish
You work with the same project lead from your first site visit to the day we hand you the keys. No handoffs to someone new halfway through the build. No repeating your goals to a different crew member every week.
We Stay on the Property Until the City Signs Off
We schedule and attend every city inspection ourselves. We do not leave you to manage inspectors on your own. When the final sign-off comes in, we call you the same day.
The Three Steps We Take on Every Design-Build Project
We run every project in the same order. This keeps the build from falling behind and stops unexpected costs from appearing mid-project.
STEP 01
Measuring the Site and Checking the Concrete
We start by confirming that the existing concrete on the lot can support any new foundation loads.
We patch and prepare the anchor points in the existing slab using non-shrink structural epoxy grout. This grout fills anchor holes completely and does not shrink as it dries. Before we place anchors, we test the hardness of the base concrete with a concrete penetration resistance tester. This tool measures how deep a probe tip drives into the concrete surface under a fixed force. Soft concrete cannot hold an anchor bolt under load. This test satisfies California Building Code Section 1908.1, which sets the compressive strength standards for all concrete used in structural connections.
STEP 02
Building the Wall Frames and Getting Engineering Sign-Off
We frame the exterior walls using metal studs for better straightness and fire performance.
We set up the wall cavities using cold-formed steel wall studs spaced to the engineer’s specifications. Before we fasten the sheathing, we verify the gauge of the metal using a digital ultrasonic steel thickness gauge. This tool presses against the steel and reads the material thickness using a sound pulse. Thinner gauge studs fail in high winds. This check satisfies California Residential Code Section R505.2, which sets the minimum thickness for all cold-formed steel framing members in residential construction.
STEP 03
Installing Doors and Finishing the Interior
The last phase covers all doors, windows, and interior finishes.
We hang the interior passage doors in every room. We set pre-hung solid-core wood interior doors in each doorway. After hanging each door, we check the frame for level and plumb using an electronic dual-axis level sensor. This sensor sits on the door frame and reads the angle in two directions at the same time. A door that is even slightly out of level will swing open or closed on its own. This installation satisfies California Residential Code Section R311.2.1, which requires egress doors to open fully and freely without sticking or catching.
Talk to Our Team About Your Lot Today
You do not have to figure out what is possible on your own. We start every project with a free visit to your property. We measure the yard, check the soil, and look at your utility connections.
By the time we leave, you will know exactly what can be built, how long it will take, and what it will cost. No guessing. No surprise fees. Just a clear plan from a team that builds ADUs across Sacramento every week.
Eight Things Sacramento Homeowners Ask Before Starting a Design-Build ADU
What is the main difference between design-build and hiring an architect and contractor separately?
When you hire separate companies, they each work from their own point of view. The architect designs what looks best. The contractor prices what it costs to build. These two goals often do not match, and you pay for the gap. A design-build company sets the budget during the design phase so the two always match.
How long does the full project take from the first meeting to move-in day?
Design and drafting usually take four to six weeks. The city or county building department typically takes eight to twelve weeks to review and approve the plans. Construction runs three to five months after the permit is approved. Most clients move in within eight to ten months from the first meeting.
Do you check if an ADU is even possible on my property before I pay for anything?
Yes. We do a free site feasibility check. We look at your lot setbacks, utility lines, soil type, and zoning overlay rules. We give you a written summary of what can legally be built before we ask you to sign anything.
Can I build a two-story ADU in Sacramento using the design-build model?
Yes. Two-story ADUs are permitted in many Sacramento neighborhoods. Height limits vary depending on your distance from the property line and the transit zone you are in. We research the specific rules for your address before we design anything.
Do I need a separate SMUD electric meter for a design-build ADU?
It depends on how you plan to use the unit. If you plan to rent it out, a separate meter makes billing simple. We handle the SMUD application and meter installation as part of the turnkey build package.
Will I need solar panels on my new design-build ADU?
Yes. California Title 24 energy rules require solar panels on all newly constructed detached residential structures. We size and install the solar array as part of the package. The panel count is based on the square footage of your ADU.
How does your team handle unexpected structural problems once construction starts?
We stop work, photograph the issue, and call you the same day. We do not fix problems by guessing. We bring in our structural engineer to assess the situation and give you a written change order with the cost and plan before any new work starts.
Does a design-build ADU cost more than hiring an architect and contractor separately?
No. In most cases it costs less. You avoid paying two separate design fees, two separate overhead markups, and the cost of redesigns caused by a mismatch between the drawing and the construction budget. We price both together from the start.