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Smart, Compact Living Built by Expert JADU Contractors
Transform your existing floor plan into an independent living area without expanding your home’s footprint.
THE TECHNICAL SCOPE
Is Your Home a Good Junior ADU Candidate?
We focus on a compact, highly coordinated construction scope that integrates the new living area with
the existing structure, utilities, and occupied portions of the home.
01
Existing-Space Feasibility
A Junior ADU has to work within the existing home. We evaluate the available footprint, exterior access, ceiling conditions, and relationship to the existing rooms before developing a layout.
02
Plumbing, Electrical & Mechanical Integration
Creating another living space inside an existing house means tying new systems into old ones. We plan routing early so kitchens, bathrooms, ventilation, heating, and electrical needs do not become expensive surprises during construction.
03
Privacy, Access & Livability
A good JADU should function independently without making the original home awkward. Entry location, sound separation, bathroom configuration, storage, and the relationship between the two living areas need to be resolved together.
04
Occupied-Home Protection & Site Control
This work often happens only a wall or doorway away from the
people living in the home. We establish protected work zones, dust barriers, HEPA filtration, floor protection, controlled access, and regular cleanup so construction does not take over the house.
ADU Design / Build Process
1. Initial Site Visit: 1 to 1 ½ hrs
Every ADU starts with a vision, and this starts with a walkthrough to see what you have and understand what you want. By listening closely to your goals, vision, questions, and budget, we help you unlock the full potential of your ADU. With so many creative ways to configure compact spaces, whether it is a rental, guest suite, or a small home, it all starts with understanding how you want to live.
Step 1 – What To Expect
- On site walkthrough to evaluate the starting point and discuss the overall goals of the project.
- We provide a free ballpark construction cost, which will be a significant range.
- This ballpark helps us understand if a client’s budget aligns with our estimated construction cost.
- To proceed, we sign our preconstruction agreement (PCA), which includes the various services you will need to design and ultimately acquire the building permits.
2. Design & Material Selection: 3 - 4 weeks
Once the vision is clear, the design process brings it to life on paper. From countertops to cabinet layout to lighting, we’ll plan each detail with precision. A thorough design phase is key to staying on budget. Also, it’s often the fun part!
- Consultations for all project goals and design considerations.
- Some common design goals include careful attention around kitchen and bathroom design, lighting options, fixture selections, as well as exterior hardscape and landscape. The contractor creates an all inclusive list of all project selections for client review and interaction. This single tool will be used to guide the project to the finish line.
3. Permitting: 2 - 3 months
Once the design is complete, it’s time to submit the plans to the city for approval. Approval time for an ADU can vary, but generally this will take around 2 – 3 months to get approved. The good news is that you can still keep the project moving! While most product selections will have already been considered, this is the time to actually start finalizing selections and shopping for items. Top on that list will often be key components for kitchen and bathroom, flooring, appliances, and fixtures.
4. Construction: 4 - 8 months
Finally, our team begins by carefully protecting your home and the surrounding areas. For attached ADUs, we install dust barriers with zipper doors and run HEPA air filtration to keep the air clean and the rest of your home undisturbed. Floor protection and other precautionary measures are also put in place. A dedicated team and project manager will carry out the work in coordination with the residents, with clear working hours established from the start.
5. Move In!
Upon passing our city final inspection, we will then do a thorough walkthrough, to ensure everything is just right. We will also provide and go over all of your new documentation, including manuals, warranties, etc., as well as provide a long term maintenance plan to help you make sure your ADU stays beautiful for years to come!
Beyond Green Construction delivers a refined, start-to-finish ADU building experience built on clarity, craftsmanship, and care.
Are you ready to unlock your property's full potential with a custom accessory dwelling unit?
Our Custom ADUs
A look at recent Custom ADUs work from Beyond Green Construction.
What is a Junior ADU?
A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit, or JADU, is a small independent living unit created within the walls of an existing or proposed single-family residence. California law limits JADUs to 500 square feet.
Can an attached garage become a JADU?
Potentially. An attached garage can qualify when the project meets the applicable JADU requirements and is contained within the single-family residence. We confirm feasibility and local requirements before design is finalized.
Does a JADU need its own bathroom?
Not always. California law allows a JADU to share sanitation facilities with the primary residence, or it can be designed with separate sanitation facilities. The right approach depends on the intended use and layout.
Do I have to live on the property if I build a JADU?
Owner-occupancy rules depend in part on whether the JADU shares sanitation facilities with the primary residence. We verify the current state and local requirements for the specific project during preconstruction.
FAQ - You Ask We Answer
Service Areas
Find Your City
We bring the same Junior ADU design-build process throughout the East Bay. Select your city, or click a pin on the map.
Service Areas
Find Your City
We bring the same design-build custom adus process throughout the East Bay. Select your city, or click a pin on the map.
Our Services
Beyond Green designs and builds custom ADUs around the property, the existing home, and the way the new space will actually be used – combining clear preconstruction, durable construction, and careful project management from feasibility through final inspection.
Explore Specialty Services
Beyond Green provides specialized construction, conversion, and repair services for projects that require experienced planning, careful execution, and a strong understanding of existing buildings.
