Getting Your ADU Quote

JULY 30TH

Getting Your ADU Quote

Back to all articles

Understanding the process of getting your ADU quote including your Feasibility Study and Site Visit Process for to comprehensively gather all project details.

<br>

At Minimal Living Concepts, a Phoenix-based ADU building company, we offer a comprehensive approach to ensure your ADU project is successful. The process begins with a full feasibility study and site visit, crucial steps in determining the costs and variables involved in building an ADU. Here’s an overview of what to expect during this initial phase.

<br>

Step 1: Discovery Call

<br>

The first step involves an initial consultation where the team at Minimal Living Concepts discusses your needs, goals, and the specific ADU model you are interested in. This meeting helps set the foundation for a tailored feasibility study and allows our team to gather critical information enabling us to gather all of the correct information for your build.

<br>

Step 2: Feasibility Study

<br>

  1. Property Assessment:

   – During the feasibility study, a thorough assessment of your property is conducted. This includes evaluating the lot size, existing structures, and overall layout to determine the best location for the ADU.

<br>

  1. Zoning and Permitting:

   – The team examines local zoning laws, building codes, setbacks, and easements to ensure the proposed ADU complies with all regulations. This step is crucial to identify any potential legal hurdles that might affect the project.

<br>

  1. Utility Analysis:

   – An analysis of existing utilities, such as water, electricity, and sewage, is performed to understand the necessary connections and upgrades. This helps in estimating the infrastructure costs.

<br>

  1. Site-Specific Variables:

   – The study takes into account site-specific variables such as soil quality, drainage, and topography. These factors can impact the construction process and costs.

<br>

Step 3: Site Visit

<br>

  1. On-Site Evaluation:

   – A site visit is conducted to gather crucial site information and verify the findings from the feasibility study. The team inspects the property to confirm the proposed ADU location, stake the footprint of the unit, measure for all specific site costs, and assess any unforeseen issues.

<br>

  1. Site Costs:

   – Our team will measure for all demo, landscape removal, grading, utility runs, utility upgrades, site repairs, site access, and more. Within this process we’ll address every element and variable involved in your build which will later be presented within your feasibility study presentation.

<br>

  1. Client Interaction:

   – During the site visit, clients can interact with the team, ask questions, and get a clearer understanding of the project scope. This hands-on approach helps ensure that all parties are aligned and any concerns are addressed promptly.

<br>

  1. Final Adjustments:

   – Based on the site visit, the comprehensive quote for your project is created. This ensures that the project plan is accurate and all potential variables have been considered.

<br>

Step 4: Presentation

<br>

Based on the findings from the feasibility study and site visit, a detailed project presentation is covered in detail within a video call between our team and you. This includes:

– Unit Costs: The cost of your selected unit with any customizations.

– Site Costs: A breakdown of all costs associated with site preparation and repair for your project.

– Special Permit Fees: An detail of any special permitting costs if required by your municipality including NAOS studies, hillside studies, flood studies, and more. Most municipalities do not have require special permits but it is possible.

– Utility Upgrades: Costs for connecting and upgrading utilities to support the new ADU.<br>

<br>

Step 5: Presentation and Next Steps

<br>

After the feasibility study and site visit, a comprehensive report is presented. This report includes all findings, cost estimates, and any recommended adjustments. You can then make informed decisions about proceeding with the ADU project.

<br>

Conclusion

<br>

The full feasibility study and site visit are critical steps in the ADU building process with Minimal Living Concepts. By thoroughly assessing your property, understanding local regulations, and accurately estimating costs, we ensure that your ADU project starts on a solid foundation. This meticulous approach minimizes surprises and maximizes the chances of a successful and satisfying ADU addition to your property.

expert 1

Ready to speak with a new home expert?

Schedule a Call >

The Typical Building Process

The ol' fashioned way.

Find an architect

An architect designs your home without discussions with engineers, builders and interior designers. You can’t walk through the home design and experience the layout, proportions of the spaces and quality of the fixtures and fittings.

Hope the design is buildable

An architect designs your home without discussions with engineers, builders and interior designers. You can’t walk through the home design and experience the layout, proportions of the spaces and quality of the fixtures and fittings.

Engineering

The engineer designs the structural systems of the house without any consultations with the contracting builder. They may find costly structural issues with the plan which needs to go back to the architect for alterations, adding to the client’s overall costs.

Collect quotes

The client is happy with the design but at this stage won’t know the true costs of the build or whether it’s on budget until they quote it out to different builders. Often quotes come back with varying degrees of build quality, assumptions, and unknown estimates that don't reflect the real cost of construction.

Quote and fees

It’s up to the client to determine which builder quotes will deliver the best final outcome for them. Throughout the whole process, the architect’s fees are paid as each stage is completed with many architects charging around 6%-18% of your final build costs.

Variable pricing

Because the design team are separate from the construction team, unexpected issues can arise which may add to the build cost. Materials, fittings and features often have to be custom-made to the architect’s and engineer’s specifications, therefore adding to the overall build cost.

Change orders

Because the builder was not involved in the design process and doesn't have a complete understanding of the project, it is very likely that you will experience several cost escalation change orders. The worst part is, the builder profits on these price increases that should have been predicted at the project start.

Our Method

Creating a seamless path to new construction.

Experts working together

Our design and construction team work together on each home design. Our architect, interior designer, engineer and builder collaborate to devise solutions that don’t compromise the style or functionality of the home. This all occurs before a design ever lands on our website.

Curated and custom designs

With MLC, you can choose from a range of meticulously crafted home designs or work with our design team to, alter those designs or create a bespoke design tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.

Holistic design and build solution

Our streamlined approach saves you time and cost while providing one dedicated team for every aspect of your project. The construction costs are a key consideration throughout the design process for peace of mind, efficiency and certainty.

Transparent pricing

For our pre-designed homes, inclusions and costs are finalised before you commit to building your home. There are no hidden or additional costs due to design revisions once your contract is signed. If an unforeseen condition occurs, we never profit on it. This way our incentives align with you.

Design a bespoke home

Our ‘Bespoke Option’ involves personalised brief-development sessions with our architect and sales teams to fully understand your design parameters. New plans and 3D model elevations and site locality plans will be developed following your brief and in collaboration with our team.

01

Initial brief development consultation

02

Bespoke floor plan presented to client for approval

03

3D model elevation and site locality plan presented to client

04

Site visit to understand the plan in its context and make any design changes needed

05

Finalise the revised floor plans and elevations

06

Select your home’s finishes

Schedule a Call