General ADU Questions

What is an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)?

An ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential property. It's a complete, independent living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. ADUs are also known as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, or casitas. They can be detached (separate structure), attached to the main house, or converted from existing spaces like garages.

Why should I build an ADU?

ADUs offer numerous benefits: housing for aging parents or adult children while maintaining privacy, generating rental income to offset mortgage costs, creating a dedicated home office or studio, providing guest accommodations, housing caregivers, or significantly increasing your property value. They're a flexible solution that adapts to your changing needs over time.

Can I build an ADU on my property?

Most single-family residential properties in California are eligible for an ADU. However, specific requirements depend on your lot size, zoning, existing structures, and local regulations. We offer free consultations that include a site evaluation to determine your property's ADU potential and what options are available to you.

What makes NestMade different from other ADU builders?

We bring 20 years of luxury custom home experience (30+ multimillion-dollar homes in Truckee) to ADU construction. Our parent company, Legacy Tahoe LLC, has refined a systematic, transparent process that ensures quality craftsmanship regardless of project size. You get the same attention to detail, premium materials, and expert project management we bring to high-end custom homes—but for your ADU.

Process & Timeline

How long does it take to build an ADU?

The complete timeline typically ranges from 7-10 months from start to finish. Permitting and utility approvals usually take 3-4 months, while construction takes 4-6 months. Standard plans with preselected finishes can be on the faster end, while custom designs may take longer. We provide a detailed timeline during your initial consultation based on your specific project.

What is your construction process?

Our proven 4-step process: (1) Discovery & Design - consultation, site evaluation, and design selection; (2) Planning & Permits - finalize design, select finishes, handle all permitting; (3) Construction - expert building with regular updates and quality control; (4) Final Walkthrough - detailed inspection and project handover. We communicate transparently at every stage and provide regular progress updates.

How involved will I be during construction?

You can be as involved as you'd like. We provide regular progress updates and schedule milestone check-ins, but we handle all the day-to-day management. Major decisions (finishes, materials, design changes) require your approval, but we manage subcontractors, inspections, and construction logistics. Our goal is to keep you informed without overwhelming you with details.

What happens after I contact you for a consultation?

We'll schedule a free consultation to discuss your vision, needs, and budget. We'll conduct a site evaluation to assess feasibility and discuss options (standard vs. custom plans, design packages). You'll receive a preliminary proposal with scope, timeline, and budget estimates. There's no obligation—we want to ensure we're the right fit for your project before moving forward.

Cost & Pricing

How much does it cost to build an ADU?

ADU costs vary widely based on size, design complexity, site conditions, and finish selections. Factors include square footage, standard vs. custom design, site preparation requirements, utility connections, finish quality, and local permit fees. We provide transparent, detailed estimates during your consultation based on your specific project parameters. Our pricing includes all construction, permits, and project management—no hidden costs.

What payment structure do you use?

We use a milestone-based payment structure aligned with project phases. Typical schedule includes: deposit upon contract signing, design completion payment, permit approval payment, and construction progress payments tied to specific milestones (foundation, framing, rough-in, finish work, final completion). This structure protects both parties and ensures payment matches completed work. Details are outlined clearly in your contract.

Are there financing options available?

While we don't provide financing directly, many clients finance ADUs through home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), cash-out refinancing, construction loans, or personal loans. We can provide detailed cost estimates and construction timelines to help you work with your lender. Some banks offer ADU-specific loan products with favorable terms.

What is included in your pricing?

Our transparent pricing includes everything needed to complete your ADU: architectural design, permit fees and processing, site preparation and foundation, complete structural construction, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, interior finishes (based on selected package), exterior finishes and landscaping, and project management and coordination. The one exception is utility connections, which vary greatly depending on your specific situation and require coordination with utility companies—we provide estimates and help you determine the best options. We provide a detailed line-item breakdown so you know exactly what you're paying for.

Design & Customization

What's the difference between standard and custom ADU plans?

Standard plans are pre-designed, proven floor plans that can be adapted to your property. They're faster to permit, more cost-effective, and offer reliable layouts. Custom plans are designed specifically for your needs, property constraints, and vision—completely unique to you. Standard plans work well for most projects, while custom designs are ideal when you have specific requirements or unique site challenges.

What are preselected interior design packages?

Our preselected packages are curated collections of premium finishes, fixtures, and materials professionally coordinated for a cohesive look. You choose from several design styles (modern, traditional, transitional, etc.), and all selections are pre-made—flooring, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, paint colors, and hardware. This simplifies decision-making while ensuring high-quality, designer-level results.

Can I customize the interior finishes?

Absolutely! We offer full custom interior design services where you work directly with our team to select every finish, fixture, and detail. You'll have access to the same premium materials and suppliers we use for luxury custom homes. This option provides complete creative control and allows you to create a truly personalized space that reflects your style.

How big can my ADU be?

In Placer County, detached ADUs can typically be up to 1,200 square feet. Attached ADUs can be up to 50% of the existing home's size or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less. Size limits depend on your specific lot, zoning, and local regulations. During our site evaluation, we'll determine the maximum allowable size for your property and help you optimize the layout.

Permits & Regulations

Who handles the permitting process?

We handle all permitting, zoning approvals, and regulatory compliance. This includes preparing and submitting permit applications, coordinating with planning departments, addressing any questions or revisions, scheduling inspections throughout construction, and ensuring all work meets code requirements. You don't need to worry about navigating the bureaucracy—we've done it dozens of times.

How long does permitting take?

Permitting timelines vary but typically take 2-4 months in Placer County. California's ministerial approval process for ADUs has streamlined this significantly. Factors affecting timeline include jurisdiction workload, project complexity, whether it's a standard or custom design, and any site-specific issues. We provide realistic timeline estimates based on current processing times and keep you updated throughout.

Are there special requirements in Truckee or the Lake Tahoe area?

Yes, the Truckee and Lake Tahoe areas have additional requirements due to environmental protections (TRPA regulations), wildfire safety zones, and alpine building codes. This includes TRPA coverage limits, snow load requirements for roofing, wildfire defensible space clearances, and stricter environmental review. We have 12 years of experience building in Truckee and are intimately familiar with these requirements.

Can I rent out my ADU on Airbnb or VRBO?

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction. Some areas in Placer County allow short-term rentals with proper permits and business licenses, while others restrict ADUs to long-term rentals (30+ days). Truckee and parts of Lake Tahoe have specific short-term rental ordinances. We'll help you understand the rules for your specific location during the consultation so you can plan accordingly.

Value

Do ADUs increase property value?

In many cases, yes — particularly when the ADU is thoughtfully designed and built to custom-home standards.

Well-executed ADUs can contribute meaningful long-term property value in addition to providing rental income, multi-generational living space, or future flexibility. Outcomes vary based on design, execution, and market conditions.

How does an ADU typically impact equity?

In strong markets, homeowners have reported that high-quality ADUs can contribute value that meets or exceeds construction cost — and in some cases, meaningfully more.

That said, value is never guaranteed and depends heavily on build quality, design integration, and long-term usability — which is why NestMade approaches ADUs the same way we approach custom homes.

Why does build quality matter for long-term value?

Many ADUs are built by remodel contractors using cost-driven methods.

NestMade is a custom home builder.
That difference shows up in:

Architectural cohesion
Structural integrity
Finish quality
Longevity and resale appeal

ADUs built to custom-home standards tend to age better, function better, and be valued more favorably over time.

Is an ADU a good financial investment?

An ADU can serve multiple financial purposes:

Long-term rental income
Housing for family members
Increased property flexibility
Potential value contribution

We encourage homeowners to think of ADUs as long-term real estate improvements, not short-term financial instruments. Each property and market is different, and we're happy to discuss realistic expectations during the application process.

Do you guarantee returns or equity increases?

No.

We don't believe in overselling outcomes.
Our focus is on building exceptional ADUs that stand the test of time — because quality is the one variable we fully control.

Construction & Quality

What quality standards do you follow?

We apply the same quality standards from our luxury custom homes to every ADU. This includes premium materials from trusted suppliers, skilled craftsmen with decades of experience, systematic quality control at every construction phase, building code compliance plus our own higher standards, and attention to detail in every finish. Our reputation in high-end construction depends on consistent quality—regardless of project size.

Do you offer warranties?

Yes, we provide comprehensive warranties on our work. This includes a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials, manufacturer warranties on appliances, fixtures, and systems (HVAC, water heater, etc.), and structural warranty coverage. We stand behind our work and address any issues that arise. Additionally, we conduct a thorough final walkthrough to ensure everything meets your expectations before completion.

Will construction disrupt my daily life?

We work hard to minimize disruption to your daily life. Construction is limited to reasonable working hours (typically 7am-5pm weekdays), we maintain a clean, organized work site, provide advance notice of noisy or disruptive activities, and ensure safe access to your home at all times. Most ADU construction happens in your backyard, so impact on your main house is minimal. We treat your property with respect throughout the entire process.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, NestMade is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We hold all necessary California contractor licenses and maintain comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. All our subcontractors are also licensed and insured. This protects you, your property, and everyone working on your project. We're happy to provide proof of insurance and licensing upon request.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your ADU project, get answers to your specific questions, and learn how we can bring luxury home quality to your property.

Schedule Free Consultation Learn More About ADUs

Call Us

(916) 542-2250

Email Us

[email protected]

Service Area

Placer County & Truckee

Frequently Asked Questions