Our ADU Process, Start to Finish
One team handles your design, permits, and construction in-house on one contract, so you are not juggling a separate architect, engineer, permit expediter, and builder. From your first free consultation to the day you get the keys, you have a single point of contact and a clear view of where your ADU stands.
One Point of Contact, Fixed Pricing, a Transparent Timeline
Most ADU headaches come from coordination, not construction. When your architect, engineer, permit runner, and contractor are separate companies, they hand off documents, miss details, and point fingers when something slips. Renova Built keeps design, engineering, permitting, and construction under one roof, so you get a single point of responsibility and one fixed-price contract instead of a stack of separate invoices that keep growing.
That structure is what makes the timeline below transparent. We are a licensed and bonded design-build contractor, CSLB Class B License #1149349, and we serve homeowners across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. The seven steps that follow are the real path your project takes, with honest timing where a range is genuinely known.
Your ADU, Step by Step
Here is how the ADU process works with Renova Built, from your first call through final sign-off. Timing pills are typical ranges and vary by your city and site conditions.
- 1
Free Consultation Free
We start by talking through your goals, your budget, and your property. We confirm basic feasibility, answer your questions, and give you a straight read on whether an ADU makes sense for your lot. There is no cost and no obligation to move forward.
- 2
Feasibility & Site Review
Before any design work begins, we review zoning, setbacks, and what your specific lot actually allows. Looking at these constraints first means the design starts on solid ground, so you avoid drawings that a city will never approve. For the rules that shape this stage, see our ADU permits guide.
- 3
In-House Design & 3D Renderings ~3 to 4 weeks typical
Our in-house team turns your goals into floor plans and 3D renderings, so you see your ADU from every angle before a hammer swings. You review the layout, adjust it, and sign off on a design you can actually picture living in or renting out.
- 4
Engineering & Title 24
Next we prepare structural engineering and Title 24 energy compliance in-house, so your plans are complete and permit-ready. Handling engineering and energy calculations alongside the design keeps everything consistent and avoids the gaps that stall plan check later.
- 5
Permitting ~3 to 6 months typical
We prepare, submit, and manage plan check with your city, whether that is LADBS or your local building department, and we carry the project through revision rounds until it is approved. You are not chasing the city or decoding correction notices, since we handle that communication for you.
- 6
Construction ~6 to 9 months typical
Once permits are approved, our in-house crew builds your ADU to code, with regular updates and a single point of responsibility. Because the same team that designed and permitted your ADU is building it, there are no handoff gaps between separate companies.
- 7
Final Inspection & Handover
We schedule the city’s final inspection and sign-off, then walk the finished unit with you to make sure every detail is right. Once it passes, you get the keys to a finished, permitted ADU that is ready for family or your first tenant.
How Long Does the ADU Process Take?
The full design, permit, and build path typically runs about 10 to 18 months, depending on your city and your site conditions. Permitting is usually the least predictable part, since review times differ by jurisdiction and by how many revision rounds a plan check takes. A larger or two-story build can run longer, so we give you a realistic schedule for your specific project rather than a generic promise.
During your consultation we give you a realistic timeline for your specific property rather than a generic promise. You can also read more about what shapes the schedule and budget in our ADU construction guide and our ADU cost guide.
Every range on this page is typical, not guaranteed. Your city, your lot, and the choices you make during design all move the schedule, and we tell you where your project realistically lands before you commit.
Keep Reading Before You Start
These guides cover the details behind each step of the ADU process, from what you can build to what it costs and how permitting works.
Common Questions About the ADU Process
How long does an ADU take from start to finish?
The full design, permit, and build path typically runs about 10 to 18 months, depending on your city and site conditions. Design and 3D renderings take roughly 3 to 4 weeks, permitting commonly runs 3 to 6 months, and construction usually takes 6 to 9 months. These are typical ranges, not guarantees, and permitting is the most variable part since review times differ by jurisdiction.
Do you handle the permits for my ADU?
Yes. We prepare, submit, and manage plan check with your city, whether that is LADBS or your local building department, and we carry the project through revision rounds until it is approved. You are not chasing the city or interpreting correction notices, since we handle that communication as part of one contract.
Do I need a separate architect and contractor?
No. Renova Built handles design, engineering, Title 24, permitting, and construction in-house on one contract, so you do not have to hire and coordinate a separate architect, engineer, permit expediter, and builder. That means one point of contact and one point of responsibility from your first consultation through final sign-off.
Can I see a design before we build?
Yes. Our in-house team creates floor plans and 3D renderings so you can see your ADU from every angle before construction begins. You review the layout, request changes, and sign off on the design you want, so there are no surprises once the crew breaks ground.
Ready to Start Your ADU?
Tell us about your property and we will walk you through the process, your options, and a transparent, fixed-price estimate. No pressure and no obligation. Call (818) 968-2981 or request your free consultation.