Hiring help / September 7, 2026
Two quotes. One fair comparison.
The lowest total is useful only when you know what it buys. Compare ADU proposals against the same project scope before choosing a provider.
Start with one written project brief
Give each firm the same information: city, intended ADU type, approximate size, project stage, desired finishes, and whether plans already exist. Ask each firm to name the assumptions behind its estimate. A preliminary allowance based on an unvisited site is different from a detailed proposal based on plans and site investigation.
Put the scope side by side
Copy this checklist into your notes. For each proposal, mark each item “included,” “allowance,” “excluded,” or “unclear.” An unanswered question is something to clarify, not a zero-dollar cost.
| Category | What to compare | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Design & engineering | Drawings, structural work, surveys, soils work and energy documentation | Who revises the plans if the city requests changes? |
| Site preparation | Demolition, grading, excavation, access and debris removal | What site assumptions could change the price? |
| Utilities | Trenching, sewer, water, electrical service and connection fees | Which upgrades are included, and which are allowances? |
| Building work | Foundation, structure, roof, windows and interior finishes | Are all material allowances and quantities listed? |
| Permits & inspections | Agency fees, submission work and inspection coordination | Who applies for permits and pays the fees? |
| Closeout | Final inspections, corrections, cleanup and documentation | What must happen before the final payment milestone? |
A lower quote can become a higher project budget
Consider an illustrative comparison: Firm A quotes $280,000 but excludes a $35,000 utility allowance and $20,000 in design work. Firm B quotes $325,000 with both included. A comparable subtotal for Firm A is $335,000. These invented figures explain the comparison method; they are not local market prices. Check the rest of the scope before drawing a conclusion.
Separate the provider’s role from the plan’s status
A plan designer, a construction contractor and a permit consultant may do different work. Ask who is responsible for each phase, whether work is subcontracted, and who coordinates corrections. A city’s preapproved-plan listing is evidence about a plan program, not a substitute for checking the business you are hiring.
Check the business before you commit
Confirm the contractor’s identity and current record with the board for your state. Ask for relevant ADU projects, references and a written scope. Architects and other professionals may have separate licensing boards.
Leave the conversation with fewer unknowns
- Which numbers are fixed and which are allowances?
- What happens when site conditions differ from the assumptions?
- Which decisions must you make before work starts?
- Who owns each permitting and inspection task?
- How will a scope or price change be documented?
- What schedule dependencies are outside the firm’s control?
Save the answers alongside each proposal. Use the ADU budget worksheet to see the whole project and your contingency. Then compare experience, communication and scope as well as price.