Frequently Asked Questions

General

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, I am fully licensed, bonded and insured.

What areas do you serve?

I'm based in Grass Valley (South County) and work throughout Western Nevada County.

What kind of projects do you take on?

ADU conversions are a major focus, but I also take on a variety of residential construction projects. Outdoor kitchens and natural-inspired projects — post and beam, adobe/cob, and similar work — are particular favorites of mine.

How do you price projects?

I typically work on a time-and-materials basis rather than giving a fixed bid.

With a fixed bid, contractors generally have to build in extra money for all the things that might go wrong or cost more than expected. If those costs never happen, you’ve still paid for them.

With time and materials, you pay for what the project actually costs as it unfolds. I think that’s a more straightforward and fair way to do things, and it can save clients money by avoiding a big cushion of contingency built into the price.

If I hire you, who’s actually doing the work?

Almost all of the work is done in-house, largely by me. That lets me stay closely involved in every step of the project, maintain quality throughout, and keep things moving smoothly. For certain specialized work, or when it makes sense for a particular project, I bring in trusted subcontractors.

Do you provide design or architectural services?

I’m primarily a builder, but I can help develop a project and figure out what makes sense. When plans, engineering, or other professional services are needed, I can help coordinate those pieces.

Do you handle permits?

Yes. For permitted projects, I handle the permitting process and take care of the project from start to finish. I’ll explain what’s involved, what’s required, and what to expect before we get started.

For ADU projects, Nevada County also has a useful ADU Guidebook that lays out the county’s requirements and process.

ADU Specific

What is a conversion ADU?

A conversion ADU turns an existing garage, outbuilding, basement, or other qualifying space into an independent dwelling. Because you're working with an existing structure, conversions can often be much less expensive than building new.

Why convert instead of building new?

Converting an existing space can eliminate much of the cost and complexity of new construction. When the right space already exists, you're able to reuse the foundation, walls, roof, and other infrastructure rather than starting from scratch.

Can you tell me whether my space is a good candidate?

Yes! I’m happy to come take a look and help you figure out what options you may have for your particular space.

ADU, JADU, what does it all mean?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary, self-contained home on a property with an existing main house. It can be attached or detached, but must have its own bathroom and full kitchen. It can range from 150 up to 1,200 square feet, depending on the property and type of ADU.

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a smaller option created within an existing single-family home and can be up to 500 square feet. It has its own exterior entrance and an efficiency kitchen, but can share a bathroom with the main house.

Can my property have both an ADU and a JADU?

In many cases, yes. Nevada County now allows a property to have both an ADU and a JADU, meaning a single property can potentially add two additional living units. There are some property-specific requirements and limitations, which I can help you figure out.

How much does an ADU conversion cost?

Every project is different, but our recent conversions have generally landed around $150 per square foot, with total construction costs ranging from $40,000-80,000. For comparison, Nevada County estimates typical ADU construction costs at $250-400 per square foot.

How long does an ADU conversion take?

It depends on the project and the permitting process, but the construction itself can often be completed in 1–3 months. Smaller, straightforward conversions can move considerably faster, while more complicated projects or permitting requirements can take longer.

Is an ADU a good investment?

It can be. One of our recent approximately $40,000 conversions rented for $1,500 per month almost immediately — roughly $18,000 in gross annual rent. That's equivalent to about 45% of the construction cost in gross rent each year.