Every project type has its own permit path, its own trades, and its own pitfalls.
Here’s what to expect from the four project types I work with most in Central California.
01
ADU
ADUs come with their own permit streamlining under California law, but that doesn’t mean the process is simple — utility connections, setback requirements, and fire access all have to line up before you break ground. As an owner-builder, you’ll be coordinating a smaller, more self-contained project than a full remodel, which makes it one of the more approachable ways to learn the process for the first time.
02
Additions
Additions mean tying new construction into an existing structure — matching foundations, rooflines, and systems that were built to a different code era than the one you’re building under now. That connection point is where most delays happen, and where an experienced eye matters most. Getting the sequencing right between structural, electrical, and plumbing trades is the difference between a smooth addition and a stalled one.
03
Remodel
Remodels range from a single kitchen to a full-home renovation, and the permit and inspection requirements scale with the scope. The trades involved often overlap and depend on each other’s timing more than in new construction — plumbing has to be roughed in before drywall, electrical before inspection, finishes last. Owner-builders who do well here are the ones who nail down that sequence before the first subcontractor shows up.
04
New Construction
New construction gives you the opportunity to build everything correctly from the ground up—but it also requires the most planning and coordination. From site preparation and utility connections to foundations, framing, mechanical systems, and finishes, every phase depends on the one before it being completed properly and on schedule. An owner-builder consultant helps you understand the full construction sequence, prepare for inspections, coordinate subcontractors, and avoid costly mistakes before they affect the next stage of the project.
Not sure which category your project falls into?
That’s a normal first question — let’s talk through it.