ADU Architect
ADUs have never been more appropriate. The way we live has changed dramatically. An accessory dwelling unit an solve many challenges you face with work, family or space.
Two Ways to Get Started With Your ADU
Have you considered a new garage and then thought, “Wait a minute, I could do a garage with a living space above it and improve my property hugely” … or something along those lines? Your next thought was most likely, “Yeah, but how much would it cost?”
I’ve designed a few Minnesota ADUs (accessory dwelling units) for clients and built my own St. Paul ADU in 2020-2021. I understand the process, the costs and the materials. If you;’re not sure whether you can do an ADU the first step may be an ADU bundle.
If you know you are ready to move forward I offer either an hourly rate or a per-project bid. I always start with a discussion. Then I will send you a contract to sign that details each step and cost. Once we agree to the terms I can get started, I offer a $750 ADU bundle so that you can get your questions answered and know what to do next.
An ADU Is A House, Not Finished Space Above The Garage
You may have a large existing garage, barn or century-old stable. You may be thinking of creating ADU to use as an office, as a place for your college-age kid to live, a guest house for out-of-town friends and family or maybe for a safe, close and private residence for aging parents. An ADU can serve as a Minnesota base for traveling parents or snowbirds, allowing you oversight of the property and providing the perfect amount of living space for a few months out of the year.
One thing to understand is that an ADU is a house; it has electricity, water, sewer, a foundation, is insulated and has a furnace; think of those 20-below winter days! You will also need a toilet, shower, kitchen and laundry, right? This means you’ll have to have underground water, sewer and gas lines. The sewer and water lines will most likely have to come from the street in front of the existing house and run the length of the property. For these reasons it is prohibitive to simply “finish” the space above an existing structure. Unless the existing building was built as a full carriage house, you will, in most, if not all cases, have to tear down the existing structure and start from scratch. Most ADUs in the Twin Cities will run at least $250,000.
Let’s Start The Discussion
An ADU is an exciting prospect. Having just built my own, I am intimately familiar with the real-world process, permits, timeline and current cost of materials. I want to help you get a full-picture understanding so that you can move forward confidently. If you know you want to do an ADU, then the ADU bundle is the perfect first step to realizing this dream. Call 651-210-7042 and set up a time to meet. I accept same-day Venmo or check for ADU bundle consultations. You can also reach me at Guy Williams Architecture via website contact email.
Five Phases of Architectural Planning
Predesign Phase:
This includes our initial meeting at your home and the discussion of options, possibilities and budget. We can create a wish list of which spaces are important. Also, an overall bud-get should be put put together in this phase. From there I will collect information from the city such as: what site restrictions there are like, what the setbacks are, what is the height limit, and lot coverage, etc.
Schematic Design Phase:
I will develop conceptual designs. These are preliminary bubble diagram/ rough sketches that incorporate your design ideas and wish list. There might be several different design options for floor plans and location on the site. This process will go back and forth with you until we are happy with the design and have settled on a sketch.
Design Development Phase:
After choosing a design to move forward with, I will refine the floor plans and overall look based on your comments and the reality of building i.e. thinking about small details, light, flow, your lifestyle and any special accommodations (such as using universal design to allow for aging in place).
Construction Documents Phase:
This is the final step for drawing. The CDs will show all the information needed for the builder to construct your new home. Depending on the level of detail we decide to show, the CDs can show just the minimum required to get a building permit or can be more descriptive to show elements such as interior elevations, finish trim and window grids, electrical plan, lighting placement and other facets of design. Having more detailed drawings also enables the builder to give us more accurate pricing. So, instead of a ballpark number that has a span of tens of thousands of dollars, with detailed CDs the builder will know which materials he will need to use and the skill and time required to implement the design features shown. In my experience, the more detailed the drawings are, the less room there is for misunderstanding and error.
Construction Admin Phase:
In this phase, I ensure the home gets built the way the drawings show. I coordinate with the builder regarding timelines, materials and method of installation and finish carpentry. I do site visits as needed (typically once a week for one to two hours) but during the height of construction when things move at a faster rate it might be twice a week. In addition to onsite personal supervision and quality assurance, my presence on site is conducive to improved communication between the builder and me. This also allows me to answer your questions and immediately address any concerns. When builders are unsure of a design feature or misinterpret a plan they typically just move forward based on “the way we’ve always done it.” When I am on site I discuss with the foreman and team member show things should be done to achieve the look that is depicted in the drawings. I have over 40 years of construction experience and have personally built and remodeled 5 of my own homes. I know how a structure is put together, the tools needed and the steps required to do things right. I do not allow for cheaper material substitutions or cut corners. This onsite supervision, client advocacy and flow of communication prevents a loss of time and money and I have found is crucial for overall quality.
Before you sign up with any contractor ensure your best interests are being taken into account. I am working for you and not the bottom line.