Elusive Construction logo Elusive ConstructionLic #1112902
(408) 597-2733 Book a Discovery Call
Completed detached ADU with finished stucco exterior in Santa Clara County

High Demand

Accessory Dwelling Units

A second home on your lot — for family, for rental income, or for the value it adds. Built by a licensed general contractor, not assembled by a broker.

Book a Project Discovery Call Call (408) 597-2733
  • Licensed CA General B #1112902
  • Fully Insured
  • Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties
Home  /  Services  /  Accessory Dwelling Units

The rules change at every city line

An ADU is a small building with a full building's worth of requirements: its own permits, its own utility connections, setbacks, fire separation and inspections. California law has opened ADUs up considerably, but what's actually allowed on your lot depends on your city, your parcel and your existing structures.

That's the part worth getting right before you spend money on drawings. We look at the lot first — where it can go, how utilities reach it, what the city will want — and tell you what's realistic. An ADU that can't get a permit is an expensive set of plans.

Scope

What an ADU project involves

Lot feasibility

Where a unit can physically and legally sit — setbacks, existing structures, access and utility routing.

Permits

City submittal and plan check. Requirements differ from one city to the next, which is why each of our city pages exists.

Utilities

Water, sewer and electrical service to a second dwelling — often the line item people don't see coming.

Foundation & framing

A full structure: foundation, framing, weather barrier, windows and roof.

Full interior

Kitchen, bath, mechanical, electrical and finishes — a complete, permitted dwelling.

Final inspection & sign-off

Through to certificate of occupancy, so it's legally rentable and adds documented value.

Common Questions

Straight answers

Can I build an ADU on my lot?
Usually, but it depends on your city, your parcel and what's already on it. State law has made ADUs far easier across California; the specifics — setbacks, height, utility routing — are local. That's the first thing we check, before you spend anything on drawings.
How much does an ADU cost in San Jose?
It depends far more on utilities and site conditions than on square footage — running sewer and electrical service to a second dwelling is often the line people don't budget for. Our projects generally start at $20,000 and run to $350,000+ depending on scope. We'll give you a real range on a discovery call rather than a number designed to win the job.
Can I rent it out?
Once it's permitted and has passed final inspection, yes — that's the point of building it legally rather than converting a garage without permits. An unpermitted unit is a liability at sale and often uninsurable.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Yes — California General Building (B) license #1112902, a $25,000 contractor bond, and an active workers' compensation policy with The Hartford. Verify the license on the CSLB registry. Certificates of insurance are available on request.
Do you handle the design?
We build your vision — we're not designing the place with you. If you already have plans, we price and build from them. If you need real design work, you need a designer, and we'll say so up front rather than three weeks in.
How do allowances work?
An allowance covers work nobody can honestly price until something is opened up. Those are billed at actual cost, and whatever isn't spent comes off your final invoice. We'd rather show you the unknowns than bury them in a padded fixed price.

Service Area

Where we build

Permit process, plan check and utility requirements change at every city line. Each page covers what's actually true where you're building.

Tell us about your project

Book a 30-minute discovery call and we'll tell you what's realistic — scope, budget and timeline — whether or not we're the right builder for it.

Book a Project Discovery Call Call (408) 597-2733