How We Work
From Feasibility
to Certificate of Occupancy
Five phases. One firm. A defined system that gets your ADU designed, permitted, and built without surprises.
The Process
Five Phases. One Firm.
Most ADU projects take 4 to 6 months from first call to Certificate of Occupancy. Timeline varies by ADU type, municipality, and project complexity. Here's how we get there.
01
Phase One
1–2 weeks
Feasibility Check & Project Brief
Before any design work, we confirm what's actually buildable on your property. This is where most ADU projects fail or stall when handled by generalists who don't know local code.
Zoning district review: what ADU types are permitted on your lot
Setback analysis: how close to property lines you can build
Lot coverage and impervious surface calculations
Height allowances and applicable restrictions
Municipal-specific requirements (owner-occupancy covenants, utility connections, etc.)
Ballpark project cost and timeline estimate
02
Phase Two
4–6 weeks
Architectural Design & Contract
Once feasibility is confirmed, we move into design. You'll work with our design team to select layout, exterior finishes, and interior options within your code constraints and budget.
Floor plan and layout development
Exterior elevations and material selections
Interior finish selections (flooring, cabinets, countertops)
Site plan and grading plan
Construction contract execution with fixed pricing
03
Phase Three
4–12 weeks
Permitting
We prepare and submit all permit applications. Permit timelines vary by municipality — Madison can take 4–8 weeks, smaller municipalities vary. We manage the process and respond to any plan review comments on your behalf.
Building permit application and drawings package
Zoning approval and any required conditional use filings
Utility coordination (water, sewer, electric)
Plan review comment responses
Permit issuance and pre-construction scheduling
04
Phase Four
8–16 weeks
Construction
We manage the full build — from site preparation and foundation through framing, mechanical, and finishes. You'll have a single point of contact throughout. Required inspections are scheduled and managed by our team.
Site preparation and excavation
Foundation (frost-depth compliant per Wisconsin code)
Framing, roofing, exterior cladding
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins
Insulation (Wisconsin energy code compliant)
Drywall, flooring, cabinetry, and finish work
All required interim inspections
05
Phase Five
1–2 weeks
Final Inspection & Certificate of Occupancy
Final inspections, punch list, CO issuance, and project handoff. Your ADU is permitted, documented, and ready to use — as a rental, for family, or however you planned.
Final building inspection
Certificate of Occupancy issuance
Warranty documentation and project closeout packet
ADU address registration and 911 wayfinding setup (where applicable)
Timelines reflect typical detached ADU projects in Dane County. Garage ADUs and attached ADUs may have shorter construction phases. Municipal permitting timelines vary and are outside our direct control.
Phase One Starts Here
Request Your Free Feasibility Check
The first step costs nothing. We review your property, confirm what's buildable, and give you a realistic picture of timeline and cost.
Start the Process →