- Best of Houzz Service2022 · 2023 · 2024
- California licensed contractorCSLB #1066571
- BBB AccreditedA+ rating
A home for the next chapter.
Your parents want their own front door. Your adult child needs room to settle in. Or you want a separate home for a long-term tenant. An accessory dwelling unit can make space for those plans while keeping your main home at the center of everyday life.
Top Home Builders helps San Jose homeowners connect ADU design, permit coordination and construction. We start with how the space will be used, then work through the layout, property constraints and project scope with you.
Why plan your ADU with Top Home Builders?
An ADU brings a kitchen, bathroom, living space and building systems into a compact footprint. Getting those parts to work together starts well before construction.
See the design before making building decisions
THB’s design process includes 3D planning to help you understand the proposed space. Discuss the design deliverables for your project, then use them to review furniture placement, circulation and finishes before committing to the build.
Understand what your estimate covers
Our process uses an itemized estimate and a defined project scope. That gives you a basis for discussing allowances, exclusions and the cost of requested changes. Review the details while decisions are still on paper.
Have a point of contact through construction
A dedicated project manager coordinates the work and keeps you informed. You have someone to speak with about the next stage, outstanding decisions and changes affecting your project.
Review our California contractor license, Best of Houzz Service recognition and BBB profile. Explore our work and ask questions about the team before choosing a contractor.
Plan for two households sharing one property
An ADU floor plan also changes how people use the yard, driveway and main house. Bring those everyday details into the design conversation early.
For parents or extended family: consider the route from the street to the entrance, bathroom access, room to move around furniture and convenient storage. Discuss mobility needs before the layout is fixed.
For a long-term tenant: think about a private entrance, window placement, laundry, storage, outdoor boundaries and access for maintenance. Decide how shared areas will function.
For your household: keep track of what the project changes. A garage conversion may displace tools and household storage. A detached unit may affect a favorite patio, garden or route through the yard.
These choices help turn a small dwelling into a comfortable place to live alongside your existing home.
Explain what you want the ADU to do
Bring your property address, intended use, bedroom needs, approximate budget and any existing drawings. Tell us what matters most, including privacy, accessibility or preserving outdoor space.
Work through the property and layout
Review the proposed location, access, existing structures and utility needs. Develop the design around the findings and discuss the proposed scope before moving ahead.
Prepare the plans and coordinate permits
San Jose’s process begins with its ADU Universal Checklist and requires plans and supporting documents for review. THB coordinates permit applications as part of the project process. Confirm the design, engineering, application and fee responsibilities in your proposal.
Build through the approved stages
Construction follows permit issuance, with inspections at the required stages. Review the proposed sequence, access arrangements and expected disruption before work starts. Changes to the agreed scope should be documented with their cost and schedule implications.
Complete inspections and the walkthrough
The final stage includes required inspection approvals and a walkthrough of the completed work. Discuss outstanding items, equipment information and care instructions before handover.
What should your ADU budget include?
Two proposals for a similar-size ADU can cover very different work. Compare the total scope before comparing the total price.
A detached unit and a garage conversion can have different cost drivers even at the same size. Finish selections matter, but so do the existing structure, utility connections and work outside the building.
Start with a consultation about your property. An estimate tied to a defined layout and scope gives you something useful to review and compare.
- Design and engineering
- Which drawings, calculations and revisions are included?
- Permits and fees
- Who pays application, review, inspection and other applicable charges?
- Site preparation
- Does the scope cover demolition, excavation, drainage and access?
- Utility work
- What is included for water, sewer and electrical connections or upgrades?
- Building construction
- What foundation, structural, insulation and building-system work is allowed for?
- Kitchen, bathroom and finishes
- Which products are selected, and which costs remain allowances?
- Work around the ADU
- Are paths, fencing and disturbed landscaping included?
- Changes and contingency
- How are unforeseen conditions and requested changes priced and approved?
Explore THB’s San Jose remodeling work
See examples of our kitchen, bathroom and whole-home work as you consider the finishes and details you want in your ADU.
Whole-home renovation
Explore the project gallery for a broader view of THB’s interior renovation work.
View this project ↗
Kennedy Avenue kitchen
Review the kitchen project as a starting point for discussing cabinetry, counters and finish preferences.
View this project ↗
Bathroom transformation
Explore a bathroom project before discussing the look and practical needs of your own space.
View this project ↗A customer’s experience with planning and coordination
“We also loved having one company take care of everything”
In his account, Alec describes using 3D renderings before demolition to communicate the design he wanted. He also discusses THB’s coordination of the trades and permits for his kitchen remodel.
Questions about building an ADU in San Jose
Can I convert my garage without replacing its parking spaces?
California ADU law prevents a local agency from requiring replacement parking when a garage or carport is converted to an ADU or demolished as part of an ADU project. The proposed work still needs to meet the applicable approval and building requirements. See the state ADU handbook.
Do preapproved ADU plans mean my property is already approved?
No. San Jose’s program covers standard building plans. A project still needs site-specific documents addressing placement, utilities and applicable requirements. Review the city’s preapproved ADU program and confirm eligibility before choosing that route.
How long does an ADU project take?
The schedule depends on design decisions, application completeness, review comments, utility work, procurement and construction scope. Ask for a schedule that separates design, permitting and construction so you can understand the assumptions behind the proposed completion date.
Can I build an ADU for my parents?
Yes, family housing is one use of an ADU. The proposed building still needs the applicable approvals. Explain your parents’ needs early so the entrance, bathroom, circulation and relationship to your main home can be considered in the design.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Bring your address, available plans or surveys, photos of the proposed area and a short list of priorities. An approximate budget and your preferred timing will help frame the conversation. You can start before you have a finished design.
Explore our locations
Browse THB’s location pages and contact us to confirm ADU service availability for your property.
East Bay
Other THB locations
Book a free ADU design consultation
Start with the people who will live there and the property you have. Talk with Top Home Builders about the layout, scope and next steps for your San Jose ADU.
San Jose, CA 95123
info@tophomebuildersinc.com
California contractor license #1066571