Know if an ADU (Auxilary Dwelling Unit) will work on your lot
Before you spend months (and thousand$) guessing.
Facet Architecture helps homeowners determine whether an ADU will work on their property—and how to design it so it can be approved and built. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, we focus on the practical issues that often cause ADU projects to stall or exceed budget, including access, parking, site limits, utilities, and permitting requirements. By looking at these factors early and designing around them, we help clients move forward with confidence, avoiding surprises later in the process.
Our Experience & Approach
Why Facet Architecture
Facet brings over 40 years of individual experience shaped by the perspectives of an architect, a builder, and a real estate developer. While some services focus only on producing drawings, those plans can run into problems during permitting or construction if they do not reflect how projects are actually approved, priced, and built.
Facet’s approach bridges that gap by designing ADUs using 3D Modeling tools, a clear understanding of ADU review processes, construction realities, and cost drivers—helping homeowners produce plans that are easier to permit, price, and build.
A Trusted Track Record
“Facet Architecture has an incredible ability to listen, understand how a space will actually be used, and translate that into a design that is both beautiful and practical. The attention to detail, responsiveness, and depth of knowledge made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend Facet to anyone looking for an architect who brings both vision and execution to the table.”
TIER 1 - ADU Lot Analysis (Feasibility Only)
Answer this question with confidence: Is an ADU feasible on your lot, and what is the smartest path to get to a finished ADU?
What You’ll Get:
INCLUDES:
A clear Go/No-Go/Go-with-conditions RecommendationShort Term Rental/Zoning eligibility
1-2 feasible ADU narrative approaches (Detached, attached, conversion, or over-garage as applicable)
A practical strategy tied to real constraints (Setbacks, access, parking, overlays)
A risk list of items to verify next (Survey, utilities, trees, stormwater, soils, etc.)
Written/Graphic feasibility report and a short call with an experienced architect to review the findings and the path to permit.
EXCLUDES:
Design drawings, survey-based siting, engineering, or permit submittals.
BEST FOR:
Homeowners, buyers, and investors who need an early decision before committing to design or purchase
FEE: $900-1,700 based on Location
TIMEFRAME:
5-7 working days after uploading the required information and the electronic agreement/release.
TIER 2 - ADU Lot Analysis + Scaled Site Strategy
Move from “possible” to “plausible” with realistic placement and clairty
What You’ll Get:
INCLUDES:
Everything from Tier One +
Survey-based buildable area confirmation
Scaled ADU site diagram(s)
Preliminary envelope and footprint logic
More refined parking and access strategy
Identification of items likely to trigger civil or utility coordination
EXCLUDES:
Full design drawings, consulting engineering, or permit submittals.
BEST FOR:
Owners preparing for a pre-application meeting or deciding whether to invest in a complete design.
FEE: $1,850 to 3,000 based on Location
TIMEFRAME:
7 to 10 working days after uploading the required information and the electronic agreement/release.
TIER 3 - Custom ADU Architectural Design + Permitting Set
Deliver a fully custom ADU design ready for permitting in your town/city/county.
What You’ll Get:
INCLUDES:
Everything from Tier Two +
Custom architectural design tailored to site, zoning, and client goals
Floor plans, elevations, and code-compliant layouts
Site coordination based on the survey
Permit-ready architectural drawings
Mechanical Narrative, Electrical layout, and Plumbing, all with fixture schedules
City/County permit response support
Planning and zoning coordination as required
EXCLUDES:
Civil and Structural (if. req’d) Permit & utilities fees, construction administration
BEST FOR:
Clients are committed to building and obtaining permit-ready, pricing-ready sets for a construction partner.
FEE: $7,500 to 14,500 based on Location and Scope of the Project.
TIMEFRAME:
20 to 40 working days (Not including permit review) after uploading the required information and the electronic agreement/release.
Additional Services:
FINAL THOUGHT - You’re not just paying for drawings:
Most ADU and lot decisions go sideways for one reason: people start with generic information. Google results, social posts, and even “ready-made” plan sets that do not account for the variables that actually determine whether your project is permitted, buildable, and priceable on your specific property—zoning overlays, setbacks, access and parking triggers, utilities, easements, slope, and local building codes and review practices.
Our ADU and Lot Analysis turns that uncertainty into clarity. We build project-ready answers tailored to your exact lot and goals, so you can avoid redesign cycles, permitting delays, and contractor guesswork that drives up bids. In short: you are not paying for drawings alone—you are paying for experience, clarity, and a custom-fit roadmap that helps your builder price the work accurately and helps you make confident decisions before you commit real money.
Total Project Budget Development:
Provide a realistic, early-stage Total Project Budget to support financing, ROI analysis, and informed decision-making.
Includes:
Cost range based on your current market data.
Allowances for site work, utilities, and known constraints.
Soft Costs summary (design, permits, consultants)
Owner cost items and contingency guidance.
High-level cash flow timing considerations
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is NOT a contractor bid, but an experienced professional-informed budget model suitable for the lender, investor, and owner’s baseline to measure builders’, vendors’, and sub-trades' pricing.
FEE: $2,500 to 3,500 based on level of detail required
Let us know a little more about your dream…
If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.
Privacy & Professional Ethics Notice
The information you share with Facet Architecture is used solely to evaluate your project and respond to your inquiry. We do not sell, share, or distribute client information. As a licensed architectural practice, we are bound by professional ethics and confidentiality standards, and we treat all client communications with discretion and care.