I'm a real estate agent building a $480,000 backyard home for my mom. I still made these costly mistakes.
Even for a real estate agent, Shalini Karnani Bonjour says building an ADU has been hard. Here are the biggest mistakes she made and lessons learned.
Shalini Karnani Bonjour is constructing a 1,100-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in her California backyard for her mother's aging-in-place needs. However, the project has been plagued by delays and budget overruns. In an interview with Business Insider, Bonjour shared the five key lessons she learned throughout the process.
One of the biggest mistakes Bonjour made was hiring the wrong contractor. Initially, she worked with an architect who promised to guide her through permitting and construction, but they ultimately failed to deliver. This led to construction difficulties as the contractor struggled to translate the original designer's plans. Choosing the right contractor is crucial to the success of the project.
Another important lesson Karnani Bonjour learned is the importance of understanding local permitting and construction rules. In her area of Coachella Valley, she had to secure permits for roof, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, and solar panel installation. The city was strict about solar, and she had to research different solar companies and their packages.
Building a home can put relationships to the test, as the family now shares space in the main house while the ADU is being built. This has caused some tension, particularly over the use of the kitchen, but the family remains supportive of the project's long-term benefits.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
