Building a backyard cottage in Willow Glen or Japantown is not like remodeling a kitchen. San Jose ADU Solutions knows that you are essentially putting up a brand-new house on your property, which means you need a builder who actually knows what they are doing. San Jose ADU Solutions has been in the trades around Santa Clara County for years, and our team sees homeowners make the same mistakes during the hiring phase over and over again. We want to help you fix that.
Before you sign anything, you need to know who is walking onto your property every day. Do not just rely on a slick website or a smooth sales pitch. You have to dig into their background.
How to Verify a Legitimate Contractor
Never take a contractor's word for it when they say they are licensed. Head straight to the California Contractors State License Board website and type in that license number. You want to see a B-General Building license that is active and in good standing. Check if they have workers' compensation insurance and a valid bond. If a worker driving a pickup truck tells you he does not need insurance because he is a sole proprietor, wave goodbye and lock your gate.
Ask for three recent references from projects they finished right here in the local area. And we do not mean just phone numbers—ask if you can drive by to look at the exterior framing or talk to the owner about how the crew handled setbacks from the city planning department.
Smart Questions to Ask on Day One
When you are sitting down for an initial consultation, put them on the spot. Vague answers should worry you.
- Do you handle the architectural drawings and the San Jose permit submittals yourself, or do you farm that out?
- How do you handle utility tie-ins for sewer and water running from the main house?
- Who is my actual day-to-day point of contact when the project manager is off-site?
- What is your current backlog before construction actually begins on-site?
Decoding the Quote
A cheap quote is usually a trap. If one bid comes in much lower than everyone else, someone is cutting corners—either on labor, materials, or permits. A real, honest estimate should break down everything from site prep and utility trenching to drywall finishes and fixtures. Look closely at the allowance items. If a quote gives you a tiny allowance for cabinets or flooring, you will get hit with massive change orders later when you pick materials that actually fit your home.
San Jose ADU Solutions believes in laying out the real numbers from the start so nobody is surprised when the framing goes up. Keep your eyes open, check the paperwork, and hire someone who respects your property and your neighborhood.