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Laura and Dana

Laura and Dana

HOMEOWNER

Laura and Dana

Laura and Dana

HOMEOWNER

My name is Laura, and this is my husband Dana. Ever since we bought this home fifteen years ago, we had talked about the possibility of building an ADU. As our kids grew up, life changed—our middle daughter got married, became pregnant, and needed a little extra support. We wanted her close, but we also wanted her to have their own little place.

We wanted her close, but we also wanted her to have their own little place.

For us, it was about balancing independence with family support. We explored other options like mobile homes, condos, and studios nearby, but nothing made sense financially or emotionally. The cost of nearby condos was at least 40% more than what we invested into the ADU, and unlike those options, this is a property she’ll truly have long-term value in.

The cost of nearby condos was at least 40% more than what we invested into the ADU

What made Backyard Estates stand out was the way every single person treated us. Everybody was very friendly, very open, and dedicated to helping us make good decisions. Adam especially made us feel understood. He made you feel like, ‘I get you. I understand what your family needs.’ That personal connection made the whole project feel possible.

Everybody was very friendly, very open, and dedicated to helping us make good decisions.

We asked a lot of questions because we didn’t want surprises or mismatched expectations. Even when there were normal permitting issues with the city, Backyard Estates stayed on top of everything and kept us informed the entire time.Their online portal made it easy to log in, check updates, and follow the progress.

Backyard Estates stayed on top of everything and kept us informed the entire time.

And once construction started, everything moved even faster than expected. It actually moved much faster than the schedule.

The finished ADU exceeded our expectations. It’s beautiful, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed—from the washer and dryer to the extra storage space we didn’t even expect. I never lived anywhere this nice when I was starting out.

I never lived anywhere this nice when I was starting out.

Most importantly, it gives our daughter and her growing family a safe, independent place to begin this chapter of life—while still being close enough for us to help and stay connected. They’re right next to you, but not on top of you… independent, but still safe and nearby.

We would still end up with Backyard Estates.

And if we had to do it all over again? We would still end up with Backyard Estates.

ADU DesignArchitectural PlansStructural EngineeringTitle 24Civil EngineeringPlan Check FeesBuilding & Fire FeesWater & City FeesNotarizationCounty RecordingAgency CoordinationZoning VerificationProject ManagementCity InspectionsCertificate of OccupancyTurn-Key ConstructionPremium FinishesUtility ConnectionsWeekly UpdatesFinancingExterior DesignInterior DesignPre-ConstructionFinal WalkthroughWarranty SupportADU DesignArchitectural PlansStructural EngineeringTitle 24Civil EngineeringPlan Check FeesBuilding & Fire FeesWater & City FeesNotarizationCounty RecordingAgency CoordinationZoning VerificationProject ManagementCity InspectionsCertificate of OccupancyTurn-Key ConstructionPremium FinishesUtility ConnectionsWeekly UpdatesFinancingExterior DesignInterior DesignPre-ConstructionFinal WalkthroughWarranty Support

Designed to feel like home.

Longview started as our Estate 400 and was customized for this home.

Project Timeline Overview

0 weeks

Plans

0 weeks

Permits

0 weeks

Construction
Week 1
Site Prep & Groundwork
Site Prep & Groundwork
Week 2
Foundation & Footings
Foundation & Footings
Week 3
Framing & Rough-Ins
Framing & Rough-Ins
Week 4
Windows, Doors & Exterior Shell
Windows, Doors & Exterior Shell
Week 5
Insulation & Drywall
Insulation & Drywall
Week 6
Interior & Exterior Finish
Interior & Exterior Finish
Week 7
Cabinets & Countertops
Cabinets & Countertops
Week 8
Interior Touch-ups & Final Inspection
Interior Touch-ups & Final Inspection

Site work on this lot

No surprises. Here’s why.

Our Formal Property Analysis found all of this before they signed.

Step 1 of 1

Found before we started

Our architect and engineers checked this lot before we designed anything. Finding these early is how we avoid surprises during the build.

Longer utility runs (58 feet): Utility lines in the trench at one of our jobs

Utility lines in the trench at one of our jobs

Longer utility runs (58 feet)

What we found during the FPA
Sewer, water and power lines had to run farther than usual.
How finding it early helped
We mapped the route and checked the sewer’s slope over that distance, then sized the pipe and wire for the length.
What it meant for this homeowner
The yard was dug once, and every line works the way it was planned.
Soils report: Digging the foundation at another ADU we built

Digging the foundation at another ADU we built

Soils report

What we found during the FPA
The ground needed an engineer’s soil test before the foundation could be designed.
How finding it early helped
The soil report told our engineer how much weight this ground can hold, so the footings and steel were designed for this exact lot.
What it meant for this homeowner
A foundation built for this ground, with no redesign at inspection.
Seismic report: The frame at its inspection, Jan 22, 2026

The frame at its inspection, Jan 22, 2026

Seismic report

What we found during the FPA
The lot needed an engineer’s seismic report before the ADU could be designed.
How finding it early helped
The report mapped the nearest faults and how hard the ground can shake here, so our engineer sized the footings and the frame’s bracing for this lot before the plans were drawn.
What it meant for this homeowner
The nearest fault is about 360 feet from the ADU. The state requires a deeper fault study only when a home sits within 50 feet of a known fault, so none was needed, and the frame was built for the shaking.
Over-excavation under the foundation: Digging out the pad, Dec 31, 2025

Digging out the pad, Dec 31, 2025

Over-excavation under the foundation

What we found during the FPA
The soil under the ADU had to be dug out and packed down again before the foundation.
How finding it early helped
The soil findings set how deep to dig and how tight to pack it, so the dig, the compaction tests and the foundation were all in the plan from the start.
What it meant for this homeowner
A solid base under the home, with no stop for soil work in the middle of the build.
Water meter upgrade: The existing water meter, at the FPA site visit, Feb 19, 2025

The existing water meter, at the FPA site visit, Feb 19, 2025

Water meter upgrade

What we found during the FPA
The water meter was too small to serve two homes.
How finding it early helped
Sizing the new meter at the start let the water district swap it while the ADU was still being built.
What it meant for this homeowner
Good water pressure in both homes, with no wait on the water district at move-in.
  • Drain pipe run to the front: An area drain beside another ADU we built

    An area drain beside another ADU we built

    Drain pipe run to the front

    Drain lines and grading that carry rainwater away from both homes.

  • AC condenser moved: The AC condenser, at the FPA site visit, Feb 19, 2025

    The AC condenser, at the FPA site visit, Feb 19, 2025

    AC condenser moved

  • Concrete cut and hauled away (211 sq ft): Breaking up old concrete at one of our jobs

    Breaking up old concrete at one of our jobs

    Concrete cut and hauled away (211 sq ft)

    Old concrete broken up and hauled away to make room for the ADU.

  • Small tree removed: Removing a tree at one of our jobs

    Removing a tree at one of our jobs

    Small tree removed

    Trees and old yard items cleared for the ADU.

City permits and fees

Already included in every price, in every city we build in.

StepWho we work withFees we pay
Plan reviewPlanning, Building, Engineering, City / County Fire, CA ADU LawPlan-check, fire, corrections review, state compliance
UtilitiesPublic Works, Water, Electric Provider, WasteWater, sewer and electric connection and capacity
PermitSchool Districts, RecorderSchool, address, notarization, building, permit pull
InspectionsBuildingInspection

Added for this lot

  • SurveyA licensed survey of the lot’s lines and levels, so the plans sit exactly where they should.

Our team

Your team, from first visit to move-in.

One team. Every step.

  1. Plan

    • Serge MayerHead ArchitectWalks your lot and draws your plans. Civil engineering and surveying background.
  2. Permits

    • Mary CoonDirector of OperationsKeeps every step moving: permits, schedule, people.
    • Elsa TomasProject AdminYour updates and documents, in one place.
  3. Build

    • Tom GibsonDirector of Construction50+ years building. Sets how every ADU gets built.
    • Dusty GravattSenior Construction Mgr.Runs the job site and the crews.
    • Jose CervantesProject ManagerRuns your schedule from permit to move-in.
  4. Every step

    • Adam StewartPresident & FounderStands behind every build.
    • Edgar CureMarketing & Tech Mgr.Builds the tools that show you every number.

Formal Property Analysis (FPA)

Your lot has its own requirements. Find them before you build.

For Longview, our architect and engineers checked 250+ things before anything was designed.

Longview’s FPA250+ checks
  • Soil and foundationFootings designed for this groundFound
  • Utility run lengthsRouted and sized before any diggingFound
  • Water meter sizeA bigger meter, set during the buildFound

Also checked

  • Zoning and setbacks
  • Height and size limits
  • Slope and drainage
  • Sewer line condition
  • Electrical panel size
  • Fire department rules

And 240+ more on every lot

  • What your lot needs
  • A buildable solution
  • A proposal with no surprises
Book your FPA

$500, fully credited toward your build

Not ready? Start with a free office visit

Finishes in this home

Designed with purpose, finished with care.

Every finish and fixture is selected with intention.

  • Luxury Vinyl Plank - Oxford

    Flooring

    Oxford

  • Shaker Cabinets - Misty Gray

    Cabinets

    Misty Gray

  • Countertop - Calacatas Rocky

    Countertops

    Calacatas Rocky

  • Ceramic Tile - Bright White

    Shower tile

    Bright White

  • Cabinet Pulls - Satin Nickel

    Hardware

    Satin Nickel

  • Kitchen Faucet - Satin Nickel

    Kitchen faucet

    Satin Nickel

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