NorTech is coming to Campbell — opening Friday, November 20. Book now and your request goes out the moment we launch.

Home / California / Bay Area / Campbell / ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction

General Building & Remodeling · Campbell, CA

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction in Campbell

Describe the unit you want and licensed general contractors send bids. Each contractor sets their own price and warranty, and you compare the bids and choose.

  • Pricing set by local pros
  • Your pro’s own warranty
  • Before and after photos
  • Background checked

Bigger or unusual job? Compare bids from local pros and you pick who does the work.

The service

What adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction is, what a visit covers and where the line is.

The short answer

Building an accessory dwelling unit means adding a second, self-contained home on your lot: a detached cottage, an attached unit, or a converted garage or basement. ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction in Campbell is booked through pros who cover its 3 ZIP codes, in neighborhoods such as Downtown Campbell, Pruneyard / Campbell Avenue corridor, and San Tomas. In Campbell, the dry season from late spring to fall is the easiest time for outside work, and the fall calendar fills before the first big rain. NorTech does not pick the pro, and each pro sets their own price and warranty.

What a adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction visit includes

What is included depends on the jobs you pick and on how each pro sets up their visit and timing. You see the exact scope with each pro's price before you book.

  • Site visit, feasibility review and a written scope
  • Coordination of plans, engineering and permits
  • Foundation, framing, roofing, windows and exterior finishes
  • Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and utility connections
  • Insulation, drywall, flooring, kitchen and bath finishes
  • City inspections, final sign-off and certificate of occupancy

Pick what is on your list

Tick what you want done, or add your own. Your list goes under the booking card and to the pro you choose, and you can describe anything else when you book.

Plans and approvals

Tick what you want done. One visit can cover several.

Your list 0

Tick jobs above, or add your own. Your list goes under the booking card and to the pro you choose, so they see exactly what you need before they arrive.

What shapes a adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction job

These are the things that make one job different from another. Mention them in your notes so each pro can scope your job properly.

Unit type and size
A detached cottage, a garage conversion and a unit over a garage differ in structure, fire separation and entry.
Distance to utility connections
The run from the unit to the sewer lateral, water meter and electrical service sets how much trenching and tie-in work is involved.
Condition of the main house systems
An older panel, a small water service or an aging sewer line may need work before a second dwelling can tie in.
Soil, slope and drainage
Expansive clay, fill, a steep lot or a high water table push a foundation toward deeper footings or retaining work, and runoff needs a planned path away from both buildings.
Finish and fixture level
Cabinet grade, flooring, appliances and bathroom fixtures vary widely between bids.
Where in Campbell the job is
Campbell is the hidden gem of the South Bay — strong community, walkable downtown, and housing that's being actively upgraded by a new generation of owners. Tell the pro your neighborhood or ZIP code so they know the age and style of the home.

Ways to add a unit

The type of unit changes the cost, the schedule and the permit path. Decide it early, or ask bidders to price more than one approach. Tap an option to compare, then add your pick to your job notes.

What is not part of adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction

Knowing where the line is keeps the visit on track and keeps you safe. When a job belongs to a specialist, NorTech tells you before you book.

  • Any job where labor and materials together reach $1,000 or more is done by a licensed contractor. A unit like this is always in that range, and every bidder on NorTech holds the required license.
  • Zoning variances, lot splits and rezoning. These are decisions made by your local planning office, and a contractor can only help you prepare the request.
  • Landscaping, fencing, driveways and outdoor kitchens around the unit unless they are written into the bid as separate lines.
  • Furniture, window coverings and loose appliances unless the bid lists them.
  • Property management, tenant screening and rental licensing once the unit is finished.
  • Removing hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead paint from a structure being converted. That is a specialized abatement service.

License and permits for adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction

Who does it

Building a dwelling involves structural, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical work. A licensed general contractor runs the work and licensed trades handle the regulated parts. The license is shown on the contractor profile.

Permits

A new dwelling unit commonly needs approved drawings, a building permit and inspections at several stages, such as foundation, framing, rough utilities, insulation and final. Zoning review also applies, and rules differ by place. Ask each bidder who prepares plans, who submits them and who pays the fees.

Check your pro

Check the license and insurance on the pro profile and ask for the license number in the written bid. Ask to see the approved plans and each inspection sign-off, and keep them with your property records.

Plan your visit

How booking works, how to get ready, and what to expect where you live.

How booking adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction works

  1. Say what needs doing

    Add your ZIP and a few words about the job.

  2. Compare pros near you

    Each pro sets their own price and warranty. NorTech does not pick for you.

  3. Book the pro you pick

    Add photos and details on their page. Your card is held and only charged after the work and the photos.

  4. Photos and a warranty

    Your pro backs the work with a workmanship warranty — if covered work is not right, your pro makes it right, free.

Before you book adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction

Quick things that save a trip. Tick them off as you go; none of it is required to book.

0/7
Let’s get you readyTap a card when you have done it.

Write your goal in one paragraph

Say who the unit is for, how many bedrooms you want, whether it will be rented, and any limits on size or budget. A clear goal keeps the bids comparable and avoids redesign later.

Photograph and sketch your lot

Take photos of the proposed spot, the meters, the cleanouts and the sides of the lot. A rough sketch with distances to the house and fences helps bidders spot problems before they quote.

Find your property documents

Look for a survey, a plot plan, the deed and any records of past permits. Easements, setbacks and unpermitted structures show up in these papers and affect where you can build.

Ask who handles each step

Before choosing a pro, ask in writing who does design, who pulls permits, who orders utility connections and who pays the fees. The answers explain a lot of the difference between bids.

Check licenses and insurance

Open each pro profile and confirm the license and insurance. Ask for the license number in the bid and a copy of the insurance certificate before signing.

Plan your payment schedule

Pay by project stage tied to finished and inspected work, not by large deposits up front. Ask each bidder for a written payment schedule and for lien releases at each stage.

Say where in Campbell you are

Add your neighborhood, for example Downtown Campbell, Pruneyard / Campbell Avenue corridor, and San Tomas, or your ZIP code to your notes. Pros choose the neighborhoods they cover, and it tells them how far they have to travel.

How where you live changes adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction

Add your ZIP in the booking card at the top to see weather alerts and the season for your area.

Accessory dwelling rules are set by your locality

Whether a unit is allowed, how large it can be, how far it must sit from property lines, how tall it can stand and whether it needs its own parking all depend on where the lot is. Some places allow only detached units, some allow conversions only, and some limit rental use or require the owner to live on the property. These rules change, so rely on your local planning office, not on a neighbor. Experienced bidders know the process locally and can tell you early whether your lot qualifies.

Fill in the blanks first. The note goes to the pro you choose.

Best time to book adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction

Spring Mar to MaySummer Jun to AugFall Sep to Nov

Foundation and framing go best in dry, mild weather, so many owners start design early and break ground when the ground is workable. Climates with hard winters often pause exterior work in the coldest season. In Campbell, the dry season from late spring to fall is the easiest time for outside work, and the fall calendar fills before the first big rain.

Together

Book adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction with your neighbors

Every home on the street gets the pro’s neighbor rate, and each one books and pays on its own.

Start a Street Day
  1. Start one

    Pick the job, your street, a day and a pro who offers a neighbor rate.

  2. Share the link

    Send it to neighbors. Only the city is ever shown publicly, never your street.

  3. Neighbors join

    Neighbors on your street book the same pro on the same day.

  4. Everyone saves

    Each home gets the pro’s neighbor rate, a percent off the pro’s own price, and books and pays on its own.

Often booked together with adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction

Book several services with one pro. Pros set their own bundle discounts.

Mini-Split Installation & Repair

Ductless heating and cooling is a common choice for a small separate unit.

Electrical Panel Upgrade & Rewiring

The main service may need an upgrade to carry a second dwelling.

Garage Conversion

Converting an existing garage is the other common route to a second unit.

Sewer Line Camera Inspection

A camera look at the sewer line shows whether it can take the extra load and where to connect.

Around Campbell

Where in Campbell the work happens, and the cities close by.

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction across Campbell

Pick your neighborhood to see what homes there tend to need. Pros choose the neighborhoods they cover, so enter your ZIP code to see who covers yours.

Downtown CampbellPruneyard / Campbell Avenue corridorSan TomasDry CreekEden / West CampbellCambrian Park (Campbell side)Hamilton / Winchester corridor

Cities near Campbell

Pros often cover more than one city. The rings show 5 and 10 miles from the center of town.

Other services in Campbell

Each one has its own page for this city.

Bathroom Refresh

A favorite for Campbell's mid-century ranches near downtown, updating dated tile, vanities, and fixtures without a full gut renovation.

See pros in Campbell
Interior Wall & Ceiling Painting

New owners refreshing renovated bungalows in San Tomas and Dry Creek book fresh, modern interior color to brighten original 1950s and 60s floor plans.

See pros in Campbell
General Handyman

Ideal for the move-in punch-lists common in Campbell's actively upgraded homes, knocking out a list of small fixes in a single up-front visit.

See pros in Campbell
Deck Construction, Repair & Refinishing

Campbell's mild South Bay summers and backyard living make deck repair and refinishing popular for homes backing onto Los Gatos Creek trails.

See pros in Campbell
Tile & Grout

Original kitchen and bath tile in Eden and West Campbell ranches gets refreshed grout and repairs to modernize the space affordably.

See pros in Campbell
Backyard Cottage & Detached Guest House Build

Construction of a backyard cottage or detached guest house by a licensed general contractor, from foundation to finishes, with utilities and permits.

See pros in Campbell

Trust and answers

What backs the work, who is licensed and insured, what customers say, and your questions.

90-Day Warranty

Backed by your provider’s warranty. If covered work fails, your provider makes it right, free.

Campbell homeowners

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction reviews in Campbell

Verified adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction reviews from Campbell homeowners will appear here.

Be the first adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction review in Campbell

Your pro backs the work with a workmanship warranty — if covered work is not right, your pro makes it right, free. Book with confidence and tell Campbell how your pro did.

Book ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction in Campbell

Frequently asked

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Construction in Campbell: common questions

Ready to book adu (accessory dwelling unit) construction in Campbell?

Tell us the job and your ZIP. You see the pros near you, each with their own price, and you choose.

Find a pro near me
A bundle books several services with one pro. Pros set their own bundle discounts.