FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Straight, honest answers about how our service works, what it costs you (nothing), how we vet contractors, and the practical realities of building an ADU in Southern California.

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Common questions

Straight answers about how United Build Partners works, what ADUs cost and take, and what to expect. Don't see yours? Reach out — a real advisor will help.

You won't receive a UBP invoice for the property review or the contractor introductions, and there's no obligation to hire anyone. Participating contractors compensate UBP and set their own project pricing independently — see how we make money for exactly how it works.

No catch, and no. Your details are shared only with the up-to-three matched contractors for your project, never posted to a public list or sold to data brokers. See our privacy policy.

Up to three, matched to your project type and location — not a dozen. We're not a lead reseller; our network expects a short, qualified list.

Those platforms generally sell your contact info to many contractors who then compete to reach you. We review your project first, introduce a short matched list, and you keep one dedicated advisor throughout — we're paid for quality introductions, not volume.

We'll tell you directly, with the reason, instead of passing you to a contractor anyway. Lot size, existing structures, and local zoning all affect what's realistic — better to know up front.

Every contractor clears the same four-stage screening — license & insurance verification, a track-record review, communication & reference checks, and process & documentation standards — before we'll introduce them. Our how it works page details each stage.

Ground-up construction in our area generally runs about $285–$350 per square foot, and total project costs range widely by type — roughly $70K for a junior ADU up to $420K+ for a large detached unit. These are planning estimates, not quotes; see our costs page and cost guide.

No — most homeowners haven't started design work when they request a review. Basic details about your property and goals are enough for a first look; formal plans and surveys come later with your contractor or designer.

Select communities across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. See our service area and city-by-city ADU guides — and if your city isn't listed yet, a property review still helps.

It varies by type and city, but state law generally requires cities to act on a complete ADU permit application within 60 days, which often moves ADUs through permitting faster than a typical home addition. See our construction timeline guide.

Ready to see what your property can support?

Get a free, no-obligation property review — a first look at your ADU options, realistic ranges, and next steps.

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