This video was split into two parts due to my GoPro splitting the video into two files. Licensed general contractor pulled permits on 11/2019. Construction from the ground up took 6 months and completed on 5/2020.
This is a detached unit almost 450 SQFT; $70K in construction costs; located in Los Angeles County in Southern California.
Recap on approximate timelines:
1. Contracted a drafting company on 3/2019 to draw the plans.
2. Submitted plans to city on 5/2019.
3. Multiple corrections and revisions; final plans approved by city on 9/2019.
4. Took me until 11/2019 to find a licensed general contractor to pull permits.
5. Broke ground on 11/2019 and got certificate of occupancy on 5/2020.
6. Made this video on 6/2020.
Recap on costs:
1. Plans including Title 24 ($2100), owner revisions ($500), plan check fees ($1500), build permit fees ($2000) = approximately $6,100. Plans took 6 months since I hired drafting company. In construction, these are known as the soft costs.
2. Construction costs $70,000. This is to build from the ground up a detached guest house. In construction, these are known as the hard costs.
The purpose of this information is to share with you my timeline and breakdown of costs (soft vs hard). I'm not here trying to sell you any service.
7/23/2020 Contractor Update:
I just spoke with my general contractor (very small business) and he said not to post his information online. He said he’s fortunate to have more work than he can handle. He’s turning down work because he doesn’t have the construction personnel to take on more jobs.
1/30/2021: I spoke with my general contractor again. I asked if I could pre-qualify referrals by asking about cash in had to do the project, type of project, city, approved plans, etc. Unfortunately, he said no. He pre-qualifies his own customers and he mainly works with an existing customer base that's he's built over 30 years. His business is not just construction, but also property maintenance. Therefore, I don't have any contractors to refer.