So, you've decided to build an ADU? That's fantastic! It's a really smart move for your property, especially here in Portland. But here's the thing: building an ADU isn't just about picking a design and getting permits. It's a full-on project management job, whether you're doing it yourself or bringing in help. I've watched plenty of folks stumble on the management side of things, and it usually costs them time, money, and a whole lot of headaches. Let's talk about the biggest mistakes I see, so you can steer clear of 'em.
Mistake #1: Not Defining Your Role (or Your Contractor's) Clearly
This one's huge. Are you going to be the general contractor, or are you hiring one? If you're bringing in a GC, will they handle *everything*? Or do you plan to manage some parts yourself, like finding your own electrician or painter? If you don't nail this down from day one, you're just asking for trouble. I've seen homeowners assume their contractor was taking care of something, and the contractor thought the homeowner was. And guess what happened? Nobody did it. Then you're scrambling, delaying everything, and probably paying rush fees.
You need a super clear scope of work. What exactly is your contractor responsible for? What are you handling? Get it all in writing. If you're managing parts of it, be realistic about your time and expertise. It's practically a full-time job, you know?
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Schedule (or Not Having One)
Everyone wants their ADU finished yesterday, right? But a good project needs a realistic schedule. I'm talking about more than just a start and end date. You need milestones: permit approval, foundation pour, framing complete, rough-ins, inspections, finishes, the final walk-through. If you don't have these, how do you even know if things are on track? How can you hold anyone accountable?
A lot of homeowners just trust the contractor to