Advice on Building an ADU From scratch from detached garage

[Kelvin Branson]

Hello,  

I am a first time homeowner and so much of the real estate world is new. I have been living at my house for a few years now and I want to convert my detached garage to an ADU. I had a fire and had a contractor do the repairs and modified it a bit. In the process I discovered that the building was never permitted through the city which I want to remedy. I just am not sure the proper approach.

Do I look for a general contractor to get this taken care of or do I first need to find an architect? What can I expect from the city (I live in Fairfield in the CA Bay Area)? I heard that they are very pro-ADU unit building due to the housing shortages in our area. I feel I put the cart before the horse getting it repaired. I was offered help by a friend of a friend and the price was right, now I am sure I will make up the difference on the back end. Learning good lessons the hard way one at a time as I seem to do.

Does anyone have any recommendations on good contractors or architects or whoever?  Also I am looking for advice on the best way to proceed for financing the project.  I know that is a vague question, but I am concerned that this may become very top-heavy and defeat the purpose of doing it at all...

This is all a bit overwhelming to me so forgive anything that seems silly, just trying to figure this out.  I would greatly appreciate any wisdom from the community. 

Thanks!

-Kelvin