Everyone on my team I would consider to be real estate professional, it would have been quite a bit more difficult to make this job happen without my ARCHS (architects) MW design&InStudio, and GC (general contractor) JW Construction.

Now you have the name of the architect, the general contractor and an idea of the finished product.And in my experience in rehabbing houses in Tampa, the wooden frame bungalows are like peeling an onion, the deeper you go the more rot you will find.

This avoids the need for custom windows… but depending on your building code may require you to get engineering drawings from an architect as to how they are framed out, etc.  

Can anyone recommend an architect with experience designing basement ADU's? 

Can anyone point me to an architect they had a good experience with in the SF Bay Area that specializes in (or at least has experience with) basement additions?

My architect did measure the width and it's 59' ob the ground from fence to fence, but the parcel map shows 53'.

Hi Brandon,Not from Boston but a Double Barrel layout is better than an over-under layout.Less noise complements about footsteps overhead.If you build a Duplex, at some point you will probably wish you had built a tri.Bigger windows can make a smaller unit "Feel" bigger.Consider if they will make you use a commercial garbage service or allow you to have just regular pick up.Think about keeping the garbage area hidden (like they do at McDonbalds and etc...) it makes the property look nicer.Look into how many parking spaces they will make you have and decide (is that the amount you want to offer--or would more for visitors be a good idea).Look into fire requirement differences between duplex and tri--do they make you put in sprinklers, or fire escapes, etc...Spend some time with your architect and think about utility meter placement so it looks apartment like vs homeowner like (this could be a positive point on a sale vs rents collected).Consider having buried electrical service vs an overhead drop line if the neighborhood is up and coming.Just my 2 cents.

From the sounds of it, assuming there is a ton of code involved, you need to back track to having an architect as well.  

I am working with a an architect to design a 600 square-foot accessory dwelling unit to add to the back of an existing rental property in So CA.

Walls can be taken down, i know... but no COs so I wonder if I'd be responsible for work done before I take ownership, PLUS there could be immense expense of architects, permits, construction and time.