Frequently Asked Questions

An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a secondary housing unit on a residential property. ADUs are an excellent way to add rental income, house family members, or increase your property value. California has made ADU construction easier with streamlined permitting, and Long Beach is particularly ADU-friendly.

Typically, ADU construction takes 4-8 months from permit approval to completion. The permitting process can add 2-4 months depending on your jurisdiction. We handle all permit coordination to streamline the timeline as much as possible.

In Long Beach, detached ADUs can be up to 1,200 square feet. Attached ADUs are limited to 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area. Junior ADUs (JADUs) are limited to 500 square feet. We'll help you understand what's possible on your specific lot.

Most residential properties in Long Beach are eligible for ADUs, though specific requirements vary. Factors include lot size, setbacks, and existing structures. We provide free consultations to assess your property's ADU potential.

Our process follows five key phases: Initial consultation and design, permit acquisition, site preparation and foundation, construction and framing, and finishing and final inspections. We provide detailed timelines and maintain regular communication throughout.

Yes, we manage the entire permitting process including plan submissions, permit applications, and all required inspections. Our experience with local building departments helps streamline approvals and avoid delays.

We provide a comprehensive 1-year warranty on workmanship and materials. Additionally, all appliances, fixtures, and systems come with their manufacturer warranties. We stand behind our work and address any issues promptly.

We document all changes through a formal change order process. Any modifications to the original scope are priced out and approved by you before work proceeds. This ensures complete transparency in project costs.

Our estimates are detailed and comprehensive, typically within 5-10% of final costs. We include allowances for unknowns and clearly itemize all costs. There are no surprise fees—if something unexpected arises, we discuss it with you immediately.

We typically use a milestone-based payment schedule: a deposit to begin work, progress payments at key milestones (foundation, framing, rough-in, finish), and final payment upon completion. Specific terms are outlined in your contract.

Key factors include permit processing times, material availability, weather conditions, and project complexity. We build buffer time into our schedules and communicate proactively about any potential delays.

While we don't provide direct financing, we can recommend trusted lending partners who specialize in construction loans, home equity lines of credit, and ADU-specific financing options.

Urban Construction & Design Solutions has been serving Long Beach and the South Bay area for over 17 years. We're a family-owned business founded by Elias Gonzalez in 2008.

We serve Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Cypress, Palos Verdes, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Lomita, and the greater South Bay area. We focus on this region to ensure responsive service and deep local knowledge.

Our minimum project size is $10,000, though most of our projects range from $100,000 to $2.2 million. We specialize in significant construction projects where our expertise delivers the most value.

Yes, we're a California Licensed General Contractor, fully insured and bonded. We maintain all required certifications including EPA Lead-Safe certification and OSHA safety compliance.