Our Process
Let NDG ENGINEERS take care of the planning, design, and permitting process.
Once your permits are approved, you can choose our hassle-free construction and project management service, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.
Phase 1 / 4
Plan
In-person Site Inspection
​
Our ADU experts visit your property to assess its full ADU potential. We evaluate key factors like utility access, grading needs, and structural considerations that may affect overall costs.
​
Virtual Design Session
​
Our designers at NDG ENGINEERS craft plan options tailored to your space. Your dedicated Project Planner collects your feedback and guides you in choosing finishes and fixtures from our Design Decision Catalog. With transparent pricing, finalizing your project details is simple and stress-free.
​
Contract
​
Once your design decisions are finalized, we'll provide a contract to move into Phase 2, applying your deposit toward the next step of the project!
What you get:
-
Site Inspection Report
-
Pricing Estimate
-
Comprehensive Scope of Work
-
Design Plan Incorporating all Design Decisions
-
Deposit Applied toward Phase 2
Phase 2 / 4
Design
Detailed Drafting
​
NDG ENGINEERS' designers prepare a comprehensive drawing set to get your project ready for permit submission. This includes the site plan, building plans, elevations, sections, and 3D views, all carefully aligned with your approved Design Decisions.
Documentation Review
During your Documentation Review, you will have a chance to review your ADU and make any final adjustments to the design before signing off on it.
What you get:
​
-
Virtual Documentation Review Session
-
Documentation Review Drawing Set
-
Updated Pricing Estimate
-
Updated Scope of Work
Phase 3 / 4
Permit
Straightforward Permitting Process​
​
At NDG, we collaborate with our trusted network of engineers to make your drawing set fully permit-ready. Our team expertly navigates the complexities of various municipal departments to secure approvals as efficiently as possible. With experience in challenging jurisdictions like Santa Monica, Glendale, and Pasadena, we manage all city correspondence on your behalf, keeping you informed every step of the way through your Homeowner Portal.
​
Preparing for Construction
After your project has been permitted, we provide all the documentation needed to bid and build your ADU.
What you get:
-
Building Permits
-
Detailed, Construction-ready Drawing Set
-
List of Fixtures, Equipment, & Material Quantities
-
Updated Pricing Estimate & Scope of Work
Phase 3 / 4
Build
Bidding your ADU​
​
You can also hire NDG to manage the entire construction process from start to finish. We source exclusive bids from our trusted network of vetted contractors and select the best fit for your project.
Contractors enjoy working with us because we offer a consistent flow of projects, detailed drawings, a clearly defined and stable scope of work, and procurement support. This streamlined approach helps us deliver higher quality results at a more competitive cost.
​
Construction Management
Our team conducts regular site visits and thorough inspections to ensure everything stays on track. With our Homeowner Portal and Contractor Portal, we keep communication clear—sharing progress updates, addressing issues, and maintaining full transparency every step of the way.
What you get:
-
Exclusive Bids from our Vetted Contractors
-
Transparent, Fully-managed Construction Process
-
Tracking of all Tasks & Communication via Portal
-
1-year Warranty
