ADU Design Company in San Diego

Good ADU design starts with the property, not the floor plan.

You may already know how you want your ADU to look. You may have seen a plan online that you like. Or you may simply know that you want to add another living space to your property.

But there is one thing to check first:

Will that design work on your lot?

Planning an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) starts with understanding your property. Our team evaluates your site, develops plans tailored to your property, and considers the applicable requirements to help you move forward with confidence. From property assessment to design planning, we help make your ADU journey smoother.

Before Choosing a Plan, Look at Your Property

An ADU plan may look perfect on paper and still not be the right fit for your lot.

Fortune checks things such as:

Lot conditions
Zoning
Setbacks
Existing structures
Utilities
Local requirements

These details can affect the size, location and type of ADU you can build.

That is why Fortune starts with feasibility before drawing work begins.

“The plan you like is only the starting point. Your lot decides what fits.”

18 ADU Floor Plans to Start With

Fortune currently has 18 ADU floor plans, ranging from 208 to 1,200 sq. ft. The plans include one-, two- and three-bedroom options.

You can look at them by size or number of bedrooms.

Compact: 200–500 sq. ft.

These plans work with smaller spaces and include studio or one-bedroom layouts.

Standard: 500–800 sq. ft.

These include one- and two-bedroom options with a full kitchen and living space.

Large: 800–1,200 sq. ft.

These plans include two- and three-bedroom layouts, with larger options including two-storey designs.

The smallest listed plan is 208 sq. ft., with:

1 bedroom
1 bathroom
Kitchen
Living room
15′ × 13′-10″ footprint

Three ADU Types. Which One Fits?

Not every ADU sits on the property in the same way.

Junior ADU

A Junior ADU is created inside the existing single-family home and can be up to 500 sq. ft. Fortune currently has seven floor plans that fit this type.

This may suit you if you have:

Spare interior space

A room you want to convert

Space inside the existing home for a separate unit

Attached ADU

An attached ADU shares at least one wall with the main house.

This can make sense when your lot does not leave enough room for a separate building. Fortune’s plans can be used in different configurations depending on the property.

Detached ADU

A detached ADU is a separate building in the yard.

It gives the unit its own structure and can be considered when the property has enough usable yard space. Fortune has detached ADU plans across its size range.

What Makes an ADU Plan Work?

A good plan is not just about the number of bedrooms.

It also has to make sense for the space available.

Think about:

Where will it be located?

The site of the ADU is important.

How much area is there?

The lot and setbacks influence the footprint.

What do you have?

The house, garage, utilities and any other site characteristics matter.

What plan works?

A one-bedroom design may work where a bigger plan might not.

What does the municipality want?

Local requirements must be verified first.

Design Is More than Making the ADU Look Good

Fortune’s design process is built around plan check, The plans need to work for the property and also be prepared for review.

The design scope listed by Fortune includes:

Feasibility and code research
Site plan
Floor plans
Exterior elevations
Building sections and details
Roof plan
Schedules and general notes
Structural plans and calculations
Title 24 energy work

This is why the design stage happens after the property has been checked.

What Happens When the City Has Comments?

Fortune handles the permit submission; corrections and city coordination after the plans are prepared.

The process can look like this:

Plans prepared

↓

City review

↓

Comments or corrections

↓

Changes to plans

↓

Resubmission

You do not have to manage these steps between different companies. Fortune keeps the design and permit work connected.

How Much Does ADU Design Cost?

Fortune lists its ADU design fee from $5,750.

The fee changes by project size.

ADU Size Listed Design Fee

100–500 sq. ft. $5,750

500–1,000 sq. ft. $12,775

1,000–1,200 sq. ft. $16,800

The listed design scope includes drawings, structural work, Title 24 and permit coordination. City permit fees are separate and are set by the relevant city.

These are planning figures. The actual project numbers are confirmed after the property goes through feasibility.

One advantage of having the design and construction handled by the same company is that the project does not stop at the drawings.

Fortune’s ADU process covers:

Feasibility- Check the lot, zoning and setbacks.

Design- Prepare plans for the property.

Permit- Submit plans and handles corrections.

Build- Manage construction through final inspection.

So the design is not treated as a separate job. It is the first part of the larger ADU project.

Who Is This For?

An ADU may be worth exploring if you:

Have unused yard space
Have garage space you want to use differently
Need a separate unit for family
Want a rental unit
Want to add another living space to your property

Fortune’s website specifically highlights unused yard or garage space, family needs and rental income as situations where an ADU can make sense.

One Important Thing Before You Start

Do not choose an ADU based only on a picture or floor plan.

The same layout may work on one property and not work on another.

“Your address comes before your drawings.”

Fortune starts with a free consultation to discuss what your lot allows and give you a ballpark based on the property. The consultation has no charge or obligation to continue.

If you are looking for an ADU Design Company in San Diego, start with the property. Once the site is understood, the right design becomes much easier to discuss.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many ADU floor plans does Fortune have?

Fortune has 18 ADU floor plans ranging from 208 to 1,200 square feet.

2. Can Fortune design a custom ADU plan?

Fortune checks your property and can determine what layout fits your lot.

3. Is Fortune capable of designing Junior, attached as well as detached ADUs?

Yes, it is possible to design ADUs of all available types with Fortune.

4. How much do the fees for obtaining the ADU design from Fortune cost?

The starting price to obtain the design is $5,750 depending on the scope of your project.

5. After designing the plans, will Fortune deal with various forms of approvals from the municipal office?

Yes, the company will take all necessary actions regarding the paperwork, making edits and coordinating with the representatives of the city.

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