Before we start, I'd like to say that each project is different, and it depends on a whole bunch of factors, customer preferences, what your city would allow, what the requirements of your city are, what's the scope of your project, and all that stuff. So in terms of an ADU, the project depends also on the location, the size and the local requirements and things.
I like projects with some challenge. I have an engineering background and not a traditional construction background, which is quite an advantage for me. In addition to my engineering background I have an MBA in Finance and Marketing, which brings additional strengths to my work. As a person, I am very hands on and always learning. People who knew me growing up would know me as someone who loved to take things apart and put them back together, just to figure out how things work. Since my childhood, whatever I have learned, I have liked to apply that knowledge to my work. Having worked in the corporate high-tech world for over 20 years, I apply all my learnings to my Construction Company. We use project management, cloud-based services, and detailed cost analysis that my customers’ benefit. This keeps us extremely organized and cuts waste and costs from the project.
Coming back to my experience in the technology background. I started out as an engineer, and did a lot of hardware design and low-level programming. This taught me to dive into details, stick to budgets, and deliver on schedules. After completing my MBA, I moved into a product management role, which has taught me to understand customer, state and city, requirements, and to define what is called an MVP or “minimum viable product” in the high-tech space. I’ve applied all of this in my construction work. In the construction industry, I am working to deliver against customers and city requirements, as well as California building codes, otherwise the project will fail. The minimum viable product from my perspective in construction is, “what will pass inspection?” I am always working to pass inspections the first time so we don't get off our budget and schedule. I apply the same rigor in construction, as I’ve experienced in the corporate world, sticking to budgets and timelines. In addition, we perform effective change management and look at risk mitigation at every step. I communicate clearly, talk to my clients all the time and keep them informed at every step. We take full ownership of all our projects. I’ve also build my own eco system and have a strong team of architects, engineers and workers. I am also constantly streamlining the process and optimizing at every step so that I take out the risk out of execution...
This particular project included a new 100 amp panel, and if the home had a 100 amp panel we would have had to upgrade it to at least a 200 amp panel.
This particular ADU is special because the city required us to also have fire speakers. So, there is a box with the connection for the fire speakers, power, water pressure meter and things like that. And then there is a faucet for testing the fire sprinkler system. Once we have the final inspection, the fire department will be here, and then perform this test.
So by now the foundation work, the subfloor work, the framing, the electrical is all done. We finished the roof plumbing work inside the walls. We are done with drywall. We've already done insulation, paint, cabinets. Watch the video as we tour the unit before the inspector arrives.