Service
ADU and garage conversion electrical
An ADU is a second dwelling hanging off a service that was sized for one. Whether that works is the first question to answer, and it is cheaper to answer it before the framing goes up.
Start with the service, not the layout
Most ADU electrical problems trace back to a capacity decision nobody made deliberately. The existing house has a service sized for the house. Adding a second kitchen, a second HVAC system, a water heater and a car charger to that service is a load calculation, not an assumption. We run that calculation first and tell you one of three things: there is room, there is room if certain loads stay gas or get staged, or the service needs upgrading. Knowing which of those you are in changes the budget significantly, and it is far better known at design stage than at inspection.
Feeding the unit
Once capacity is settled, the ADU needs a feeder and its own subpanel. For a garage conversion attached to the house that is a short run. For a detached unit at the back of a lot it means a trench, conduit, conductors sized for the distance, and its own grounding electrode. We walk the route with you before quoting because the trench path affects the price more than the length does, and because it is usually the one part of the job that cannot be changed later without digging it up again. Separate metering, where you want it, is a decision worth making at this stage too.
Rough-in to final
From there it is a complete small dwelling: circuits for the kitchen and bath with the required GFCI and AFCI protection, lighting and controls, heating and cooling connections, smoke and CO detectors interconnected as required, data, and the device trim at the end. We work to the project programme alongside the other trades and handle the inspections at each stage. If you are converting rather than building new, we will tell you honestly what of the existing garage wiring can be kept and what should come out.
Common questions
Will my existing service handle an ADU?
Sometimes yes, often not without changes. It depends on the existing house load and what the ADU will run. A unit with gas heating and cooking is a much smaller addition than an all-electric one with a car charger. We run the calculation during the free estimate so you get a real answer before you commit to a design.
Does the ADU need its own meter?
Not necessarily, and it is worth thinking about. Separate metering makes sense if you are renting the unit and want the tenant billed directly. It adds cost and involves the utility. Sub-metering is a middle option. We will lay out what each costs and what it involves so you can decide on the facts.
Can you work from my ADU plans?
Yes. We review the electrical drawings before starting and flag anything that will not work in practice or will not pass inspection. If the plans do not include electrical detail, which is common for smaller ADU projects, we can lay out the circuits, panel schedule and device locations ourselves.
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Planning an ADU or garage conversion? Call (800) 280-0428 for a free estimate and a load calculation.