A construction expert in your corner.
Construction is complicated and expensive, and most homeowners are figuring it out for the first time on their biggest financial commitment. ADU PALS provides construction consulting for owners who want an experienced advisor on their side — pre-purchase, pre-contract, and mid-project.
What's included
Structured advice, on your schedule, for the parts of construction that matter most.
- 01 Pre-purchase property + project review
- 02 Contractor interview + selection support
- 03 Contract + scope review
- 04 Bid comparison and negotiation guidance
- 05 Mid-project oversight (site visits, RFI review)
- 06 Punch list and closeout support
How consulting works
Discovery
Where you are in the project, what you need, and what a good outcome looks like.
Scope + fee
Fixed-fee proposal for a defined consulting engagement, or hourly at $185/hr.
Engagement
Structured advice through the phase of your project you've hired us for.
Handoff or exit
Documented recommendations and a clean exit when the engagement ends.
Common questions
01 When should I hire a construction consultant?
The highest-ROI moments: before signing a construction contract, before making a major change order, before firing a contractor. Also pre-purchase if the property has visible construction issues.
02 How much does construction consulting cost?
Hourly: $185/hr. Fixed-fee engagements: $2,500 (contract review) to $12,000 (full pre-construction package). Owner rep for a full project: $50/hr with retainer.
03 Do you compete with my contractor?
No. Our consulting engagements are typically owner-side only — we're not bidding on the work. On the rare occasion we're a candidate for the build, we disclose it and step aside from consulting on that decision.
04 Can you review a contract I already signed?
Yes — but we can rarely change the terms retroactively. Highest value is pre-signing.
05 Do you inspect for structural or code issues?
We identify visible issues and flag risk. For formal inspections (pre-purchase or forensic), you'd hire a licensed home inspector or structural engineer. We can recommend one.
Often paired with this.
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Bad permit drawings are the #1 reason projects get stuck in plan check. ADU PALS delivers complete, coordinated, code-compliant permit sets ready to s…
Learn more →Custom Home Design + Architecture in San Diego
Custom homes live or die at the concept phase — before the first foundation drawing. ADU PALS delivers full custom home architecture with an in-house …
Learn more →Need a second opinion?
Free 30-minute discovery call. Fixed-fee proposal after that.