ADU Electrical
ADU electrical work begins with the unit plan, appliance schedule, service equipment, and route from the existing home. We define the electrical questions early so they can be coordinated with the project and jurisdiction requirements.
Share the project
Floor plans, appliance selections, site constraints, and whether the unit is new or existing shape the electrical review.
Review the supply
Service equipment, available capacity, feeder route, disconnect location, and unit loads belong in one coordinated discussion.
Coordinate the build
Framing, trenching, utility work, drywall, and finishes determine when routes can be installed and inspected.
Select a photograph to view it at full size.
An ADU can add lighting, receptacles, kitchen equipment, laundry, water heating, heating and cooling, communications, and exterior equipment. The electrical scope should follow the actual unit plan and appliance schedule, rather than an assumed standard package.
Bring the floor plan, site plan, product information where available, and the location of the existing service equipment. A new detached unit and an existing conversion can have different routing, access, and coordination questions.
The existing service and panel are part of the starting point, but empty breaker space alone does not establish the available capacity for an ADU. The review considers existing loads, planned unit loads, the proposed feeder route, distribution equipment, and the locations that need to remain accessible.
San José’s ADU Bulletin 213 includes electrical feeder information for single-family ADUs. The approved project documents and site conditions determine the final arrangement.
The route can cross finished interiors, exterior walls, crawl spaces, attic areas, trenches, or new framing. It affects access, patching, excavation, and the sequence with plumbing, framing, insulation, drywall, and landscape work.
A clear scope records the intended route and what is assumed about access and restoration. If a route cannot be used once work begins, review the alternatives before the project changes direction.
Electrical work for an ADU belongs within the larger building process. Permit requirements, plan review, inspections, and utility coordination depend on the address, scope, and jurisdiction. The contractor, designer, owner, and other trades should have a shared understanding of who supplies information and when each part of the work can proceed.
For ADU legalization questions where electrical work may be needed, San José recommends consulting a licensed C-10 contractor before application. Early review helps identify the relevant electrical questions.
Send the ADU plans, appliance and HVAC list, address, panel and meter photos, site photos, and construction schedule. Identify future plans such as an EV charger, solar, battery storage, spa, or all-electric conversion because they may affect the planning conversation.
The resulting scope can separate work at the existing home from work serving the unit, and electrical work from excavation, patching, finish restoration, or equipment supplied by others. That makes the project easier to coordinate before construction closes access.
Choose the projects you have in mind and when you want them. We will help you look at the electrical work together.
Select a timeframe beside any upgrade. Your priorities and the details to gather will appear here.
This organizes your priorities and the information to gather. It does not determine panel capacity or promise that a service upgrade is needed. CRE will review the existing system and equipment requirements with you.
The unit plan, loads, existing service, and construction sequence together determine what electrical work the project needs.
Document the unit, appliance schedule, service, panel, and site conditions.
Coordinate feeder, equipment, access, and responsibilities with the build.
Perform the selected scope with the required project coordination.
No. The existing service, planned loads, equipment, and approved project arrangement must be reviewed for the specific home.
Send plans, the appliance and HVAC list, panel and meter photos, site photos, address, and construction schedule.
Yes. Existing conditions, accessible routes, and the intended unit use are reviewed before defining the scope.
Requirements depend on the address and project. The scope identifies the applicable coordination for the agreed work.
Share your city, the work you need, and any equipment or plans you already have.
408-614-4451
