The property should guide the ADU choice before a homeowner becomes attached to a model or floor plan. A design that looks ideal online can become a poor fit if the lot is narrow, the proposed location is difficult to reach, or the utility connections sit far from the new unit.
Start by looking at the usable building area. Lot dimensions, slope, setbacks, trees, driveways, easements, and existing outdoor spaces can all affect where an accessory dwelling unit can sit. The placement also needs to leave room for a comfortable entrance, useful windows, and a reasonable sense of privacy for both homes.
Access matters, too. A prefab unit needs a workable delivery and installation route, while a site-built project needs access for crews, materials, and equipment. Both have to account for the site’s limits.
Existing structures deserve an honest assessment. An older garage can provide a foundation, walls, and a roof, but those components still need to be suitable for the proposed living space. We’ve even compiled garage transformation planning tips to explain why the condition of the floor, walls, roof, insulation, windows, doors, and utilities should be reviewed before the design is settled.
The same property-first thinking applies to new construction. Our guide to planning and building an ADU in Chicago asks homeowners to consider how new foundations, roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems will meet the existing parts of the property. A custom ADU can be especially useful here because the design can develop around those conditions instead of asking the property to accommodate a fixed plan.
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