Lot feasibility study: what can I build on my lot?
Before anyone draws a line, you should know what the lot allows, what it will cost to prepare, and roughly what the finished project will cost. That is what the feasibility study is for. It starts with a free call.
Who this is for
- Homeowners thinking about an ADU
- Buyers looking at a lot or a teardown
- Owners who have heard different answers from different people
What sets the price
The contract lists every line item and allowance. These are the things that move it:
- Whether a survey already exists
- Steep slopes, critical areas or large trees
- Distance to sewer and power
Starting price for this service (slot, set by the owner). See plans and pricing.
How it goes
Feasibility call
Twenty minutes on the phone: what you want to build, your lot, your budget and timing.
Site visit
We walk the lot: access, slope, trees, sewer, power and neighbours.
Written summary
What fits, what site work it needs, which plans suit it, and a budget range.
Your decision
Go ahead with design, wait, or walk away. No pressure either way.
Questions
Is the feasibility call free?
Yes. The call is free. The written study with a site visit is a paid step whose price the owner sets (slot), and it is credited to design if you go ahead.
Will you tell me if my lot is a bad fit?
Yes, and we would rather tell you early. Some lots suit a conversion better than a cottage, and some suit neither.
Permit rules change. For Seattle, see SDCI's ADU guide.
Start with a 20-minute call.
We look at your lot before the call, so the answers are about your property.