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Top rated Detached ADU Construction for Flexible Living Needs

Burnette Construction is a licensed detached ADU builder in Antelope, CA. We deliver fully permitted, code-compliant backyard ADUs through a structured design-build process that covers feasibility, architectural design, engineering, permitting, and full construction. Our team manages every phase under one plan so you never have to coordinate multiple contractors or navigate Sacramento County permits on your own.
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Why Antelope Homeowners Choose Burnette Construction

  • 5+ years of detached ADU construction experience in Antelope, CA and Sacramento County
  • Fully licensed and insured residential ADU builder operating under local jurisdiction requirements
  • Local expertise with City of Antelope and Sacramento County ADU regulations and plan check processes
  • Turnkey detached ADU construction covering planning, permitting, and construction under one team
  • Dedicated in-house project coordination for design, permitting, and trade management
  • Proven processes designed to minimize delays, plan check corrections, and change orders
  • Licensed trade partners for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and concrete work

Why Detached ADU Construction Requires Careful Planning

Building a detached ADU involves far more than constructing a small house in your backyard. Every stage of planning and construction has a direct impact on your final cost, timeline, and long-term performance of the unit.
  • Permitting accuracy determines whether your plans pass plan check on the first submission or cycle through costly corrections and resubmittals.
  • Site work and drainage planning protect both the ADU foundation and the main home from long-term moisture, settlement, and drainage problems.
  • Utility planning, including sewer, water, electrical service, and gas connections, affects inspection approval, operating costs, and the flexibility of the unit for future use.
  • Foundation selection influences durability, interior comfort, and total project cost more than most homeowners expect at the start of a project.
  • Code-compliant layouts ensure your ADU is rental-ready, legally occupiable, and a genuine long-term asset to your property value.

Detached ADU Construction Services in Antelope, CA

Pre-Approved ADU Model Builds

Pre-approved ADU model builds offer a faster path to construction while still allowing site customization. Using jurisdiction-approved plan sets reduces plan check review time, and proven layouts with demonstrated buildability help control costs. Finishes, unit orientation, and site placement can still be tailored to your specific property. Even with a pre-approved plan set, every site demands physical adaptation. To address Antelope’s expansive clay conditions, we perform plate compactor subgrade preparation to achieve 90% Proctor density before pouring the approved pier-reinforced concrete slab at the specified thickness. This ensures the approved foundation design performs exactly as engineered under Sacramento County’s soil bearing capacity inspection requirements.

Custom Detached ADU Architecture and Design

Our custom detached ADU design service is for homeowners who want a fully independent backyard unit tailored to their lifestyle, lot constraints, and long-term goals. We develop custom layouts based on your property dimensions, access points, and zoning requirements, with design priorities including privacy, natural light, and clear separation from the main residence. Architectural detailing enhances curb appeal, neighborhood compatibility, and long-term property value. Custom design is where long-term performance decisions are locked in. We specify fiber cement lap siding panels and dual-pane low-E glass windows at each elevation, verifying daylighting placement using a digital lux meter during the design review phase. This confirms that interior natural light levels meet Sacramento County’s Title 24 Part 6 fenestration area requirements before structural drawings are finalized. 

Backyard Detached ADU Construction

Backyard detached ADUs are planned to work around your existing home and outdoor spaces. We carefully coordinate placement to preserve yard usability, route utilities to minimize disruption to landscaping, and sequence construction to protect the main residence throughout the build. Before any trenching begins, we scan the backyard with a ground-penetrating radar locator to map existing underground utilities and irrigation lines. Utility runs are then protected with aluminum trench shoring panels during excavation, keeping open trenches fully compliant with Sacramento County’s 5-foot utility easement setback requirements while minimizing disruption to surrounding landscaping.

Turnkey Detached ADU Construction

Our turnkey detached ADU construction service is built for homeowners who want a single point of responsibility from start to finish. To address Antelope’s expansive clay subgrade conditions, we utilize a hydraulic mini-excavator to excavate footings below the active soil zone. We then pour continuous concrete foundations reinforced with Grade 60 steel rebar, ensuring long-term structural stability that prevents shifting or structural cracking over time.

Two-Story Detached ADU Construction

Two-story detached ADUs are the most effective way to maximize livable square footage on smaller lots where ground-level space is limited. To comply with Sacramento County’s 16-foot height limits and 4-foot rear setbacks, our engineers draft load-bearing calculations utilizing engineered LVL joists and structural steel plates. During framing, we deploy a laser transit level to ensure perfect leveling across the subfloor, creating a structurally sound frame that easily passes municipal inspection.

Detached ADU with Garage

We design and build detached ADUs integrated with new garage structures, including above-garage and attached-to-garage configurations. We install heavy-duty engineered lumber headers over the garage door openings to handle the heavy second-story vertical load, utilizing a crane hoist for safe positioning. This ensures the unit remains structurally sound under the Sacramento Valley’s local seismic zone requirements.

Prefab Detached ADU Installation

We support prefab detached ADU projects by managing all site preparation and installation coordination. We trench for new utilities using a utility trenching excavator, laying down continuous Schedule 40 PVC conduit for electrical runs and copper water lines. Every line is pressure tested with a digital MEP pressure tester to ensure a leak-free setup before the prefab structure is craned onto its slab, complying with Sacramento County building inspectors’ pre-pour checklist.

Our Detached ADU Construction Process

01

Feasibility and Property Assessment

We review your property, lot dimensions, zoning requirements, and project goals to determine the most viable detached ADU approach for your site.

02

Design and Floor Plan Development

We develop a code-compliant floor plan and architectural drawings tailored to your property and how the unit will be used, whether for rental income, guest housing, or multigenerational living.

03

Engineering and Energy Compliance

Structural engineering documents and Title 24 energy compliance packages are prepared to meet Sacramento County and California Building Code requirements.

04

Permit Submittal and Plan Check

Complete plan sets are submitted to the relevant jurisdiction. Burnette Construction manages the full plan check process, including responses to any corrections issued by the building department.

05

Site Preparation and Foundation

Once permits are approved, we mobilize for sitework, excavation, foundation installation, and utility trenching, all coordinated to minimize disruption to your property and neighbors.

06

Construction and MEP Installation

Framing, roofing, windows, insulation, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are installed in structured phases aligned with building department inspection checkpoints.

07

Interior Finishes and Final Inspection

Interior build-out, exterior finishes, and final landscaping restoration are completed before the final inspection. Burnette Construction manages the final sign-off process and delivers a fully occupancy-ready detached ADU.

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Detached ADU Construction Service Areas

Burnette Construction serves Antelope, Land Park, Natomas, Elk Grove, Folsom, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Arden-Arcade, Curtis Park, Midtown Sacramento, and Downtown Sacramento.
Service areas include:
  • Citrus Heights
  • Davis
  • Rocklin
  • Lincoln
  • Land Park
  • Natomas
  • Antelope
  • Sacramento City
  • Rancho Cordova
  • Roseville
  • Folsom
  • Carmichael

Schedule Your Detached ADU Consultation in Antelope, CA

If you are considering a detached ADU in Antelope, the first step is a feasibility-focused site consultation. We will review your property, walk through your goals, and outline a clear path forward for design, permits, and construction with no obligations and no pressure.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a detached ADU and an attached ADU in Antelope, CA?
A detached ADU is a fully standalone structure that is completely separate from the main home. An attached ADU shares at least one wall with the primary residence. Detached ADUs typically require more sitework and utility trenching but offer greater privacy and independence.
Detached ADU construction costs in Antelope vary based on unit size, foundation type, utility complexity, and finish selections. We provide detailed line-item estimates after reviewing your property and confirming your project goals.
From design through final inspection, most detached ADU projects take 8 to 14 months in Sacramento County, with the plan check review period being the largest variable. We prepare complete, accurate plan sets to minimize review cycles.
Yes. Detached ADUs can have a separate electric meter through a process called sub-metering or a service separation. Burnette Construction coordinates this with your utility provider as part of the construction scope.
Possibly. Adding a detached ADU with independent utilities typically adds electrical load to your property. We assess your existing service capacity during the feasibility review and include any required panel upgrades in the initial scope.
California state law and local Antelope regulations set maximum size limits for detached ADUs based on your lot size, existing structures, and unit type. We review your specific property to confirm what you are eligible to build.
Yes. Burnette Construction manages the complete project from design through final inspection as a single integrated team. You do not need to hire a separate architect, engineer, or permit expediter.
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