What is an ADU Feasibility Study and Do You Need One in NYC?
Thinking about adding an ADU to your NYC property but not sure where to start?
Maybe you’ve completed a free ADU eligibility assessment and have a general sense of project costs, but you want more information before committing. NYC ADU rules are complex – zoning, building code, flood zones, structure and utilities all affect what you can build.
You can’t ask a contractor for an estimate without architectural plans, and signing a design contract with an architect before you know total ADU project costs feels premature.
Our ADU Feasibility Study breaks this catch-22.
What You Get With our Feasibility Study
An ADU Feasibility Study is designed to give you a complete picture of what can be built on your property and how much it will cost – so you can move forward with confidence.
Verified findings — every assessment is conducted by a licensed architect or engineer
Real designs — actual floor plans and renderings, not generic concepts
Accurate pricing — a detailed, all-in cost estimate with no surprises
Risk mitigation — obstacles identified and planned for before construction begins
Fee rebate — 100% of the study fee is credited toward your design and construction contracts if you build with us
Who Needs a Feasibility Study?
An ADU Feasibility Study is the logical next step if you’ve completed a free eligibility assessment and want to move forward but need a visual concept and real numbers before committing to design or construction.
Verifying property information such as zoning, utilities, and structural conditions before design begins keeps your options open and your budget intact. Discovering issues during construction doesn’t.
The ADU Feasibility Study Process
Our ADU Feasibility Study consists of five phases:
Phase I – Regulatory Review
Verifying whether your property qualifies for an ADU is the starting point of any ADU project. Our free assessments screen for many factors, but you still need a licensed architect to review NYC ADU zoning rules and confirm what can be built.
In Phase I, our architect partner performs a detailed review of all zoning and building code regulations applicable to your property. They identify allowable NYC ADU types, maximum size, and where the unit can be located on your lot. Factors reviewed include:
Maximum allowable zoning floor area for your zoning district
Lot coverage ratio
Property line setback rules
Side yard access
Flood zone status
Key deliverables: zoning report signed and sealed by a licensed architect.
Phase II – Utility Assessment
NYC Building Code allows property owners to run plumbing, electrical and gas lines from the primary home to the ADU without adding new service lines or meters. The catch: existing utility capacity may not be sufficient to serve the new ADU.
We inspect your property to identify the location and size of your water main, sewer line, and electricity service panel. A licensed MEP engineer then calculates whether existing services can handle the additional demand.
Key deliverables: written utility assessment and connection plan.
Phase III – Structural Assessment
Structural work is one of the biggest drivers of project cost. Converting a garage or attic into an ADU requires confirming that it’s structurally sound. Adding a second floor to your garage requires knowing whether the existing structure can carry the load. Getting this wrong at the estimate stage leads to budget surprises during construction.
In this phase, a licensed structural engineer physically inspects the existing structure and assesses the load capacity of its structural elements.
Key deliverables: structural report documenting existing conditions and design recommendations.
Phase IV – Conceptual Design
We start with a kickoff meeting to document your design preferences and project goals. Using your direction and the data collected in Phases I through III, our design partners develop the concept for your ADU. We allow multiple revisions before finalizing. Optional add-ons include interior and exterior renderings and 3D models.
Key deliverables: custom, code-compliant floor plan with room dimensions and furniture outlines.
Phase V – Project Planning
With the design finalized, our construction management team prepares a detailed ADU cost estimate, schedule, and risk assessment.
The estimate you receive is more informative than any ballpark or cost-per-square-foot figure you’ll find online – it’s based on your specific property, design, and site conditions. The project schedule maps out the next steps and anticipated timeline. The risk assessment identifies potential challenges and suggests ways to address them before they affect your budget.
Key deliverables: project budget, project schedule, and risk assessment report.
Final Feasibility Report and Beyond
The deliverables from Phases I through V are compiled into a Final Feasibility Report, which we present to you in person. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and discuss next steps.
While the final report is the end of the study, it’s also the starting point for everything that comes next in your ADU journey. Property owners who choose to move forward with us enter our Pre-Construction phase with a practical floor plan, a detailed project budget, and a construction team that already knows their property inside and out.
The good news – feasibility studies don’t have expiration dates, and when you’re ready to take the next step, the foundation for a successful ADU project is already complete.