ADU Contractors · Eastlake, Chula Vista, CA
Detached ADU Build — Chula Vista, San Diego County
The Project
An Eastlake homeowner wanted to build a permitted 600 sq ft detached ADU on a 7,200 sq ft lot to house an aging parent and qualify for SB-9 long-term rental income. Previous contractor quotes ranged from $230K–$280K with vague timelines. The lot had a 1.5% grade and an existing 4-inch sewer lateral that needed evaluation.
Why this matters in Chula Vista
Chula Vista has one of San Diego County's most builder-friendly ADU programs through its one-stop permit process, but the City still requires full architectural drawings, Title 24 energy compliance, and engineered foundation specs for any detached structure. Homeowners who try to use generic plans or assume a simple permit often get plan-check rejections that add 6–10 weeks to the timeline. A design-build contractor that handles drawings, soils evaluation, and the permit submittal in-house typically saves both time and the back-and-forth cost of plan revisions. With Chula Vista ADU rents in the $2,400–$2,900/month range as of 2026, a properly permitted 600 sq ft unit pays back the build cost in 5–7 years.
Scope of Work
- ✓Architectural drawings and Title 24 energy compliance documents
- ✓City of Chula Vista ADU permit (one-stop ADU process)
- ✓Foundation: monolithic slab with #4 rebar 12" o.c., 18" perimeter footings
- ✓Framing: 2x6 exterior walls, R-21 insulation, vaulted ceiling with R-38 batts
- ✓Full electrical: new 100-amp subpanel from main, all LED, EV-ready 240V outlet
- ✓Plumbing: tied into existing 4" sewer, new 3/4" copper supply, tankless water heater
- ✓HVAC: ductless mini-split (1.5-ton inverter), 18 SEER
- ✓Finish: LVP flooring, quartz kitchen counters, full tile shower, in-unit washer/dryer
- ✓Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy
How Subworkit Contracting Delivered
Subworkit Contracting executed the project as a true design-build — Bernard Eldib's team handled architectural drawings, permit submittal, every trade, and final inspection. The fixed price of $187,500 was honored even when the City required an additional sewer cleanout (absorbed as a change order at no charge to the homeowner). 16-week start-to-finish timeline was the shortest of the three contractors who bid the job.
Materials & Specifications
Specific brands, products, and engineering specs used on this project. We document materials so the homeowner has a complete record for warranty claims and future maintenance.
- Foundation
- Monolithic slab, 4" thick, 3,500 PSI mix, #4 rebar 12" o.c., 18" perimeter footings
- Framing
- 2x6 exterior walls @ 16" o.c., engineered roof trusses, OSB sheathing
- Insulation
- R-21 wall batts, R-38 ceiling, R-19 underfloor where applicable
- HVAC
- Mitsubishi 1.5-ton ductless mini-split, 18 SEER, single zone
- Water heater
- Rinnai tankless gas, 0.96 EF, 11 GPM
- Electrical
- 100A subpanel from main, all LED, EV-ready 240V outlet, smoke + CO detectors hard-wired
- Finishes
- LVP flooring, quartz kitchen counters, full tile shower with glass enclosure, in-unit stackable washer/dryer
Project Timeline & Process
16 weeks from start to final inspection. Each phase below shows what happened on-site, when, and why — the same level of detail you'll get on your project status update.
- 1
Design + plans
Weeks 1–3Architectural drawings, Title 24 docs, structural calcs, soil evaluation if needed.
- 2
Permit submittal
Weeks 4–6City of Chula Vista one-stop ADU submittal, plan-check responses.
- 3
Foundation
Weeks 7–8Excavation, forms, rebar, slab pour, foundation inspection.
- 4
Framing + dry-in
Weeks 9–11Walls, roof trusses, sheathing, roofing, windows, exterior doors. Framing inspection.
- 5
Rough trades
Weeks 12–13Electrical, plumbing, HVAC rough-ins. Mid-rough inspection. Insulation.
- 6
Drywall + finish
Weeks 14–15Drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, counters, tile, fixture install.
- 7
Final + C of O
Week 16Trim work, final inspection, Certificate of Occupancy issuance, homeowner walkthrough.
Outcome
Certificate of Occupancy issued 2026-01-28. Owner began renting the ADU 2026-02-05 at $2,650/month. Total project cost (including permits, soft costs, and finishes): $187,500. ROI breakeven projected at 5.9 years.
Permits: City of Chula Vista — ADU permit (one-stop process), C of O issued 2026-01-28
“We interviewed 4 ADU builders. Subworkit was the only one with a fixed price, a real schedule, and Bernard answering his phone. The unit is gorgeous and our mom moved in three weeks ago.”
Related services we offer
Most adu contractors projects in Chula Vista touch one or more of the trades below. Subworkit Contracting handles them all in-house under a single CA Lic #945572.
Also serving nearby cities
This project was completed in Chula Vista, but Subworkit Contracting takes adu contractors jobs throughout San Diego County, including:
San Diego · National City · Imperial Beach · Bonita
Ready to Start Your Project?
Subworkit Contracting (CA Lic #945572) delivers transparent pricing, fixed schedules, and in-house crews across San Diego County. Free estimates.