How Does Maxable Vet Designers and General Contractors?

Finding high-quality and reliable designers and contractors that have ADU experience can be a lot harder than it sounds! Maxable vets companies for homeowners so they can hire with confidence. Here are our criteria for vetting these companies.

Designers & Architects

• Size: We look for firms that meet certain size requirements. Firms that are too large are not well suited to ADU projects.
• Software: We confirm they use modern design software.
• Capacity: Must be able to handle 1 ADU per month, minimum.
• Reputation: We look for an excellent reputation and minimum number of online reviews
• They must have an internal focus on ADUs and have completed ADU projects.
• Each firm must have been in business for at least 2 years.
• Each firm must carry insurance (500,000 minimum coverage)
• We check licensure boards to verify they are in current compliance and have no complaints or litigations against them.
• We ask for any professional accreditations, like the American Institute of Architects.
• We ask for 3 references.
• Each firm must have formal design training.

General Contractors:

• All general contractors we work with have their license numbers checked and must be certified through the state board.
• Each firm must be bonded and insured for liability protection.
• Online reviews must be positive.
• The general contracting firm must have experience with ADUs and a focus on ground-up construction, ADUs, or large-scale additions.
• Each firm must have completed ADU projects.
• Must be in business for at least 2 years.
• Maxable confirms no past litigation against the general contracting firm.