The homeowners had a detached garage they had not used in years, taking up space, generating no value, and slowly deteriorating. Their goal was to convert it into a fully permitted ADU they could rent out to supplement their mortgage.
The project required structural assessment of the existing foundation, new framing for partition walls, full electrical and plumbing rough-in, insulation to MA energy code, drywall, flooring, and all interior finishes. We also handled the egress requirements and the kitchen and bathroom installations.
The permit process in Lowell involved coordination between the Building Department, the Electrical Inspector, and the Plumbing Inspector across multiple phases. We filed all applications, scheduled every inspection, and passed each one on the first submission.
From permit approval to final walkthrough: 12 weeks. The client now has a legal, finished, fully permitted ADU generating rental income.
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