Start Your ADU or Living Space Project With a Clear Plan
Plan your project with confidence and clarity
Before you spend thousands on drawings, permits, materials, or construction, it is important to know what makes sense for your property, budget, and goals.
Tiny Terra Homes helps Kansas City area homeowners take the first step with a clear preconstruction process for ADUs, garage conversions, basement suites, guest houses, backyard offices, and small residential remodeling projects connected to extra living space.
Our goal is simple:
Help you understand what may be possible, what it may cost, what challenges may exist, and what steps are needed before you commit to a full build.
Why Start With Preconstruction?
Many homeowners begin by asking:
“How much does an ADU cost?”
“Can I build in my backyard?”
“Can I convert my garage?”
“Can I build a guest house for my parents?”
“Can this become a rental?”
“Do I need plans first?”
“Will the city approve it?”
The problem is that no honest answer is possible without first reviewing the property, location, access, utilities, layout, budget, and construction path.
Preconstruction helps organize those questions before the project becomes expensive.
What We Help With
Our preconstruction services are designed for homeowners considering:
- Backyard ADUs
- Detached guest houses
- Garage conversions
- Basement living spaces
- Aging-parent suites
- Backyard offices or studios
- Small rental units
- Residential remodeling connected to extra living space
- Outdoor living areas connected to an ADU or guest space
We are not trying to sell every type of remodeling project. Our focus is controlled living-space projects that connect with our ADU and outdoor living experience.
The First Question:
Where Is the Property Located?
Every project starts with a location.
Before we discuss pricing, design, or construction, we first need to know the city where the property is located.
Different cities have different rules, setbacks, permit requirements, utility requirements, and inspection processes.
Send us the property city first, and we will let you know if your project is in an area we can review.
Our Preconstruction Packages
1. Roadmap Consultation
Best For:
Homeowners who are early in the process and want to know if the idea makes sense before spending more money.
Starting Price:
$350 online / $750 with site visit
Includes:
- Property location review
- General feasibility conversation
- Project goal review
- ADU or remodeling direction
- Rough budget conversation
- Access and site concern review
- Next-step recommendation
Good Fit For:
- “Can I build an ADU?”
- “Is my garage conversion possible?”
- “What should I do first?”
- “Should I remodel or build separate?”
- “Is this worth exploring?”
2. Concept + Rough Budget Package
Best For:
Homeowners who want a clearer project direction before moving into permit drawings.
Starting Price:
$1,500–$2,500
Includes:
- Basic concept design direction
- Suggested layout
- Rough size planning
- Rough construction budget range
- Material and finish direction
- Site and access review
- Recommended next steps for drawings, permits, and construction
Good Fit For:
- Homeowners comparing ADU vs garage conversion
- Homeowners needing a visual direction
- Homeowners wanting budget clarity before drawings
- Homeowners who are serious but not ready for permit plans yet
3. Permit Coordination Package
Best For:
Homeowners ready to move from idea into drawings, permit direction, and construction planning.
Starting Price:
$4,500–$7,500+ depending on project size and requirements
Includes:
- Design coordination
- Drafting coordination
- Engineering coordination when required
- Permit document preparation support
- Licensed professional coordination where required
- Scope of work development
- Construction budget planning
- Build phase planning
- Next-step construction proposal
Important:
Final permit approval depends on the city, project type, property conditions, drawings, engineering, inspections, and local requirements.
What Makes Our Process Different?
We are not only looking at design.
We are looking at buildability.
That means we think about:
- How the project will actually be built
- How crews will access the site
- Where materials will go
- What inspections may be needed
- What phases may create cost problems
- How utilities may affect the budget
- How the layout affects construction cost
- How to avoid overdesigning before knowing the real budget
-
This is important because a beautiful drawing that does not match the budget can waste time and money.
ADU or Remodeling? We Help You Compare
Sometimes a detached ADU is the right answer.
Sometimes a garage conversion, basement suite, or interior remodeling project may be faster, simpler, or more affordable.
Our preconstruction process helps compare the options before you commit.
Examples:
Detached ADU: Best when you want a separate backyard living space.
Garage Conversion: Best when the garage location, structure, access, and city rules make sense.
Basement Suite: Best when the home already has usable lower-level space.
Backyard Office or Studio: Best when you need space but not a full dwelling unit.
Aging-Parent Suite: Best when comfort, access, bathroom layout, and privacy are the priority.
Our Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Property Location Check
We confirm the city and whether the project is in our service area.
Step 2: Project Goal Review
We discuss what you want the space to do: family, rental, guest house, office, downsizing, or property improvement.
Step 3: Site and Access Review
We look at general access, backyard space, existing structures, utilities, and possible construction limitations.
Step 4: Budget Direction
We help you understand which direction may fit your budget before moving into deeper design.
Step 5: Concept Direction
If the project makes sense, we help shape the layout and scope.
Step 6: Drawing and Permit Coordination
For qualified projects, we coordinate the next step toward drawings, engineering, and permit documents where required.
Step 7: Construction Proposal
Once the scope is clear, we can prepare a construction proposal for the build phase.
Who This Is Not For
This may not be the right fit if:
- You only want a free quote without sharing the property location
- You are outside our service area
- You are not ready to discuss budget
- You want the lowest possible price with no planning
- You already have complete permit-approved plans and only need labor pricing
- You are looking for unrelated remodeling with no connection to living-space creation
Why We Charge for Preconstruction
Preconstruction takes time, experience, coordination, and technical thinking.
A good early plan can help avoid:
- Wrong design direction
- Unrealistic budgets
- Delays
- Unclear scope
- Cost surprises
- Permit confusion
- Poor construction sequencing
- Paying for drawings before knowing if the project makes sense
Charging for preconstruction allows us to give serious attention to serious projects.
If you move forward with Tiny Terra Homes for the full build, part or all of the roadmap fee may be credited toward your project depending on the package and scope.
Common Questions
Do I need plans before contacting you?
No. In many cases, it is better to speak with us before paying for full plans so we can help review the construction path and budget direction first.
Can you help with permits?
We provide permit coordination through licensed professionals where required. Final permit requirements depend on the city and project type.
Can you build the project after preconstruction?
Yes, if the project is in our service area and is a good fit for our construction process.
Do you only build ADUs?
No. We also review controlled residential remodeling projects connected to extra living space, such as garage conversions, basement suites, aging-parent spaces, and backyard offices.
Is the consultation fee credited toward construction?
For qualified projects that move forward with us, the roadmap fee may be credited toward the construction phase depending on the package and agreement.
Can you tell me the exact cost immediately?
Not responsibly. We can provide a rough budget direction after reviewing location, project type, size, access, utilities, and scope.
Start With the Property Location
The first step is simple.
Send us the city where the property is located and a short description of what you want to build or convert.
Example:
“I’m in Overland Park and want to build a backyard ADU for my parents.”
“I’m in Kansas City, MO and want to know if my garage can become a rental unit.”
“I’m in Olathe and need more living space but I’m not sure if an ADU or remodel makes more sense.”
Once we know the location, we can tell you if your project is a good fit for the ADU & Living Space Roadmap.
Call to Action
Ready to explore an ADU or extra living space?
Start with a clear roadmap before committing to a full build.