ADU Electrical Services
Whether you’re the homeowner or the general contractor, we handle the panel decision, the wiring, and the permit coordination for your ADU from one point of contact.
- 20+ Years Combined Experience
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- 4.9 Rating (Google, Yelp & Angi)
- Licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor #1034067
- 10-Minute Average Response to Calls & Forms
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What ADU Electrical Work Involves
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) needs its own electrical plan, and the first real decision is how it connects to power: sharing your main panel through a sub-panel, getting its own separate panel, or having its own separate utility meter entirely. That decision affects permitting, cost, and how the ADU can be used going forward.
This is work homeowners and their general contractors often research together, since the electrical scope has to align with the ADU’s overall construction plan. We coordinate directly with your ADU contractor when there is one, rather than working in isolation from the rest of the project.
Questions to Answer Before You Start
These shape which setup makes sense for your ADU:
Will the ADU share your main panel, or does it need its own
Do you want a fully separate utility meter
Is your main panel's capacity sufficient to add another unit
What's your ADU's square footage and expected electrical load
Are you working with a general contractor we should coordinate with directly
What's your city's typical ADU permit timeline
Sub-Panel vs. Separate Panel vs. Separate Meter
These are the three standard setups, and each has a different cost and permitting path:
Setup
What It Means
Best For
Sub-Panel (shared meter)
The ADU draws power from the main home’s panel through a dedicated sub-panel.
Most ADUs; typically the simplest and fastest to permit.
Separate Panel (shared meter)
The ADU gets its own panel, still on the home’s single utility meter.
ADUs with higher electrical loads that need more dedicated circuits.
Separate Meter
The ADU is billed independently through its own utility meter.
ADUs that will be rented out separately or need an independent utility account.
Title 24 and Emergency Circuits Aren't as Complicated as They Sound
California’s Title 24 energy code and emergency-circuit requirements apply to ADUs just like any new dwelling unit. That can sound like a special hurdle unique to your project, but it isn’t, these are standard code items we handle as part of every ADU electrical scope, not something that requires extra research on your end.
The same goes for coordinating with your general contractor and the utility company. It’s routine project management for us, even though it can feel like a lot to track if you’re only doing it once.
Our Single Point of Management
1
Direct Electrical Contractor Oversight
We manage the electrical work directly, not through a subcontractor layer, so you get one point of accountability.
2
Inspections & Approvals
We coordinate every required inspection and approval so nothing holds up your ADU’s final sign-off.
3
Utility Line Coordination
We handle coordination with the utility company for meter and service-line questions.
4
Scope & Code Compliance
We keep the electrical scope aligned with Title 24 and current code throughout the project, not just at the final inspection.
Where We Work: We currently bring this coordination model to ADU projects in San Jose, Los Angeles, and North Hollywood, with pre-construction assessment experience specific to each city’s permitting process. If your ADU is elsewhere in California, reach out anyway, our coverage is always growing.
What Affects ADU Electrical Pricing
Pricing depends on the setup you choose (sub-panel, separate panel, or separate meter), your ADU’s electrical load, and how far the connection point is from your main service.
A standard ADU electrical scope includes the panel or sub-panel installation, all interior wiring and circuits, outlet and lighting rough-in and finish work, smoke and CO detector wiring, and coordination of the required inspections. We’ll confirm exact scope against your ADU’s specific plans before quoting.
ADU Electrical Services
From $2,000
ADU electrical from $2,000.
Proven on a Real ADU Electrical Project
“Full subpanel and wiring setup for our backyard accessory dwelling unit. On time, on budget, and very easy to communicate with.”
Claudia G.
“Full subpanel and wiring setup for our backyard accessory dwelling unit. On time, on budget, and very easy to communicate with.”
Claudia G.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my ADU need its own electrical panel?
Not always. Many ADUs work fine with a sub-panel connected to the main home’s panel; a separate panel is typically needed only for higher electrical loads.
What is Title 24 and does it apply to my ADU?
Title 24 is California’s energy code, and yes, it applies to ADUs the same way it applies to any new dwelling unit. We handle Title 24 compliance as a standard part of the project.
Can my ADU share a meter with the main house?
Yes, that’s the most common setup. A separate meter is available if you plan to bill the ADU’s electricity independently, such as for a rental unit.
Do you coordinate with my ADU contractor directly?
Yes. We work directly with your general contractor throughout the project so the electrical scope stays aligned with the overall construction timeline.
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ADU Electrical Services Across California
Don’t see your exact city listed? Reach out anyway. There’s a good chance we already serve your area, and our coverage is always growing.
