archive blog
When a DADU Project Needs an Electrical Service Upgrade
An older Seattle panel may not carry a second home. Here is how the load calculation decides between a subpanel and a bigger service, and how City Light fits in.
What DADU Sewer Connections Require in Seattle
A Seattle backyard cottage can often share the house side sewer under a city rule. Here is how slope, line location, inspection and the King County charge fit in.
How Water Service Reaches a Detached ADU
Most Seattle backyard cottages share the parcel’s water service. Here is what SPU allows, how the private line reaches the cottage and when a meter upsize comes up.
How Drainage Problems Change Backyard Site Preparation
A soggy yard changes how a cottage site gets prepared. Here is how to read drainage patterns, what Seattle’s stormwater triggers are and why wet ground affects digging.
Choosing a Foundation Type for a Detached Backyard Home
Slab, crawl space, piers or stepped walls: the lot usually picks the foundation. Here is how Seattle’s soil rules, slope, access and utilities steer the choice.
Why a Property Survey Matters Before DADU Work Begins
A fence line is not a property line. A survey gives a cottage design measured boundaries, ground elevations and easements, and Seattle requires one in some cases.
Protecting Trees During DADU Construction
A mature tree near a new cottage can survive construction with the right jobsite steps. Here is how Seattle sizes the protection area and what the fencing rules say.
What to Know About Removing a Shed or Garage Before Building
The natural spot for a cottage often holds an old garage or shed. Here is how Seattle handles permits, rat abatement, asbestos checks and debris before it comes down.
When Does a Backyard Cottage Need Retaining Walls?
A grade change near a backyard cottage often calls for a wall or rockery. Here is when Seattle requires a permit, when engineers join and why drainage matters.
Getting Construction Equipment Into a Tight Backyard
A slim side yard and no alley can make a backyard cottage harder to build. Here is how to measure the route, plan deliveries and handle street staging.