1. Choose the Right Project Before Choosing Materials

Before requesting estimates, answer these questions:

• What specific problem must the project solve?
• Which features are essential?
• Which materials or finishes could be adjusted to protect the budget?
• Will you remain in the home during construction?
• Could your family’s space needs change in the next five to ten years?
• Does the project need to be completed in one phase?

A defined scope helps contractors estimate the same work. Without one, a lower proposal may exclude permits, electrical upgrades, demolition, engineering, or finish materials that another contractor has already included.

2. Address 2026 Building and Energy Requirements Early

Permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, are generally reviewed under the applicable 2025 California building and energy standards. Discussing code requirements during design can help prevent plan corrections, equipment changes, and avoidable permit delays.

The 2025 California Energy Code applies to qualifying new buildings, additions, and alterations submitted for permits beginning January 1, 2026. It expands the use of heat-pump technology in new residential construction, encourages electric-ready systems, and strengthens ventilation standards.

The City of Lodi also began enforcing the 2025 California Building Standards Code on January 1, 2026. Projects submitted before that date generally followed the previous code cycle.

This does not mean every kitchen or bathroom remodel must include solar panels, a heat pump, or a complete electrical upgrade. The requirements depend on the project’s size, design, systems, and permit scope.

Your contractor or design team may need to evaluate:

• Insulation and window performance
• Heating and cooling equipment
• Ductwork and ventilation
• Electrical-panel capacity
• Water-heating equipment
• Lighting and control requirements
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements
• Solar or electric-ready provisions when applicable

Structural changes also require additional planning. Removing a wall, widening an opening, relocating a window, or changing the roofline may require engineering and a more detailed plan review than a surface-level renovation.



Submitting plans before these issues are addressed can lead to correction notices and redesign costs. A contractor familiar with local requirements can coordinate the scope with designers, engineers, and permit officials before work begins.

3. An ADU Can Be Valuable, but Every Lodi Property Is Different

An ADU can provide flexible living space, but the design must fit the property. Lot dimensions, easements, utilities, setbacks, drainage, and existing structures can all affect what you are allowed to build.

The City of Lodi offers free pre-approved ADU plans in four layouts:

• 375 sq. ft. studio with 1 bathroom
• 550 sq. ft. 2-bedroom unit
• 775 sq. ft. 2-bedroom unit
• 908 sq. ft. 2-bedroom unit

These plans may reduce part of the design process, but they do not eliminate site-specific planning. Homeowners still need an appropriate site plan, permit application, utility coordination, energy documents, fees, and any additional information required for the property.



Before moving forward with ADU design and construction, review the following:

California’s current ADU application review law requires a permitting agency to determine whether an application is complete within 15 business days. For a completed application on a property with an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling, the agency generally must approve or deny the application within 60 days.

The 60-day review period begins after the application is complete. Missing site information, incomplete plans, owner-requested delays, or required corrections can extend the total time between the first consultation and permit approval.

Homeowners should also avoid assuming that every detached California ADU can automatically be 1,200 sq. ft. The permitted size and configuration may depend on state approval pathways, bedroom count, local standards, lot conditions, and whether the unit is attached, detached, or converted from an existing structure.



The safest approach is to confirm the property’s zoning, site constraints, utilities, and current requirements before paying for a final design.

4. Compare More Than the Final Price

Do not compare contractor proposals by the final number alone. Compare what each proposal includes, excludes, and assumes.

A low estimate may leave out costs for:

• Permit fees
• Engineering
• Demolition and debris removal
• Electrical or plumbing upgrades
• Finish materials
• Painting and touch-ups
• Utility connections
• Temporary protection
• Repairs to hidden damage
• Final cleaning

Once demolition begins, crews may discover outdated wiring, aging pipes, moisture damage, or framing conditions that could not be seen during the initial walkthrough. These discoveries do not automatically mean the estimate was inaccurate, but the contract should explain how unexpected work will be documented, priced, and approved.

Before signing, review these eight items:

1. Contractor Credentials: Confirm the license number and current status.
2. Detailed Scope: Identify the included work, materials, allowances, and exclusions.
3. Permit Responsibility: State who will prepare plans, submit applications, pay fees, and schedule inspections.
4. Schedule: Include an estimated start date, completion date, and possible causes of delay.
5. Payment Terms: Connect progress payments to completed work or delivered materials.
6. Change Orders: Require written approval before additional work begins.
7. Warranty Information: Put labor and material warranties in writing.
8. Communication: Identify who will provide updates and respond to questions.

California’s home improvement contract guidance states that the down payment generally cannot exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. Progress payments should not exceed the value of work completed or materials delivered.

A detailed proposal may initially look more expensive because it includes work another proposal leaves out. That clarity can help you avoid cost drift, payment disputes, and delays once construction is underway. Review these questions to ask before hiring a remodeling contractor before comparing proposals.

How Much Contingency Should You Keep?

Many homeowners begin with a contingency of around 10% of the construction budget. Older homes, demolition-heavy projects, and remodels involving structural, plumbing, or electrical changes may justify a larger reserve.

A contingency should not replace an accurate estimate. It is intended for unexpected conditions or homeowner-approved changes, not costs that should have been clearly included in the original proposal.

Ask the contractor to separate:

• Confirmed construction costs
• Material allowances
• Optional upgrades
• Owner-supplied items
• Potential hidden conditions
• Work that is specifically excluded

This makes it easier to understand where the project has flexibility and where additional costs may arise.

Start Your 2026 Construction Project with a Clear Plan

A successful project starts before the first wall comes down. Defining the scope, understanding permit requirements, reviewing the property, and comparing complete proposals can help you avoid preventable delays and expensive surprises.



Do not wait until plans are submitted or demolition begins to uncover an issue that could have been addressed earlier. Request a project estimate from TDK Construction Corp or call (209) 210-7434 to start planning your Lodi construction project.

FAQs About 2026 Residential Remodeling