I was impressed by Grace's responsiveness and willingness to assist. She assured me my project was straightforward and in good hands. However, she required that I separately contract with her son for drafting services--this is where the challenges began.
Unfortunately, I misunderstood the scope of Grace's services. She submits the necessary paperwork to the city but does not assess whether what is being submitted can ultimately be permitted. I spent a significant amount of time and money on plans that were submitted--only to later discover through a basic online search that the approach we took was never viable.
Grace and her son initially submitted my plans as a JADU. After encountering issues, I researched the regulations and realized my property never qualified for a JADU under San Diego's guidelines. When I pivoted to a simpler guest quarters approach, it became clear that while Grace facilitates paperwork submission, she does not provide strategic permitting guidance.
During the process, her son advised me to switch to an ADU submission and requested additional upfront payments, assuring me we were close to approval. However, after delays, I consulted another firm, which immediately identified a key missing step--an electrical evaluation to determine whether the ADU could accommodate a kitchen. It could not. Unfortunately, this meant I had already spent nearly $10,000 on plans that could never lead to a permit.
When I raised my concerns with Grace, she clarified that financial matters between me and her son were separate. While I appreciate that she did not charge me directly, I wish in our initial phone call, she would have better explained her role and set expectations accordingly.
For those considering her services, I strongly recommend doing your own research or working with a drafting firm that not only prepares plans but also ensures they align with city requirements. Grace would be a great person to submit and coordinate with the city -- but do not expect her to understand if the plans are viable. read more