Pause when one question can change everything
A project should slow down when a single unresolved issue can change the budget, approval path, or long-term use. That might be utility capacity, septic constraints, alley access, lender consent, title restrictions, floodplain questions, or a weak rental assumption.
Common red flags
- Utility uncertainty: no clear answer on water, sewer, septic, or electric capacity.
- Access problems: no practical route for construction, parking, emergency access, or long-term tenant use.
- Budget mismatch: the owner is comparing rent income to construction cost only, not all-in cost.
- Weak ownership goal: no clear reason for the ADU beyond a general sense that ADUs are valuable.
- Restriction mismatch: subsidy or mission capital is attractive, but the owner does not want the restrictions that may come with it.
A no-go can become a later yes
A project that does not pencil today may work after rule changes, utility clarification, better financing, a different ADU type, a different tenant strategy, or a stronger partnership.
Civic Infill Works is designed to make that pause useful. The deliverable should tell you which questions are blocking the decision and what would need to change to reopen the project.