What to Send for an ADU Rendering

An ADU rendering is only as good as the information behind it. Because accessory dwelling units are small, every detail shows: the roof pitch, the window sizes, the distance to the main house and the planting in a modest backyard. Sending the right files at the start means the first preview is already close, and revisions are about taste rather than corrections.

The drawings

• Floor plan with dimensions
• All four exterior elevations
• At least one building section with ceiling and roof heights
• Roof plan, if the roof is anything other than a simple gable
• Window and door schedule with sizes and sill heights

PDF is fine. If you have the CAD or Revit file, send that too; exported IFC or DWG files make the model faster and more exact. Pre-approved standard plans, such as city ADU programs, work well because the drawings are already complete.

Finishes and materials

A finish list turns a correct model into a convincing image. Include the siding or stucco, roofing, window frame color, exterior doors, decking or patio, and for interiors the flooring, cabinets, counters and key fixtures. Product links are ideal. If finishes are not chosen yet, send a few reference photos of the look you want and ask for two or three options to compare.

The site

• Lot address or a site plan showing where the ADU sits
• North arrow, so the sun falls on the right side of the building
• Position of the main house, fences and any large trees to keep
• Photos of the existing backyard from where the main views will be taken

Real orientation matters more for ADUs than for most buildings, because the unit is close to fences and the main house. Correct shadows make the image believable and help neighbours and reviewers understand the impact.

The views you need

Most ADU sets include an exterior hero view from the main house or the yard, a dusk view with the interior lit, and one interior of the main living space. An aerial is useful when the ADU has to be explained in the context of the whole lot, for example for a homeowner presentation or a neighbourhood meeting.

What happens next

The model is built to the drawings and every camera is shown first as a clay preview, so framing and layout are approved before materials and lighting. Finishes and planting go in next, then the final renders. Finish options can be compared on the same model at any stage.