Build on the
True Cornerstone.
Build Your ADU Right.
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic."
— Isaiah 28:16Cornerstone Capital Development Services is a faith-driven ADU company founded by Al Cruse. We built our company — and this comprehensive guide — on the same foundation we build every project: integrity, stewardship, and the Word of God.
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- Step-by-step ADU planning workbook
- California zoning & permit checklists
- Cost estimator & ROI calculator
- Contractor vetting templates
- Financing options guide
Not Just a Name.
A Declaration of Faith.
When Al Cruse founded Cornerstone Capital Development Services, he chose that name deliberately. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul writes that the church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." That is the standard we hold ourselves to — in every project, every contract, and every client relationship.
We believe that every home we help build is an act of stewardship. God gives us time, talent, resources, and property — and He expects us to manage them wisely. Our guide and our services exist to help you do exactly that.
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."— Psalm 118:22
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Faith-Driven Integrity — We honor God in how we price, communicate, and deliver. No hidden fees, no smoke and mirrors.
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Biblical Stewardship — Your property is a resource entrusted to you. We help you maximize it faithfully.
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Servant Leadership — We serve you the way we want to be served: honestly, completely, and without cutting corners.
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Excellence as Worship — Colossians 3:23 calls us to work as if working for the Lord. That drives everything we build.
Completed ADU
Years of California ADU Expertise — Now Yours.
15 years of hard-won expertise — zoning law, permit strategy, contractor vetting, cost control, and ROI — distilled into one authoritative, California-specific guide.
10 Comprehensive Modules — Everything You Need
ADU Basics & Eligibility
What qualifies, what doesn't, and recent California law changes
Property Readiness
Lot assessment, setbacks, utility capacity, feasibility checklist
Design Options
Detached, attached, garage conversion, JADU — pros & cons of each
Budgeting & True Costs
Honest cost ranges, hidden costs, and how to control your budget
Financing Your ADU
HELOCs, construction loans, CalHFA programs, ADU-specific lenders
Permits & Approvals
Step-by-step permit strategy, city-by-city tips, timeline management
Hiring Contractors
Vetting framework, red flags, bid comparison, contract essentials
Construction Walkthrough
Phase-by-phase milestones, inspection checkpoints, owner oversight
Rental Income & ROI
Rental rate data, ROI calculator, property value impact analysis
Bonus Templates
15+ ready-to-use forms, checklists, scripts, and calculators
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."— Proverbs 24:3–4
The Complete California ADU Guide
The most thorough ADU resource available for California homeowners — built on real projects.
- 10 in-depth modules
- 15+ templates & checklists
- Cost estimator & ROI calculator
- Contractor vetting framework
- Lifetime updates included
Your ADU Journey in 4 God-Guided Steps
Whether you go full DIY with the guide or add expert support along the way, we've designed a clear, faithful path for every homeowner.
Get the Guide
Receive instant access to the complete California ADU Guide — your roadmap to building with wisdom, not guesswork.
Assess Your Property
Use the property readiness checklist to understand your lot's potential, zoning, and the right ADU type for your goals.
Choose Your Path
Go DIY with confidence, or add Cornerstone expert services — permitting, design, consulting, or full turnkey construction.
Build & Multiply
Like the faithful servant in Matthew 25, put your God-given resource to work and watch it generate income, value, and legacy.
When You Need More Than a Guide,
We're Ready to Serve
Add professional support at any stage of your project — from a single consultation to full turnkey construction. Each service is backed by 15+ years of California ADU experience and delivered with the integrity our faith demands.
Permit Filing
Our former city-planner-led team handles every aspect of your permit submission — research, documents, plan check responses, and final approval coordination.
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Architectural Design
Custom ADU plans from our in-house design team — floor plans, 3D renderings, structural engineering coordination, and Title 24 compliance, all under one roof.
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Full Turnkey Construction
We handle everything — design, permits, and construction — under one fixed-price contract. No finger-pointing, no coordination headaches. You get a key.
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Land Use Consulting
Feasibility analysis, zoning research, setback calculations, easement review, and a written report. Know exactly what's possible before you spend a dollar.
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Project Management
A dedicated project manager as your single point of contact — coordinating trades, managing schedules, tracking budget, and keeping you informed every step of the way.
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1-on-1 ADU Consultation
Schedule a private session with Al Cruse or a senior Cornerstone advisor. Bring your questions, your plans, your challenges — and leave with a clear, actionable roadmap.
Book a Session
A Company Built on More Than Good Business
Al Cruse founded Cornerstone Capital as a born-again Christian with a conviction: that business done God's way produces better outcomes for everyone. Here's what that looks like in practice.
The Cornerstone Covenant
Our name is a promise. Just as Christ is the cornerstone the builders rejected but God made central, we've built this company on principles the industry often overlooks: radical honesty, transparency, and care for the client above all.
Honest Scales, Fair Dealing
"The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with Him." (Proverbs 11:1). Every contract we write, every invoice we send, every commitment we make is held to this standard. Our pricing is fixed, itemized, and fair.
Stewardship & Multiplication
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), the faithful servant put his master's resources to work. An ADU is a profound stewardship opportunity — and we believe God honors the homeowner who manages their property wisely.
Serving As Unto the Lord
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." (Colossians 3:23). This verse drives every permit we file, every nail our crews drive, and every page of the guide we wrote.
Prayer-Covered Projects
Al personally prays over every project and every client relationship that begins with Cornerstone. We believe in a God who cares about the details of your home and your investment, and we bring that belief into every engagement.
Housing as Ministry
California faces a severe housing shortage. Every ADU we help build is one more family housed, one more elderly parent cared for nearby, one more community strengthened. We see this work as part of a larger calling.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."— Psalm 127:1
Real Homeowners. Real Results. Real Faith.
We're proud to serve clients from all walks of life. Here's what some of them have said.
"From our first call with Al, we knew this was a company that operated differently. He prayed over our project and meant it. The guide alone saved us from three mistakes that would've cost us $40,000. We're now generating $2,800/month in rental income."
"We'd tried two other companies and were quoted four months for permit approval. Cornerstone's permit team got us approved in six weeks. But honestly, what set them apart was the integrity — no surprise costs, no spin, just straight answers grounded in honesty."
"As a real estate investor, I've worked with a lot of contractors. Cornerstone Capital is in a different league. Detailed contracts, real-time updates, zero surprises. And I appreciate that Al runs his company with his faith as the backbone — it shows in every interaction."
Why Start with the Guide?
See how the Cornerstone ADU Guide stacks up — and when to upgrade to expert services.
| Feature | DIY Only | Guide Only ($39) | Guide + Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step-by-step ADU process | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| California-specific zoning checklists | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cost estimator & ROI calculator | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contractor vetting templates | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expert permit filing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom architectural design | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Licensed GC construction | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Faith-based integrity & transparency | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |