You need an older, veteran GC, the kind that can 'see through walls' Lol.....3) Get a solid, written bid/proposal and sign a binding - legal in your state - contract.

Here is something critical, look at how long the HOA can take to approve or reject any proposed changes.   90 days is not uncommon.  

Just asking an honest question to understand the mechanics of what you're proposing to do. 

Consistent with Section 66013, the connection may be subject to a connection fee or capacity charge that shall be proportionate to the burden of the proposed accessory dwelling unit, based upon either its size or the number of its plumbing fixtures, upon the water or sewer system.

Do you have an actual proposal from a licensed GC, or is that your guesstimate price?

I will propose that I am open to partnership provided that the circumstances are suitable.

While he knows standard dimensions well, I found myself providing my own ideas for floor plans to get the most out of the square footage.The buildings or lots we work with are tight, so we do have to be very creative, but I found that my general contractor (/investor partner) and I are finding much better floor plan ideas than he did and I wasn't impressed by his creativity.For example, for a flip we were able to fit 2 master bedrooms where he proposed a far less efficient design, and on a rental, I had to point out that we could extend the building length by 4 feet and that he was too conservative with the rear setback.

This was in spite of the originator (Socialist Sean Eli Rivera) seeing that it was not going to pass as proposed and amending it on the fly to exclude individual STR operators it failed 3-2.  

It's good to know, hard to make decisions based on a proposal alone.

Thye included the Medicaid lien in their proposed plan.