Free ADU Build Estimate

Get an ADU Estimate From a Local Builder

Tell us about your property and your plans and we will connect you with an ADU builder in your area who can put together an estimate.

ADU Home Experts helps homeowners find a builder for an accessory dwelling unit. Answer a few questions about your property and what you have in mind, and we get to work matching your request with a builder who covers your area. Requesting an estimate is free, and you are never obligated to move forward.

Get My Estimate

Free estimate. No obligation.

  • Free estimate
  • No obligation
  • Matched with one local company
White single-story backyard ADU with a covered patio and a stepping-stone path across the lawn

How it works

  1. 01

    Tell us about your project

    Answer a few quick questions about your property, your plans and the type of unit you are considering.

  2. 02

    We match your request

    We match your request with an ADU builder who covers your area and takes projects like yours.

  3. 03

    Get your estimate

    The builder we match you with contacts you directly to go over the details and prepare your estimate.

What an ADU actually is

An accessory dwelling unit is a second, smaller home on a lot that already has one. That covers several quite different projects: a detached unit built in the yard, a garage converted into living space, a basement or attic conversion, or an addition attached to the existing house. They are not the same job and they do not cost the same. Which one suits a property depends on the lot, the existing structure and what the local rules allow, which is usually the first thing a builder will want to establish.

What an ADU costs

The biggest factor is which type you are building. A conversion of existing space is generally the least expensive, because the shell is already there. A detached new build is the most, because it is a complete small house with its own foundation, roof and systems. Then come the things that are easy to underestimate: running water, sewer and power to a new structure, site access for machinery, and whatever the ground turns out to be like. Design, permitting and utility connections are real costs and belong in the estimate rather than arriving later.

Rules, permits and plan stage

ADU rules differ enormously by state, city and sometimes by lot, covering size, height, setbacks, parking and whether the unit can be rented separately. Those rules decide what is possible before anything else does. Homeowners come to this at different stages: some have drawings and approvals, some have an idea and a back garden. Both are legitimate starting points, but they are different conversations, and saying which one you are in helps a builder give you a useful answer rather than a generic one.

Choosing an ADU builder

Ask for proof of licensing and insurance, and confirm both are current. Ask what they have built that is comparable, because a detached unit, a garage conversion and an addition are genuinely different work. Ask who handles design and permitting, and whether that is inside the price or alongside it. Get the scope in detail: what the estimate includes, what it excludes, how utility connections are priced, how long the build takes and what happens if the site turns up something unexpected.

FAQ

Common questions

What counts as an ADU?

An accessory dwelling unit is a second, smaller home on a lot that already has one. It can be detached and built in the yard, converted from a garage, basement or attic, or attached to the existing house as an addition. Which types are allowed depends on local rules.

How much does an ADU cost to build?

It depends most on the type. Converting existing space such as a garage is generally least expensive because the shell exists. A detached new build costs most, because it is a complete small house with its own foundation, roof and systems. Utility connections, site access and ground conditions all affect the figure.

Do I need plans before I can get an estimate?

No. Homeowners come to this at different stages, some with drawings and approvals and some with an idea. A builder can work with either, but the answer will be more specific the further along you are. Saying which stage you are at helps you get a useful answer.

How long does an ADU take to build?

A conversion of existing space is usually faster than a detached new build, which is a complete structure. Design and permitting often take longer than people expect and happen before construction starts, so the useful question is how long the whole process takes rather than just the build.

Does ADU Home Experts build ADUs?

No. ADU Home Experts does not build anything and is not a builder or a contractor. It connects homeowners considering an accessory dwelling unit with a builder who serves their area. The builder handles the assessment, the design and permitting discussion, the estimate and the construction.

What happens after I submit my request?

Your request goes to Home Lead Supply, where we match it with an ADU builder who covers your area. If we have a match, that builder contacts you directly, usually by phone, to go over your property and your plans before preparing an estimate. You are free to ask questions and decide from there.

Ready to find out what yours would cost?

Answer a few questions about your property and we will connect you with an ADU builder in your area.

Free estimate. No obligation.

ADU Home Experts connects homeowners with ADU builders. We do not design or build.