Detached ADU
From $160,000+
6–12 months for the full project
A separate backyard home; site work, utilities, size, and finishes affect scope.
Plan with a clear scope
Understand Your ADU Budget
Your ADU budget starts with your property—not a one-size-fits-all price. Whether you are planning a detached backyard home, an attached addition, or a garage conversion, talk through your goals, site conditions, and next steps in a free consultation.
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Planning starting points
Starting budgets & full-project timelines
Compare options using preliminary full-project ranges, from design and approvals through construction and inspections—not construction time alone.
Conversion
From $90,000+
6–8 months for the full project
Adapting an existing space; structural conditions and required upgrades matter.
Attached ADU
From $120,000+
6–8 months for the full project
An addition connected to the home; connections, access, and utilities shape scope.
Other / SB9
Property-specific
Budget & schedule depend on the property
Eligibility, approvals, existing conditions, and project type must be reviewed.
These are preliminary planning starting points, not quotes or guaranteed move-in dates. Actual costs and full-project timelines depend on your property, design, permitting, utilities, site conditions, and written scope. Review what is included and excluded before making a decision.
What goes into the budget
A design fee is not the whole project cost.
Compare the same scope in every proposal. Keep these categories separate so you can see what is included, what is excluded, and who is responsible.
Professional fees
Design, plans, engineering, and permit coordination as agreed. Ask which deliverables and revisions are included. These service fees are distinct from city charges and construction.
City permits and fees
Plan review, permit, and other jurisdictional charges depend on your project and location. Confirm the applicable fees and who pays them.
Construction
Labor and materials for the agreed build. Check the structural work, finish level, appliances, and installation scope—not just the headline price.
Utilities and site work
Connections, capacity upgrades, access, drainage, and site restoration can affect the budget. Identify whether these are included in the construction proposal or priced separately to avoid double counting.
Make the conversation useful
Bring your goals. Ask about the details.
Tell us how you want to use the space, your location, and whether you are considering a detached ADU, an attached addition, or a garage conversion.
A detached home needs site and foundation planning; an attached addition needs review of its connection to your home; a conversion needs assessment of the existing structure. Access, privacy, and utility capacity matter across all three options.
Explore the different ADU typesQuestions to ask before signing
- Which services, materials, and appliances are included?
- Who selects and purchases finishes, and can I supply my own?
- What site or structural work still needs assessment?
- Who handles permits, construction, and inspections?
- How are exclusions, changes, and contingency handled?
Separate build time from the full schedule. Property review and design come before approvals, construction, and final inspections. Ask for milestones specific to your property rather than treating construction time as a move-in date.
Talk through your property and budget.
Start with a free consultation to discuss your project and what needs to be confirmed next.