Home / Services / ADU Construction
ADU Construction · nationwideADUs: the backyard that pays rent
An accessory dwelling unit is the biggest value-add project in American housing right now — a rentable, livable second home on land you already own. We match you with a licensed local ADU builder for a free feasibility consultation.
Three ways to add a unit
- Garage conversion — the fastest, most affordable path. The shell, slab, and driveway already exist; the work is insulation, plumbing, electrical, windows, and finishes.
- Attached ADU — an addition with its own entrance, sharing a wall with the main house. Good for narrow lots.
- Detached ADU — a new small home in the backyard. The most expensive option and the one with the most privacy, flexibility, and rental upside.
Why ADUs, why now
State legislatures have spent the last several years clearing the legal path for ADUs, and cities from Los Angeles to Seattle to Austin now permit tens of thousands a year. Construction costs are real, but an ADU is the rare project you can underwrite like an investment: build cost on one side, rent or multigenerational housing on the other, and a meaningful bump to resale value.
What feasibility covers
Before anyone draws plans, a good ADU builder answers four questions about your lot: what the zoning allows, what the utilities can carry, where the unit should sit, and what it will realistically cost all-in. That’s the free consultation — an hour on site that saves months of wrong assumptions.
How it works
Tell us about your property below. We match you with a licensed ADU builder in your area and book a free feasibility consultation. You get straight answers and a written estimate; whether you build this year or bookmark it for later is up to you.
True Home Remodel is not a contractor. Free consultations and all remodeling work are performed by licensed local partner contractors.
ADU Construction, where you live.
Costs, permits, and housing stock change city to city. See the local guide — or send the form from anywhere in the US and we’ll match a licensed contractor near you.
ADU Construction: common questions
How much does an ADU cost to build?
Garage conversions are the entry point — typically $120,000–$200,000, since the structure, slab, and utilities are already there. Detached new-construction ADUs usually run $250,000–$400,000+ depending on size and site work. The free consultation covers your lot, utility connections, and realistic all-in numbers before you commit to anything.
Is an ADU legal on my property?
In much of the country, yes — and the trend is strongly in your favor. California, Oregon, Washington, and a growing list of states have passed laws requiring cities to allow ADUs on most single-family lots. Local rules still govern size, height, and setbacks, which is why the first step of your consultation is a feasibility check on your specific parcel.
How long does an ADU project take?
Plan on 4–9 months end to end: roughly 1–3 months for design and permits (faster where cities offer pre-approved plans) and 3–6 months of construction. Garage conversions land at the short end, detached new builds at the long end.
What does an ADU rent for?
It depends entirely on your market, but in major metros a one-bedroom ADU commonly rents for $1,500–$2,500+ per month. Many owners use the unit for family first — aging parents, adult kids — and rent it later. Either way it's one of the few remodel projects with a direct income line attached.
Does an ADU need its own utilities and address?
An ADU needs a kitchen, bathroom, and its own entrance. Whether it needs separate utility meters or a separate address varies by city — often it can share your existing service with upgrades. Your contractor scopes utility capacity during feasibility, because an electrical panel upgrade is much better discovered on paper than mid-build.
Who builds it?
A licensed, insured local contractor from our partner network with real ADU experience — permits, inspections, and all. True Home Remodel books your free consultation; you contract directly with the builder.
Ready for real numbers?
Tell us about the project. We'll match a licensed local contractor and book your free consultation — anywhere in the US.
admin@truehomeremodel.comTrue Home Remodel is not a contractor. Free consultations and all remodeling work are performed by licensed local partner contractors.
Thank you — we’ve got it.
A remodel specialist will reach out shortly to learn a little more about your project and schedule your free consultation with a licensed local contractor.
Questions in the meantime? Email admin@truehomeremodel.com.