No two ADUs are the same. Your unique requirements and plot of land will determine how much your ADU will cost. To help you get a better idea of how much your unit will cost to build, we have put together an ADU cost breakdown.
Start With The Type Of ADU
The type of ADU you plan to build will greatly affect the price. A garage conversion ADU will cost much less than a new construction detached ADU. Keep this in mind when determining what kind of ADU you want to build.
Hiring Design And Planning Professionals
You are going to design and planning professionals to start your project. They will complete things like:
- Land surveys
- Engineer calculations
- Energy calculations
- Architectural drawings
Your design tastes and requirements will determine how expensive this first step will be. If you are looking for a simplistic design with cheaper materials, then you can save a lot of money with this step. However, if you are going for a very aesthetic-looking unit with lots of details, this can get expensive quickly.
This step costs anywhere between $6,000.00 to $14,000.00, possibly more.
Paying City Fees
Every city you build an ADU in will require you to pay city fees for things like:
- Utility fees
- Impact fees
- Fire plan check
- Building permit
These fees will vary from city to city but are usually around $3,000.00 to $11,000.00.
Finding An ADU Contractor
Hiring your ADU contractor is a very important step. You don’t want to hire a super cheap option because they often cost you more in the long run with mistakes and hidden fees. Make sure your contractor is fully licensed and insured, as well as has great references for their work.
Also included in this step are the materials you need to build the unit. If you find a good contractor local to your area, they may be able to get you a good deal with suppliers for your materials to save you money. Expect to pay $250.00 to $300.00 per square foot for construction labor and material.
Finish Material Costs
Finishing materials like floors, doors, and windows can cost anywhere from $50.00 to $75.00 per square foot.
