ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT

Is an ADU right for you?

In most Massachusetts communities, An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is allowed by right on a single-family lot. That means no special permit, no zoning variance, and no public hearing. If your property meets basic requirements, approval is handled through standard building permits.

There are still limits. ADUs are typically allowed up to 900 square feet or a percentage of your main home, whichever is smaller, along with local rules for setbacks, height, and parking. Larger ADU's can be built, but require special permitting, and no guaranteed outcomes with local authority.

When determining if an ADU is right for you, the first thing to consider is what type of ADU makes sense for your property:

Attached - Often referred to as an In-law apartment.
Detached - A new standalone structure.
Conversion – Basement, garage, or attic with a private entrance

Utilities are the next major factor:

Public sewer & water: ADUs are typically straightforward, with fewer capacity concerns and shared systems.
Private septic: This is where many projects are won or lost. Septic systems are approved for a specific number of bedrooms and adding more to the system may require

expensive upgrades. If you don’t know what your system is approved for, we can help determine that before you invest in plans.

If you want clear, honest guidance on whether your property is a good fit for an ADU, reach out. We’ll walk through zoning, utilities, and layout so you can move forward with confidence.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US

We follow a structured process designed to establish clarity, confirm feasibility, and eliminate surprises before construction ever begins.

It Starts With a Call

We take time to discuss, your goals and how you want to live in the space. We gather information about the existing home; we discuss feasibility from a zoning and building standpoint and discuss an appropriate budget for the project being described.

By the end of this call, we’ll both know whether the project makes sense and whether our values and expectations align. If it does, we schedule a site walk.

Site Walk & Real-World Evaluation

The site visit allows us to evaluate what actually drives cost and buildability:

Land, topography, access.
Existing structure tie ins
Utilities
Zoning, setbacks, and technical constraints

After our site walk is complete we move into preliminary estimating.

Preliminary Design & Budget Alignment

With the information from the call and site visit, we move into early planning. Depending on the project, this may include:

Developing a conceptual floor plan
Reviewing similar existing plans to establish layout and scale
Discussing the general level of finishes and design direction

At this stage, we’re not specifying exact materials, assemblies, or product selections. We’re defining scope but reducing the number of assumptions made. Using this information, we prepare a project estimate that is within approximately 5% of the final target number.

This allows both sides to confirm that the project can be built within budget before deeper design begins.

By this point, If we’ve built rapport, established trust, and confirmed that the project is viable we move to pre-construction.

Pre-Construction: Defining the Project Before We Build

Once we agree to move forward, the project enters a formal Pre-Construction phase. This is a paid professional service where we replace assumptions with clarity.

During pre-construction, we:

Develop permit ready plans in-house
Finalize layout, structure, and building details
Define materials, assemblies, and construction methods
Coordinate with engineers, designers, and subcontractors
Establish detailed specifications and job-specific pricing
Identify allowances versus fixed-scope items
Develop a project schedule that can be adhered to.

This is far more than a set of building plans; it's a plan for success.

Construction With Confidence

Because the planning is complete, construction proceeds with:

Fewer change orders
Clear expectations on both sides
Better quality control
A smoother, more predictable build experience

Why Our Process Works

We don’t believe in quick estimates or vague assumptions. We believe in doing the work up front so your project is built intentionally, not reactively.

If you want the fastest possible number, we’re probably not the right fit. But if you want accuracy, transparency, and a builder who takes responsibility for the details, our process is designed to protect both your investment and your experience.

If you’re ready to start with a conversation, we’d be glad to talk.

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