Smart ADU Construction Built for Tacoma.

The total cost for your ADU is driven by three primary factors: unit size, site access, and utility connections. Because every lot in Tacoma is unique, we do not provide a flat price or starting-at figure before a site visit. We must see your property to determine how much work is required to prepare the ground and connect the unit to the city grid.

Utility costs, specifically, can vary significantly depending on the distance between your primary home and the new unit. Trenching for sewer and electrical lines is a major labor component. We recommend setting aside a contingency fund for unforeseen conditions that may arise once we begin excavating your site.

The City of Tacoma provides four pre-approved detached ADU models that homeowners can utilize to potentially speed up their design process. These include a 300 sq ft studio, a 520 sq ft one-bedroom, a garage unit with 845 sq ft of living space, and a duplex model with 534 sq ft per unit. While these plans are available, they are not pre-permitted and still require site-specific structural reviews.

It is important to understand that these plans belong to the City, not us. If you choose to modify these models to better fit your needs, you will be responsible for additional designer fees. We focus our expertise on the physical construction of these units once your plans are finalized and permitted by the City.

We do not offer financing, payment plans, or lending partnerships. Most Tacoma homeowners fund their ADU projects through their personal savings or by securing a home equity line of credit (HELOC) from their own bank. You should talk to your lender about your financial options before committing to a construction contract.

By securing your funding early, you ensure that you have the necessary capital to cover the construction phases as they progress. We recommend that you do not rely on us for financial advice or lending services, but rather consult with a professional financial advisor or your bank to understand how your existing property equity might be used.

When selecting a contractor for your ADU, the most important step is verifying their legal credentials. Always ask for their Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) registration number. You can use this number to verify their registration status through the state's official portal. This is a basic requirement for any contractor operating in Tacoma.

Beyond registration, look for a contractor who is transparent about their pricing process. Avoid anyone who provides a fixed price over the phone without visiting your property. A reputable contractor will want to walk your site, discuss the logistics of your utility connections, and provide a proposal that clearly outlines the work to be performed based on your specific site conditions.

No, we do not draw plans, submit applications, file for permits, or expedite the permitting process with the City of Tacoma. We have no relationship with, and no influence over, the City’s building department. Our role is strictly limited to the physical construction of the unit once you have obtained the necessary permits.

You are responsible for hiring a designer or architect to create your plans and for submitting all required documentation to the City. Once you have received your approved permits, we can begin the construction phase. We recommend building enough time into your project schedule for the City’s review process, which can vary significantly depending on current demand.

The construction timeline depends on the complexity of your site and the size of the unit. Once permits are in hand and the site is ready, we can provide a more accurate estimate. Factors like weather in Tacoma, the speed of utility inspections, and site preparation needs can all influence the total duration of the build.

We provide a clear schedule at the start of our contract. If the scope of work changes during construction—for instance, if we encounter unexpected soil conditions—we will stop work immediately to discuss the impact on both the timeline and the final cost with you. This ensures that you stay informed and in control of the project's progress throughout the build.

In Tacoma, the habitable floor area for an ADU is capped at 1,000 square feet. This measurement excludes the area occupied by a garage. If you are considering one of the City's pre-approved plans, they are designed to fit well within these limits, with the largest options being the 845 sq ft garage-plus-living-space model.

If your project involves a custom ADU design, ensure that your designer is aware of this 1,000 sq ft limitation during the planning phase. Exceeding this limit can cause significant delays during the permitting process. We can help you understand how your chosen design fits into your backyard, but the responsibility for meeting square footage requirements remains with the project owner and their designer.

Changes during construction can significantly impact both your budget and your project timeline. If you decide to alter the scope of work after we have started, we will stop construction to review the changes with you. We will then provide an updated proposal that reflects the cost of the new materials and the additional labor required.

We believe in full transparency. We will never hide costs or proceed with changes without your explicit approval. Please note that if your changes require new permits or an amendment to your existing plans, you will need to coordinate those updates with the City of Tacoma, which may result in further delays to the construction schedule.