Why Build an ADU?

ADU is short for Accessory Dwelling Unit. They are also commonly known as granny flats, in-law suites, backyard homes and a whole host of other names. The important thing to keep in mind is that these are designed to be full-time living quarters.

Each fixed, up-front price includes the customized design and complete turn-key installation of your new backyard space. We take care of all the permitting, site work and interior build-out as well.

Prefab is a construction technique where all or a portion of the work takes place in a controlled environment, like a manufacturing facility, and the finished product is than shipped to the site for final assembly. Prefab construction is typically 20% to 30% more efficient than traditional construction methods.

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. Size and budget will be key considerations, but also think about how you want to use the space, now and in the future. These units are incredibly flexible and the larger the unit the more adaptive it can be to your changing needs over time.

We primarily work in the District, Maryland and Virginia, and we are always looking to explore new areas for the right project.

The exact start to finish time will depend on the type of project and the speed of the permitting process in your local jurisdiction. You can reference more detail about our typical projected timeline here.

We let you decorate the finished unit as you see fit, although we are happy to help with furniture suggestions and possible layouts if you like.

All of our units share the same signature look and feel created by the award winning designers at Hickock Cole. The differences are in size and standard features. Our home offices are climate controlled and equipped with a full electrical and communications package. The Suite adds a half bath and the Backyard Home comes with a professional grade kitchen and full bathroom.

Most jurisdictions in the area only allow a single detached unit per property.

Our products start at $38,000 for a standard Home Office. We work with you to design a project that meets your unique budget and needs.

The utility hookups and the slope of the land are probably the two biggest variables when it comes to the cost of the project. If the capacity for water or electric needs to be increased or the site requires significant work in order to accommodate the foundation it can result in additional costs.

Adding a Capital Dwelling product to your backyard will increase the value of your property. The exact amount of the increase will depend on several different factors that are best explained in more detail by a licensed appraiser, but our products will certainly enhance the value of your home.

Our partners at LightStream can help with the financing process.

In most areas, the Backyard Home can be rented out. If you are interested in building a dedicated rental unit, we can help advise you on the local regulations in your area.

Your potential rental income will vary by neighborhood. If you are trying to maximize income, you could also consider moving into the backyard home and renting out your primary residence.

Each of our units has custom design elements that will allow you to have a major influence on how your new space looks and feels.

That’s a good question and one that varies from county to county. If you type your address into the lookup bar at the top of our home page we will do some research and get back to you with a free assessment of what you can build in your backyard based on your local regulations.

The size of your project will depend on the size of your backyard and the lot setbacks required by your local jurisdiction. As part of our process, we will come out to your property and recommend a size and location based on the conditions specific to your backyard.

What we produce is neither mobile nor tiny. You can think of our products as an extension of your home. They are separate rooms that have an enhanced level of privacy.

With the flexibility built into our design process, we can add architectural elements to the structure that will match the character of your primary residence.

Most of our structures are built on a slab-on-grade foundation consisting of a thin layer of poured concrete. Some smaller structures may get a timber foundation if warranted by the site conditions.

One of the partners at Capital Dwelling will be your single point of contact through every step of the construction process. We work with a team of insured local contractors, who have years of experience building our products.

Each Capital Dwelling project is equipped with electricity and in many cases we can plug directly into the panel in your primary residence to power the new unit. In some instances, we do need to increase the capacity of the existing panel in order to handle the increase load.

For projects that include a bathroom and/or kitchen, we will connect to the public water and sewer provided by your local municipality. The complexity of these connections can vary significantly by site.

The short answer is “a lot less time than with traditional stick-built construction”. Once the permits are secured, the foundation work, framing and interior build-out would typically require only a couple of weeks on-site. A full ADU with kitchen and bathroom would be be closer to 4 to 6 weeks.