In suburban Montgomery County, a homeowner dreamed of building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to serve as a flexible space for aging parents visiting from out of town, a source of future rental income, and place for occasional guests to stay over. While their initial vision was ambitious, the homeowner was unfamiliar with zoning constraints, permitting processes, and how certain design decisions could inflate costs or delay approvals. As the owner’s representative, we guided them through a strategic design process, turning their wish list into a feasible, cost-efficient concept that aligned with county regulations and met long-term goals.

A family in Arlington invited older relatives to live with them, creating a multi-generational household, and they needed more room around the house to accommodate their expanded family. They were trying to decide between adding an ADU to their backyard and building an addition to their existing home to create extra space. The husband’s parents sold their home to help fund the project, which also meant they wanted to expedite construction to move in as soon as possible.

In Washington, DC’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, a homeowner sought to build a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in their backyard—only to discover the process required navigating complex historic preservation requirements and winning support from neighbors. As advisors on the project, we guided the homeowner through design revisions, neighbor outreach, and historic board approvals, ultimately securing a successful outcome that respected both the character of the neighborhood and the homeowner’s goals.