№ 01 — Verified Directory
We match homeowners with builders who specialize in their city's pre‑approved ADU plan program — the fastest, cleanest path to a legal backyard cottage. Free quotes within 24 hours, no spam, and we work for you, not them.
License-verified · Pre-approved plan literate · Builders pay us, never you.
San Jose, California
Example listing. Verified profiles launch with the full directory after MVP demand validation. Specimens are not paid placements.
№ 02 — Process
We're a matching service, not a marketplace. You stay in the driver's seat the whole way.
Two-minute form covering your state, build type, budget, and timeline. We're nosy on purpose — better matches start with better questions.
Up to three builders who specialize in your city, your build type, and (where it applies) your city's pre-approved plan program.
Builders contact you directly. You compare scope, timeline, and price. Pick the one who feels right — or none. No obligation.
№ 03 — Editor's Note
“Most ADU directories are link farms or thinly veiled paid-listing sites. We made the opposite.”
Cities like LA, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle offer pre-approved ADU plans that can save you $20K and six months. Most directories ignore them. We match you with builders who actually know how to use them.
Every builder is cross-checked with their state contractor board — CSLB in CA, CCB in OR, L&I in WA. Active license, no major complaints, real address. The badge means something.
We surface starting prices where builders publish them — most directories let builders hide pricing entirely. You start the conversation with realistic numbers, not vague promises.
Homeowners never pay us. Builders pay only when they receive a matched lead. Our incentive is to send great leads, not to upsell you on services you didn't ask for.
№ 04 — Coverage
Each state has its own ADU rules and pre-approved plan programs. Here's the quick lay of the land — pick yours and we'll match you with builders who know the program by name.
California leads the country on ADU legalization. State law SB-9 and SB-1211 require cities to allow ADUs on most single-family lots and limit owner-occupancy restrictions. Many cities run their own pre-approved plan programs that compress the permit timeline from months to weeks.
Oregon's HB 2001 made ADUs legal statewide on single-family lots. Portland has its own ADU permitting process with streamlined options for detached ADUs. Smaller cities are catching up with their own pre-approved plan offerings.
Washington's HB 1110 requires cities with more than 25,000 residents to allow at least two ADUs per lot. Seattle's DADU (Detached ADU) program leads the state with clear permit pathways and growing builder participation.
Colorado HB24-1152 (2024) requires major cities to allow ADUs. Denver and Boulder are leading the state with city-specific ADU programs, and Front Range builder activity is growing fast as homeowners take advantage of the new rules.
Texas doesn't have a statewide ADU mandate, but most cities allow ADUs subject to local zoning. Austin has the most ADU-friendly rules in the state. Texas is also the country's barndominium capital — a unique build category that overlaps with ADU and pre-fab markets.
Arizona is an emerging ADU market, with Phoenix and Tucson leading on permit pathways. Most builds happen as detached ADUs or casitas on larger suburban lots. Builder density is lower than the coasts, so leads are matched to the most relevant specialist rather than auctioned to multiple.
№ 05 — Inquiry
Takes about two minutes. We'll match you with up to three vetted builders for free — no obligation, no spam.
We start with location and ownership.
№ 06 — Reader Questions
The questions homeowners ask most before breaking ground. See our full FAQ for 30+ answers on costs, permits, financing, and process.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, secondary dwelling on the same lot as a single-family home. It has its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance. ADUs can be detached (a backyard cottage), attached (an addition to the main house), converted from an existing garage, or a Junior ADU carved out of the existing home.