ADU & DADU guides.
Real numbers, permitting know-how and honest advice on building backyard homes across Seattle, King and Snohomish County — written by the crew that builds them.
ADU & DADU Guides
11 guides
ADU vs. Home Addition: Which Is Right for You?
Add on to your house or build a separate ADU? Here’s how the two compare on cost, added value, rental income and privacy — so you pick the right one for your goals.
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Can You Convert a Basement into an ADU in Seattle?
A basement conversion can be a lower-cost path to an ADU — if the basement suits it. Here’s what it takes (egress, height, moisture, permits) and how it compares to a DADU.
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Prefab vs. Custom ADU: Which Should You Build?
Prefab ADUs promise fast and cheap; custom builds offer fit and quality. Here’s the honest comparison — cost, site fit, timeline — and which wins on a real Seattle lot.
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Backyard ADU Design Ideas for Seattle Homeowners
A great DADU feels bigger than its footprint. Design ideas for backyard ADUs that get light, storage, flow and privacy right — so a small home lives large.
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ADU Floor Plans: How to Choose the Right Size and Layout
The right ADU floor plan balances your lot, budget and how you’ll use the space. Here’s how to choose a size and layout that works — for rent or for family.
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Multigenerational Living: How Families Use an ADU
A backyard ADU keeps family close without giving up independence — for aging parents, adult kids, or a caregiver. How multigenerational living works with a DADU.
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Garage Conversion vs. Detached ADU: Which Should You Build?
Convert the garage or build a detached DADU? Here’s how the two paths compare on cost, privacy, rental value and construction — and how to pick the right one.
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How to Choose an ADU Contractor in Seattle
“ADU contractor near me” is one of the fastest-rising searches in Washington. Here’s how to vet an ADU builder — licensing, honest pricing, and the exact questions to ask.
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What Is an ADU in Real Estate?
ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit — a legal second home on your lot. Here’s what that means for your property’s value, rental income and resale in the Seattle area.
Read the guideADU vs DADU: What’s the Difference?
An ADU is any second dwelling on your lot; a DADU is the detached, standalone version. Here’s how the two compare on cost, privacy, construction and permitting.
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How Much Does It Cost to Build a DADU in Seattle?
Real 2026 price ranges for a backyard DADU in the Greater Seattle area — and the three cost categories that decide your final number.
Read the guideCustom Homes
7 guidesEnergy-Efficient Home Building in Seattle: What to Know
A well-built home costs less to run for decades. Here’s what actually makes a new home or ADU energy-efficient in the Seattle area — and why it pays back every month.
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How to Finance a Custom Home in Seattle
Building a home is financed differently than buying one. A plain-English guide to construction loans, lot loans and construction-to-permanent financing in the Seattle area.
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How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home in Seattle?
A custom home in the Seattle area runs about $400,000–$700,000+ all-in. Here’s what drives that number — and why the honest figure includes far more than framing.
Read the guideBuilding New vs. Buying a Home in Seattle: Which Makes Sense?
Build a custom home or buy existing? A clear-eyed comparison of cost, timeline, customization and value to help Seattle-area homeowners decide.
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Building on a Sloped or Difficult Lot in Seattle
Steep, wooded, or critical-area lots are common around Seattle — and they’re where budgets blow up without the right builder. Here’s what building on a difficult lot really takes.
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Can You Build a House and a DADU on One Lot?
Building a new home and a DADU at the same time can add income and value while saving on shared site work. Here’s how two homes on one lot works in Seattle.
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Building a Custom Home in Seattle: What to Expect
DIGS builds custom homes, not just ADUs. Here’s what to expect building a custom home in the Seattle area — cost, timeline, site work, and choosing the right builder.
Read the guideCost & Financing
3 guides
Renting Out Your ADU: A Seattle Homeowner’s Guide
A backyard ADU can turn unused land into monthly income. Here’s how renting one out works in Seattle — long-term vs. short-term, setting rent, and building to rent.
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Is an ADU a Good Investment?
Rental income, added home value, and a payback period measured in years — here’s how to think about the return on investment of building an ADU in the Seattle area.
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How to Finance an ADU in Seattle
You know what a DADU costs — here’s how people actually pay for one. A plain-English guide to home equity, HELOCs, cash-out refis, construction loans, and using future rent.
Read the guidePermitting & Process
6 guidesADU Parking Rules in Seattle: What You Need to Know
Do you have to add parking for an ADU in Seattle? The rules loosened — here’s when off-street parking is required, when it isn’t, and what it means for your build.
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Do You Have to Live On-Site to Have an ADU in Washington?
The old rule said you had to live on-site to have an ADU. Washington rolled that back — here’s what the owner-occupancy change means, and why it makes renting far more practical.
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How Long Does It Take to Build a DADU in Seattle?
From first call to move-in, a DADU typically takes about 12–18 months. Here’s a realistic timeline — design, permitting, construction — and what changes it.
Read the guideCan I Build an ADU on My Lot?
Most Seattle single-family lots can fit a DADU — but it comes down to size, setbacks, coverage, trees and critical areas. Here’s how to tell if yours qualifies.
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Washington’s ADU Laws: What Changed and What It Means for You
Washington changed its ADU laws to tackle the housing shortage — more units per lot, no owner-occupancy requirement, reduced parking. Here’s the plain-English version for homeowners.
Read the guideDo You Need a Permit to Build a DADU in Seattle?
The permits you need to build a backyard DADU in Seattle, the zoning rules that decide whether you can build at all, and how long it really takes.
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Tell us about your lot and your goals. Eric follows up personally — the same person from the first call through final inspection. No pressure, no obligation.
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