Written to be used, not to rank
We read fourteen municipal codes, priced out the line items nobody advertises, and drew the envelopes to scale. All of it is free, all of it names its sources, and all of it carries the date it was checked. If a number here is wrong, tell us and we fix it the same day.
Eastside ADU Explorer
Pick any of thirteen cities and watch a 60 × 110 ft lot redraw: the biggest detached unit that city allows, at its real rear setback, next to an elevation at its real height limit. Units, size, height, parking, separate sale, permit authority and the code section behind every line.
Updated 4 Sep 2026ReferenceWhat changed in Washington ADU law, city by city
Fourteen jurisdictions, every ordinance number, the date each was checked, and what is still coming. The one page to read before talking to any builder.
Updated 4 Sep 2026MoneyWhat a backyard DADU actually costs
The whole number, not the starting number. Every line item that lands on the invoice — foundation, utilities, the King County capacity charge, permits — and why advertised prices sit $120,000 to $180,000 below it.
Updated 4 Sep 2026Guide + calculatorFour ways to add a unit, and what each returns
Detached, garage conversion, basement, junior ADU — with three floor plans, a return calculator you can put your own bid and your own rent into, a conversion checklist, and every pre-approved plan catalogue in the region.
Updated 4 Sep 2026Working with usFor architects and designers
Six written commitments about building someone else's drawing without redrawing it, three things we need, and no exclusivity asked for.
Updated 4 Sep 2026ProcessHow a project actually runs
Nine steps from the first call to the final walkthrough, including the parts most contractors leave vague: how change orders are priced and signed, and who you call when something goes wrong.
LocalThirteen cities, thirteen permit desks
Each city we build in, who issues the permit there, what the local rules are, and the ADU envelope for that jurisdiction.
ServiceAdditions and ADUs — how we build them
Room additions, second storeys, garage and basement conversions, detached units. What each takes, and how long.
Two reasons, both of them selfish
A homeowner who understands the numbers is a better client. Most projects that go wrong go wrong because nobody said out loud what the whole thing would cost before design got deep. A page that says it plainly costs us nothing and saves a fight later.
Architects send clients to builders they trust. We would rather be the contractor a designer recommends than the one who offers to redraw their plan cheaper. Doing the boring research and giving it away is the cheapest way we know to be worth recommending. What that looks like in practice →
Nothing here is a lead magnet with the useful half held back. There is no gated PDF, no email wall, no “book a call to see the numbers”. The numbers are on the page.
Ready when you are
A free walkthrough, a written itemized estimate, and no obligation. Not sure yet? Send us photos first.