Detached ADU
Services · Detached ADUs

A Backyard Home
Built Right

Detached ADUs are fully independent structures built on your existing property. Separate entrance, separate utilities, maximum privacy — and the highest return on investment of any ADU type.

What Is a Detached ADU?

Your Property.
A Second Home On It.

A detached ADU is a standalone structure — fully separate from your main home — built on the same lot. It has its own foundation, its own entrance, and its own systems. From the outside, it looks like a small house. From a zoning perspective, it's permitted as an accessory dwelling unit.

In Madison and across Dane County, detached ADUs are permitted on most single-family and two-family residential lots — subject to minimum lot size, setbacks, and height requirements. We confirm all of this during your feasibility check.

Check My Property →
Detached ADU exterior
Who Builds Them

The Right ADU for Your Situation

Detached ADUs serve a range of needs. The common thread: homeowners who want maximum flexibility and long-term property value.

🏠
Rental Income
A detached ADU commands the highest rental rates of any ADU type. Long-term or short-term, the privacy of a separate structure justifies premium pricing.
👴
Aging Parent or Adult Child
Close proximity without shared walls. An aging parent can maintain independence while family stays within reach. The privacy factor is significant for both parties.
💼
Guest House + Future Rental
Use it now as a guest suite or home office. The same structure can serve as a rental unit when your needs change — flexibility is built into the asset.
📈
Property Value
A permitted, built-to-code detached ADU adds documented square footage and an income-producing unit to your property. It's one of the strongest value-adds available to residential property owners.
Typical Project Details

What to Expect

Size range300 – 1,000 sq ft (lot-dependent)
Project timeline4 – 6 months start to CO
Typical price rangeStarting in the low-to-mid $100s
FoundationFull perimeter, frost-depth compliant
UtilitiesSeparate metering available
HVACMini-split system, standard
Wisconsin energy codeFully compliant

Size and price vary by lot, municipality, and design. Your feasibility check establishes what's possible on your specific property.

Our Process

How We Get There

01
Feasibility + Design Brief
We confirm your property can support an ADU and define the project scope, size, and budget range.
02
Architectural Design
Floor plan, elevations, and material selections — designed for your lot and your goals.
03
Permitting
We prepare and submit all permit applications. You don't deal with the municipality — we do.
04
Construction
Site work through final finishes. We manage the build and keep you updated throughout.
05
Certificate of Occupancy
Final inspection, CO issuance, and project handoff. Your ADU is ready to use.
Standard Inclusions

Everything Included. No Surprises.

Every detached ADU comes fully equipped — not a shell waiting for your contractor to finish.

Design + Architectural Plans
Full Permitting
Mini-Split HVAC
All Appliances (Packages)
Quartz Countertops
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Slow-Close Cabinetry
French Entry Doors
Lifetime Composition Roof
Ready to Find Out What's Possible?

Start with a Free Feasibility Check

We'll review your address, zoning, and lot — and tell you whether a detached ADU is buildable, how large it can be, and what it'll take to get there.

Get Your Free Feasibility Check →