Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Detached accessory dwelling units built to Florida Building Code, from foundation and framing to mechanical, plumbing and electrical rough-in.

Overview

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) done right the first time

An accessory dwelling unit adds independent living space to a property — for family, rental income or a home office — and it is a full structure from the ground up. Brothers Remodelers builds detached ADUs under one Florida Certified General Contractor license, managing zoning, engineering, foundation, framing, mechanical, plumbing and electrical so the unit is permitted, inspected and move-in ready.

At a glance

Typical timeline: A detached ADU typically takes several months from permit approval to closeout.
Permits required: Building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits, often with zoning review.
Main cost drivers: Zoning and setbacks, foundation and structure, size and layout, rough-in, utility connections.
Warranty: Two-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer coverage on installed products.

What is included

Zoning and setback analysis
Foundation and slab work engineered to Florida code
Concrete block and engineered framing to wind code
Roof, windows and exterior finishes
Mechanical, plumbing and electrical rough-in
Permit and inspection coordination

Service options & benefits

Detached ADUs: A standalone backyard cottage is the most common ADU. It is a full structure with its own foundation, roof and mechanical systems.
Attached ADUs: An ADU attached to the main home shares a wall and may share mechanical systems, which affects zoning and permitting.
Garage conversions: Converting an existing garage into living space is often the lowest-cost ADU, but it still requires permits, insulation, egress and mechanical work to code.
Custom layouts: A studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom layout is designed around the lot, setbacks and how the space will be used.

Our accessory dwelling units (adus) process

Step 01
Feasibility & estimate
We confirm zoning, setbacks and utility access, and return a line-item proposal for the full structure.
Step 02
Permits & engineering
We file the building permit with engineered foundation and framing drawings, plus plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits.
Step 03
Foundation & framing
Footings and slab are poured to the engineer’s drawings, then block or framed walls are raised to wind code.
Step 04
Envelope & rough-in
Roof, windows and exterior finishes close the envelope, and plumbing, electrical and HVAC are roughed in.
Step 05
Finish & closeout
Insulation, drywall, finishes and fixtures close the unit out, and final inspections are scheduled.

Florida considerations

Building in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region comes with conditions that affect scope, cost and permitting. These are the issues that most often affect accessory dwelling units (adus) projects here.

Zoning and setbacks

Whether an ADU is allowed, and how large it can be, depends on local zoning. We run a zoning analysis for your address before you commit to a scope.

Wind code and structure

A detached ADU is a new structure built to Florida wind-load requirements, with engineered foundation, framing and tie-downs.

Utility connections

An ADU needs water, sewer or septic, electrical and mechanical service. Extending or upgrading those utilities is part of the scope and the estimate.

What affects the cost of accessory dwelling units (adus)

Every estimate is built from the same line items. Knowing what drives them helps you compare bids fairly and decide where to invest.

Zoning and setbacks: Whether an ADU is allowed, and how large it can be, depends on local zoning. We run a zoning analysis for your address before you commit to a scope, so you do not design something that cannot be permitted.
Foundation and structure: A detached ADU is a new structure built to Florida wind-load requirements, with an engineered foundation, framing and tie-downs. Soil conditions and flood-zone elevation affect the foundation design and cost.
Size and layout: A studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom layout scales the cost. More finished square footage means more framing, insulation, drywall, flooring and finish.
Mechanical, plumbing and electrical rough-in: An ADU needs its own HVAC, plumbing and electrical service. Each system is roughed in by licensed subcontractors and inspected, and the scope is priced from the engineered drawings.
Utility connections: Water, sewer or septic, electrical and mechanical service must be extended or upgraded to serve the unit. Utility upgrades are part of the scope and the estimate, priced up front.
Permits and inspections: An ADU requires a building permit plus plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits, and often a zoning review. Fees vary by city and county and are part of the written estimate.

After a walkthrough and scope conversation, we return a written line-item proposal — usually within five business days. Allowances for owner-selected finishes are stated plainly, and payments follow completed milestones. See how owners fund projects on our financing page.

Permits and inspections

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) work in Florida is governed by the Florida Building Code. If you live inside city limits — Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Bradenton — the permit runs through the city’s building department. In unincorporated areas it goes through the county. Each department sets its own review times and inspection windows, which is why we file early and order long-lead materials during pre-construction.

We schedule every required inspection and keep the records in your closeout package, alongside sign-offs and warranty documents. Read more about our licensing, insurance and site safety standards.

How to choose a accessory dwelling units (adus) contractor

The contractor you hire matters more than any single finish. Before signing, confirm the following:

Verify the license. A Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC) number can be confirmed through the state DBPR online license check. Ours is CGC1535875.
Ask for certificates of insurance. General liability and workers' compensation should be sent directly to your HOA, lender or landlord — not handed over as a photocopy.
Require a line-item proposal. Fixed pricing with stated allowances lets you compare bids on equal terms and exposes where money is hidden in a single lump sum.
Confirm who supervises the site. A dedicated superintendent on site — not a project manager juggling ten jobs by phone — is what keeps a project on schedule.
Get the warranty in writing. Workmanship coverage and manufacturer warranties should be documented in a closeout package at handover, not promised verbally.

See completed work in our project gallery, or read what other owners say on our reviews page.

Why homeowners hire Brothers Remodelers

Licensed & insured

FL CGC Lic. #CGC1535875 · Fully licensed & insured. Certificates issued to your HOA or lender on request.

Permitted & inspected

Full permit set and inspections, from zoning review through final sign-off.

On-schedule builds

A live schedule and weekly photo updates from a dedicated site superintendent.

Two-year warranty

Workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties, documented at closeout.

Cities we serve

We provide accessory dwelling units (adus) for homeowners and property owners across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region. Select a county below to see the communities we serve, or browse the full Areas We Serve page.

Hillsborough County Pinellas County Pasco County Sarasota County Manatee County

Related services

Home Additions General Contracting Plumbing HVAC

Questions we get asked

What is an ADU?

An accessory dwelling unit is a secondary, self-contained living space on the same lot as a main home. It can be detached, attached or a garage conversion.

Can I build an ADU on my property?

It depends on local zoning, lot size, setbacks and utility access. We run a zoning analysis for your address before you commit to a scope.

Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Florida?

Yes, an ADU requires a building permit plus plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits, and often a zoning review. We handle the filings and inspections.

How long does an ADU take to build?

A detached ADU typically takes several months from permit approval to closeout, depending on size, scope and inspections. We give you a written schedule.

Can a garage be converted into an ADU?

Often yes, and it is usually the lowest-cost path. A garage conversion still requires permits, insulation, egress, windows and mechanical work to code.

Do you handle the utilities?

Yes. Water, sewer or septic, electrical and mechanical connections are part of the scope, and any upgrade is priced up front.

Plan your accessory dwelling units (adus) project

Ready to move forward? The fastest path is a free site walkthrough — we measure, confirm scope and return a written line-item proposal within five business days. Request a free quote or contact our office directly.

Where we work

We provide accessory dwelling units (adus) across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Sarasota and Bradenton. See the full list on our areas we serve page.

Get an Estimate

Request a free, no-obligation line-item proposal for your accessory dwelling units (adus) project within five business days.