Last updated on May 28th, 2024 at 03:01 pm
Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs offer a simple solution to families wanting to live close by while maintaining privacy. Homeowners typically build these for the elderly or grown-up family members; alternatively, they move into the smaller dwelling and give the main building to children with growing families. Others build ADUs as an extra source of income, renting out the ADU or the larger home and living in the other.
In the past, local ordinances and laws made it difficult for people to build ADUs (and some still do). However, the housing shortage in some areas has put pressure on local governments to allow homeowners to expand their living facilities without further land development. This is to encourage the efficient use of the existing housing as well as create affordable accommodations within communities. This alternative type of housing is becoming more popular by the day, and it’s only apt that licensed and trained professionals work on this particular project type to ensure compliance with increasing ADU building laws for a successful project.
Our team has compiled and evaluated the top ADU builders across the U.S. based on a variety of criteria. We looked at factors like experience, mastery of the trade, and industry accreditations and certifications. We also considered awards and press features as well as other recognitions the firm has received in the course of its business. The result is a list of the best builders with the necessary training, experience, and talent to build and seamlessly integrate ADUs into existing properties.
If you are thinking about building an accessory dwelling unit, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Acton ADU
808 E McGlincy Ln., Campbell, CA 95008
Veteran builder Stan Acton founded Acton Construction over three decades ago. Acton established the design-build company because of his enthusiasm for creating functional, lasting, and beautiful homes. The firm thrived through established processes and by utilizing diverse expertise to provide clients with certainty, transparency, and value. As a passionate ADU advocate, Acton took a leap towards helping alleviate the California housing crisis by specializing and focusing solely on navigating regulations and designing and building ADUs—enter Acton ADU.
Acton ADU was built on the 30-year legacy of Acton Construction, pursuing the design-build company’s commitment to helping homeowners create lasting, long-term housing to keep family close, earn passive income, and ultimately grow their communities. Based in Campbell, Acton ADU builds across 20 cities and jurisdictions in the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley. The company specializes in designing, navigating, and building personalized ADUs with no hidden fees or labor costs, its end-to-end approach helping streamline the process and eliminate surprises. Recently, Acton ADU has Build Ready options with interior packages for homeowners, 3 of which have been pre-approved by the San Jose Building Department. Fully curated by their own interior design team, it allows homeowners to save time and money.
The MacLeod-Daniels family initially wanted a detached garage for safe storage and future tinkering in their Naglee Park residence. They later opted for an in-law studio, realizing that they could rent out the space to a professor or student from San Jose State. Acton ADU’s objective was to help the family realize a long-term solution by designing and building a structure that serves as both storage and dwelling space. The resulting structure features durable, low-maintenance, and wide-audience appeal interior design; quiet appliances to maximize comfort in a small space; a skylight and windows above eye level for more light and privacy; as well as full amenities including a four-burner stove, a dishwasher, and a full-sized washer and dryer.
Blackline Renovations
5210 McKinney Ave. Suite #200, Dallas, TX 75205
Blackline Renovations has been providing Dallas homeowners with streamlined home remodeling services for almost two decades. It offers primarily additions as well as kitchen, bathroom, garage, and whole-house remodels. Focusing exclusively on residential projects allows the team to hone in on the primary needs of homeowners and, at the same time, continuously refine and improve their practice. The results speak for themselves—the firm has won two Contractor of the Year Awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), among other accolades. Blackline Renovations’ work was also featured in ProRemodeling and Remodeling Magazine, serving as testaments to the team’s skills and competency in construction.
Blackline Renovations founder and president Chris Black handled several commercial construction projects before setting up the firm, which helped him gain valuable experience in the building industry. His certifications as a remodeler and a green professional underline the firm’s reliability and respect for the environment. As a result, former clients regularly commend the firm’s craftsmanship and stunning spaces.
A homeowner had purchased a home for his daughters; one would get the main house and the other would have the detached garage with an apartment. They hired Blackline Renovations to spruce up the detached dwelling—the team took out one of the car bays to allow for an expanded apartment with more storage as well as an attic. The window air conditioning units were also replaced with a full split-type system and a kitchenette was added adjacent to the new bed, bath, and closet area.
Camelot Custom Homes
12400 Hwy. 71 West Suite #350-404, Austin, TX 78738
Camelot Custom Homes has been embellishing the Texas landscape with visually-striking structures and spaces since 2004. The company’s expertise lies in new home construction and large-scale remodeling projects. The firm is led by Paul Streeter, who brings over four decades of building knowledge and craftsmanship to every building venture. Past clients and industry professionals alike vouch for Streeter’s proficiency in budget management, customer service, quality control, and communication.
Homes crafted by the firm reflect a deep-rooted passion and enthusiasm for fine building. For instance, Camelot Custom Homes was hired in 2016 to incorporate a series of additions to a traditional home in the Castle Hill neighborhood of Austin. The project scope included a large carport with ample storage; a two-level screened-in porch near the pool, a staircase leading to a new rooftop deck, and a brand new multi-level casita on the back corner of the property.
Canyon Design Build
3630 Park Blvd., Oakland, CA 94610
Canyon Design Build has developed a reputation for integrity, remarkable teamwork, and exceptional building solutions since 1966. The firm has worked on over 600 residential remodeling projects, bringing to each a passion for creating beauty, utility, and value. The company’s specialties lie in kitchen and bath remodels, room additions, and whole home remodels, but its scope of work also extends to green remodeling, ADU building, basement conversions, seismic retrofits, modular home installations, and site work development.
The firm constantly keeps an eye on progressive technologies, sustainable building practices, and new materials. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Canyon’s designers and contractors are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED-accredited and Certified Green Building Professionals. This expertise has allowed the firm to blaze green trails throughout the years. In 1961, Canyon built its first sod-roof, recycled-content home. The team also submitted the first recycling plan for a remodel project that used recycled materials and appliances. The firm’s design work was featured in Metropolitan Home for receiving the highest LEED Platinum rating in the country for an existing residential building. Another crown achievement of the team is a LEED Platinum Certified historic restoration in Moraga, which is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the country.
The firm built an ADU in the rear yard of a home in the hills of Moraga. The project consisted of multiple retaining walls, a large koi pond, and an art studio. The building was strategically situated to provide the artist with the best north-facing light, while also allowing them to take meditative walks around the koi pond.
Clarkbuilt, Inc.
1129 SE Market St., Portland, OR 97214
Over the years, Clarkbuilt has honed its expertise in early 20th century residential remodeling and carpentry. The full-service construction company touts proficiency in energy-efficiency and green building practices, seismic upgrades, foundations, remodels and additions, architecture and drafting, permits and inspections, and installations. With its own cabinet shop, the firm also builds and installs cabinetry and custom pieces. Whether a project involves adjusting a squeaking front door or lifting a house to replace the foundation, there is nothing too minor or complex for the company’s staff of skilled and dedicated craftspeople.
Clarkbuilt took the existing 650-square-foot pool house of a Southwest Portland property and turned it into a one-bedroom ADU when the homeowners hired the firm to refurbish the more than 80-year-old space. The team filled in the indoor pool and transformed the structure into a new, energy-efficient, one-bedroom apartment. Key features of the project include radiant floor heating throughout, cork floors, reframed vaulted ceilings, custom cabinetry and built-in units, new clad Marvin windows and doors, and ductless mini-split heating and cooling.
Connect Homes
706 S Hill St. Suite #1060, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Connect Homes was formed by Jared Levy and Gordon Stott to provide affordable design and building alternatives for homeowners in Los Angeles County. Before founding the company, Levy and Stott worked for a renowned architect-led design-build firm, Marmol Radziner Prefab. While there, Levy served as director of architectural services and the two principals won several national design awards. Their homes were also published in numerous magazines such as Dwell, Builder, Newsweek, Time, GQ, and Architectural Digest (a first-ever for a prefabricated house). However, years in practice have opened Levy and Stott’s eyes to the problems within the prefab industry, particularly in the modern design segment that they were part of. They then set out to find a better building solution.
Levy and Stott then spent two years developing and patenting their own modular system. Typical prefab systems complete only 55% of the house in the factory, while the system they developed completes 90%—this results in significantly reduced delivery costs. This system and the resulting Connect Homes houses reflect the firm’s central tenets of simplicity, smartness, and efficiency.
Copper Sky Renovations
1155 Zonolite Rd. Suite A2, Atlanta, GA 30306
In each project, Copper Sky Renovations takes an approach that is part renovation and part restoration. The firm offers an amalgamation of two distinctly different worlds, preserving authentic architectural details while adding space, function, and utility. Since 2003, Copper Sky has been reviving and reinventing homes throughout Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods. The firm offers a slew of design-build solutions, specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and whole house renovations.
The team’s strong eye for thoughtful designs and layouts, meticulous planning, and uncompromising attention to detail has allowed Copper Sky to earn numerous recognitions. The firm has won a handful of OBIE Awards for remodeling and historic preservations and was named Remodeler of the Year in 2018 and 2019 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA).
One of the firm’s OBIE Awards in 2018 was for an Oakhurst ADU, which took second place in the Best Specialty Room category. The dwelling features an industrial glass door flanked by two tall windows with similar horizontal panes. The wide entryway ushers in sunlight and views of nature, integrating the outdoors to the indoors. Meanwhile, the interior looks spacious with bright white walls and large, light gray tile flooring. Elements like window and door trims were kept minimal and flush to the walls, which also make the space appear larger than it is. The project showcased the firm’s broad repertoire of design skills—the homestyle was unexpectedly modern and industrial for Coppery Sky’s reputation as a historic home remodeler with a knack for Craftsman, Mid-Century modern, and Victorian-style remodels.
Cover Technologies Inc.
1219 W 135th St., Gardena, CA 90247
Despite being a young firm, Cover Technologies has made its mark in Los Angeles for designing and building quality custom homes. The technology company brings cross-disciplinary expertise from the fields of design, architecture, software engineering, computational physics, automotive manufacturing, and professional services—this diverse proficiency enables the company to build impressive structures and spaces. Prior to working as Cover Technologies, the team helped build homes from modest studios to $120 million mansions. Now, the firm designs, permits, manufactures, and installs impressive backyard homes in the city, guaranteeing a completely personal design, streamlined process, and fixed-price contract.
The team handles zoning research, design, permitting, manufacturing, project management, and installation in each project. In fact, Cover’s fixed-price guarantee is all-inclusive, encompassing fees for the design, permitting, unit, foundation and utility hookups, plumbing, electrical, Wolf Sub-Zero appliances, and all fixtures and finishes. Additionally, Cover homes are built to blend with the environment and to have minimal impact on it. The team designed an energy-efficient minimalist window system, and uses structural foam insulation and a hydronic heating and cooling system to regulate a home’s climate at a low cost.
Graham Builders
1144 Young St., Honolulu, HI 96814
Graham Builders has been helping reinvigorate the Oahu landscape with its ingenious design-build solutions since 1990. The award-winning firm touts extensive expertise in the construction of multigenerational, extended-family, aging-in-place, and single-family structures and spaces. It’s the first contractor in Hawaii to have a National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) on staff. What also sets Graham Builders apart is it provides clients with a written warranty and maintenance handbook, ensuring that their homes were built with the highest standards and helping them to keep their homes looking good and functioning well for years.
Each Graham project reflects the same level of care and supervision by a skilled team of architectural designers, coordinators, estimators, and project managers. Thanks to this dedication to client satisfaction, the firm has won a handful of awards, including Hawaii Home+Remodeling Magazine’s People’s Choice Award for Multigenerational Home Builder in 2018.
Nestled in a quiet rural part of Oahu, the featured 800-square-foot ADU provides a second home for a homeowner and his daughter. Graham Builders collaborated with the client to design and build an ADU with two bedrooms—one with a walk-in closet—and a large kitchen with ample storage. The structure also features a sliding door that allows easy yard access for their family dog.
Hammer & Hand
1501 E Madison St. Suite #250, Seattle, WA 98122
Established in 1995 by Sam Hagerman and Daniel Thomas, Hammer and Hand began as a remodeler of historic homes in Portland. The firm later branched out to constructing new homes and commercial properties, as well as executing traditional and modern designs by the top architectural firms in Portland and Seattle.
The firm’s methods reflect a collaborative process between the architect, general contractor, and client in designing and building spaces. Unlike the single-source design-build model, wherein a builder has complete authority over a project, the firm’s approach is to partner with independent architects in an open process that provides clients with two advocates instead of just one. This allows each party to champion priorities that will lead to the success of a project. For instance, in this Westwood ADU project, Hammer and Hand concretized a design by Polyphon Architecture & Design and Introspecs. The teams matched the detached dwelling to the existing 1927 home, embellishing the structure with 88 hand-cut rafter tails and a modern interior with vaulted ceilings.
HDR Remodeling
2952 Sacramento St., Berkeley, CA 94702
HDR Remodeling is a design-build remodeling firm that has been serving the Greater East Bay Area for more than 30 years. The company was initially a handyman service named Honey Do Repair. As many clients vouched for and continued to recommend the firm’s building expertise, the firm later transitioned to full-service residential design, construction, and remodeling. HDR Remodeling has since been increasing the beauty and value of homes in the region through kitchen and bath remodels, additions, garage and basement conversions, and whole house renovations.
Over the years, the firm has amassed a multitude of remodeling awards. The most recent include the 2019 NARI Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award for Residential Detached Structure and a 2019 Chrysalis Award. These recognitions speak of the team’s dedication to client satisfaction and its home improvement expertise.
Clients called on the firm to turn an old garage into a beautiful Berkeley guest cottage. The originally cramped space was repurposed into a habitable space with a bedroom, bath, and extra storage. The team achieved this with necessary permitting, which allowed the added square footage to dramatically increase the home’s resale value.
Irons Brothers Construction
1510 NE 170th St. Suite #2, Shoreline, WA 98155
Since 1999, North Seattle homeowners have entrusted Irons Brothers Construction with their unique design-build projects. The nationally-acclaimed remodeling contractor has developed expertise in diverse building ventures ranging from kitchen and bath remodels to whole home renovations and additions, completing approximately 30 to 50 projects yearly.
In addition to remodels and renovations, the firm touts proficiency in aging-in-place, universal design, and retail projects. It also has experience working on full exterior renovations, dormers, carport and garage additions, and ADUs. What’s great is all of the firm’s projects are reflective of its high standards of quality and customer service.
The Irons Brothers team is equipped with the resources, knowledge, and experience necessary to assist clients through all phases of a remodeling project. From planning to completion, the team ensures efficiency and safety at the worksite as well as effective communication and follow-through.
J.A.S. Design-Build
3600 Wallingford Ave. N Seattle, WA 98103
Creativity, efficiency, and integrity are central to what J.A.S. Design-Build is and what the firm does. This team of skilled craftspeople, architects, designers, and project managers collaborates with clients to develop and build projects that suit their needs and exude beauty and creativity. With 80 employees, the firm staffs and supports an in-house design department, a custom cabinet shop, a general contracting group, and a number of interior designers.
J.A.S. Design-Build strives to unite the service and attention of a small company with the efficiency and strengths of a large firm. Its portfolio features diverse project types, including new homes, remodels, exteriors, additions, and ADUs. It has transformed numerous kitchens, bathrooms, and basements and integrated durable and beautiful built-ins and cabinetry, custom furniture, and interior furnishings into homes throughout Seattle.
The home pictured above is just among the firm’s compact yet comfy builds. This little house on the alley features a bike garage and garden connection and offers the homeowners flexible functions.
Levi Design Build
21118 Vanowen St., Canoga Park, CA 91303
Tel: 818-703-0232
Levi Design Build has been addressing the construction needs of homeowners throughout Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley since 1999. The full-service design-build company’s areas of expertise include ADUs, garage conversions, and home additions, bringing exemplary skill and professional knowledge to every project. This expertise accounts for the firm’s many successful projects and the company’s remarkable growth.
The firm offers detached, attached, and internal ADUs as well as garage conversions. Prior to starting an ADU project, the Levi Design Build team provides clients with a free consultation and guides them through permits and regulations. If a client decides to hire the firm for the design and planning stage, the team will then design floor plans and 3D renderings followed by architectural and structural plans, and it takes care of submitting the plans for city approval. The firm also offers ADU construction consulting and supervision services, including demolition, foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, roofing, finish installation, and more.
Levi Design Build takes on a comprehensive, streamlined construction approach, providing clients with a dedicated team of designers, permit expediters, and builders. The team manages and implements all design and build aspects, including budgeting, design, issuing plans, city approval and permits, and the actual construction. For more information on Levi Design Building, you can visit their website here.
Marrokal Design & Remodeling
9474 Kearny Villa Rd. Suite #205, San Diego, CA 92126
Gary Marrokal founded Marrokal Design and Remodeling nearly 40 years ago, driven by his passion for reinvigorating homes with integrity, quality, and exceptional service. The firm provides San Diego homeowners with premier remodeling solutions ranging from whole-house remodels and room additions to aging-in-place and extended family-living upgrades.
The design-build team has helped clients realize the full potential of their homes through its creative designs and a level of commitment, which has led to numerous awards and positive media attention over the years. These include Professional Remodeler Market Leader Awards, NARI CotY Awards, Chrysalis Awards for Design Excellence, Master Design Awards, and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Design Excellence Awards. In addition to these recognitions, the firm takes pride in its many positive client testimonials.
The Marrokal team finds the best solutions and resources to creatively enhance rooms and add square footage to the homes it builds. The company monitors the entire project and obtains the necessary permits to ensure that projects aren’t delayed, fined, or issued a stop order.
Metzler Home Builders
1172 Penn Grant Rd., Lancaster, PA 17602
Serving Lancaster and the surrounding communities since 1953, Metzler Home Builders has developed the skills and experience necessary to be recognized as one of the premier design-build companies in the area. The firm works on all types of residences from comfortable cottages to magnificent mansions, having designed and built hundreds of new homes and completed even more addition and renovation projects. The company has developed a reputation for ensuring efficient project management and open communication. The numerous awards and recognitions Metzler has received over the years serve as testaments to the team’s dedication to the craft and its clients.
The company was founded in 1953 by Abe Meltzer, who was a carpenter for over 20 years. He initially worked on home and barn remodeling projects for farmers in the area before taking on a home building project with his son, Roy. This project was the genesis of Metzler Home Builders.
Taking a cue from his father, Roy, Dan Metzler likewise grew up in the family business. He followed suit, adhering to the same qualities Roy learned from his father. Dan has been a partner since 1978, and he and his wife Janet have successfully handled the business affairs since 1988. Twenty-three years later, Dan and Janet’s son, Jordan, joined the Metzler team and is now the fourth generation to keep the family business running.
Modative
8757 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Modative has been dedicated to designing and building attainable residences in Los Angeles for almost a decade and a half. In helping create over 300 small-lot subdivision homes since 2006, the firm has learned the ins and outs of designing, permitting, and building residential units in small spaces across the city. Today, the firm utilizes that expertise and a single-stop approach to developing ADUs—initially founded as an architecture firm, Modative is now a design-build practice specializing in building detached, ground-up ADUs and garage conversions.
The Modative team handles all aspects of the construction process, including architecture, engineering, permit processing, construction, finish and fixture options, and financing partnerships. It offers pre-designed floor plans, with compact footprints to fit in most backyards while having full-sized kitchen appliances and stacked washers and dryers. These are also designed with unique vaulted bedroom ceilings and plentiful natural light. Clients can also customize their own ADU through the firm’s selection of finishes and fixtures.
Neil Kelly
5959 Corson Ave. Suite B, Seattle, WA 98108
Since 1947, Neil Kelly has been dedicated to enhancing the form and function of Northwest homes and communities. Over the years, the company has built a reputation for award-winning design, outstanding craftsmanship, impressive service, and consistently satisfied clients. It’s the largest residential remodeling contractor in the Pacific Northwest, with design centers in Seattle, Washington, Portland, Eugene, and Bend, Oregon.
Neil Kelly’s comprehensive design-build experience makes it a pioneer in the industry, and the firm continues to lead the way by incorporating green design and remodeling elements in all of its practices. In fact, the firm touts LEED-accredited designers and it was the first to use formaldehyde-free cabinets. Additionally, Neil Kelly is a certified B Corporation, which means that it regularly employs sustainability efforts to protect the planet.
Homeowners look to the firm for its roster of services, which includes design-build remodeling, exterior remodeling, custom homes. ADUs, handyman services, home performance, and solar energy solutions. Neil Kelly certainly delivers, thanks to its expert who have the knowledge and experience to help clients navigate all of the requirements, options, and possibilities according to their property, budget, and intended use.
Rainbow Valley Design and Construction
785 Grant St., Eugene, OR 97402
With over four decades of design-build experience, Rainbow Valley Design and Construction has proven to be one of the most accomplished builders in Oregon. The firm’s portfolio features one-of-a-kind kitchens, baths, new homes, outdoor spaces, remodels, and small cottages that add to the richness and splendor of a natural landscape. The company is heavily dedicated to sustainable building solutions and ensuring that being healthy, socially responsible, and accountable to the environment are among its top priorities.
The Rainbow Valley team is in the business of bringing together unique craftsmanship and easy working relationships in every construction endeavor. Additionally, it designs and builds for the long haul—the company offers a five-year warranty for all the work it performs.
What past clients find great about working with the Rainbow Valley team is that they’re regularly informed of their project’s progress. The firm utilizes a web-based program to manage a project, providing clients access to timely updates regarding schedules, construction costs, and material selection choices, as well as answers to specific questions. This information hub is just one example of how the Rainbow Valley team values clear, open, and timely communications.
ReCraft Home
3519 NE 15th Ave. Suite #463, Portland, OR 97212
After earning a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Denver, Mike Andreyuk leveraged his education to a pioneering a green building non-profit organization in Atlanta. Here, he was familiarized with the myriad functions of houses and how they balance between form and function. Since 2001, Andreyuk has dedicated his time and efforts to rehabilitating Portland homes by honing in on solid planning and sound maintenance.
Over the last years, ReCraft Home has helped clients realize their dream homes through a simple process—the firm listens and then creates. Along the way, the team brings up anything that it thinks can help improve a project as well as recommends the most appropriate green building practices and products. Although kitchens, bathrooms, and basements are among the firm’s most popular home improvements, ReCraft Home is capable of offering endless remodeling solutions. From building a dormer to house a master bedroom and bath, to creating an ADU that can be rented out for additional income, the team has the necessary expertise and resources to handle all sorts of construction projects.
Santa Cruz Green Builders
303 Potrero St. Suite #45-105, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Specializing in sustainable design and building, Santa Cruz Green Builders’s mission is to create healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally sound, and long-lasting homes and workplaces in the region. The firm is proficient in a variety of construction projects, which include new homes, commercial buildings, restaurants, ADUs, whole house remodels, kitchen remodels, and solar energy solutions. What’s more, the firm has a talented crew that performs many trades in-house and a team of regular, reliable subcontractors. This allows the company to maintain the finest quality in products and workmanship as well as control overschedule and prices.
The design-build company is firmly committed to green building practices, beginning each project with a smart design and using sustainable and non-toxic materials. Santa Cruz Green Builders also strives to maximize energy and water efficiency as well as build structures and spaces that last for generations. The featured ADU is a testament to this dedication. This modern dwelling is technically an ADU at 1,200 square feet—however, it has two bedrooms, two baths, an office and office nook, a living-dining-kitchen area, a large deck, and 300-square-foot artist studio. Building this structure has saved the homeowners a huge amount of resources during the construction phase as well as ongoing energy resources over the life of the ADU.
SnapADU
Yucca Rd. Oceanside, CA, 92054, USA
SnapADU is the largest design-build contractor in Greater San Diego that specializes in accessory dwelling units. With a background in high-end custom homes and renovation, SnapADU offers competitively priced standard and custom plans. The company handles design and permitting in-house, which has a distinct advantage in accountability and predictability of the project cost.
As a design-build general contractor, SnapADU is responsible for ensuring a project is completed within budget. ADU plans have been created with “value engineering” in mind, which includes making design decisions that balance style with building cost implications.
SnapADU has been recognized nationally for its industry-leading adoption of technology to ensure smoother and more efficient job processes. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has accredited the firm, and SnapADU has also won awards for design from the ADU Coalition.
Straight Line Design & Remodeling
9645 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy., Beaverton, OR 97005
Straight Line Design and Remodeling provides residential design and construction solutions that increase the value and structural integrity of its client’s homes. The firm achieves these quality spaces through careful craftsmanship, thoughtful design, proper material selection, and outstanding customer service. By operating on the tenets of honesty and integrity, the Straight Line team manages to meet and exceed client expectations in each project it undertakes. The firm’s specialties lie in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and ADUs, as well as decks, fences, patios, and outdoor living areas.
The firm is backed by its owner’s extensive trade experience. Matt Williams has attended countless technical trade classes throughout high school and college and graduated from Portland Community College with an AAS in Building Construction Technology, an AAS in Construction Management, and an AAS in Design, Build, and Remodeling. After graduating, Williams worked as a lead carpenter, handling high-end building and remodeling projects on kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and interiors. He is also an EPA Lead Certified Renovator, and an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD).
The firm’s creative expertise is evident in the featured project. The homeowners were looking to build an ADU in their backyard to use as a short-term rental. Key design elements of the dwelling include a spiral staircase leading up to the loft bedroom as well as vaulted ceilings. The design was done with local Pacific Northwest aesthetics in mind, including green exterior paint and a mixture of woodgrain and metal fixtures for the interior.
Sullivan Building & Design Group
431 Deep Run Road, Perkasie, PA 18944
Sullivan Building and Design Group provides homeowners in the Delaware Valley with the finest quality design and construction services. The firm’s expertise lies in creating custom and energy-efficient homes, additions and remodeling, and custom woodwork. In the past four decades, its team of skilled designers and craftspeople has built homes of all shapes and sizes, demonstrating thorough knowledge of and expertise in various trades. As a result, many of the firm’s works have been praised by homeowners and recognized with awards by industry organizations such as NARI and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).
The Black Walnut Farm Guest House pictured above is a small, private outbuilding on an estate property. Sullivan transformed the structure into a luxury guest cottage complete with an eat-in kitchen, a spacious living room, and a cozy master bedroom suite. In this project, the homeowners wanted to preserve the authenticity of the existing building through the seamless addition of a kitchen and second-floor dormers. The firm did so, and also incorporated built-in shelving around the mantle, cabinets and storage under eaves, drawers into the staircase, and a built-in desk under the stairs.
TraVek, Inc.
15575 N 83rd Way Suite A4, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
TraVek, Inc. is a residential design-build company whose areas of expertise lie in kitchen and bath remodeling, additions, guest houses, casitas, and elderly living space. The company is comprised of a team of professionals with diverse construction expertise, touting NARI and NKBA-certified members as well as Certified Aging In Place Specialists. This combined expertise provides the company with a solid understanding of the various aspects involved in designing and building spaces to meet diverse and disparate needs and requirements. Together, they make a conscious effort to ensure that TraVek offers the best remodeling experience in the Valley.
The casita pictured above was originally a workspace for the homeowner. It had more than ample room for just her work, so she wanted the space to be converted into one that would provide more use. TraVek addressed this by turning the building into a livable space—the team incorporated a kitchenette as well as a bedroom with pocket doors and pony walls to let in more light. The team also expanded the patio doors and completely remodeled the bathroom. TraVek also painted the exterior of the casita with vibrant colors that stand out in the Arizona desert.
White Crane Design:Build
5001 28th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Award-winning Minneapolis firm White Crane Design:Build has specialized in residential remodeling since 2002. The company is comprised of a diverse team of industry experts who value comprehensive design, superior craftsmanship, and commitment to client satisfaction. Each of White Crane’s designers, project managers, carpenters, and trade partners is devoted to being helpful, caring, supportive, responsive, and accountable to its clients. This dedication has given rise to meaningful living spaces that bring function, comfort, and harmony.
White Crane has earned several accolades for its unique design-build solutions and quality service. In 2018, the company was among Remodeling Magazine’s Remodeling 550, which is a list of the nation’s biggest full-service remodelers by revenue.
The team’s enthusiasm for thorough problem-solving is evident in how it approached the featured project, which involved the creation of an ADU above a new garage. White Crane collaborated with homeowners to add a loft-style space above a standard size two-car garage. The resulting dwelling balances cost, aesthetics, maintenance, and value, touting an open-concept plan as well as a kitchen, a three-quarter bath, and a laundry area.
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building an accessory dwelling unit, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
