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DADU Construction in Seattle

A Detached ADU is one of the most consequential investments a Seattle homeowner can make. It is a separate structure, on the same lot as your main home, built to function as an independent dwelling. Rental income, multi-generational living, home office, or guest space. Done right, it is a thirty-year asset. Done wrong, it is six figures of regret.

We design and build DADUs across Seattle with in-house architectural design, structural engineering, SDCI permitting, and construction. One team, one timeline, one point of accountability.

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What $70K Can Create - West Seattle's New Dream Bathroom Remode

Seattle DADU Rules at a Glance

The current Seattle DADU rules, accurate as of 2026.

  • Maximum size 1,000 square feet (interior)
  • Maximum height 24 feet (two-story permitted)
  • Side setback 5 feet minimum
  • Rear setback 5 feet minimum
  • Owner-occupancy Not required
  • Parking requirement None
  • Number per lot Up to 2 ADUs total
  • Pre-approved designs Available through Seattle SDCI
  • Stacked ADUs Permitted in most residential zones

There is no minimum lot size requirement for a DADU if the proposed unit is at least 1,000 square feet. Setbacks are usually the binding constraint, particularly on tighter urban lots in neighborhoods like Ballard, Wallingford, and Beacon Hill. Tree protection ordinances can also shape what is buildable, especially on lots with mature exceptional trees.For the official source, see theSeattle SDCI ADU page

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What Is a DADU?

A Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, commonly called a DADU or a backyard cottage, is a separate residential structure built on the same lot as a primary home. It has its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, and entrance. In Seattle, a DADU can be up to 1,000 square feet, can be one or two stories, and can be rented out as a long-term rental without owner-occupancy requirements.

DADUs are different from attached ADUs (which share a wall with the main home) and from conversions (which repurpose existing garage or basement space). A DADU is a brand-new structure with its own foundation, its own utility hookups, and its own legal address.

In 2026, DADUs are the fastest-growing category of Seattle residential construction. The shift started with Washington State's HB 1337, which removed owner-occupancy requirements statewide, allowed up to two ADUs per residential lot, and prevented cities from capping ADU sizes below 1,000 square feet. Combined with continued Seattle housing demand, the legal landscape now favors DADU construction more than it has in decades.

What $70K Can Create - West Seattle's New Dream Bathroom Remode
Pricing

DADU Pricing in Seattle by Tier

We structure DADU pricing into three clear tiers based on size, finish level, and site complexity. Pricing is all-inclusive: design, engineering, permits, materials, labor, and warranty.

Tier 1, Compact DADU

$300,000 to $400,000

500 to 650 square feet. Single-story. Standard finishes including LVP flooring, stock or semi-custom cabinetry, basic bath fixtures, and a functional kitchen. Designed for flat lots with straightforward utility runs and uncomplicated site access. This is the smallest viable DADU footprint and the entry-point tier for Seattle homeowners building primarily for rental income or compact use.

What Shifts the Cost

Site access difficulty, foundation complexity, and any utility trenching through existing hardscape can push a Tier 1 build toward $400K.

Tier 2, Standard DADU

$400,000 to $500,000

650 to 900 square feet. Often single-story with upgraded finishes, or compact two-story on more constrained lots. Quartz counters, upgraded appliance packages, higher ceilings, better windows, and architectural character that complements the main home. This is the most common DADU tier in Seattle. It hits the balance between size, finish quality, and cost that most homeowners find right.

What Shifts the Cost

Two-story design (more framing and stair work), better appliances, custom tile work, and any structural reinforcement of the existing main home if utility connections require it.

Tier 3, Custom Two-Story DADU

$500,000 to $700,000+

900 to 1,000 square feet. Two-story, premium finishes, custom architecture that matches the main home, and often a challenging site (slope, difficult soil, tight access, or significant tree protection). Custom cabinetry, designer tile, high-end appliances, smart-home features, and integrated lighting design. This is the build for Seattle's premium neighborhoods like Laurelhurst, Madison Park, View Ridge, and Madrona.

What Shifts the Cost

Site engineering for slope or soil, custom architectural detail, high-end finishes throughout, and any complexity in the main home that affects utility tie-ins.

A note on Eastside pricing: Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, and surrounding Eastside cities typically run 15 to 20 percent above the Seattle ranges. Different labor rates, stricter design review, and higher finish expectations.

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Inside Knowledge

The Five Cost Drivers Most Homeowners Miss

Most clients budget for the construction cost and underestimate everything else. Five line items move the budget more than people expect.

01

Soft Costs Eat 20% of the Budget

Seattle permit fees alone run $20,000 to $40,000 on a typical DADU. 2025 saw fees rise an average of 12%, and 2026 numbers will likely follow the same trend. Add architectural drawings, structural engineering, geotech reports on hillside lots, and survey work, and soft costs hit $50,000 to $80,000 before a nail gets driven.

02

King County Sewer Capacity Charge

Building a DADU triggers a King County sewer capacity charge. The total runs $10,000 to $13,000 per unit and bills quarterly over 15 years. It is not part of your construction budget, but it shows up on your property's utility bill from the year your DADU is occupied. Plan for it as part of the long-term math.

03

Site Access Shapes the Price

A 500 sq ft DADU on a flat lot with rear alley access prices very differently from the same 500 sq ft DADU on a sloped lot with a 30-foot side yard and protected trees. Tight access can add $30,000 or more to a build because materials get moved by hand and equipment cannot stage on-site.

04

Pre-Approved Designs Lock the Footprint

Seattle's pre-approved DADU plans can shave 4 to 8 weeks off the permit timeline. The trade-off is that the footprint, layout, and exterior are locked. Custom modifications require re-review, which removes most of the time savings. Pre-approved is right when speed matters; custom is right when the lot requires it.

05

Smaller Costs More Per Square Foot

A 500 square foot DADU does not cost half of a 1,000 square foot DADU. Soft costs are fixed regardless of unit size. Foundation cost per square foot is higher on smaller footprints. Small DADUs run $700 to $800 per square foot while larger DADUs land closer to $550 per square foot.

Flexible Payment Plans in Bellevue

We make home renovations affordable with financing options that fit your budget, from small projects under $100k to major renovations over $100k. Start your project now!

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New Room Addition Contractors Creating Stunning Additions

Home Addition Ideas – Inspiring Ways to Expand Your Space

How We Make Bellevue Remodeling Easy

A Simple, Stress-Free Remodel Journey

We simplify your remodel. With expert general contractors in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Sammamish, Redmond, Bothell
Shoreline, Renton and Issaquah, we ensure every step of the process is easy and stress-free.
small kitchen remodel in Bellevue
1

Request an Initial Consultation

Start with an initial consultation where we discuss your vision and budget. Our team helps with remodel design, ensuring a plan that fits your lifestyle and needs.

2

In person Consultation

Meet our home remodel designers to refine your ideas, select materials, and finalize details. We provide a clear budget estimate and ensure everything aligns with your vision.

3

Pre-construction Agreement

Before building starts, our home reno contractors handle permits, material orders, and project scheduling—ensuring a seamless and efficient start to construction.

4

Construction Phase

From demolition to final finishes, we manage full home remodeling with precision. Regular updates keep you informed, ensuring a smooth, high-quality transformation.

5

Final Walkthrough & Warranty

We review the completed remodels with you, ensuring every detail is perfect. Our work is backed by a 1-year warranty, so you can enjoy your new space with confidence.

Real Feedback, Real Transformations

Our Clients Love Their Home Remodels

Nothing speaks louder than real results. Our clients love the transformations we help bring to life, and their feedback reflects the quality, care, and craftsmanship behind every project. From home remodels to custom builds, see why homeowners trust Brutsky Builds to turn their vision into reality.

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Irina S, on Yelp

Full Bathroom Remodel Project
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Love working with Brutsky Builds kitchen and bathroom remodeling! They take immediate massive action and get things done. They did a lot of pre construction planning so that there was always work going on our project. They completed everything on time and excellent quality.

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Kyla Regan, GOOGLE REVIEWS

Master Bathroom Remodel
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We hired Brutsky Builds to help us build the Primary bathroom of our dreams. We required extensive repairs due to water damage in the space, and Erik's Team tackled it all. They guys replumbed the space, installed a new dedicated hot water heater, installed drywall, a new shower, new tub, new vanity, etc. Our Primary bathroom looks fantastic! Erik's team is professional, knowledgeable, talented, and courteous. They came in when we needed Professional help and worked their magic. We are incredibly pleased and very grateful.

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Sunyoung H, GOOGLE

Small Primary Bathroom Remodel
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We recently finished an amazing master bathroom remodel with Brutsky Builds. Erik, Filip, and his crew are dedicated, professional, and dependable. During the initial planning meeting, they provided a useful tool to help us plan out the remodel and keep the project on track. Filip was a great project manager who provided daily updates with pictures and was super responsive to all my concerns and questions. The paid attention to every detail, ensuring everything was perfect. The entire process was smooth, and the final result is a beautiful and functional space we absolutely love. Don't let their seeming 'youth' fool you-  These guys know what they're doing!  We highly recommend Brutsky Builds for any home renovation projects.

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Vadim P, on Yelp

Kitchen Remodel
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Since we had little experience in construction, we were very hesitant to take on a big full home remodeling project. Especially after hearing so many horror stories from other's. So we were carefully interviewing and choosing a contractor. We chose Erik's team at Brutsky Builds because of their honesty and ease of communication and flexibility we saw. These guys/gals are truly dedicated to excellence and clearly passionate for their work (every member on the team). We had an incredible experience remodeling our home with Brutsky Builds.

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Kelly A, Facebook

Small Bathroom Remodel
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4. Brutsky Builds recently completed our kitchen remodel and they exceeded our expectations.  This is our third remodel on our 1955 mid-century home - first with Brutsky Builds - and this was our easiest and smoothest remodel.
    
The team did a complete demo of our kitchen, taking it down to the studs.  From there, they patched our original wood flooring, tore down a wall and an archway, did new insulation, dry walled, relocated most appliances, shifted our heating vent, hung (heavy) floating shelves, and then did the electrical, plumbing, cabinets, countertops, and tile.
    
All of this was completed in just 30 days.  It was wild.  And it’s GORGEOUS!!  Everything turned out beautiful and we couldn’t be happier.

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Matt B, GOOGLE

Bathroom Remodel
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We had a challenging little project that Brutsky Builds made simple! We had a floating shelf made for between two cabinets in our bathroom, but our previous contractor made errors in the measurements, and it was the wrong size. After we moved on from him, Brutsky was willing to measure and recut the marble and then install it, for a reasonable price. Very pleased.

How We Build

How We Build a Seattle DADU

We work in four phases. DADU timelines run long because each phase has real depth, and being honest about that up front saves disappointment later.

01
2 to 4 WEEKS

Feasibility

Site visit, lot evaluation, setback analysis, utility line locating, tree protection assessment, and preliminary design sketch. Output is a written feasibility report with a fixed-scope cost range. Projects that do not get a green feasibility report get redirected to an alternative path before any money gets committed.

02
3 to 6 MONTHS

Design and Permitting

Architectural design, structural engineering, geotech if the lot requires it, MEP coordination, and SDCI permit submittal. The corrections cycle can extend this phase, particularly on hillside lots. We submit thorough drawing packages from day one to minimize correction rounds.

03
6 to 10 MONTHS

Construction

Site prep and excavation, foundation, framing, weather-in, MEP rough-in, insulation, drywall, finishes, and final inspections. Weather affects this phase more than people expect: Seattle winters slow exterior work. Clients get weekly construction updates with photos and schedule status.

04
2 to 4 WEEKS

Final Inspection, Walkthrough, and Warranty

Final SDCI inspections, certificate of occupancy, walkthrough with the client, punch list completion, and the one-year workmanship warranty period begins.

Total realistic timeline from first feasibility visit to certificate of occupancy: 12 to 20 months. Anyone promising significantly faster is either skipping steps or building a different kind of structure.

FAQs About Home Additions in Bellevue

Please feel free to call. But here are some frequently asked questions we get.

1. How Big Can My Home Addition Be in Bellevue?
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The size of your home remodeling addition in Bellevue depends on factors like lot size, zoning regulations, and existing structures. Generally, home additions must comply with setback requirements, height limits, and lot coverage rules set by the city.

For example:

Lot coverage limits
determine how much of your land can be covered by buildings.

Setback rules require a certain distance between your addition and property lines.

Height restrictions may apply, especially for second-story additions.

Our team of home additions contractors ensures your expansion meets all local codes while maximizing your available space. Need guidance? Let us help you design an addition that fits your needs and follows Bellevue’s regulations!

2. What are the benefits of adding a home addition in Bellevue?
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A home remodeling addition gives you extra space without the hassle of moving. It can increase your home’s value, improve functionality, and create more room for family or rental income. Plus, working with local contractors for home additions ensures the new space blends seamlessly with your existing home.

3. Do I need a permit for a home addition in Bellevue?
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Yes, home additions require permits to ensure they meet Bellevue’s building codes and zoning regulations. The city has specific guidelines on setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, and structural safety that must be followed.

We, home additions contractors, handle the entire permitting process, ensuring your project stays compliant with local regulations. For more details on Bellevue’s zoning laws and permit requirements, you can check:

Bellevue Building Permit Information: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/development/permits
Zoning Regulations & Land Use Code: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/development/codes-and-guidelines
We take care of the paperwork, inspections, and approvals so you don’t have to stress. Let’s get your home addition started the right way!

4. Will a home addition match my existing house?
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Absolutely! Our team ensures your new space integrates seamlessly with your home’s current layout, materials, and architectural style. The goal is to make it look like the addition was always part of your home.

5. How do I choose the right home addition contractor in Bellevue?
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Look for home additions contractors with experience, positive reviews, and a clear process. At Brutsky Builds, we offer transparent pricing, quality craftsmanship, and a stress-free experience, making sure your home addition is built on time and within budget.

Need More Space? A Home Addition is the Answer!

Get DADU Feasibility for Your Lot

A DADU is too consequential a project to start without knowing whether your lot can actually support one. We will visit your property, evaluate setbacks against your goals, locate existing utilities, assess tree protection and site access, and give you a written feasibility report before you commit a dollar to design.

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Email: hello@brutskybuilds.com
Phone: (206) 316-9937
Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 24/7

Brutsky Builds LLC
Contractor License #: BRUTSBL783ON
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