seattle backyard cottage blog

Backyard cottages (DADUs) provide opportunities for families, while increasing housing stock density and diversity. Continue reading for more information about Seattle's backyard cottage ordinance or contact us to find out if your lot is eligible for a backyard cottage..

Tuesday, February 6

DADU builder's open house - Tuesday February 6th

 

dadu, adu, microhouse, dadu open house, build a DADU

JOIN US FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW A NEARLY COMPLETED DADU. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 6TH 4-5 PM.

Would you like to see a DADU before all of the fancy finish work is done? Join microhouse and DADU builders for a limited time this Tuesday to walk through a cousin of a DADU completed last spring which sold for $930,000. We will have another open house when the DADU is completed and fully staged.

Email us for the address and details. Or contact us through our contact page and get added to our open house invite list.

Thursday, December 7

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO BUILD A BACKYARD COTTAGE IN SEATTLE IN 2024?

SEATTLE DADU


CONSTRUCTION COST TRENDS

Construction costs remain relatively flat in the third quarter of 2023. An analysis from Mortensen Construction* found that construction costs increased 2.7% over the last year in Seattle and 2.3% nationally. This is a welcome departure from the double digit cost increases over the last number of years. The study shows a cumulative 193% increase in construction cost from 2009, which coincidentally, is the year that DADUs were first legalized throughout Seattle.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUILD A DADU?

Not surprisingly the average cost to build a DADU has increased in pace with these larger trends. In addition to increases in material and labor costs the size and complexity of DADUs have increased as well. ADU code changes meant to encourage the construction of more ADUs, have increased the allowable size of ADUs. Many of the DADUs built today are larger than they were in 2009. The DADU pictured above contains 1,440 sq. ft. where a DADU with a similar program built prior to recent code changes could have only been 800 sq. ft. in size. The increasing sale of DADUs as condos has led to more speculative builders entering the market. ADUs built for sale are further pushing the size and amenities offered in DADUs which now compete with modest size single family homes in our tight real estate market.

WHAT WILL IT COST TO BUILD A DADU IN 2024?

The cost to build an ADU will likely decrease next year based on a number of predicting factors. Data from the Mortensen Construction Cost Index shows that in Seattle material costs are flat and number of people employed in construction as roughly the same as in 2019 and 5% lower than in 2022. Meanwhile, the number of residential building projects completed in Seattle has increased 22% in the last year. Conversely, the number of new residential building permit applications, an indicator of future demand for construction, has dropped 38% in the last year. That indicates a rapid decline in future residential construction activity in the coming year. This is happening at the same time as commercial construction is also slowing amid rising vacancy rates and higher borrowing costs. These trends bode well for lower material, labor and sub contractor costs in the near future.

WHAT WILL IT COST TO BUILD YOUR DADU?

The first questions we usually answer for people planning to build a DADU are about feasibility, cost, and design which are all interrelated. A preliminary site assessment, which can be done via phone or email, is the first part.  At that time, we can answer questions and we can discuss budget ranges for recently completed DADUs.

 

*Mortensen Construction compiles data on a wide range of projects throughout the country in their annual Construction Cost Index.

 

Monday, April 3

DADU open house, Friday April 7th 3-5 pm

This detached ADU in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood is for sale


Join us for a unique opportunity to learn about and meet others thinking about building a DADU. This just completed DADU in Seattle’s Green Lake Neighborhood is 1,170 sq ft and features 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The ground floor features an open plan with a bank of windows and glass doors facing south and opening on a private yard framed by new fencing and a new detached garage. The location on the alley gives the ADU great street presence. The existing home was preserved and renovated. Please contact us to RSVP.

Wednesday, February 15

ADU open house Thursday February 16th

 ADUs built in 2022 were able to incorporate code changes intended to promote more missing middle housing in Seattle.



Join us for a builder's open house to see what is what is possible for these larger ADUs. This DADU features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a garage. The interior features a unique split level design and vaulted ceilings. Construction is still wrapping up so you can expect rough conditions but it will be possible to get a good sense of the spaces. Ultimately this DADU will be sold as a condo.

RSVP via our contact form

Monday, January 23

statewide ADU reform today HB 1337


adu, dadu, seattle adu

ADU's like this garage conversion in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, give homeowner's more options


Today Monday January 23rd you can support statewide ADU legislation. Washington state lawmakers will debate legislation to establish statewide guidelines for ADUs. You can participate via zoom, or submit written testimony and get more information at HB 1337.





Thursday, January 5

Who doesn’t love a cabin?

 


And what is a DADU but an urban cabin? Happy new years to all dreaming of a cabin urban or otherwise.

Thursday, June 16

just like that, seattle eliminates single family zoning

 

A DADU nearing completion in Seattle's Ravenna Neighborhood

With the stroke of a pen Seattle has eliminated all single family zoning. While now that Seattle allows an ADU, DADU and SFR on the same lot it might in single family zones seem that this has already happened. However, unlike the zoning changes that went into effect in 2019, this new change is mostly symbolic.  Land use zones that had been designated as single family will now be called neighborhood residential. The change is a broad reflection of the City of Seattle's interest in increasing the types and diversity of housing types within their residential neighborhoods.

Seattle’s Land Use Code and the official zoning maps divide the city geographically into zoning districts (e.g., single-family residential, multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, etc.). Ordinance 126509 which went into effect on June 13th, applies the new zone name by dividing the neighborhood residential areas into four zones, based on pre-existing minimum required lot sizes:


Existing Zone (Abbreviation)New Zone (Abbreviation)
Single-family Residential 9600
(SF 9600)
Neighborhood Residential 1
(NR1)
Single-family Residential 7200
(SF 7200)
Neighborhood Residential 2
(NR2)
Single-family Residential 5000
(SF 5000)
Neighborhood Residential 3
(NR3)
Residential Small Lot
(RSL)
Neighborhood Residential Small Lot
(RSL)