ADUs built to rent
or house family.

A second household, done right.

Whether you are building an ADU to rent or to house your parents, a unit that holds a second household has needs a guest room never does. It needs durable, low-maintenance finishes that survive turnover, real sound separation so two households are not living in each other's noise, and the fire separation that code requires between units. This is a turnkey build: we design, permit, and build the whole unit, whether it is a new detached cottage, a garage conversion, or a basement apartment.

We also help you think it through before you commit. ADU projects are big, and the question is usually whether it pencils out, as a rental, for family, or for the resale value it adds. We give you honest numbers on build cost against rent and against the cost of the alternative, so you can decide with real figures instead of a guess. Then we build a unit that is easy to maintain and built to last through years of use.

What it actually costs.

Our four-step process.

1. Feasibility and the math

   We check your lot and run honest numbers on build cost against rent or the family alternative.

2. Design and permit

   We design the unit for durability and separation, and pull the permit with the City or County.

3. Turnkey build

   We build the whole unit, new or converted, with finishes chosen to last through years of use.

4. Final inspection and walkthrough

   We pass final inspection, walk it with you, and close out the punch list.

Why hire a real crew for this.

• Turnkey, whether new build, garage, or basement
• Durable, low-maintenance finishes for rental turnover
• Real sound separation between two households
• Code fire separation between units
• Honest build-cost-versus-rent math before you commit

Frequently asked questions.

Does an ADU pay for itself in Bellingham?

It depends on your numbers, and we help you run them honestly. A rental ADU brings in monthly income and adds resale value to your property, but the build is a real investment, so the payback period varies with what you spend and what the unit rents for. For a multi-gen build, the math is different, weighing build cost against the cost of the alternative, like assisted living or a separate household. We give you real figures before you commit.

What makes a rental ADU different from a regular addition?

A rental ADU has to handle a second household that turns over, so we build it differently. It gets durable, low-maintenance finishes that survive tenants, real sound separation so neither household hears the other, and the fire separation between units that code requires. A guest room or a bonus addition does not need any of that. Building it right up front is what keeps a rental from becoming a maintenance headache.

Can I rent out both my house and my ADU in Bellingham?

For most city lots, yes, once the owner-occupancy requirement sunsets on July 1, 2026 under Bellingham's 2025 ordinance. That change means you will be able to rent both the main house and the ADU rather than having to live in one of them. The rule can vary by address and by whether you are inside the city or in Whatcom County, so we confirm it for your specific property during the feasibility check.

Related services.

Rental and multi-gen ADUs across Whatcom County.

Rental demand and lot character vary across Bellingham, from WWU-adjacent South Hill to family neighborhoods like Cornwall Park. Pick your area: