A free site visit, a check of what your lot allows and a written, line-item price.
Get your free estimateTrusted ADU Builders for Sacramento Homeowners
Adding an accessory dwelling unit in Sacramento typically costs between $180,000 and $420,000 for a site-built detached unit, while prefab options from brands like Abodu and Cover often land in the $160,000 to $380,000 range depending on size, site work, and finish level. That’s the ballpark, stated plainly, because you should know the number before you ever tap “call.” Benson ADU Sacramento has been part of the Relay Home Co. family since 2006, and every project we take on carries a written price before work starts, a 365-Day Done Right Promise, and a live person on the phone at (279) 254-1808 whenever you have a question.
What makes us different from the contractor who hands you a verbal estimate and disappears until demo day? We put everything in writing from the first conversation. Troy Eastman, who leads our Sacramento team, insists on it. No scope creep billed after the fact. No surprises at the door. Just a plan, a price, and a schedule you can track from your phone.
ADU Construction
ADU Construction is the full process of building a legal, permitted accessory dwelling unit on your property, from site evaluation and foundation work through framing, mechanicals, finishes, and final inspection. You need this service when you want to add a rentable unit, house a family member, or create a dedicated home office without moving. Benson ADU Sacramento handles the entire ADU construction process under one written contract, and your total investment in Sacramento typically runs $160,000 to $420,000 depending on whether you choose a site-built design or a prefab system from a brand like Dvele or Cover.
Site-Built vs. Prefab Construction
Site-built ADU construction means every wall is framed on your property, which gives you total layout flexibility but takes longer. Prefab construction uses factory-built panels or modules delivered to your lot and assembled in days, not months. We’re authorized partners for multiple prefab brands, so you get real options instead of a single take-it-or-leave-it product.
What’s Included in the Written Price
Your written price covers site prep, foundation, utility connections, construction, finishes, and permit closeout. No change orders appear later unless you request a change yourself. That’s the entire point of The Relay Visibility Guarantee.
Detached ADU
A Detached ADU is a standalone living unit built separately from your main house, usually in the backyard or side yard, with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and address. Sacramento homeowners choose this route when they want maximum rental income potential or clear separation between the main house and the unit. Benson ADU Sacramento builds detached ADUs from 400 to 1,200 square feet, with costs in Sacramento generally running $200,000 to $420,000 for a site-built unit and $160,000 to $380,000 for an Abodu or Cover prefab configuration.
Setback and Siting Requirements
Every detached ADU must respect setbacks, which are the minimum distances a structure can sit from property lines. Your specific setback depends on your lot’s zoning, and we verify this during the first site visit so you’re not paying for plans that won’t pass. Sacramento’s climate also matters: our hot, dry summers mean we orient windows and overhangs to keep cooling costs down.
Rental Income Potential
A one-bedroom detached ADU in Sacramento typically rents for $1,400 to $1,900 a month depending on the neighborhood. That’s real money against your mortgage, and it’s why so many homeowners in areas like Fair Oaks, Antelope, and Elverta are building now. We’ll walk you through projected rent so you can make the decision with real numbers, not guesses.
JADU
A JADU is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit, which is a smaller conversion of existing space inside your home, capped at 500 square feet, often created from a garage, spare bedroom, or attached storage area. You need a JADU when you want rental income or a family suite without building a new structure from scratch. Benson ADU Sacramento converts existing space into permitted JADUs in Sacramento for roughly $80,000 to $150,000, and because we handle everything from plans to final inspection, the process stays simple.
JADU vs. Full ADU
A JADU can share the main house’s bathroom or have its own efficiency kitchen, which keeps construction costs dramatically lower than a detached unit. The trade-off is scale: you max out at 500 square feet and the unit must be attached to or inside the primary dwelling. For many Sacramento homeowners, a JADU is the fastest path to rental income because it uses space you already own.
Garage Conversion Considerations
Sacramento garages built before 1990 often need foundation retrofits and insulation upgrades before they can become legal JADU living space. We assess structural condition during the free estimate and include any necessary improvements in your written price. There are no follow-up surprises about what the city inspector might flag, because we already checked.
ADU Plans
ADU Plans are the architectural and engineering drawings that show exactly how your unit will be built, including floor layout, elevations, electrical and plumbing schematics, structural details, and site placement. You need official plans before Sacramento’s building department will issue a permit, and most lenders require them before financing. Benson ADU Sacramento produces complete ADU plans as part of every project, with plan costs in Sacramento typically ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 depending on complexity, and that figure is included in your written contract, not billed separately later.
What a Complete Plan Set Includes
Your plan set includes site plans, floor plans, elevations, structural calculations, energy compliance documents (Title 24), and electrical and plumbing drawings. If something in the plan won’t meet Sacramento’s current code, we catch it before submittal, not after the city rejects it. That saves you weeks of back-and-forth.
Prefab Plan Integration
When you build with a brand like Abodu, Dvele, or Mighty Buildings, the manufacturer provides factory drawings that we integrate with your site-specific foundation and utility plans. This hybrid approach gets you through permitting faster than a fully custom design because the factory’s engineering is already approved in dozens of California jurisdictions. It’s one of the quiet advantages of prefab construction.
ADU Contractor
An ADU Contractor is the licensed general contractor who manages every trade, permit, inspection, and schedule milestone required to build your accessory dwelling unit. You need the right ADU contractor when you want one accountable party for the entire job instead of juggling electricians, plumbers, and framers yourself. Benson ADU Sacramento serves as your single ADU contractor for the whole build, with project management included in your written price, and in Sacramento general contractor fees and project management typically account for 10% to 20% of total project cost, a figure you’ll see itemized line by line before you sign.
Who Shows Up to Your Job Site
Every technician who works on your ADU has been background-checked and arrives in uniform, so you always know exactly who is walking onto your property. We photograph progress daily and upload it to your project tracker. You’ll never wonder what happened on site this week.
Subcontractor Accountability
We hold every subcontractor to the same 365-Day Done Right Promise that governs our own work. If a covered repair fails within a full year, we send someone back, free. That guarantee is written and stamped on your contract, not mentioned casually at a sales pitch and forgotten later.
ADU Design
ADU Design is the process of shaping your unit’s layout, room proportions, window placement, exterior finishes, and interior selections so the space functions well and looks like it belongs on your property. You need thoughtful ADU design when you’re working with a tight footprint, because every square foot has to earn its place. Benson ADU Sacramento provides full ADU design services as part of every project, with design fees in Sacramento typically ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, and we carry design decisions through construction so what you approve is what gets built.
Designing for Sacramento’s Climate
Sacramento summers routinely push past 100 degrees, so we design for passive cooling: window orientation that avoids western exposure glare, roof overhangs sized for shade, and insulation values that exceed minimum code. You’ll feel the difference in your utility bill the first August you rent the unit. We also specify exterior cladding from James Hardie because it stands up to our dry heat and UV exposure better than most alternatives.
Design Options That Don’t Cost the World
You don’t need a custom architect to get a unit that feels custom. We offer curated design packages sized for 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 square foot units, each with three finish levels. You pick the package and finish tier, we handle the rest, and the price is fixed before design work begins.
Backyard ADU
A backyard ADU is a detached or semi-attached accessory dwelling unit located in the rear yard of your property, the classic “granny flat” configuration Sacramento homeowners have been building for decades. You need a backyard ADU when you want to maximize lot utilization while keeping the main house’s street presence unchanged. Benson ADU Sacramento specializes in backyard ADU construction, with total project costs in Sacramento typically ranging from $200,000 to $420,000 for a site-built unit, and our prefab options from Abodu and Cover often trim both cost and construction time significantly. If you’re in the neighboring community, we also work with ADU Builders - West Sacramento homeowners.
Maximizing a Small Sacramento Lot
Many Sacramento lots in neighborhoods like Tahoe Park and Land Park are 50 feet wide or less, which makes placement critical. We’ve built on lots as narrow as 35 feet by using careful setback planning and compact foundations. Your free site evaluation tells you exactly what will fit before you spend a dollar on plans.
Utility Trenching and Connections
A backyard ADU needs water, sewer, gas, and electrical service run from the main house or the street. Trenching through an existing backyard costs real money, and we include every foot of that work in your written price up front. If your sewer lateral needs replacing to handle the added flow, we’ll tell you in the estimate phase, not mid-job.
Brands We Service
We’re authorized to build with Abodu and Cover, two of California’s most trusted prefab ADU manufacturers. Abodu units are known for efficient one and two-bedroom layouts that arrive as factory-built modules and go from foundation to move-in ready in a matter of weeks rather than months. Cover units are panelized systems that give you more architectural flexibility while still cutting months off a traditional build timeline.
We also work extensively with Dvele, whose factory-built homes push energy efficiency far beyond minimum California code, and we specify James Hardie fiber cement siding on most site-built units because Sacramento’s sun and dry heat punish lesser materials. Whether your property calls for an Abodu, a Cover, a Dvele, or a fully site-built ADU with James Hardie cladding, we can make it work.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- Your property has a narrow side yard or awkward lot shape. Setbacks and access paths can kill an ADU project before it starts. A pro will measure everything and tell you honestly whether a detached unit fits or a JADU conversion makes more sense for your specific parcel.
- You received a verbal estimate that seems too low to be real. Sacramento ADU construction below $120,000 for a full detached unit almost always means corners are being cut or change orders are coming. A written, line-item price with no vague allowances is the only estimate worth trusting.
- Your garage or spare room sits unused and you’re leaving rental income on the table. A 400 square foot garage in Sacramento could become a $1,500-a-month JADU rental. The sooner you start, the sooner that income offsets your mortgage.
- You’ve been told conflicting things about what’s allowed on your lot. Zoning, setbacks, and ADU rules have changed repeatedly in California over the last five years. A contractor who builds ADUs daily knows the current rules; a generalist often doesn’t, and that costs you time and money.
- You want to move a family member closer but need real separation. An aging parent or adult child in your guest room works for a month and strains after a year. A detached ADU gives everyone a front door and a kitchen of their own.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Free site evaluation and written scope. Troy or a senior project manager walks your property, verifies zoning and setback constraints, and discusses your goals. Within a few days you receive a written project scope with a preliminary price range. This costs you nothing and commits you to nothing.
- 2
Design and plan development. We develop your ADU design, produce the full plan set, and coordinate with our prefab partners if you’ve chosen a brand like Abodu, Cover, or Dvele. Your written price is finalized before plan submittal, so you approve the number before the city ever sees the drawings.
- 3
Permitting. We submit your plans to Sacramento’s building department and manage every review cycle, correction request, and resubmittal. You don’t sit on hold with the city. We handle it, and we track permit progress in your project dashboard.
- 4
Construction with daily photo updates. Our uniformed, background-checked team builds your ADU, and you get photo documentation uploaded to your tracker at every milestone: site work, foundation, framing, mechanical rough-in, insulation, drywall, finishes, and final walkthrough. You always know what happened on site today.
- 5
Final inspection and 365-Day Done Right handoff. We walk the unit with you, close outstanding items, and hand over your written guarantee. If anything in our scope isn’t right within a full year, we make it right. No phone tag. No chasing. That’s the promise.
How Much Does ADU Builders Cost in Sacramento?
A typical ADU construction project in Sacramento runs $160,000 to $420,000 depending on size, construction method, and finish level. Here’s how common scenarios break down: a 500 square foot JADU garage conversion generally lands between $80,000 and $150,000. A 400 to 600 square foot prefab backyard ADU from Abodu or Cover usually runs $160,000 to $280,000 including site work and utility connections. A site-built 800 to 1,200 square foot detached ADU with full custom design typically costs $250,000 to $420,000.
What moves the price? Site conditions matter more than most homeowners expect. Tree removal, old foundation demolition, sewer lateral replacement, and long utility trenching runs can add $10,000 to $40,000 before framing starts. Finish level is the other big lever: builder-grade fixtures versus a kitchen with stone counters and custom cabinetry is a $30,000 to $70,000 swing on a two-bedroom unit. And permitting fees in Sacramento are real; we include them as a line item so they’re never a surprise.
How do you avoid overpaying? Get a written price before work starts, and make sure every allowance is specified. Vague allowances are where contractors make their margin on the back end. Your free estimate from Benson ADU Sacramento includes a line-by-line breakdown, the specific brands we’re pricing, and a fixed total. Call (279) 254-1808 and ask for the written scope; it costs nothing and you’ll know exactly where you stand.
Our Service Area Near Sacramento
Benson ADU Sacramento builds ADUs throughout the greater Sacramento region, including Citrus Heights, Davis, West Sacramento, El Dorado Hills, Antelope, Fair Oaks, Vineyard, Granite Bay, Elverta, Parkway, and Foothill Farms. If you’re comparing ADU Builders in Citrus Heights or researching ADU Builders in Davis, we serve those communities with the same written-price guarantee. Every project starts with a ADU Builders in Sacramento site visit, and our team travels throughout the region for free estimates. Start with our home page to see recent projects.
Serving Sacramento, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Sacramento area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADU Builders in Sacramento
An ADU builder in Sacramento is a general contractor who specializes in accessory dwelling units, handling everything from zoning verification and design through construction and final inspection. Unlike a general contractor who builds ADUs occasionally, a specialist builds them every week, so they know Sacramento’s permit requirements, setback rules, and utility connection details without the learning curve. That expertise saves you money in plan revisions and construction delays.
A prefab ADU from Abodu or Cover typically goes from site work to move-in ready in 3 to 6 months, while a site-built detached unit usually takes 7 to 12 months. Permitting in Sacramento adds 4 to 10 weeks depending on plan review volume at the building department. Your written project schedule will show every milestone date before construction starts, and we track against it weekly.
Most ADU projects in Sacramento cost between $160,000 and $420,000 all-in, with JADU conversions starting around $80,000 and larger custom detached units topping out near $420,000. Your final price depends on size, site conditions, finish level, and whether you choose prefab or site-built construction. Call (279) 254-1808 for a free site evaluation and written price range; there’s no obligation and no pressure.
Yes, we’re authorized to build with Abodu, Cover, and Dvele prefab systems, and we regularly combine these factory-built units with site work, foundations, and utility connections. Choosing a prefab brand often trims 3 to 5 months off the construction timeline compared to site-built construction. We’ll walk you through what each brand offers so you can pick the right fit for your lot and budget.
If you have an ADU with a failing system like a leaking roof, a dead water heater, or a foundation issue, we can assess and address it quickly. See our ADU Builders Maintenance Checklist for Sacramento Homeowners for prevention tips. Our phone line is answered by a live person 24/7, so you won’t leave a voicemail and wait until Monday. For anything covered under your 365-Day Done Right Promise, the repair visit is free.
Our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers all workmanship and materials we install for a full year from completion. If something in our scope isn’t done right, we send our team back to make it right, and we provide a free second visit if any covered repair fails. The guarantee is written and stamped on every project contract, so there’s no ambiguity about what’s covered.
Gather your property’s parcel number from your tax bill, note any existing structures or trees in your backyard, and think through how you’ll use the unit: rental income, family housing, or a home office. If you have a rough budget in mind, share it; it helps us recommend the right construction method and finish level. We’ll handle the rest during the free site visit, including measuring setbacks and checking utility access.
Schedule Your ADU Builders Service in Sacramento Today
Ready to see what an ADU would look like on your property and what it would cost? Call Benson ADU Sacramento at (279) 254-1808 for a free, no-obligation estimate. You’ll get a written price before any work starts, a project plan you can track from your phone, and a 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. A live person answers every call, day or night.
Written by Troy Eastman, Owner at Benson ADU Sacramento, serving Sacramento since 2006.
