A free site visit, a check of what your lot allows and a written, line-item price.
Get your free estimateTrusted ADU Builders for Dallas Homeowners
Adding an accessory dwelling unit in Dallas means clearing zoning rules, permit requirements, and a construction market where the low bid rarely matches the final invoice. For homeowners nearby, our ADU Builders in Irving apply the same standards. We fix that. Fielding ADU Dallas, led by Reed Calloway, builds permitted ADUs, garage conversions, and room additions under The Garrison Standard: a written price before any work starts and a written one-year guarantee after it ends. Our background-checked, uniformed crews handle everything from foundation to final inspection. Call (903) 342-8977 to start with a free estimate.
ADU Construction
ADU Construction in Dallas covers the full build of a livable secondary unit on your property, from site prep and foundation through framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, and finish work. Most Dallas homeowners pursue this to house aging parents, create rental income, or add a home office separate from the main house. Fielding ADU Dallas handles the entire sequence in-house, with a written price handed to you before a single nail is driven. Detached new-construction ADUs in Dallas typically run $180,000 to $350,000 before permit and utility connection fees, while garage conversions generally fall between $90,000 and $180,000.
Permit and Code Handling
Dallas requires building permits, and depending on your lot, you may need a setback variance, which is the city’s written permission to build closer to the property line than the standard rule allows. We pull every permit and schedule every inspection. Reed Calloway walks the site with the inspector so questions get answered on the spot, not three weeks later.
Fixed-Price Construction
The written price you approve is the price on the final invoice. We do not write change orders for materials we forgot to include in the bid. If the scope changes because you change the scope, we put that new number in writing before the extra work begins.
Detached ADU
A Detached ADU is a standalone living unit built in your backyard, entirely separate from the main house, with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and usually its own utility connections. Dallas homeowners in Far North Dallas, Coppell, and Carrollton often choose this when they want full privacy separation or a true rental unit. Homeowners in Hutchins can rely on Hutchins ADU Builders for the same detached approach. Fielding ADU Dallas builds detached units from both prefab platforms and conventional stick framing. Expect $200,000 to $350,000 for a complete detached ADU in Dallas, with the final number driven by square footage, site grading, and utility trenching distance.
Site Work and Foundation
North Texas clay soil expands and contracts with moisture, which means foundation design matters more here than in most markets. We evaluate soil conditions on every detached build and spec the slab or pier foundation accordingly. Skipping this step is what causes cracked drywall and sticking doors three years later.
Utility Runs and Metering
Running power, water, and sewer to a backyard unit is often the single largest hidden cost. We include the full utility scope in the written estimate, including any trenching through existing landscaping and the cost to restore it. If your lot needs a separate meter, we flag it during the estimate, not after the concrete is poured.
JADU
A JADU is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit, which in practical terms is a conversion of existing space inside or attached to the main home, typically a bedroom, garage bay, or bonus room, converted into a small independent living area with its own entrance and a kitchenette. Dallas homeowners use JADUs when they want a rental or in-law space but don’t have the yard room or budget for a full detached build. Fielding ADU Dallas handles the conversion, including the efficiency kitchen, separate entrance, and any required egress work. JADU conversions in Dallas typically run $60,000 to $130,000 depending on whether plumbing already exists in the space.
Egress and Safety Requirements
A legal JADU in Dallas requires a proper second exit and code-compliant egress windows in sleeping areas. We handle the structural opening and window installation as part of the written scope. This is a life-safety issue, not a paperwork formality, and we treat it that way.
Shared Wall Soundproofing
Because a JADU shares walls or floors with your main living space, sound transmission becomes a daily reality. We spec insulation and door assemblies that actually isolate noise. Our returning customers mention this more than any other detail on JADU projects.
ADU Plans
ADU Plans are the architectural drawings and engineering documents required before Dallas will issue a building permit for your unit. They include site plans, floor plans, elevations, structural details, and the energy compliance documents the city reviews. Fielding ADU Dallas prepares or coordinates every drawing set, and we do not start a project without approved plans in hand. Plan preparation for a Dallas ADU generally costs $8,000 to $25,000 depending on whether you use a standard design, a modified prefab platform, or full custom architecture.
Standard Plans vs. Custom Drawings
If a prefab platform like Boxabl or Mighty Buildings fits your lot, the engineering already exists and plan costs stay on the low end. A custom detached unit with unique rooflines or second-story work drives the higher number. We walk you through both paths before anyone starts drawing, because changing direction after permits costs real money.
City Submittal and Corrections
Dallas plan review often comes back with correction requests, and that back-and-forth can add weeks. We handle the submittal, track the comments, and resubmit until the permit is issued. You do not sit on hold with the planning department; that is our job.
ADU Contractor
An ADU Contractor is the licensed builder who carries the project from permit approval through final inspection, managing the trades, the schedule, the materials, and the inspections. Dallas has no shortage of general contractors, but very few specialize in ADUs, and that gap shows up in missed deadlines and pricing surprises. Fielding ADU Dallas is the ADU and room-addition specialist inside the Garrison Partners family, building to one standard since 2006. Our written-price policy means the number you approve before demo day is the number you pay when we hand you the keys, and our crews are background-checked and uniformed on every job.
Trade Coordination
An ADU pulls electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and framing trades into a tight sequence, and one missed rough-in pushes everything downstream. We schedule our trades so the inspector never arrives to an unfinished wall cavity. That sequencing is what keeps a Dallas ADU on a 6-to-9-month timeline instead of dragging into year two.
Written Guarantee
The Garrison Standard covers workmanship defects for 365 days after completion. If something fails inside that year, we return at no charge and correct the defect. The guarantee is on paper, in plain language, with exactly what it covers and how the correction process works.
ADU Design
ADU Design is the process of matching the unit’s size, layout, roof form, and material choices to your lot, your budget, and how you actually intend to use the space. A rental unit designed like a guest suite misses the mark on durable finishes; an in-law suite designed like a rental lacks the accessibility details that matter. Fielding ADU Dallas designs from use first, then applies your site constraints and the Dallas zoning envelope. Design work usually composes 3% to 7% of the total project cost, which on a $250,000 build lands between $7,500 and $17,500.
Prefab vs. Conventional Design
We are fluent with Abodu, Cover, Dvele, Mighty Buildings, Boxabl, Plant Prefab, and Tuff Shed-style structures, as well as conventional builds with James Hardie siding. The right platform depends on your lot access, your timeline, and the design review requirements of your neighborhood. We match the build method to your situation rather than force-fitting your project into one product.
Material Selection
Dallas summers punish cheap siding and thin windows. We spec materials that hold up to 100-degree stretches and the occasional hail season, and we show you the cost difference between grades before you commit. Material selections are made on paper, with line-item pricing, not decided verbally two weeks before closeout.
Backyard ADU
A Backyard ADU is a detached unit placed in the rear yard of your property, typically accessed by a side path or driveway, and fully independent from the main house. Dallas lots in neighborhoods like Lakewood, Casa View, and Preston Hollow often have the depth for a rear placement but need creative siting to avoid mature trees and utility easements. Our ADU Builders - Dallas team handles siting for every lot condition. Fielding ADU Dallas handles siting, setback verification, tree protection, and the full build. A complete backyard ADU in Dallas runs $200,000 to $350,000 for a one-bedroom unit with full kitchen and bath, including site work and standard utility runs.
Lot Constraints and Siting
Dallas has overlay districts and neighborhood-specific front and side yard rules that change where a rear unit can legally sit. We check the specific zoning for your address before we propose a footprint. A unit that looks fine on a generic site plan may violate your specific setback by three feet.
Tree Protection and Grading
Dallas protects many mature trees, and damaging a protected tree during a backyard build carries real penalties. We establish tree protection zones before equipment arrives and design the foundation to avoid critical root zones where possible. If grading changes are needed for drainage, that work is in the written estimate from day one.
Brands We Service
Fielding ADU Dallas works regularly with Boxabl units, and we know their panel assembly and utility rough-in sequence well enough to catch installation issues before they become callbacks. We also have direct experience with Mighty Buildings panels and Plant Prefab modules, including the coordination required to crane or stage panels on a tight Dallas lot.
For conventional and semi-prefab structures, we work with Tuff Shed-style shells as a foundation for finished ADU conversions. The platform does not drive your price or timeline; the site and the scope do. Whether you have a Boxabl, a Mighty Buildings unit, a Plant Prefab module, or a conventional stick build, we can handle it.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- You received an estimate with no site-specific line items. A bid that says “ADU, $180,000” without addressing your lot’s grading, utility runs, or zoning overlay is not a bid; it is a guess. We put every line in writing before you commit a dollar.
- Your contractor cannot name the Dallas permit path for your address. If the builder talks in generalities about “Texas ADU rules” but cannot speak to Dallas-specific overlays and setbacks, your permit will stall. We review the actual address zoning before we write the estimate.
- The previous contractor disappeared after rough framing. Abandoned ADU projects are common in Dallas, and restarting mid-build costs more than starting clean. We finish abandoned projects, but the better move is a builder with a written guarantee standing behind the whole sequence.
- You have no idea who will be on your property tomorrow. Unvetted subcontractors on your property are a real risk. Our crews are background-checked and uniformed, and you know who is on site every day.
- Your project has been under permit review for months with no movement. Dallas plan review has a rhythm, and an experienced ADU contractor knows how to move a file. If your plans have been sitting, the submittal was likely incomplete. We fix that.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Site walk and zoning check. Reed Calloway or a senior project lead walks your property, reviews your lot dimensions, identifies setbacks, easements, and tree constraints, and verifies what Dallas zoning allows on your specific address. This step determines what is buildable before you spend money on plans.
- 2
Written estimate with line-item scope. You receive a fixed price in writing covering site work, foundation, framing, MEP rough and finish, exterior, and interior finishes. No allowances that drift. If a material choice changes the number, you approve the change in writing first.
- 3
Plan preparation and permit submittal. We prepare or coordinate the full drawing and engineering set, submit to Dallas, and work the corrections until the permit is issued. You are copied on every submittal so you can see progress in real time.
- 4
Construction and weekly updates. Your assigned lead runs the schedule and updates you weekly on progress, upcoming inspections, and any decisions you need to make. You always know what is happening and what is next.
- 5
Final inspection and handoff. We walk the finished unit with you before the final city inspection, correct anything that is not right, and then pass the Dallas inspection. After closeout, The Garrison Standard stays in effect for a full 365 days.
How Much Does ADU Builders Cost in Dallas?
A typical garage conversion ADU in Dallas runs $90,000 to $180,000. A detached backyard ADU with full kitchen and bath runs $200,000 to $350,000, and a JADU conversion inside the existing home runs $60,000 to $130,000. These ranges assume standard finishes, typical Dallas lot conditions, and no major structural surprises. The final number moves based on four things: site conditions like grading and soil, utility trenching distance, the finish level you select, and whether your chosen platform is prefab or conventional. Avoiding overpaying starts with a written line-item estimate that shows exactly where the money goes. Our free estimates include the full scope breakdown, the permit path for your address, and a fixed number you can take to any other builder for comparison. Call (903) 342-8977 for a free estimate with no obligation.
Our Service Area Near Dallas
Fielding ADU Dallas builds ADUs, garage conversions, and room additions across the Dallas metro, including ADU Builders in Dallas, ADU Builders in Irving, and ADU Builders in Mesquite, plus Grapevine, Carrollton, Far North Dallas, DeSoto, Coppell, Farmers Branch, Sachse, Seagoville, and Glenn Heights. We schedule site walks across the full metro area and build in every city where Dallas-area zoning permits ADUs.
Serving Dallas, TX - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Dallas 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 Dallas
An ADU builder is a contractor who specializes in accessory dwelling units, handling the zoning check, plans, permits, and full construction of a secondary living unit on your property. Fielding ADU Dallas is the ADU and room-addition specialist inside the Garrison Partners family, building permitted ADUs in Dallas since 2006 under The Garrison Standard. For Mesquite-area projects, our ADU Builders - Mesquite crew brings the same expertise.
Most Dallas ADU projects take 6 to 9 months from permit approval to final inspection, with plan and permit review adding 2 to 4 months before construction starts. Prefab platforms like Boxabl or Mighty Buildings can compress the on-site phase, while custom conventional builds run the longer end. Call (903) 342-8977 and we will give you a realistic timeline for your specific lot and scope.
In Dallas, garage conversion ADUs run $90,000 to $180,000, detached backyard ADUs run $200,000 to $350,000, and JADU conversions run $60,000 to $130,000. Your final number depends on site grading, utility distance, finishes, and build method. The written estimate we give you is the price you pay, fixed before any work begins.
Yes. Fielding ADU Dallas has direct experience with Boxabl panels, Mighty Buildings panels, and Plant Prefab modules, plus Tuff Shed-style shells for conventional conversions. We can recommend the right platform for your lot access and timeline, or build conventionally with James Hardie siding if that fits better. Call (903) 342-8977 for a free estimate and we will walk you through the options for your site.
We answer every call with a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can reach us about a project issue any time. For active construction problems that threaten safety, we can dispatch a crew lead quickly. Call (903) 342-8977 and a person will pick up.
Every ADU we build is covered by The Garrison Standard, a written one-year guarantee covering workmanship defects. If something fails inside that 365-day period, we return at no charge and make it right. The guarantee terms are on paper before you sign anything, so you know exactly what is covered and how the correction process works.
Start by locating your property survey and any HOA documents, then note where your utility connections sit and which trees you want to keep. We handle the zoning verification, permit path, and site evaluation from there. A quick call to (903) 342-8977 gets you a free site walk and a written estimate.
Schedule Your ADU Builders Service in Dallas Today
Call (903) 342-8977 and a live person will answer, day or night. We will schedule a free site walk, verify what Dallas zoning allows on your specific lot, and hand you a written price before any work starts. Every ADU we build is permitted, inspected, and backed by The Garrison Standard for a full year.
Written by Reed Calloway, Owner at Fielding ADU Dallas, serving Dallas and the surrounding metro since 2006.
