DADU

Building DADU in Seattle is a promising investment that will increase the value of your property and create a source of passive income. But how much does it cost to build a DADU in Seattle?

The conditions on the construction site, materials and finishes vary from project to project. Many building elements are completely dependent on the customer, and their options will affect the cost. In turn, other building elements can be unpredictable and have a fixed price.

The more informed, organized and realistic you are, the better you will be able to meet the proposed budget.

To help you understand how different stages of construction can affect your budget, I'm going to analyze the main financial indicators of the backyard cottage that we recently completed in Seattle. The house has an area of 1,000 square feet, which includes many settings that allowed you to increase not only the total budget, but also the final cost.

Seattle, WA has an approximate total cost of 365K

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Permitting

30K

It's important to keep in mind that permitting for construction projects involves more than just the cost materials and labor. You'll also need to budget for consultant and city fees, as well as various evaluations and reports. For example, a backyard DADU in south Seattle may require the expertise of professionals in fields such as feasibility, logistics, and engineering.

Geo Tech

Evaluate the ground for construction recommendations

Structural Engineer

Foundation design and drawings

Architect

Design plans of the exterior and interior

Arborist

Identify exceptional trees on the property

Site Survey

Verify property lines

Site Plan

Rough drawing of the property and placement of the structure.

City Fees

The cost of doing business with the City of Seattle

Foundation

45K

The above average cost of the foundation was due to ground and soil conditions of the property. Included in this price was land demo, disposal, foundation footings, framing and concrete. The most significant cost increase resulted from the property’s location in a liquefaction zone. Boring seven-teen 34 foot pin piles into the ground under the foundation was necessary to bring the foundation up to code.

Structure

70K

The materials and labor required to build the core structure. The building’s lumber, siding, accent windows, front door, metal roof, fasteners required for assembly were included in the kit.

Utilities

60K

Includes all stages of plumbing and electricity from hooking up to the main house, to rough-in and final finishes. Electrical and plumbing fixtures are mixed into this overall cost, as well as, HVAC, and major appliances. In this case, appliances included a dishwasher, washer dryer, refridgerator, electric range, and electric on-demand water heater.

Windows, Insulation, Drywall

50K

Spray foam insulation for the metal roof cost higher than the typical bat insulation. They also chose to have above average dry wall finish which also added to this line item.

Interior Finishes

55K

Interior finishing typically takes longer than the other phases of construction because of the intricacies of creating an aesthetically pleasing and high functioning space. Labor and materials for cabinets, countertop, doors, window trim, tiling, ceiling, and concrete floor finishing are the most prominent elements of this project’s finishing phase.

Kitchen Includes: Dishwasher, Electric Range, Refrigerator, Cabinets, Countertops, Live Edge Shelf, Kitchen Fan, sink, sink fixtures.

Bathroom Includes: Bathtub with Shower, Shower fixtures, Skirted Toilet, Sink, Mirror and Tile

Exterior

25K

Preliminary landscaping, downspouts, gutters, exterior paint are included in this cost. The exterior painting and final landscaping are the remaining elements of construction.

Interior, Exterior Designer

15K

The work of a designer involves several stages and tasks that help create a unique and functional interior or exterior design. The following tasks may be carried out during the design process:

1. Information gathering and analysis. The designer conducts research and analysis of the existing space, client's needs, budget, and other factors that may influence the design project.

2. Concept development. Based on the gathered information, the designer develops a design concept that reflects the style, color palette, materials, and overall look of the interior or exterior.

3. Planning and layout. The designer creates a space plan, determines the placement of furniture, lighting, colors, and other elements to create a harmonious and functional space.

4. Selection of materials and finishes. The designer helps choose appropriate materials, furniture, textiles, and decorative elements that align with the overall concept and project requirements.

5. Visualization. Using specialized software and tools, the designer creates visualizations that help the client visually imagine the final result of the design project.

6. Project implementation oversight. The designer monitors the progress of the project, collaborates with contractors, and ensures the quality and adherence to the design.

Misc

15K

Miscellaneous items: Including, furniture, window coverings, household items. Plus anything from tree removal to repairing your fence where it intersected with construction. It can also include additional utility costs due to the increase of resource consumption during construction.