Homeowners & Families

Your ADU Journey Starts Here.

Understand what may be possible on your property, learn your options, find the right professionals and move from first question to finished ADU with one connected ecosystem.

CHECK MY PROPERTY FREE → WHAT'S AN ADU? →

MORE SPACE FOR FAMILY

INCOME POTENTIAL

AGING IN PLACE

PROPERTY OPPORTUNITY

Explore every department

Everything your ADU needs, one tap away.

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Learn the basics

What's an ADU? Start here.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a secondary home on the same lot as a primary residence. It can take several forms depending on the property, existing space and local rules.

VIEW THE FULL ADU TYPES GUIDE →

Detached ADU

Also known as: Backyard Cottage, Granny Flat, Casita

A standalone structure separate from the main house, typically built in the backyard with its own entrance and utilities.

LEARN MORE →

Attached ADU

Also known as: Addition, Attached Suite, Bump-out

A new living space added directly onto the existing home, sharing at least one wall with the primary residence.

LEARN MORE →

Garage Conversion

Also known as: Garottage, Converted Garage

Converting an existing garage into a livable dwelling unit with bedroom, kitchen, and bath.

LEARN MORE →

Basement Conversion

Also known as: Basement ADU, Lower-level Unit

Converting existing basement space into a separate dwelling unit, often with a separate exterior entrance.

LEARN MORE →

Above-Garage / Attic

Also known as: Carriage House, Over-garage Suite

A unit built above an existing or new garage, or a conversion of attic space into a separate dwelling.

LEARN MORE →

Internal ADU

Also known as: In-law Suite, Junior ADU, JADU

A conversion of existing interior space within the home’s current footprint into a separate unit.

LEARN MORE →

ADU regulations, requirements and allowable types vary by state and municipality. Always verify local requirements before beginning a project.

One place to start

What do you need right now?

You do not need every professional on day one. Start with the next decision in front of you.

Check FeasibilitySee what may be possible on your property. Understand the JourneySee the path from idea to keys. Browse DesignsExplore plans and design ideas. Explore FinancingUnderstand lending options and resources. Find My Master GCSearch your town and territory. Find ProfessionalsConnect with ADU trades and services.

Family housing, planned well

Build for the people you love most.

Two of the most common reasons New England families build an ADU: a parent who wants to stay close, and an adult child who needs a home of their own. Each has its own free check and a printable family plan.

Aging in Place

For parents and grandparents

Aging in place, on their terms.

Most older adults want to stay in the home and town they know. A first-floor suite or a backyard cottage makes that possible, with family a few steps away. The six-step Property Check scores the home and returns a family plan.

75%of adults 50+ want to stay in their current home as they age. AARP, 2024.

51%of adults 50+ say they need a home that supports independent aging. AARP, 2024.

RUN THE AGING-IN-PLACE CHECK → AGING IN PLACE GUIDE →

Education only, not medical, legal or financial advice.

A backyard cottage beside the main home, welcoming an adult child while family stays close

Independence, Next Door

For families planning for an adult child

Independence, next door.

Most autistic adults in New England live with their parents, and state support lines run for years. A legal ADU can be a home your family controls, close enough to help and built to outlast you. The six-step Independence Check returns a state-specific family plan.

87%of young autistic adults lived with parents after high school. Drexel Autism Institute.

7.6 yearsaverage wait on Maine's Section 21 Priority 2 list, Dec. 2024. Maine OADS.

MA RI CT NH VT ME

RUN THE INDEPENDENCE CHECK → OPEN THE FAMILY PROGRAM →

Read: The Transition Cliff →

Education only, not legal, benefits or medical advice. We never ask about a diagnosis.

The ADU Journey

From first question to keys.

Researching an ADU can feel complex. The sequence matters. Start with feasibility, understand your property, then align design, financing, permitting and construction in the right order.

CHECKStart with property feasibility.

LEARN & PLANUnderstand rules, project type, budget and design.

ALIGN THE TEAMBring in the right professionals at the right stage.

FINANCE & PERMITConfirm the money and the local pathway.

BUILD & LIVEMove from plan to finished home.

EXPLORE THE FULL ADU JOURNEY →

Homeowners reviewing ADU plans with a professional

ADU Consulting · Project Navigation · Owner Advocacy

Between doing it all yourself and handing it all off, there's a guide.

One advisor for your entire ADU journey. The Biss ADU Project Roadmap™ tells you what to do, in what order, and with which professionals, from "Can I build an ADU?" to "Here are the keys."

Contact Biss ADU Solutions →

SPONSORED · Biss ADU Solutions is founded by Matthew Bissonnette, founder of The ADU Exchange. Affiliated companies. You are never required to use any Ecosystem provider. Full disclosure at bissadusolutions.com.

The Easy Solution

Every town has a Master GC. Find yours here.

New England is divided into 40 Master GC territories. Each one gets exactly one general contractor, vetted by The ADU Exchange and accountable for every ADU referral in their region. Type your town to see who has yours.

40Territories

1,603Cities & towns

1Master GC each

Find your Master GC

Covers all six New England states. Or .

Your territoryMaster GC selectedSelection in progress

40 territories · one builder each

Every lot in New England has a Master GC territory. Find yours.

Type a town above or tap the map. You'll see your territory, the builder accountable for it, and the fastest way to get a real ADU conversation started.

Want the full map, every town, and how the program works? Open Find Your Master GC → Are you a builder?Apply Here for Master GC Status →

New · Interactive

What will your backyard become?

BACKYARD LEGACIES: THE ADU JOURNEY turns ADU education into an interactive experience. Explore choices, learn how decisions connect and see how an ADU journey can unfold.

PLAY BACKYARD LEGACIES →

Ready to Build? Get Funded.

From construction & renovation loans to HELOCs & cash-out refinancing, John Alexopoulos & radius help New England homeowners finance the ADU that keeps family close. A lender who truly understands ADUs. Lending since 1999.

NMLS #252572 · Corp NMLS #1846 · MA Lender/Broker #MC1846

Contact John →

Free Pre-Approval

Know your budget before you design.

Construction & 203(k)

Finance the build from start to finish.

HELOC & Cash-Out

Tap your home equity to build.

ADU-Savvy Lending

A partner who speaks ADU. Since 1999.

LO NMLS #252572 radius Corp NMLS #1846 MA Lender/Broker #MC1846 Equal Housing Lender

Contact John

John Alexopoulos, Loan Officer · NMLS #252572 · Licensed in MA. Employed by radius financial group inc., Corp NMLS #1846 — MA Lender/Broker #MC1846, 600 Longwater Drive, Suite 107, Norwell, MA 02061. Verify at nmlsconsumeraccess.org. State licenses: radiusgrp.com/licenses. All loans subject to credit approval, income verification & property appraisal; not a commitment to lend. Rates/terms not advertised — contact John for current options. Not authorized by the NY Dept. of Financial Services. ADVERTISEMENT — The ADU Exchange LLC is not a lender or mortgage broker and does not originate, broker, or service loans; all lending services are provided solely by radius financial group inc.®, an Equal Housing Lender.

Power Your ADU From the Sun.

Locally owned. Complete solar + battery systems — engineered for your ADU.

600+ reviews

Contact Isaksen Solar →

ADU Rooftop Solar

Custom-designed for ADU rooflines. American-made.

Battery Backup

Full-home backup during outages.

EV Charging Station

Level 2 charger. $0 fuel cost.

25-Year Warranty

24/7 monitoring. 72hr service.

Licensed MA · RI · NH · ME · VT Locally Owned Made in USA BBB

★ Master GC · Merrimack ValleyVerified by The ADU ExchangeSponsored

DrakeDesign + Build

Braintree, MA · Serving Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Andover, Chelmsford & 20 more towns

Your ADU, designed and built under one roof.

The vetted Master GC for Merrimack Valley. Plans, permits, framing and finish from one licensed team, selected and verified by The ADU Exchange so you never start with a random contractor.

★★★★★ 5-star Google & Angi reviewsMA CSL CS-119009HIC 216395Insured · $1M liability

Request a build →Meet Drake Design + Build

⌂

Detached & garage ADUsNew builds and conversions, sized to your lot.

✎

Design + build, one contractPlans, interiors and construction, one team.

✔

Permit-ready plansDrawn for the building department.

◆

Ecosystem-backedFinancing, legal and trades already connected.

Licensed MA · 25+ years of craft · Owner on every jobRequest a build →

SPONSORED · Drake Design + Build is an independent licensed contractor selected as the Master GC for the Merrimack Valley territory. The ADU Exchange LLC educates, informs and aligns; it does not build, and is not a party to your contract. You are never required to use any Ecosystem provider.

DIY Dreamers & Doers

Tools when you want more control.

Use individual resources or build your own planning system around the decisions you want to manage yourself.

Zoning & Feasibility

Start with the property before you spend on design.

ROI Calculator

Explore project economics and potential value scenarios.

Design Library

Browse ADU plans and blueprint resources.

Builder & Trade Network

Find the professionals you need as the project moves forward.

From the University

Articles for homeowners.

Plain-English guides for the decisions families face before, during and after an ADU.

BROWSE THE FULL LIBRARY →

Homeowners New

Start with your property.

Answer a few questions, understand potential feasibility issues and get clearer direction before committing significant time or money.

CHECK MY PROPERTY FREE →BROWSE DEPARTMENTS →

Your ADU Journey Starts Here.

Everything your ADU needs, one tap away.