
Accessory dwelling units can be a smart investment, but your ADU cost will depend on the size, type, and materials you choose. Here’s how it breaks down.
Aka the Pricey, Slightly Dicey Remodel
Welcome to Nosy Neighbor, where we ask all the questions you can’t about home projects and money. From incredible deals to domestic dramas, we’re bringing you real stories—and the real numbers.
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Age: 36
Location: Waukesha, WI
$250,000–$500,000
Bathroom addition, bathroom renovation, and new flooring in the bedroom
Four. I shopped around a bit, went to a few bathroom-specific companies, and ended up using a general contractor.
$20,000
$30,000
The contractor made a few mistakes and had to redo them.
(Not to mention: A few years later, we ended up having to replace a shower and re-tile a shower floor.)
Savings
We splurged on a floor-to-ceiling shower enclosure for the primary bedroom en suite. With the custom shower walls, tile floor, and wall tile it cost $10,000+.
Double vanity. It must have been $5,000; the same one with a different material would have cost half the price.
I ended up doing all the baseboard and trim myself. Now I know what hard work it is—I made over 100 trips between the second story and basement to make additional cuts because my measurements were off.
I totally should have hired a pro to do this for me—it would have saved so much time!
Glass shower walls! [It cost] $3,000 for custom shower walls, and it took forever.
I'll never forget when the contractors forgot to seal up a hole in the floor and our cat got in there (somehow). I ended up having to cut an additional hole in the floor to get him out.
HIRE PROFESSIONALS! Do not try to cut corners to save even $1,000 dollars.
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Accessory dwelling units can be a smart investment, but your ADU cost will depend on the size, type, and materials you choose. Here’s how it breaks down.
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