ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) - Where to Custom Design

Across the country, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and tiny homes are quickly becoming one of the most practical and affordable ways to add space and value to your property. Whether you’re looking to create a rental suite, a guest house, a home office, or a place for family to stay, adding an ADU in your backyard may be the best way increase your livable space.

Common custom ADU projects include:

• Detached backyard cottages and guest houses

• Garage apartments or carriage houses

• Tiny homes for short-term rental income

• Multi-generational suites or in-law flats

• Studio spaces and home offices

There are a couple different ways to find the right ADU plan for your property. You can browse pre-made online or custom design utilizing a draftsman or design firm. Here is a breakdown of the options:  

1. Browse Pre-Made ADU Designs Online

If you take a look around, you'll notice that there are tons of websites to purchase pre-made home plans on. Funny enough, most of the sites have the same plans listed on them (unless marked *exclusive). That is because the websites act as brokers between 150+ designers and the shopping customer. Most of the time the plans are not created by the website company, but another designer who has listed there plan online through several host sites. Popular ones include HousePlans.com (Zonda), HousePlans.net (America's Best House Plans), and Architectural Designs.

That is the same approach we have taken at Paragon Home Plans. Our 120+ stock plans are listed on multiple sites, making them more available for purchase by a range of customers. The 3 sites I mentioned above is where most of our stock sales come from.

Benefits: Stock plans are affordable and there seems to be an almost limitless supply of them. The creativity of designers today is amazing to see and experience as you browse and virtually tour plans

Negatives: Due to the amount of designers working with these sites, it can be hard to have total confidence in the dependability of the plans. Each plan will be dimensioned differently and produced with different code standards (depending on year it was created and location it was made for). We regularly speak to builders who have been frustrated with purchasing plans in the past.

2. Custom Design Your Own ADU

We often reflect on how significant of an investment a building project is. Any good builder will say, if your pre-construction process is strong, the rest of the project will go smoothly. Before diving head first into your pricy investment, take the time and money necessary to set yourself up in the best way.

Some people think they can't afford to custom design their home. Did you know that it's possible to do this without hiring an expensive local architect? There are firms like Paragon Home Plans, who design custom home, ADUs, Barndominiums, and more every day.

Pricing will vary when searching for designer options. For less expensive options, we recommend searching for local draftsman or even checking with building suppliers in your area for recommendations. These options can get you the plan set you need, but keep in mind that some will not be able to provide design advice, budget guidance, or construction insights through the process.

Benefits: You can bring your own sketches and inspiration, getting a unique custom product. Working back and forth with the designer will produce something that you are satisfied with. Talking out considerations with a professional will fix issues during the design phase so you won't need to address them during the actual build (VERY IMPORTANT)

Negatives: These options are more expensive than pre-designed plans online (our ADU projects run about $3k). You need to review the reputation of the designer before moving forward with them - some are known for being slow and not strong at bringing the whole design together. This will not be the case when hiring a firm with good reviews and a solid reputation.

3. Should Paragon Design Your ADU?

We are known for satisfied customers and successful projects. Builders love our plans, leading to a much smoother building process. These are a few points where we stand out:

• Fast Turnaround: Most ADU designs are ready within just a few weeks.

• Builder-Friendly: Each plan includes clear construction details and can be adapted to local codes.

• Affordable: Purchasing stock plans online will run about $1-2k. Custom designing with us will cost $3,000 (up to 1,200 heated sqft).

• Nationwide Experience: We design homes and ADUs across the U.S. — from Virginia to Texas to California.

Ready to Begin?

If you’ve been thinking about adding an ADU, now’s the time.
Browse online for inspiration, and reach out today to start your custom ADU design for only $3,000.

Start your ADU design here - (434) 423.5962 - Contact Paragon Home Plans