Multi-generational living
Keep family close while giving everyone their own space.
Detached ADUs
Without moving.
A detached ADU creates a completely separate living space on your existing property, designed around how your family wants to use it.
Space beyond the house
Sometimes the space you need isn't inside your home.
Families change.
- Parents may need to live closer.
- Adult children may need more independence.
- Guests may need privacy.
- Working from home may require real separation.
And sometimes, remodeling the existing house isn't the right answer.
For qualifying properties, a detached accessory dwelling unit can create an entirely separate living space while keeping it connected to the property you already call home.
What could it become?
One structure. A lot of possibilities.
A detached ADU can be designed around the people and purpose that matter to you.
Private guest space
A separate place for friends and family to stay comfortably.
Independent living
Create privacy and independence without putting distance between the people who matter.
Flexible living space
Build a space that can adapt as your family's needs change.
Illustrative images.
More than a backyard building
A real home requires real planning.
A detached ADU isn't simply a shed with nicer finishes. It's a complete living environment, and the property itself helps determine what can be built.
That's why the first step isn't choosing cabinets. It's understanding the property and what you're trying to create.
Depending on the project, planning may involve
- 01Site conditions
- 02Available space
- 03Setbacks
- 04Utilities
- 05Plumbing
- 06Electrical
- 07Foundation
- 08Access
- 09Layout
- 10Local zoning
- 11Permitting
- 12Building requirements
- 13Finishes
The Basements Inc. approach
Start with the property. Then design the possibility.
Every ADU begins with two things:
01
What you want the space to accomplish
02
What the property allows us to build
Basements Inc. starts by understanding both. From there, the project can move from an idea into a defined plan for a functional, independent living space, not a one-size-fits-all backyard box.
What goes into an ADU
Smaller footprint. Complete living space.
Every project is different. Depending on the design and the property, a detached ADU may bring together:
01
Kitchen
Designed around everyday living rather than simply fitting appliances into a small footprint.
02
Bathroom
Plumbing, layout, ventilation, and finishes planned as part of the complete space.
03
Living area
A comfortable central space designed around how the ADU will actually be used.
04
Bedroom / private space
Privacy and functionality within an efficient footprint.
05
Mechanical systems
The behind-the-walls infrastructure that makes the structure function like a real home.
06
Exterior & access
An ADU should feel intentional on the property rather than something simply dropped into the backyard.
From idea to ADU
A clearer path to a complex project.
- Step 01
Discover
We start with why you're considering an ADU, who the space is for, and what you want it to accomplish.
- Step 02
Evaluate
We look at the property and the major factors that could shape what's possible.
- Step 03
Plan
Once the direction is clear, the project moves into planning, scope, and the requirements that may need to be coordinated before construction.
- Step 04
Build
With the project defined, the transformation moves from plans into a finished living space.
Depending on the project, design, engineering, zoning review and permitting may be required. We'll help you understand what your project may need and how it gets coordinated.
Why Basements Inc.
We build living space. Not just square footage.
Whether we're transforming the floor beneath your home or creating a new living space on your property, the goal is the same:
- Understand how you want to use the space.
- Understand what the property requires.
- Then build around both.
Not sure which path fits?
Basement ADU or detached ADU?
Sometimes the best opportunity is beneath your home. Sometimes it's elsewhere on the property. The right approach depends on your goals, existing space, property, and the type of living environment you're trying to create.
Basement ADU
Transform existing square footage.
Detached ADU
Create an entirely separate structure.
Looking to add finished space without a full living unit? A garage conversion may be another path.
Talk Through Your OptionsQuestions
Detached ADU questions.
A detached accessory dwelling unit is a separate residential structure located on the same property as a primary home. Requirements and permitted uses vary by municipality and property.
It depends on the property and applicable local requirements. Factors can include zoning, lot conditions, setbacks, utilities, access, and the proposed design. Basements Inc. can begin by discussing the project and evaluating the major considerations.
The cost depends heavily on size, site conditions, utilities, foundation requirements, layout, finishes, and other project-specific factors. The first step is understanding what you're trying to build and the property it would be built on.
The timeline varies based on design, approvals, site conditions, project complexity, and construction scope. We can talk through the factors that affect your project once we understand it.
Potential rental use depends on applicable local laws, zoning, permitting, and other requirements. It needs to be verified for your specific property and municipality.
A basement ADU creates a more independent living space within the existing home, while a detached ADU is a separate structure located elsewhere on the property.
Explore what your property could become
The space you need might be closer than you think.
Tell us what you're considering and what you'd like the new space to accomplish. We'll start by understanding your goals, your property, and the right next step.
Serving selected areas of Massachusetts.