ADU & DADU Construction in Lakewood, WA

ADU & DADU Construction in Lakewood, WA

Lakewood is a strong market for ADU construction. The city has a mix of lot sizes that work well for both attached and detached units. The larger lakefront properties near American Lake and Gravelly Lake have room for standalone backyard cottages. The more modest lots near the Towne Center and JBLM work well for garage conversions. Military families at JBLM are increasingly interested in ADUs as a way to generate rental income from their Lakewood property, especially if they get transferred and want to keep the house. I have over 20 years in the trades and have been building ADUs across Pierce County since 2018.

Garage conversions in Lakewood typically run $80,000 to $175,000. A 2-car garage gives you roughly 400 to 450 square feet, enough for a studio or one-bedroom with a full bathroom and kitchenette. For the lakefront properties with larger lots, I build detached ADUs in the 500 to 800 square foot range for $180,000 to $380,000. A finished ADU in Lakewood can bring in $1,300 to $1,900 per month in rental income. My ADU construction page breaks down the process for both types of builds.

Lakewood handles ADU permits through its own building department. Washington's HB 1337 requires all cities to allow at least 2 ADUs per residential lot, and Lakewood has updated its code accordingly. I handle the full permit package including site plans, building plans, and utility connections. For lakefront properties, I verify shoreline management requirements before we start design.

If you own a Lakewood property and want to add rental income or family space, call me at (253) 392-9266 or request a free estimate. I will walk your lot, evaluate your existing structures, and give you a fixed-price proposal. Visit the Lakewood service area page for more.