ADU & DADU Construction in South Hill, WA

ADU & DADU Construction on South Hill, WA

South Hill's 1980s and 1990s ramblers and split-levels offer a specific ADU opportunity that I see more homeowners taking advantage of every year. Many of these homes have attached 2-car garages that share a wall with the main living space. That shared wall makes garage-to-ADU conversions more practical and less expensive than building from scratch, because you already have a foundation, a roof, and one insulated wall in place. I work throughout the Canyon Road and Meridian corridors, the Sunrise neighborhoods, and the developments off 112th and 122nd Street. Over 20 years in the trades, I have converted dozens of garages into finished living spaces across Pierce County.

The most common South Hill ADU project I build is an attached garage conversion. A typical 2-car garage gives you roughly 400 to 450 square feet of floor space, which is enough for a studio or one-bedroom layout with a full bathroom and kitchenette. These conversions run $90,000 to $190,000 depending on the scope. The work includes framing interior partition walls, insulating the exterior garage walls and ceiling, replacing the garage door opening with a framed wall and window, running new plumbing for the bathroom and kitchen, upgrading the electrical panel to handle the additional load, and finishing with drywall, flooring, and trim. For homeowners with larger lots, I also build detached backyard cottages in the $180,000 to $350,000 range. Rental income on South Hill runs $1,200 to $1,700 per month for a well-built ADU. My ADU construction page walks through every step of both project types.

South Hill is in unincorporated Pierce County, so ADU permits go through Pierce County Planning and Public Works. Pierce County updated its code through Ordinance 2025-516s to comply with HB 1337, allowing 2 ADUs per lot within the Urban Growth Area. The county sets side and rear setbacks at 5 feet for detached ADUs (2 feet abutting an alley), and the maximum size is 1,000 square feet within the UGA. Before occupancy, the county requires recording a notice with the Pierce County Auditor that includes the legal description and approved floor plans. I handle all of that paperwork. Most South Hill properties are on municipal sewer, which simplifies the utility connection compared to areas on septic. Pierce County also offers sewer connection fee deferral options. I verify sewer capacity and coordinate the connection permit so that piece is handled before construction starts.

If your South Hill garage is just storing boxes and a lawnmower, it might be worth more as a rental unit or a space for family. Call me at (253) 392-9266 or request a free estimate. I will look at your garage or yard, talk through the options, and give you a fixed-price proposal with no surprises. Learn more on the South Hill service area page.