Homeowners often start their ADU journey by daydreaming about the design of the floor plans and finishes or how they’ll utilize the extra space or passive income. While those are important and exciting considerations, the first step to building your dream ADU is finding a team of professionals that seamlessly guides you from the initial idea to the final walkthrough.
After a decade of building ADUs throughout Denver, we’ve learned that the right team impacts every step of the process, from how accurately a project is priced, to how quickly it moves through permitting, to how confident a homeowner feels when questions come up mid-build.
Here’s what to pay attention to when you’re choosing an ADU builder for your project.
Pricing You Can Actually Understand
Despite their small footprints, ADUs require the same systems (foundation, utilities, mechanical systems, kitchens and bathrooms) as a full-sized home, which can make accurate pricing difficult to pin down. In fact, one of the most common frustrations homeowners run into during an ADU construction project is vague or shifting pricing.
But ADU builders with ample on-the-ground experience can break down costs with transparency and specificity. They know what site conditions typically add to a budget, where design choices move the number, and what allowances should be built in from the start. When choosing a builder, ask for a concise pricing breakdown that clearly pinpoints what services are included and excluded in the final cost.
Another way to avoid costly surprises is by hiring a builder at the outset of your project. Architects are experts in design, but a builder provides practical knowledge of how much a design will cost to construct, how it will hold up to code review, and where site conditions might conflict with the plans on paper. Bringing the builder on at the same time as the architect means those blind spots get caught early, while changes are still easy and inexpensive to make.
A Portfolio That Reflects Real Experience
A strong portfolio of work is more than a gallery of finished spaces; it’s evidence. Look for a builder who has successfully completed several ADU projects, which signifies that they’ve encountered the zoning quirks, garage configurations, and small-lot challenges that make Denver ADU projects unique.
Virtually walking through past projects, from garage-level studios to accessible units for aging parents, gives homeowners a much clearer sense of what’s possible on their own property, and a much better feel for whether a builder’s style and problem-solving approach match their vision.
Clear, Timely Communication
Construction moves fast, and homeowners shouldn’t have to chase down updates to know what’s happening with their own project. Before signing a contract with any builder, pay close attention to how they communicate during those early conversations. Are they responsive? Do they explain things clearly? How they communicate during the sales process is usually a strong indicator of how they’ll communicate once construction is underway.
At L&D Construction, one way that we keep the lines of communication open with our clients once the build begins is through CoConstruct. This online platform allows clients to track the progress of their project in real time, from an up-to-date building schedule to payment tracking.
That same commitment to communication happens internally, too. Our team meets twice a week to review in-progress and upcoming projects, so priorities, potential delays, and next steps stay aligned. That kind of internal coordination is a big part of what makes collaboration between everyone involved in a build work in practice, rather than just in theory.
Permitting Expertise That Saves Time and Money
Permitting is often where ADU timelines get derailed. Denver’s requirements have evolved significantly over the years, and even small missteps in an application can add weeks or months to a project. This is an area where experience matters enormously.
On our team, Sales Director & Broker Sarah Senderhauf has spent years immersed in Denver’s permitting process, and her knowledge shows up in how efficiently our projects move through the city. Knowing which documentation to prepare, which questions reviewers are likely to raise, and how to structure a submission to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth can shave time and costs off a build.
A Team That Works Well Together
Homeowners rarely think to ask about team dynamics when they’re interviewing builders, but it’s worth paying attention to. At L&D Construction, each member of our tight-knit four-person team brings a different strength to the table, from construction management and day-to-day coordination with subcontractors, to permitting and code expertise, to hands-on quality control. Plus, we genuinely enjoy working together. That familiarity and trust translates directly into how smoothly a project runs, because problems get solved through a quick conversation rather than getting lost between departments.
Choosing the Right Team For You
Building an ADU is a significant investment, and the team you choose shapes nearly every part of the experience. Transparent pricing, real-world experience, strong communication, and a collaborative team are the foundational pillars of a project that meets your vision, timeline, and budget.
If you’re considering building an ADU in Denver, taking the time to find the right team is one of the most valuable steps you can take before construction begins. Contact L&D Construction today to learn more about our expertise and see what’s possible on your property.
