ADU's and detached garage projects are becoming more and more common in Charlotte, NC. There are many reasons for this explosion of construction projects. First, with many homeowners sitting on 2%-3% mortgages, it is very unappealing to sell their current residence and acquire a new home with a 7%-8% mortgage! Additionally, Charlotte has historically been a very affordable metro that allowed homeowners to trade up to a larger house with a reasonable mortgage. According to Zillow, in April of 2024, the median sold price in Charlotte was $432,250. With housing becoming increasingly expensive in the Queen City, many homeowners are making their current home, their "forever home", by upfitting their current houses with additional space via a garage, or ADU. As discussed in a previous article, almost every lot in town is now eligible to build one ADU! As we look at our list of ADUs that we are currently building at Charlotte ADU Builders, we see that there are themes for neighborhoods that are enthusiastic about upgrading their current residence with an ADU. The first theme is center city concentration, the neighborhoods where we are doing the highest volume of builds are all well within the 485 beltline. The second pattern shows that neighborhoods south and east of Uptown currently have the highest concentration of ADU projects. Let's get to the list! Top 5 Neighborhoods for ADUs in Charlotte, NC (in no particular order) Chantilly Dilworth Southpark Plaza Midwood Oakhurst The patterns of ADU construction will evolve as our city becomes more aware of the options to add additional square footage via ADUs and Garage/ADU combos. Stay tuned as we continue to share our perspective!

How long does it Take to Build an ADU in Charlotte, NC? The answer is- about as long as it takes to read this article (assuming you have the right builder).       There are 3 fundamental phases to building an ADU, creating the floor plan, permitting through the city and county, and finally the build!       Phase 1- Creating the Perfect Floor Plan   Creating your desired floor plan for your ADU or detached garage can be an exercise in artistic expression or a simple process. Regardless of how unique your vision might be, at Charlotte ADU Builders, we believe being involved in the initial creation of the plan makes for a smoother partnership with our clients. If a client is responsive, we find that a plan can be created in a few weeks. Once that step is completed, we provide the plans to an Engineer so that they take the aesthetic concept and design the structural components (footing/foundation/framing/roof, etc.) to achieve the client's vision, while making sure that it is built to last!     Phase 2- Permitting   Once we have the plan completed, it is time to work with the city and county for the proper permitting to be able to build your ADU! We are very proud of our relationships with the departments on the city and county level and have had tremendous success executing permits in a time-effective manner. While many builders are struggling to receive permits after months and months of navigating the system, we are typically able to receive permits in about 30 days.       Phase 3- The Build!   There are a finite number of builders in the Charlotte market that have built ADU's and this makes it a laborious and lengthy process to bring in the right team members to execute e project of this scale. It is currently taking most builders, approximately 6-9 months to complete the construction of an ADU. At Charlotte ADU Builders, we are currently averaging 100 days to build a beautiful ADU project!       If you are interested in a conversation about building an ADU or detached garage, we would love to speak with you! Please give us a call at 704-606-4522 or email us at  Sean@CharlotteADUBuilders.com .

Charlotte NC has been one of the most desirable locations for individuals looking to relocate over the past decade. As the population in the Charlotte Metro area continues to skyrocket, homeowners are looking to ADU’s as a way to customize their properties to make their current residence, their forever home. As homeowners start to investigate the prospect of building an ADU, the obvious question becomes, who builds ADU’s in Charlotte NC? In many large metropolitan areas, ADU’s have been a staple of in town living. It is far more cost effect to build an ADU, then to sell your current home and try to find a property that meets all of the needs of your family under one roof. Truth be told, many homeowners prefer a separate structure to house their guests and family members so that Uncle Jerry can store his dirty socks somewhere else during Thanksgiving. Strategy- Do it Yourself/ Container ADU ADU’s create a number of interesting and creative ways for a someone to add square footage to their house. There are some handy individuals that will bring in a shipping container and modify it to meet their needs for an area to work on creative projects, watch games or have friends over to create a fun vibe away from the main house. For some the cost effectiveness of customizing a shipping container can be a great fit for a family on a budget! Strategy- Be Your Own General Contractor Some homeowners will elect to directly bring in a group of construction tradesmen and figure out the project as a team. Construction projects can be tons of fun, and with the right skill sets and team members, it can be a very positive experience. Due to the scale of the project, the key will be to make sure that you have licensed contractors that do quality work and are able to pull permits. Ideally those that choose to be their own general contractor have a strong construction background! Strategy- Hire a Builder Strategy The majority of homeowners looking to build an ADU will want to hire a builder to lead a project, pull permits, and manage the different trades. This option will be far less work for the homeowner and create a more structured process for the project. The challenge with this option in Charlotte NC, is the lack of builders that have experience building ADU’s and specifically working with the Mecklenburg County Building Code Department as well as the City of Charlotte Zoning Department to bring these projects to life. If you are interested in a discussion to determine if Hiring a Builder for your ADU project is a good fit, we would love to jump on a call discuss your vision for an ADU or Detached Garage!

On June 1, 2023, Charlotte, NC created a significant piece of legislation, the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This new zoning created a very different answer to the question; Can I build an ADU in Charlotte, NC? Prior to this law, there were far fewer lots that were zoned to allow for additional housing structures to be built (ADU's). This was particularly frustrating for those from the west coast that were familiar with the massive benefits of ADU structures. ADU's are a fantastic way to create, high-quality, beautiful new construction, while creating more density in a fast-growing city such as Charlotte, NC. Now for the important stuff. The most important take away from the new zoning is that MANY more lots are now eligible for development in the city! There are certainly a number of factors that must be calculated when determining the allowable size of an ADU that you can build on your property. Have no fear, help is here! Charlotte ADU Builders, LLC would love to be your go-to resource to help you navigate the world of zoning and to help you understand exactly what type of ADU project is possible on your property! Give us a call or shoot us an email to learn about ADU's in Charlotte, NC! #CharlotteADUBuilder   #ADU 's #CharlotteNCADU 's