Accessory Dwelling Units in Central Florida
Pro Work Construction designs and builds Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for homeowners across Central Florida. An ADU is a fully independent living space — complete with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and private entrance — built on the same lot as a primary home. It can be a detached backyard structure, an addition attached to the main home, or a conversion of an existing space such as a garage.
Central Florida homeowners typically pursue ADU projects for three main reasons: generating rental income, housing family members, and increasing long-term property value. Florida's regulatory environment has become more ADU-friendly in recent years, and Pro Work handles these projects as complete turnkey builds — from feasibility planning through to final inspection.
Pro Work's ADU pricing generally falls between $275 and $375 per square foot, with timelines running approximately 12 to 20+ weeks from permit to move-in. Well-built ADUs in Central Florida typically rent for $1,200 to $1,800 per month depending on size, location, and finishes.
ADU Types Pro Work Builds
ADUs go by a variety of names — backyard cottage, granny flat, in-law suite, carriage house, garage apartment, or detached guest house — but all refer to the same concept: an independent living unit on a single-family residential lot. The right ADU type depends on the lot configuration, HOA restrictions, budget, and intended use. Pro Work builds all of the following types across Central Florida:
- Detached Backyard ADU — A fully independent structure in the backyard with its own foundation, utilities, and HVAC. Available in studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom configurations depending on lot size and local regulations. This type offers the most design flexibility and is well-suited for rental income or multi-generational use.
- Garage Conversion ADU — An existing attached or detached garage is converted into a fully permitted living space. The existing foundation and shell reduce construction costs compared to a ground-up build. Insulation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and interior finishes are added, and the exterior is modified to match the home's architecture.
- Above-Garage ADU — A new second-story unit built over an existing garage. This option is useful for lots with limited backyard space. It includes a private exterior staircase, dedicated entrance, and a full kitchen, bathroom, living area, and bedroom on one level.
- Attached ADU — An addition to the main home that functions as a completely independent dwelling, sharing one or more walls but with a separate entrance, kitchen, and bathroom. Sound insulation between shared walls is treated as a design priority.
- Interior Conversion ADU — Unused interior space, such as an oversized garage bay or bonus room, is reconfigured into a legal ADU. This is typically the most cost-effective option. It requires a separate entrance and must meet egress, ceiling height, and utility upgrade requirements.
ADUs differ from standard home additions in one important way: an ADU functions as a fully independent dwelling unit, which means it can legally generate rental income as a separate unit. A home addition simply expands the existing living space.
Beyond rental income, ADUs are commonly used for multi-generational living — providing aging parents or returning adult children with their own private space while keeping them close. Pro Work also designs ADUs for use as dedicated home offices or creative studios, with acoustic separation, professional-grade electrical, and layouts planned for potential future residential conversion.
ADU Regulations in Central Florida
Florida's ADU regulatory landscape has shifted in favor of homeowners. Under Florida HB 1339, municipalities are now limited in their ability to fully prohibit ADUs on single-family lots in most cases. This has opened the door for many Central Florida homeowners who were previously restricted.
However, local ordinances still apply. Each county and municipality sets its own rules regarding maximum ADU size (typically ranging from 750 to 1,200 square feet), setback requirements, height limits, and owner-occupancy rules. Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Lake counties each follow different regulations. Pro Work reviews all applicable local requirements for a specific property before any design work begins.
One of the most common obstacles is HOA restrictions. Many Central Florida neighborhoods have CC&Rs written before Florida's current ADU laws, which may restrict or prohibit ADUs. Because HOA rules are private agreements rather than government regulations, state ADU laws do not automatically override them. Pro Work reviews HOA documents during the feasibility phase and advises homeowners on their specific situation before any investment in design is made.
Pro Work Construction serves homeowners across Central Florida, managing the full scope of ADU projects — from initial feasibility and permitting through construction and final inspection.
