YardHomes: Panelized Tiny Homes and Accessory Dwelling Units in Minnesota
YardHomesMN is a Minnesota-based panelized compact home builder specializing in pre-designed, pre-engineered, and pre-fabricated modular tiny homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Their offerings are suited for a range of uses, including backyard installations, pool houses, rental units, family spaces, and lakeside retreats.
As an ADU builder and accessory dwelling unit builder, YardHomesMN uses off-site construction technologies that are designed to reduce costs by approximately 20% and cut construction time by around 50%. Building homes or key components in a controlled environment helps minimize material waste and supports more consistent quality control.
Most models are available with Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) construction, which contributes to energy performance that is reported to be significantly better than traditional builds. Additional options include rooftop solar and EV charging integration. Buyers can personalize their home with a range of colors, finishes, and appliance selections.
Home Designs and Placement
YardHomesMN offers four standard design series: Minhome, CitiCabin, Cottage Series, and StackdUp. These compact homes typically range from 300 to 1,000 square feet. As a detached ADU builder and backyard cottage builder, YardHomesMN installs units on permanent foundations, which involves excavation, cement work, utility installation, and final assembly.
Foundation options include slabs, crawl spaces, and helical piers. Units can be placed in backyards or on standalone lots, making them a practical option for those looking to add a granny flat, in-law suite, or Casita to their property.
Unit pricing ranges from approximately $160,000 to $250,000, with installation costs varying depending on site conditions. YardHomesMN also offers a property evaluation service for $100, which analyzes a specific property against the ADU ordinances of the relevant jurisdiction — a useful step for homeowners unsure about local zoning compliance.
The Team Behind YardHomesMN
YardHomesMN was founded by Nichol Dehmer, who brings over 25 years of experience in banking and finance, along with a background in housing development and affordable housing programs. Her financial expertise has supported partnerships with financial institutions to make ADUs accessible to both market-rate and affordable housing customers.
The lead contractor role is filled by Jeremy Powers, founder of TROO SOLUTIONS and BELLA CUSTOM HOMES, with 20 years of experience in custom home building. Jeremy's approach centers on off-site construction of subassemblies and prefabricated kitchen and bath pods, which can reduce construction schedules by approximately two weeks per home. This method is intended to lower project costs and increase the number of units that can be completed annually compared to traditional construction methods.
Together, the YardHomesMN team manages the full process — from an initial custom property analysis through to final installation — for those looking to build a compact, energy-efficient home or accessory dwelling unit in Minnesota.