What Is an ADU and What Does Laursen Builders Offer?
An accessory dwelling unit, commonly referred to as an ADU, is a secondary housing unit located on a single-family residential lot. While the term may sound technical, it is the most widely used designation across the United States to describe this type of housing. Laursen Builders has been actively involved in ADU construction, particularly in Oregon, where recent legislative changes have made it easier for homeowners to add these units to their properties.
It's worth understanding that ADUs are defined by their function as a housing unit, not by a single standardized structural form. This means that ADUs can look quite different from one project to the next, depending on the lot, the homeowner's needs, and local zoning requirements.
The Range of ADU Types
Laursen Builders works with several common ADU configurations. These include:
- Detached new construction ADUs – also known as backyard cottages, granny flats, or DADUs
- Garage conversions – transforming an existing garage into a livable unit
- Bump-out additions – extending an existing structure to create additional living space
- Basement conversions – repurposing below-grade space into a separate dwelling unit
As an experienced ADU contractor and ADU builder, Laursen Builders is familiar with the variety of forms these projects can take and works with clients to determine which type best suits their property and goals.
Detached ADUs: Backyard Cottages and Granny Flats
One of the more common project types Laursen Builders handles is the detached ADU. This involves constructing a fully separate structure on the same lot as a single-family home, typically in the backyard or side yard. Depending on the region, these are sometimes called backyard cottages, granny flats, laneway houses, or simply detached ADUs.
As a detached ADU builder operating in Oregon, Laursen Builders has developed experience navigating the state's evolving ADU regulations, which have seen notable updates in recent years. These changes have opened up more opportunities for homeowners to add secondary units to their properties, and Laursen Builders has completed a number of these projects for Oregon-based clients.
Whether a homeowner is looking for a backyard cottage builder, a garage conversion contractor, or general guidance on what type of accessory dwelling unit makes sense for their lot, Laursen Builders brings hands-on experience to the process.