ADUs & Backyard Cottages

Access expert ADU & cottage guides on floor plans, foundations, & plumbing to plan, frame, insulate, pipe, & build backyard homes

Interior of a backyard shed mid-conversion with fresh insulation between studs and a desk on the plywood floor

ExteriorADUs & Backyard Cottages12 min read

Convert a Backyard Shed Into a Year-Round Office

A step-by-step guide to turning a storage shed into a backyard office: insulation, air sealing, power options, mini-split heating and cooling, and permits.

A small backyard cottage under construction with framing and sheathing beside a fenced suburban yard

ExteriorADUs & Backyard Cottages12 min read

ADU Reality Check: Zoning, Utilities, and Budget Before the Floor Plan

A practical guide to vetting a backyard ADU before you spend on design: zoning and setbacks, sewer and electrical capacity, and honest costs.