One company for design and construction, or a designer first and a builder later? Compare accountability, cost control and plan ownership on each path.
Design Build or Separate Professionals for a DADU?
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Family Living and Accessibility
How Do You Compare DADU Contractor Proposals Fairly?
Bid totals can be tens of thousands apart for the same cottage. Line up scope, allowances and terms first, then compare price on equal footing.
What Should a Builder Portfolio Show Beyond Pretty Photos?
Finished photos hide the foundation, sewer and slope work that drive a cottage build. Ask what the builder handled and check the permit record yourself.
How Do You Verify a Washington Construction Contractor?
Free state tools let you confirm a builder’s registration, bond, workers’ comp and business name in minutes. Run the checks before you sign anything.
What Should You Ask Before Hiring a Builder for a Seattle DADU?
Ask every builder the same questions about registration, permits, scope and payments, then compare the answers side by side before you sign.
What Makes a DADU Energy Efficient in the Seattle Climate?
A warm, efficient backyard cottage starts with a tight, well insulated shell. See Seattle’s insulation minimums, air leakage cap and energy credit rules.
Connecting a Backyard Cottage With Outdoor Living Space
The yard between a house and a cottage has to work for two households. Plan paths, cover and privacy, and check Seattle’s deck height rules early.
Choosing Interior Finishes That Last in Small Homes
In a few hundred square feet, every surface works hard. Pick finishes that handle water, clean easily and can be repaired in sections.
What High-Performance Windows Mean for DADU Comfort
Windows take up a big share of a small home’s walls. Read the NFRC label, match ratings to each wall’s sun and plan egress and safety glass early.
How to Make DADU Interiors Quieter
A small home can be quiet if sound is planned before drywall. Seal gaps, choose walls and windows well, and place the heat pump with Seattle’s limits in mind.