archive blog
Should You Build a Backyard Office or a Full Living Unit?
A studio and a backyard cottage can look alike from the street, but the code treats them very differently. Here is where the line falls in Seattle.
What Goes Into Building a Living Space Above a Garage?
Stacking a home over parking saves yard space but puts heavy demands on the structure. Here is what engineers, fire rules and stairs add to the plan.
Can Your Basement Become a Separate Living Unit?
A basement already has a roof and utilities, but height, egress and water decide whether it can become a legal unit. Here is what Seattle’s codes check.
What Should You Know Before Converting a Garage Into an ADU?
An existing garage already has walls and a roof, but the code treats it as a new home once people live there. Check height, slab, insulation and egress first.
Should You Build an Attached ADU or a Backyard Cottage?
A unit inside the house and a cottage in the yard follow the same size caps but very different building rules. Here is how to compare them on your lot.
How Do You Protect Your Yard During DADU Construction?
Most of the yard outside the work zone can survive a backyard cottage build. Here is how marked limits, saved topsoil and smart storage keep it that way.
What Happens at the Final DADU Walkthrough?
The last meeting with your builder is a private review, separate from the city’s approval to occupy. Here is what to check, test and collect before final payment.
What to Look for During a DADU Framing Walkthrough
Open studs make changes cheap and fast. Here is what to check on a framing visit, which code limits explain what you see and why the visit never replaces an inspection.
How Material Lead Times Can Change a DADU Schedule
A late window or cabinet can hold up every task behind it. Here is how to tie selections to milestones, and why Seattle’s energy code puts some choices before submittal.
What Homeowners Should Understand About Construction Change Orders
Changes happen on almost every cottage build. Here is how a written change order works, how lien records fit in and when Seattle needs to review a plan change.