MyADU
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MyADU was founded in 2019 to address the growing demand for accessory dwelling units across the Portland and Vancouver region. The firm is built on a foundation of 30 years of custom home construction experience and has used that depth to focus exclusively on the ADU market. Unlike general contractors that treat ADUs as an occasional side service, MyADU structures every aspect of its operation around the particular challenges and opportunities of building an accessory dwelling unit on an existing residential lot. The company is based in Vancouver, Washington, serving both Washington and Oregon homeowners, and operates as the licensed general contractor throughout the entire project lifecycle.
The company's service area spans Vancouver and the surrounding communities in Clark County, Washington, as well as Portland and nearby areas in Oregon. This geographic focus allows the firm to maintain deep familiarity with local zoning codes, permitting timelines, and municipal requirements that vary significantly between jurisdictions. The founders' three decades of construction experience means the team understands the practical constraints and building science involved in framing a home on an existing lot, managing utilities, dealing with site-specific soil and drainage challenges, and coordinating with municipal inspectors at multiple stages.
MyADU takes a structured four-step approach to every project. The first step is an initial site visit, during which the team walks the property with the homeowner, discusses setbacks, building placement, and model options, and provides a customized cost estimate. This consultation is free and helps determine whether the lot is viable for an ADU and what design direction makes sense for the space and the homeowner's goals. The second step is permitting and compliance, where MyADU assembles all required documentation including site plans, engineering drawings, storm water management plans, and any specialty permits. The third step is the build itself, beginning with site preparation and foundation work and continuing through all framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and finish work. Throughout construction, the team coordinates municipal inspections to ensure the work meets safety and code requirements at each phase. The final step is the hand-off, at which point the homeowner conducts a final walk-through and receives the certificate of occupancy from the local municipality.
MyADU offers a selection of pre-designed models that can be fully customized to suit individual properties and budgets. The models include the Mt. Rainier, Multnomah, and Columbia, each with a distinct character and layout. These models serve as starting points for the design process, allowing homeowners to see what is possible and to understand the typical flow and livability of an ADU before committing to customization. For properties where the pre-designed models do not fit, MyADU also works with homeowners on entirely custom designs that respond to unique site conditions, adjacency to neighbors, and specific program needs. Whether starting from a model or building from scratch, the custom design process ensures the ADU complements the primary home and fits the lot's unique constraints.
The company emphasizes transparency in pricing. MyADU quotes a single, all-in price that covers the entire project, meaning homeowners receive a clear figure upfront rather than discovering hidden costs or change orders after construction begins. This approach gives the homeowner confidence and makes it easier to compare quotes with other builders or to understand whether an ADU project makes financial sense for their situation. The firm also offers an ROI calculator on its website, helping prospective clients evaluate whether the investment in an ADU will pay for itself through rental income, multi-generational housing benefits, or other returns over time. Pricing for an ADU project from MyADU reflects the site-built, fully custom nature of the work and typically sits within the market range for the Portland and Vancouver areas, where a new detached ADU of 600 to 800 square feet can cost between $150,000 and $300,000 depending on finishes, site prep, and utility requirements.
The company's typical project timeline is six to nine months from design approval through occupancy. This timeframe accounts for the permitting phase, which often takes several weeks or months depending on the municipality, as well as construction. The actual build time depends on the complexity of the project, site conditions, and the extent of customization. MyADU uses its deep local knowledge to manage permitting efficiently, knowing which documents the city will require and the typical review timeline in each jurisdiction, which can reduce delays and keep projects on schedule.
What sets MyADU apart is its singular focus on ADUs rather than treating them as one service among dozens. The founders' custom home background means the quality bar is high. This is not a prefab company shipping a box; rather, it is a construction firm that builds on the site, adapts to the property, and ensures the ADU is built with the same care and precision as any custom home. The team understands the particular design challenges of building a secondary dwelling in close proximity to the primary residence, managing setbacks and utilities, and ensuring the ADU feels like a full home rather than an afterthought. The stress on transparency and upfront communication, backed by an explicit cost model and realistic timeline, appeals to homeowners who want clarity before committing to a major investment.
For homeowners weighing the decision to build an ADU, the financial case often hinges on rental income or the multi-generational housing benefit. Vancouver and Portland both have strong rental markets for accessory dwelling units. One-bedroom units typically rent around $1,000 to $2,000 per month, with two-bedroom units closer to $2,000 per month or more, depending on neighborhood, finishes, and amenities. At these rental rates, an ADU can generate meaningful rental income relatively quickly and often pays for itself over ten to fifteen years. For homeowners building for family rather than income, the value lies in enabling aging parents to maintain independence while remaining close by, or creating space for adult children to live affordably while saving toward their own purchase.
MyADU's track record of completed projects and long experience in custom home building before the ADU focus provides confidence that the firm understands not just the mechanics of building an ADU, but the lifestyle and financial implications of the decision. This accumulated experience translates into practical advice during the consultation phase, helping homeowners avoid pitfalls and make choices that will serve them well over the long term. The team has consulted with families pursuing ADUs for rental income, multi-generational living, home offices, and guest space, bringing nuanced perspective to each unique situation.
MyADU is ideally suited for Portland and Vancouver homeowners who want a straightforward, design-build partner with deep expertise in the region's permitting landscape and ADU construction process. The company is a strong fit for multi-generational households seeking an affordable in-law suite, for investors wanting to add rental income to their property, or for homeowners who need home office or studio space but need it built right and on time. If you want to avoid the complexity of managing multiple contractors and the uncertainty of piecing together design, engineering, and construction on your own, MyADU's end-to-end model delivers a clear path from concept to occupancy.