Harjo Construction

Harjo Construction is an award-winning Seattle remodeling firm founded in 2010 that has completed over 300 renovation and construction projects across Seattle and the wider Puget Sound region. The firm focuses primarily on residential remodeling work, including whole-home renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodels, second-story additions, basement finishes, and exterior upgrades, with ADUs and backyard cottages as a growing dedicated service line. Harjo has earned 12 Remodeling Excellence (REX and T-REX) awards from the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties over eight years, recognizing consistent quality across a portfolio spanning single-family homes, multi-family projects, and commercial work. Based in the Seattle area with a concentration of projects in neighborhoods like Ballard, Magnolia, Queen Anne, and Wallingford, Harjo emphasizes design-build relationships and virtual consultations, appealing to homeowners who want to explore ADU or cottage options without a formal in-person sales process.

The company's ADU and backyard cottage services are offered alongside its core remodeling business, which means Harjo brings remodeling expertise to ADU projects when a homeowner is considering additions or significant alterations to an existing home. This combination is valuable for complex scenarios: a homeowner who wants to both remodel the main house and add an ADU, or who is converting a garage into an accessory dwelling, benefits from a single contractor with experience in both spaces. Harjo's portfolio includes multiple completed ADU and DADU projects in Seattle neighborhoods, including the West Seattle DADU (a two-story unit with combined kitchen and living space), Greenwood DADU, Northwest Seattle DADU, Queen Anne Basement ADU Remodel, Magnolia Basement ADU Remodel, and Broadview Basement ADU. The range of project types suggests flexibility: detached cottages, basement conversions, and ADUs built as part of larger property improvements.

Harjo's website emphasizes the complexity of navigating ADU and DADU zoning in Seattle, particularly in response to recent regulatory changes like HB 1337 and HB 1110, which have expanded construction rights in urban neighborhoods. The firm positions itself as a design-build partner that understands these regulations and can guide homeowners through both the permitting process and construction delivery. This is meaningful because many homeowners are unfamiliar with the legal landscape around ADUs, and builders who communicate clearly about zoning, setback requirements, and design constraints provide value beyond construction alone. Harjo's blog includes posts on current zoning updates and ADU opportunities in Seattle, suggesting the firm stays current with regulatory changes and actively educates its customer base.

What distinguishes Harjo is the scale and consistency of its remodeling awards: twelve REX (Remodeling Excellence) and T-REX awards over eight years is a strong signal of execution quality in a market where remodeling projects are notoriously complex and customer-satisfaction rates vary widely. REX awards are judged by peers and are meaningful credentials in the construction industry because they reflect both the design and the delivery of a project. A firm earning multiple awards has demonstrated the ability to manage complex scope, navigate unexpected site conditions, keep budgets stable, and satisfy customers repeatedly. For homeowners considering an ADU as part of a broader home improvement project, this track record is reassuring. The judging process for REX awards typically includes site visits, homeowner interviews, and evaluation by other builders and industry professionals, so the award represents genuine recognition rather than self-promotion.

The firm's emphasis on virtual consultations also acknowledges that many homeowners want an initial conversation without the formality of a site visit, which can be a lower-barrier entry point for exploring ADU feasibility. A virtual call allows a homeowner to describe their property, their goals, and their budget constraints to an experienced builder, get preliminary feedback on what might be possible, and decide whether to move forward to a site visit and detailed estimate. This staged approach is particularly valuable for homeowners in the early stages of considering an ADU, who may not yet be ready to invest in design or formal estimates.

Harjo's portfolio spans diverse project types, which demonstrates adaptability and deep trade knowledge. Whole-home remodels require coordinating structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and finish work while managing ongoing disruption to a occupied home. Kitchen and bathroom remodels demand knowledge of code-required ventilation, utility routing, and spatial constraints. Second-story additions involve structural engineering, roof transitions, and integration with existing homes that vary widely in condition and design. Basement finishes require addressing water intrusion, egress windows, and the specific challenges of below-grade living spaces. A builder comfortable across this range has developed problem-solving skills and trade relationships that transfer directly to ADU construction. When an ADU project encounters an unexpected soil condition, a utility conflict, or a zoning gray area, a builder experienced across many project types approaches the problem with more tools and perspectives than a specialist focused narrowly on one thing.

Pricing and service areas are not published in detail on the website; Harjo requires contacting the firm directly for estimates and service availability. This is standard in the Seattle remodeling market, where costs vary so widely based on existing conditions that generic pricing would be misleading. The firm does offer design services as a separate offering, which means a homeowner can engage Harjo to develop ADU plans without committing to construction delivery with the same firm. This flexibility appeals to homeowners who may want design input but plan to manage construction themselves or bid the work to multiple builders. The design-only option also allows a homeowner to get professional architectural drawings that comply with Seattle's design guidelines before approaching other builders for bids, which can streamline competitive bidding if a homeowner wants to compare pricing.

Harjo is reachable through its website at harjoconstruction.com, which includes a project inquiry form and options to request a virtual consultation. The site displays the breadth of completed work with photographs and descriptions of projects organized by category (ADUs/DADUs, kitchens, basements, additions, etc.), making it easy for a prospective client to see examples relevant to their project type. The firm's social media presence on Facebook includes recent project updates and community commentary on Seattle construction topics.

Harjo operates in a competitive market where ADU construction is increasingly commoditized and where general contractors, remodeling firms, and specialized ADU builders all compete for work. Harjo's differentiation is in depth of remodeling experience combined with ADU capacity, making them a natural choice when an ADU is part of a larger home improvement plan. The firm's 12+ awards and 300+ projects also mean they have seen nearly every scenario a Seattle homeowner might face: tight urban lots, basement water issues, utility constraints, historical homes, and neighborhoods with strict architectural guidelines. That experience base is valuable when a project involves complexity beyond a standard backyard cottage. For a homeowner planning to both remodel the main house and add an ADU, Harjo's familiarity with both scopes under one roof simplifies coordination and reduces the risk of disconnects between the two projects.

Harjo Construction is the right builder for Seattle homeowners who are considering an ADU or backyard cottage as part of a broader remodeling or addition project, who value a firm's proven track record of managing complex renovations, and who appreciate the convenience of virtual consultations and design services separate from construction delivery. The firm's award recognition and portfolio depth provide confidence, and the combination of remodeling and ADU expertise makes Harjo particularly strong for projects that involve both improving the main home and adding density through an accessory unit.