Mallard Brothers Construction

Mallard Brothers Construction represents a newer generation of builders entering the Puget Sound ADU market with a deliberately different philosophy and structure. Founded in 2021 by Keenan Duke and Tyler Alverson, the firm began with a meaningful project: building a tiny home to house a community member's mother during the pandemic. That foundational purpose shaped the company's identity, which centers on creating quality living spaces that serve real homeowner needs rather than chasing high-volume production. The team has grown to seven core members, each bringing specialized expertise in carpentry, design, project management, and construction operations. This small, agile structure allows the firm to maintain quality control and responsiveness that larger contractors often struggle to deliver. In 2026, Mallard Brothers received a Remodeling Excellence Award, formal recognition of the firm's building quality and attention to detail.

What distinguishes Mallard Brothers philosophically is its commitment to eco-friendly design and innovative construction approaches. Keenan Duke's decade of international travel studying innovative building projects across Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa informs the firm's perspective on what makes a dwelling work well. Other team members bring complementary expertise: backgrounds in fine woodworking, journeyman carpentry training through the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Union, real estate finance, and technology sector experience. This diversity of background creates a team perspective that goes beyond standard residential construction practice. The "builders co-op" model the firm uses involves working closely with local tradesmen and vendors, fostering community connection while enhancing efficiency. This approach means subcontractors and suppliers are part of an extended network of quality partners, reducing fragmentation and improving coordination across the full build.

Mallard Brothers specializes in accessory dwelling unit design and construction as a core service. The firm's ADU work spans multiple configurations to match different property types and homeowner goals. Detached ADUs (also called DADUs) allow for maximum privacy and independence, creating a fully separate living unit on the property. Attached ADUs connect to the main home, sharing a wall but maintaining a private entrance and independent mechanical systems, a configuration useful on narrower lots. The firm also handles garage conversions, transforming an existing detached garage into a functional living space with full utilities, a configuration that reuses the existing structure and reduces site impact. Custom tiny homes represent another design-build specialty, creating highly efficient, smaller-footprint structures designed for aesthetic appeal and livability despite compact dimensions. For aging-in-place scenarios, Mallard offers ADA-accessible ADU designs incorporating universal design principles, accessible bathrooms, and layouts suitable for homeowners with mobility considerations.

The Mallard Brothers construction process follows a clear four-step framework. The initial consultation assesses the property for site conditions, utility availability, zoning constraints, and septic capacity (critical in areas relying on septic systems rather than municipal sewer). Many Olympia-area and South Puget Sound properties require evaluation of septic systems and septic reserve areas, adding complexity that builders unfamiliar with these conditions may overlook. The design and planning phase follows, during which the team either helps the homeowner select an appropriate pre-approved ADU plan from Olympia's growing library of fast-track options, or develops a custom design reflecting the client's vision, site constraints, and budget. Pre-approved plans offer advantages in permitting speed and reduced engineering costs; custom design allows for full tailoring to the specific property and homeowner preferences. The permits and approvals phase handles all municipal documentation, code compliance, and regulatory requirements. This step, which can span four months or more depending on the jurisdiction and design complexity, is where inexperienced builders often struggle with timeline management. Mallard's experience navigating Olympia and regional permitting processes helps maintain realistic expectations and move projects forward efficiently. The construction phase encompasses site preparation, foundation work, framing, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing, interior finishing, and final inspections. The firm estimates approximately three months for the construction phase itself, with the full project timeline (design through final completion) typically ranging six to seven months.

Mallard Brothers' approach to ADU design reflects broader trends in sustainable housing and efficient space utilization. Rather than viewing a tiny home or ADU as a scaled-down version of a conventional house, the firm considers how to maximize livability and comfort within a compact footprint. This might involve thoughtful storage solutions, flexible room configurations, high-quality natural lighting, and durable, low-maintenance finishes. The eco-friendly emphasis extends to material selection, energy efficiency, and site impact minimization. These design choices influence build cost and timeline, but homeowners investing in well-designed, efficient ADUs often find the initial premium justified by lower operating costs and genuine livability.

The company's professional affiliations and recent awards reflect commitment to quality and ongoing professional development. Membership in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Olympia Master Builders (OMB), and the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) connects the firm to industry standards, education, and peer networks. The 2026 Remodeling Excellence Award provides third-party validation of building quality. These credentials matter because ADU construction, like any residential building work, requires mastery across multiple trades and adherence to evolving building codes. Contractors who maintain active professional affiliations tend to prioritize staying current with code changes and best practices.

Mallard Brothers operates from an Olympia base, serving the capital city and surrounding South Puget Sound communities. Olympia and its adjacent cities (Lacey, Tumwater, and surrounding areas) comprise the firm's primary market. The company's focus on the mid-sound region makes it accessible to homeowners across Thurston County, the Kitsap Peninsula, and surrounding communities. Unlike Seattle-area contractors that may treat Olympia as a long-commuting distance, Mallard is locally rooted, allowing for more accessible communication and hands-on project involvement.

The firm does not publish pricing on its website, reflecting the reality that ADU construction costs depend on multiple site-specific variables. A compact ADU might start around $200,000, while a more elaborate build could exceed $400,000. Cost variables include lot configuration and site conditions, existing structures that might be incorporated or must be relocated, proximity to utilities, design complexity, finish level, material selections, and local labor availability. Pre-approved plans typically cost less than custom design. Mallard's consultation process helps homeowners establish realistic budgets early, accounting for site-specific factors and construction sequencing. The firm can advise on cost management strategies, from using pre-approved plans to phasing construction.

Comparing Mallard Brothers to other ADU builders in the Puget Sound region highlights a firm positioned for quality design-build work with environmental consciousness and team collaboration at its core. The smaller size means more direct involvement from leadership and design partners than is typical at larger firms. The international perspective brought by the founders, combined with journeyman-trained carpentry and fine woodworking skills, suggests an emphasis on craftsmanship and thoughtful design beyond baseline code compliance. The builders co-op model reduces fragmentation and fosters accountability across the full build. For homeowners prioritizing sustainability, innovative design, and working with a small, engaged team, Mallard Brothers' positioning is distinctive within the regional market. The 2026 award recognition and professional affiliations signal that this newer firm has rapidly built credibility and delivers quality work.

Mallard Brothers Construction is well-suited for homeowners throughout Olympia and the South Puget Sound region who want a site-built ADU or tiny home built by a design-forward, team-oriented contractor. If you value eco-friendly design, direct engagement with experienced builders, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving throughout the build, Mallard's combination of specialized expertise, award recognition, and regional presence makes it a compelling choice for moving an ADU project from concept through completion.