Small House Solutions
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Small House Solutions is a Texas-based design-build firm that approaches the accessory dwelling unit as a custom architectural problem, not a kit to be assembled or a catalog item to be replicated. Founded on the principle that small spaces should be designed with the same care and creativity as large ones, the company specializes in ADUs, backyard homes, custom homes, additions, and remodels across much of Texas and surrounding regions. Their philosophy is explicit: "Small does not mean affordable," a refreshing honesty in an industry that often pretends premium design and construction can be delivered at budget prices. The company's portfolio ranges from projects around 200 square feet to structures exceeding 2,000 square feet, and they serve clients in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, the Hill Country, and beyond, across more than 20 Texas counties including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bexar, and Harris.
What distinguishes Small House Solutions in a crowded market is their commitment to transparent pricing and their willingness to publish pricing examples on their website. Most builders offer vague ranges or insist on a custom quote for every inquiry, leaving potential clients uncertain about affordability. Small House Solutions publishes actual project examples with costs, ranging from 119,000 dollars for a modest project to 450,000 dollars for a more substantial build. These examples are not average costs but rather actual projects showing the range of what different clients have built. The company notes that their construction contracts typically span 240 to 500 dollars per square foot or more, with a minimum project cost around 150,000 dollars for projects with plumbing, electrical, and full amenities. Simple structures without utilities might cost less, but the starting expectation is realistic. By publishing these ranges, Small House Solutions sets honest expectations rather than attracting clients with artificially low quotes and then shocking them with reality during construction.
Small House Solutions' design-build integration means a single firm handles design, engineering, permitting, and construction. This eliminates the common frustration of hiring an architect to design something beautiful and then discovering that a contractor cannot build it efficiently, or vice versa. In design-build, the designer knows the builder's constraints and costs from the start, and the builder participates in design decisions to ensure feasibility. When the design phase concludes, a single comprehensive contract covers construction, not a separate agreement with a new party. This continuity reduces miscommunication and allows the team to navigate unexpected site conditions or changes with a single decision-maker rather than negotiating between multiple parties.
The company's process emphasizes site feasibility as the foundation of good design. The first step is a free consultation by phone or Zoom to assess whether your project fits their service model and to establish initial parameters. This might be a 30-minute conversation clarifying your goals, your timeline, your budget range, and your lot. The second step is a site feasibility report, where a team member visits your property and evaluates zoning compliance, utility availability, soil conditions, slope, existing trees or structures, and any other physical constraint that affects what is possible. This report is not free, but the cost is modest relative to the fee for a full design, and it prevents expensive surprises later. A property that looks suitable for a 300-square-foot ADU from a zoning perspective might turn out to sit on problematic soil or require expensive utility extensions. Better to know this before committing to design work.
Once feasibility is confirmed, the custom design agreement begins, leading to multiple design phases. Small House Solutions does not skip directly from feasibility to final drawings. Instead, they produce conceptual planning showing overall massing, orientation, and layout. Then comes electrical layout planning, showing where utilities will run and how the structure will connect to power, water, and sewer. Materials and selections are discussed and documented. Exterior elevations are developed showing the building's appearance and how it relates to its surroundings. These steps ensure that when you approve a design, you understand not just the layout but the actual appearance, the material palette, and the engineering approach.
The final design phase produces detailed construction documents, the technical drawings that permit agencies require and that contractors use to build. Once these are complete, the permitting phase begins. Small House Solutions does not guarantee a timeline through permitting because permitting is in the hands of local authorities, but the company has experience with Texas permitting and understands what different agencies need to see. Depending on local requirements, this phase might take weeks or months, but once permits are issued, construction can begin.
The company's service area across Central Texas and beyond reflects their confidence in their process and their team. Austin and the Hill Country are home base, but the company also serves San Antonio, Houston, and surrounding areas. This geographic reach means they have experience with diverse zoning environments, different soil types, different climate challenges, and different building cultures. Hill Country properties often have limestone, steep slopes, and environmental constraints. Coastal areas near Houston face different challenges related to flooding and salt air. San Antonio has its own architectural traditions and zoning rules. Small House Solutions has navigated these variations, which means they can counsel you on what is realistic in your specific region.
The company's published project gallery is worth exploring because it demonstrates their actual work, not idealized renderings. You can see completed ADUs, backyard homes, and additions with photos of exteriors and interiors, materials, finishes, and spatial relationships. This transparency builds confidence that you understand what you are paying for and what the finished product will look like. The company notes explicitly that "pricing examples are planning references, not fixed quotes," because construction costs vary with site conditions, material choices, permitting complexity, and market conditions. But at least the examples give you a starting point for budgeting rather than forcing you to request quotes blind.
Small House Solutions is particularly suited for property owners across Texas who want a custom-designed ADU or accessory structure, who value transparency about costs and timelines, and who prefer working with a single design-build team rather than coordinating multiple specialists. If you own land in Central Texas or beyond and want to explore whether an ADU or backyard home makes sense on your property, Small House Solutions' free initial consultation is a straightforward entry point. The company's commitment to honest pricing and their demonstrated portfolio of finished work suggest an approach built on long-term reputation rather than aggressive growth or high-volume efficiency.