In the video, we walked through a real DADU budget to show how the numbers typically come together - from hard construction costs to soft costs, fees, and contingencies.
This spreadsheet is the same Excel file we used as a reference point. It’s meant to help you think through line items, sequencing, and total project cost, not to serve as a universal estimate.
Every DADU project is different. Construction costs, development fees, permit fees, utility hookups, and management costs will vary based on your municipality, site conditions, and team. You should always adjust this model to reflect your local requirements and real bids.
That said, having a complete framework upfront can save you time and help you avoid missing major cost categories when you’re evaluating feasibility.
This spreadsheet is most useful if you are:
Early in the planning or underwriting phase
Comparing multiple DADU scenarios
Trying to understand how total project cost is typically structured
Looking for a clean starting point you can customize
Feel free to drop questions on the video and we’ll be happy to answer them.