ADU services · Sacramento region
ADU services in Sacramento: the 5 types of ADUs we build
Upside builds five types of ADUs across the Sacramento region: detached, garage conversion, attached, junior (JADU), and multigenerational. Detached units add the most value; garage conversions and JADUs cost the least. One team handles design, permits, and construction — starting at $1,000 down with the rest tied to inspection milestones.
Start here
Pick by your goal
Most homeowners land on a build type based on one priority. Here's the fastest route to the right page.
What we build
The five ADU types, side by side
A quick overview of each build type — what it is, who it suits, and where to read the full details. Each card links to that type's own page; cost depth lives on pricing, floor plans on models.
Detached ADU
Most popularA fully independent dwelling in your backyard with its own entrance, kitchen, and bath. Detached ADUs add the most property value and command the highest rents of any ADU type.
Best for: Rental income, multigenerational living, and maximum resale value.
Garage Conversion ADU
Converting an attached or detached garage reuses an existing foundation and walls, making it the most affordable way to add a legal ADU. No added parking is required in Sacramento.
Best for: Homeowners who want the lowest entry cost and a faster timeline.
Attached ADU
An attached ADU connects to your existing house but functions as a fully separate dwelling. It shares utilities and a wall, which can reduce site and trenching costs versus a detached build.
Best for: Lots where a shared wall saves on utilities and site work.
Junior ADU (JADU)
A Junior ADU is up to 500 sq ft created within the walls of your existing house — often a converted bedroom with an efficiency kitchen. It's the lowest-cost way to add a legal rental, and you can pair one with a detached ADU on the same lot.
Best for: Owners who want the cheapest legal unit, or a second unit on the lot.
Multigenerational ADU
Most ADUs are built to keep family close. We design multigenerational units with single-level, aging-in-place accessibility — zero-step entries, wider doorways, and curbless showers — so loved ones live independently next door.
Best for: Families housing aging parents or adult children nearby.
At a glance
Compare the 5 ADU types
Headline figures are 2026 Sacramento-region ranges. For your exact number, run the estimator below or see published pricing.
| Type | All-in range | Typical size | $ / sq ft | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached ADU | $165,000–$430,000 | 500–1200 sq ft | $250–$360 | 26–40 wks | Rental income, multigenerational living, and maximum resale value. |
| Garage Conversion ADU | $95,000–$245,000 | 380–620 sq ft | $180–$280 | 18–28 wks | Homeowners who want the lowest entry cost and a faster timeline. |
| Attached ADU | $150,000–$390,000 | 450–850 sq ft | $240–$340 | 24–36 wks | Lots where a shared wall saves on utilities and site work. |
| Junior ADU (JADU) | $85,000–$220,000 | 220–500 sq ft | $200–$320 | 14–24 wks | Owners who want the cheapest legal unit, or a second unit on the lot. |
| Multigenerational ADU | $175,000–$455,000 | 600–1200 sq ft | $250–$370 | 26–40 wks | Families housing aging parents or adult children nearby. |
Want the full breakdown? See published ADU pricing for what's included, or read how much an ADU costs in Sacramento for market-wide 2026 data.
Run the numbers
Estimate any ADU type
Pick a type, a city, and a size to see an all-in cost and a rough rental ROI. For a saved, itemized estimate, send it to the full calculator.
Estimate your ADU
Ballpark 2026 turnkey cost, financing, and rental return for your area.
Estimated turnkey cost
$250–$360 / sq ft · incl. design, permits & construction
Estimates only — 2026 regional ranges, not a bid. Your real price depends on site conditions, finishes, and your lot. We confirm with a free feasibility check.
Looking for floor plans?
A build type is how the unit is built. A model is a specific, pre-designed floor plan with a fixed price. Pick your type here, then choose a named plan.
What will it cost?
We publish real prices — most builders won't. See all-in ranges by type, what's included, and the $1,000-down, inspection-milestone payment schedule.
Why Upside
One accountable team, no markup chain
We only build ADUs — no franchise overhead, no in-house property-management upsell. That focus is why our pricing is published and our terms are homeowner-first.
- $1,000 down — California's legal maximum deposit. The rest is released on inspection-verified milestones, never ahead of completed work.
- Published pricing for every build type, so you can compare apples to apples before a single site visit.
- Design, permits, and construction under one roof — see how working with us looks.
- A real guarantee on price and workmanship — read the Upside guarantee.
Service area
We build across the Sacramento region
Every type above is available in the cities we serve. Jump to your city for local permit rules, lot examples, and submarket rents — or see the full coverage map.
ADU services FAQs
Five: a detached ADU (standalone backyard home), a garage conversion ADU (reusing an existing garage), an attached ADU (shares a wall with your house), a junior ADU or JADU (up to 500 sq ft inside the home), and a multigenerational ADU designed for aging-in-place.
It comes down to your lot and your goal. Detached units rent highest and add the most value; garage conversions and JADUs are the lowest-cost entry; attached units save on site work; multigenerational units are built for accessibility. Use the comparison table below or run the estimator.
Most single-family lots in California can add one ADU plus one junior ADU — so a detached unit and an interior JADU on the same property is a common pairing. Multi-family properties can qualify for more. We confirm the exact count for your parcel during the free feasibility check.
A type is how the unit is built (detached, conversion, attached, junior, multigen). A model is a specific pre-designed floor plan with a fixed price. Pick the build type here, then browse named floor plans and fixed pricing on our models page.
Yes. Upside is a pure ADU builder — one accountable team designs your unit, pulls the permits, and builds it. We start at $1,000 down (California's legal maximum deposit) with the rest tied to inspection-verified milestone draws, so you never pay ahead of completed work.
We don't manage rentals in-house — we're builders, not a property manager. If you want a hands-off rental, we'll refer you to a vetted Sacramento property-management partner. See our rent-it-out page for how that handoff works.
Not sure which ADU type fits your lot?
Send us your address and goal — we'll tell you what's buildable, what it costs, and which type pays back fastest, usually within a few days.