What does an ADU actually cost in Utah?
Most sites quote you a scary number for a backyard home, then go quiet on why. Here's the honest breakdown for 2026 — what the home costs, what the site work adds, and where the real money goes — plus a calculator to ballpark your own project.
Ballpark your ADU
Pick a home size and a site difficulty. We'll show the home price plus a realistic all-in range — the home plus the 35–50% most Utah projects add for utilities, foundation, and city costs.
Where the money actually goes
When you build an ADU, the home itself is the predictable part. The variable — and the part that surprises people — is everything required to turn a delivered home into a permitted, connected, livable dwelling on your lot. As a rule of thumb, plan for an additional 35–50% on top of the home price to cover all of it:
So a real example: a One Bedroom home at $78,000, with a typical 40% site adder, lands around $109,000 all-in as a permanent backyard ADU. A simpler site trends toward the bottom of the range; a tricky one toward the top.
What pushes your number up or down
If two identical homes a mile apart cost very different amounts to install, the difference is usually below ground. The biggest swings:
The electric panel
Can you tie into your existing service, or does the city require a separate panel for the ADU? A new panel and meter adds real cost.
The sewer run
Tying into your home's existing sewer line is affordable. Having to run a brand-new line all the way out to the street is one of the priciest scenarios.
Dirt vs. concrete
Trenching utility lines through open dirt is straightforward. If we have to cut through a driveway or patio and then repair the concrete, that adds labor and material on both ends.
None of these are dealbreakers — they're just the questions worth answering early. When we walk your lot, these are the first things we look at, because they're what move your number most.
Why a Cocoon ADU costs less than site-built
Search "ADU cost Utah" and you'll see detached units quoted at $200,000–$400,000. Those numbers are real — for a home framed from scratch on your lot, where a crew, the materials, and the weather all show up to a different address every day.
We don't build that way. Every Cocoon crew works from the same place every day. Every material is delivered to the same place. We're a well-oiled building machine — closer to a car manufacturer than an on-site home builder. That efficiency saves thousands per build, and we pass it straight to you. Same quality home, dramatically lower number.
We're honest that we're not the cheapest shed-in-a-box — we're the best value: a real, durable, full-time home that holds up, at a price site-built can't touch.
How people pay for it
Here's a key point most homeowners miss: when your ADU is built on a permanent foundation, it's a real, financeable home — which opens up far more lending options than a home on wheels.
Bank & credit union loans
Most banks and credit unions will lend on a permanent, foundation-built ADU. Many now offer renovation-to-permanent loans that factor in your home's future value with the ADU included.
Our lender partners
We work with lenders who already know our product and are comfortable lending on a Cocoon ADU build-out — which can make approval smoother than starting cold.
HELOC
A home equity line against your existing home is a popular, flexible way to fund the build. We provide the documentation your lender needs.
We're not lenders or financial advisors — but we've helped a lot of homeowners line up financing, and we're glad to point you in the right direction.
What people use an ADU for
An ADU is extra space that's close enough for connection, private enough for independence. The homeowners we build for are usually after one of these:
Passive income
Generate rental income — long-term or short-term — from a unit on land you already own.
Multi-generational living
A private suite for aging parents, young adults, or extended family — together, but with everyone's own space.
Flexible space
A home office, guest retreat, studio, or your own quiet getaway — a few steps from the back door.
Compliant and supported. Local zoning, building regs, permits, utility hookups — there's a lot to navigate. We guide you through all of it, so your ADU goes in smoothly and to code. (See where your city stands on the Utah ADU tracker.)
How it works
Our floor plans come in Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts — sized to fit real ADU lots and local rules — with custom finishes you choose: flooring, paint, countertops, cabinets, and more. Energy-efficient windows, durable framing, easy utility connections, and an off-grid option if you need it. Here's the path:
Want to see and feel the craftsmanship first? Visit our Lehi model and walk through one in person.
Want a real number for your lot?
The calculator gets you a ballpark. A short conversation gets you an actual figure — based on your city, your lot, and where your utilities run. No pressure, no obligation.
Figures on this page are general 2026 estimates from Cocoon Homes to help Utah homeowners budget — not a quote or a guarantee of price. Your actual cost depends on your model, finishes, lot, utility access, and city. Rental figures reflect general Wasatch Front market ranges and vary by location and unit. We'll give you a real number after we understand your project.