Top 5 Accessory Dwelling Unit Builders in San Diego

Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are secondary, self-contained units built on the same lot as the primary residence. The most common types of ADUs are converted spaces like attics, garages, and basements, and detached stand-alone garden cottages used as additional dwelling or working spaces. They’ve surged in popularity throughout the country in the last decade or so, and with its mild weather and high property values, San Diego is no exception. 

Accessory dwelling units are a cost-effective and practical way to add housing and/or commercial space without moving, especially in areas where the demand is high and buildable land is limited. An ADU can generate rental income, provide a comfortable living space for aging parents or adult children, and boost property value by adding functional square footage that can appeal to prospective buyers.

Since they represent a significant investment in terms of time, effort, and finances, choosing the best ADU builders is crucial. From planning, procurement, and permitting to design, construction, and on-site problem-solving, partnering with highly-rated ADU companies can save you a lot of money and stress. To help you pick the best Accessory Dwelling Unit contractors in San Diego, we take a look at 5 reliable companies that stand out:

• Remodel Works
• Snap ADU
• JDB Builders
• YNK Construction
• Nestadu

Since each of these businesses has its strengths and weaknesses, we’ll take a look at their pros and cons to help you get a sense of how well they are suited to your needs.

Pros & cons of the top-rated Accessory Dwelling Unit companies in San Diego

1. Remodel Works

Boasting over 40 years of experience in home remodeling and ADUs, Remodel Works has a reputation as one of the best accessory dwelling unit builders in San Diego. As a family-run business with local roots, they’ve become synonymous with budget discipline, firm focus on on-site safety, and full regulatory compliance. From sophisticated, fully personalized bathroom remodels to all types of home renovation projects, Remodel Works is strongly committed to on-time delivery.

Whether you’re looking for an in-law unit to keep family close while maintaining privacy, a smartly-designed space for a home office, or a converted garage to boost your income sources, Remodel Works can deliver attached, detached, and junior ADUs (JADUs) that maximize your livable space and project cost-effectiveness. With a full-service design-build process, their approach takes care of every aspect of the project, from the first blueprints and design solutions to the finishing touches and the final walkthrough.

Pros

• Over 40 years of industry experience: Their team of skilled craftspeople, creative designers, and dedicated project managers brings experience and skill, long-term market insight, honed process, and deep practical insight into local procurement opportunities. What’s more, 80% of their team has been with the company for 5+ years.
• Fully integrated design & construction: Design and construction are handled under one roof to improve coordination, reduce handoff issues, minimize costly redesigns, and keep projects moving through stages with fewer delays and communication problems.
• Honest & predictable pricing: Projects are priced using a fixed-cost model that provides a transparent budgeting structure, giving homeowners clear financial expectations upfront and minimizing the risk of overdrafts. Once the final design is approved, the price doesn’t change.
• Hands-on project oversight: Each client is paired with a dedicated project manager who keeps track of scheduling, daily workflows, on-site safety, timeliness, state regulatory adherence, and ensures quality standards are maintained at every stage of the project.
• Proven track record of meeting timelines: Established workflows and experienced crews deliver consistent scheduling, while maintaining workmanship quality and keeping things on track within agreed timeframes.
• Well-stocked showroom: With one of the most impressively stocked showrooms anywhere in the country, Remodel Works lives up to its reputation as one of the best ADU companies in San Diego. Clients can browse through a rich selection of materials, finishes, and design options for easier decision-making and more personalized choices.
• Comprehensive final inspections & warranties: They promise a detailed walkthrough after project completion, followed by some of the best warranty protections in the industry. Their full 5-year workmanship warranties on every project illustrate their confidence in the long-term quality of their work.

Cons

• Scheduling may be extended during high-demand: Don’t waste precious time scheduling because project start days may require additional lead times during peak construction season.
• Methodical design-build approach: May not be the best option for clients looking to work with an independent architect or add significant late-stage changes to the project.

2. Snap ADU

As a highly-rated ADU contract in San Diego, Snap ADU is a woman-owned turnkey provider specializing in stick-built and prefabricated models. From large guest houses and two-story units to garage conversions and multi-unit models, they have 117 ADUs built or under construction across San Diego County at the time of writing. They offer free browsing of their project library, letting clients draw inspiration and choose different floor plans from their long list of projects.

Pros

• End-to-end project delivery: They position themselves as an all-in-one team handling design, permits, and construction, streamlining handoffs and communication.
• Highly specialized ADU expertise: They advertise as 100% focused on ADUs with a sizable project portfolio, both completed and underway.
• Pre-approved design plans: They have a big database of build-ready plans, which can significantly speed up the early project stages.
• Access to ADU-focused lenders: They partner with companies specializing in ADU loans, giving their clients more financing options to choose from.

Cons

• Restricted service area: Their services are heavily centered around the San Diego area, meaning that owners outside the central city zone may be left out.
•  Pre-approved plans may need adjustments: ‘Pre-approved’ status can be too location-specific—even the best laid plans sometimes need tweaking when confronted with reality on the ground.
• Relatively limited number of reviews: Their limited number of testimonials makes it hard to get a detailed picture of how their former clients see their work.

3. JDB Builders

Marketed as a provider that takes care of designs, permitting, construction, and final finishes, JDB Builders is one of the top-rated ADU companies in San Diego, serving Arizona and Texas besides California. They specialize in custom homes, ADUs, renovation projects, and fire restoration. With a dedicated design team and 3D rendering, they take on both residential and commercial builds, primarily in retail, office, and small-scale industrial facilities.

Pros

• Unified design & construction team: They market an integrated setup with in-house design and construction expertise, simplifying the process and ensuring smooth coordination. 
• Licensed to operate across multiple states: Besides being one of the top ADU builders in San Diego, they operate in competitive Arizona and Texas markets, too.
• End-to-end project management: Like the previous two companies we’ve outlined, they also boast dedicated hands-on project management for each client.
• Early-stage visualization & planning: They highlight permit procurement and 3D renderings as an important part of their pre-construction process.

Cons

• No publicly available pricing: Their site pushes ‘free estimates’, so clients need to engage in consultation before understanding the total project cost.
• Limited customer review visibility: Publicly available review sources list a small number of testimonials, making it hard to evaluate their services.
• Experience may differ by location: Operating across 3 states can be a plus in terms of procurement, but it can also lead to varying service quality across locations.

4. YNK Construction

With a mission to “make remodeling and design easy and worry-free for homeowners,” YNK is founded on principled transparency, professionalism, and a respectful approach to clients. Besides being known as one of the best ADU contractors in San Diego, YNK Construction deals in house additions, kitchen, bathroom, and whole-house remodels. They can also step in for build-only projects when the plans are already in place, which is an interesting option that is not usually offered by high-end contractors.

Pros

• Fully integrated design-build services: They cover planning, documentation, permitting, material selection, and full build, so you won’t have to juggle vendors and contractors.
• Strong reputation for seamless communication: A family-owned setup that prioritizes open communication channels to speed up decisions and feedback flows.
• Budget-conscious design & planning: They emphasize their ability to work within constrained budgets and avoid ballooning costs.

Cons

• Pricing provided only through consultation: It’s hard to assess their pricing structure since they don’t provide a transparent pricing list on their website.
• Limited ADU-specific reviews: With barely more than 30 reviews on Google at the time of writing makes it difficult to evaluate a company that’s been in the business for more than 7 years.
• Short baseline warranties can be a deterrent: They offer only 1-year warranties, subject to optional extended coverage, which can feel discouraging compared to industry norms.

5. Nestadu

Nestadu is a highly-rated ADU company in San Diego specializing in modular prefab and site-built custom accessory dwelling units. Partnering with Nestadu, you can expect a guided process that includes everything, from site assessment and design through permitting and construction. They specialize exclusively in ADUs with an emphasis on process, transparent pricing, and high-end craftsmanship. As a locally-based contractor, Nestadu is committed to giving back to the community, with 10% of profits going to house the homeless.

Pros

• Wide range of prefab models & custom build support: They offer a large variety of both site-built and factory-built ADUs, giving you great choice flexibility.
• Transparent pricing with entry-level options: They have a clear pricing structure outlined for several styles and prefab models, helping clients set expectations early.
• Full permitting support included: They handle all the necessary documentation, form plan submittal, through communication with the municipality and relevant local authorities.

Cons

• Initial prices may increase significantly with project scope: While their site advertises ‘starting from’ pricing, some reviews report higher than expected per-square-foot costs.
• Prefab units may face site requirements constraints: Certain local laws and municipal ordinances can add uncertainty and affect what you’re allowed to build.
• Custom ADU costs determined after evaluation: Unlike their prefab models that are transparently priced, clients may need to wait for a full project evaluation before learning the full costs.

Now it’s up to you to make an informed choise

If you’re looking for a top ADU contractor who can navigate tight site constraints, take care of the permitting, ensure high-quality utility connections, and coordinate trades on a realistic schedule, Remodel Works ticks all your boxes. As a local team of highly-rated ADU builders, Remodel Works can eliminate the need for costly redesigns, minimize the risk of delays, and do it all within the agreed budget and timeframe.

If you want to keep the family close while preserving privacy, add a supplemental revenue stream, or boost productivity by moving your office into your backyard, a high-quality ADU is the most cost-effective and convenient solution for you. Call us today, and let’s start working together on a more functional and comfortable future for you and your loved ones!