ADU builder in Greenville, SC

Built Up Homes builds ADUs for homeowners in Greenville and the Upstate: detached guest houses, backyard cottages, garage apartments, and in-law suites with their own entrance. I'm Greg Palmer, and I've owned and run Built Up Homes since 2013. Call me at 864-636-9402 or send me a note to set up a free site visit.

What counts as an ADU

An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, is a smaller second home on the same lot as your main house. Folks call them backyard cottages, garage apartments, in-law suites, or carriage houses. Unlike a bonus room, someone can actually live there, usually with their own kitchen, bath, and entrance.

What people around Greenville build them for:

  • Aging parents or adult kids close by, with real privacy
  • Guest space that doesn't live inside your main floor plan
  • A home office, or a guest house and office under one roof
  • Longer-term rental help on the mortgage, where your zoning allows it

How we build your ADU

1. Free site visit and feasibility

Before anyone draws anything, I walk the lot with you. We look at where the main house sits, your setback lines, how much of the lot your buildings already cover, how utilities would reach the ADU, drainage, and how crews would get back there. Then I'll tell you honestly whether an ADU makes sense, or whether an addition might fit better. Better to find that out now than after you've paid for plans. Wondering if your lot can have an ADU? I walk through the City of Greenville rules in ADU on Your Greenville Lot? City Rules Explained.

2. Design and permits

If you don't have an architect or drafter yet, we'll help you find one. I like being at the table during design, because every idea has a cost attached, and it's easier to change on paper. I’m usually able to give a rough ballpark estimate after looking over the property, and that gets fine-tuned as the design is finished. Then we coordinate the drawings and permit approvals. Sometimes there are tight design constraints because of city requirements, historic district requirements, or HOAs. That's why it's really important to have a contractor involved during design. I've helped two clients solve a city design constraint by providing a workable construction solution that allowed their projects to be built.

3. Construction

I consistently hear from clients how much they appreciate my level of communication and helpfulness throughout the project. We'll have a dedicated meeting time each week, at a minimum, to update you on the project, and I'm available anytime you need me during the rest of the week. I supervise all the construction myself, so you stay in communication with the same person from start to finish. Most of the work stays in your backyard, and crews usually come and go through the driveway, so the main house should be able to run like normal.

4. Final inspection and move-in

The work gets inspected at each critical point along the way. At the end, we get the final inspection, then do a walkthrough together before anyone moves in. After that, the project moves into our one-year warranty period, and you're on your way to enjoying your ADU.

Wondering whether your lot will work? Call 864-636-9402 and I'll come take a look.

What affects the cost

I can't give you an honest number over the phone before I've seen your lot, but here are the things that will affect pricing:

  • Size. In city limits the cap is roughly 1,000 square feet, and your main house's size can limit it further, as can the residential (R) zoning district you're in. Typically, that all means the ADU can only be a certain percentage of the size of the main home on the property.
  • Detached or attached. A detached cottage needs its own foundation, roof, and systems. An in-law suite attached to the house can share some of them.
  • Kitchen and bath. How much of each the space needs.
  • Site and utilities. How far utilities have to run, grading and drainage, and how easy it is to get crews and materials back there. Site topography is also a significant part of the cost.
  • Design and finishes. These can significantly affect the final cost, depending on HOA requirements, personal preferences, and more.

ADU or addition?

If you want more of the same house, like a bigger kitchen or a primary suite, an addition is usually the smarter path. If someone needs their own kitchen and their own front door, lean ADU. An ADU also keeps the crew out of your house. I walk through the full decision in Addition or ADU on My Greenville Lot: How Do I Choose?

From an ADU client

“Greg was extremely easy to work with. He built our ADU (guest house + home office). He produced great results and showed extreme attention to detail. When there was a trade-off to consider, he kept us tightly in the loop so that we could make decisions quickly and avoid delays. He also helped us understand our options when making decisions, and even sat down with us and our architect to help find creative ways to trim costs when initial bids came in a bit over budget. I highly recommend building with him!”

— ADU client

Common questions

Do I have to live on the property?

Inside city limits, yes. One of the two homes, either the main house or the ADU, generally has to be owner-occupied. Elsewhere, we'll check it for your address.

Can I rent it out?

Longer-term rental can work where your zoning allows it. In City of Greenville residential districts, ADUs generally aren't a path to Airbnb-style short-term stays. If rental income is part of the plan, we'll check it against your zoning.

How much will it cost, and how long will it take?

It depends on your lot and what you want built. Once the vision is clear, we can give you a rough ballpark, and you'll get a schedule once the plans and scope are settled.

Does an ADU add value to my property?

Generally, an ADU adds more value than an addition. An addition typically gets back only part of what it cost to build, while an ADU tends to get back up to the full cost.

Next step

If you're thinking about an ADU, start with a free site visit. We'll walk the lot and talk through who it's for. Ask me the same questions you'd ask any builder, and judge us by the answers.

We build in Greenville, Simpsonville, Mauldin, Taylors, Greer, Travelers Rest, Piedmont, Fountain Inn, Gray Court, and Laurens.

— Greg Palmer, Built Up Homes