An ADU builder in Colorado Springs is a licensed contractor who designs and constructs accessory dwelling units — detached backyard units, garage conversions, attached additions, and junior ADUs (JADUs). Because an ADU is a complete second dwelling, the builder coordinates foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work and pulls it through Colorado Springs's permit process and utility connections. Not every general contractor has built one, so the right builder is one with ADU-specific experience in Colorado.
What ADU Builders Cost in Colorado Springs [12][13]
Based on our Colorado Springs cost data, expect the following ranges from local ADU builders. Quotes for the same scope typically vary 20-40% between contractors, so getting at least three bids is the single best way to control cost.
| New Detached ADU (all-in) | $185,000-$420,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $325-$650 |
| Garage Conversion | $100,000-$200,000 |
| Prefab / Modular ADU (installed) | $150,000-$340,000 |
| City Permit & Plan Review | PPRBD permit is valuation-based ($45.65 per sq ft in 2025-26): about $345 for a 750 sq ft unit or $505 for 1,250 sq ft, plus a 28% plan-examination fee. City DRE plan review $180 (new structure) or $130 (addition) plus $25 IT fee (Res. 191-25, eff. Jan 1, 2026). No separate land-use application fee. |
| Impact Fees | Citywide Development Impact (police/fire) fee $624-$766 per unit (AR 2025-08, 2026 schedule); park fee-in-lieu $1,748-$2,155 per unit (Res. 09-25, eff. July 1, 2025; UDC 7.4.307.D.3 makes ADUs pay at building permit); school-site fee-in-lieu (UDC 7.4.308); plus Colorado Springs Utilities development charges. All due at building-permit issuance. The Planning Manager may waive or reduce ADU fees for low-to-moderate-income owners or deed-restricted affordable units (7.3.304.E.3). |
For a full line-item breakdown, see our Colorado Springs ADU cost guide. To confirm what you're allowed to build before you hire, review the Colorado Springs ADU rules (max detached size: 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 1,250 sq ft, whichever is less; if the principal dwelling is under 1,500 sq ft the ADU may be 750 sq ft. ADU floor area does not count toward the lot's accessory-structure floor-area cap (7.3.304.E.2.a).; owner-occupancy: Not required to rent out the ADU and no covenant is recorded. The owner must show they live on the property when the permit application is filed (notarized Owner Residency Affidavit), except when the ADU is built together with a new house (7.3.304.E; C.R.S. 29-35-103(2)(b)).).
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How to Vet an ADU Builder in Colorado Springs
- License: Confirm a current contractor's license in Colorado and that it's in good standing. Ask for the license number and verify it with the state board.
- ADU-specific experience: Ask how many ADUs they've completed in or near Colorado Springs and request addresses or photos. ADU permitting and setbacks differ from a kitchen remodel.
- Portfolio & references: Get references from recent ADU clients and, if possible, visit a finished unit.
- Insurance: Verify general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance.
- Written, detailed bid: Insist on an itemized, fixed-price or clearly-scoped bid — not a verbal estimate. It should state whether permits (PPRBD permit is valuation-based ($45.65 per sq ft in 2025-26): about $345 for a 750 sq ft unit or $505 for 1,250 sq ft, plus a 28% plan-examination fee. City DRE plan review $180 (new structure) or $130 (addition) plus $25 IT fee (Res. 191-25, eff. Jan 1, 2026). No separate land-use application fee.), plan check (City DRE planning review plus PPRBD building review; no published turnaround. PPRBD charges $50/hour for re-examination after a second disapproval.), and impact fees (Citywide Development Impact (police/fire) fee $624-$766 per unit (AR 2025-08, 2026 schedule); park fee-in-lieu $1,748-$2,155 per unit (Res. 09-25, eff. July 1, 2025; UDC 7.4.307.D.3 makes ADUs pay at building permit); school-site fee-in-lieu (UDC 7.4.308); plus Colorado Springs Utilities development charges. All due at building-permit issuance. The Planning Manager may waive or reduce ADU fees for low-to-moderate-income owners or deed-restricted affordable units (7.3.304.E.3).) are included.
- Permit handling: Confirm they manage Colorado Springs's permit process ("Administrative review: submit a site plan and building permit to the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD); the Planning Manager approves on objective UDC standards (7.3.304.E.1.i). City attachments: notarized Owner Residency Affidavit, recorded no-separate-sale covenant, Colorado Springs Utilities Ability to Serve determination (Historic Preservation Overlay lots also need a Report of Acceptability). A City notice poster must stay up on the street frontage for 14 days before the permit issues.", typically No published review time. Approval is administrative (no hearing) but the permit cannot issue until the 14-day posted notice runs (7.3.304.E.1.j); ask the Development Review Enterprise (719-385-5982) for current plan-review turnaround.) and who is responsible if revisions are required.
- Payment schedule: Avoid large upfront payments. A reasonable schedule ties payments to completed milestones.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- How many ADUs have you built in Colorado Springs in the last two years?
- Is your bid fixed-price, and what would trigger a change order?
- Are permits, plan check, and utility connection fees included?
- What's a realistic timeline, including permit review (No published review time. Approval is administrative (no hearing) but the permit cannot issue until the 14-day posted notice runs (7.3.304.E.1.j); ask the Development Review Enterprise (719-385-5982) for current plan-review turnaround.) and construction?
- Who is my point of contact and how are delays communicated?
- What warranty do you provide on workmanship?
- Can you share three recent Colorado ADU client references?
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