Not by right — Fort Worth allows ADUs only case by case. Under Zoning Ordinance § 9.101 a Fort Worth 'accessory dwelling unit' is a detached guest or family quarters that may not be rented and may not contain cooking equipment, and § 5.301(c)(3) bars using it as a separate independent residence in the one-family districts. A self-contained second unit with a kitchen is by right only on a lot zoned 'B' Two-Family (§ 4.707, § 6.502) or in certain form-based districts; anywhere else it takes a Planned Development rezoning decided by the Zoning Commission and City Council. Read the current Fort Worth ADU rules before hiring anyone; a contractor quote here is for planning only.
An ADU builder in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth's permit process and utility connections. Not every general contractor has built one, so the right builder is one with ADU-specific experience in Texas.
What ADU Builders Cost in Fort Worth [17][18][19]
Based on our Fort Worth 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) | $130,000-$320,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $250-$400 |
| Garage Conversion | $30,000-$100,000 |
| Prefab / Modular ADU (installed) | $150,000-$300,000 |
| City Permit & Plan Review | $300-$900 building permit for a 500-1,200 sq ft unit. FY2027 Table 1-C-3 (R use groups, fee ordinance on the Sept 15, 2026 Council budget agenda, effective Oct 1, 2026): an R-3 unit up to 500 sq ft pays $61.01 plus $0.45 per sq ft over 65; 65-700 sq ft $102 plus $0.74 per sq ft over 65; 700-1,400 sq ft $570 plus $0.53 per sq ft over 700. Worked: 500 sq ft about $257, 800 sq ft $623, 1,000 sq ft $729, 1,200 sq ft $835, plus a $33.08 application fee and $16.87 technology fee; no plan-review deposit for R-3 accessory structures. Until Sept 30, 2026 the FY2025-26 table (Ord. 27191-09-2024) applies: 500 sq ft $240.80, 800 sq ft $592.44, 1,000 sq ft $692.44, plus $31.50 and $16.87. A garage conversion is a residential remodel at $119 per trade ($595 for five trades, FY2027). Third-party plan review and inspection reduce the permit fee to 70%, 55% or 35% |
| Impact Fees | $0 on the house's existing water meter; $5,828 impact fee plus $6,100-$11,700 in tap fees for a separate new water and sewer connection (Oct 1, 2026 rates). Fort Worth's water and wastewater impact fees are assessed per new or upsized meter, not per building (city Impact Fees FAQ): a 5/8 x 3/4-inch meter pays $5,504 combined from Oct 1, 2025 and $5,828 from Oct 1, 2026 (Council June 10, 2025), a 1-inch meter $14,570; a city-installed 1-inch water tap costs $2,900-$4,000 and a 4-inch sewer tap $3,200-$7,700 (§§ 35-57.4 and 35-57.5, FY2027). Transportation impact fees are collected at building permit on new development measured by land use (Ch. 30 Art. VIII); whether a non-rentable accessory unit is assessed is not published, so ask Development Services for an estimate |
For a full line-item breakdown, see our Fort Worth ADU cost guide. To confirm what you're allowed to build before you hire, review the Fort Worth ADU rules (max detached size: No numeric cap for a habitable accessory building in § 5.301. The limits are the district's lot coverage counting every roof on the lot (§ 5.301(a)(3): 50% in A-5, 45% in A-7.5, 40% in A-10, 30% in A-21 and A-43, 20% in A-2.5A; accessory habitable area counts, § 9.101 'lot coverage'), the district setbacks, the building code and a height no greater than the house (§ 5.301(c)(2)). The 120-to-400-square-foot table in § 5.301(b) applies only to non-habitable sheds and workshops, not to a habitable unit; owner-occupancy: No owner-occupancy clause, but the occupancy rule is stricter: the unit may be occupied only by a member of the family living in the main dwelling or by temporary, non-paying guests staying no more than 14 days in any 30 (§ 9.101 'dwelling unit, accessory' and 'temporary guest'), and it may not be rented or leased. Roomer or lodger rentals of a room are a separate definition and exclude cooking).
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How to Vet an ADU Builder in Fort Worth
- License: Confirm a current contractor's license in Texas 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 Fort Worth 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 ($300-$900 building permit for a 500-1,200 sq ft unit. FY2027 Table 1-C-3 (R use groups, fee ordinance on the Sept 15, 2026 Council budget agenda, effective Oct 1, 2026): an R-3 unit up to 500 sq ft pays $61.01 plus $0.45 per sq ft over 65; 65-700 sq ft $102 plus $0.74 per sq ft over 65; 700-1,400 sq ft $570 plus $0.53 per sq ft over 700. Worked: 500 sq ft about $257, 800 sq ft $623, 1,000 sq ft $729, 1,200 sq ft $835, plus a $33.08 application fee and $16.87 technology fee; no plan-review deposit for R-3 accessory structures. Until Sept 30, 2026 the FY2025-26 table (Ord. 27191-09-2024) applies: 500 sq ft $240.80, 800 sq ft $592.44, 1,000 sq ft $692.44, plus $31.50 and $16.87. A garage conversion is a residential remodel at $119 per trade ($595 for five trades, FY2027). Third-party plan review and inspection reduce the permit fee to 70%, 55% or 35%), plan check (Included in the building permit fee; first comments in 7 business days. Each revision round is billed per hour (FY2027: $66.15 first, $119 second, $237 third and fourth, $375 fifth and up). Expedited review costs a $500 application fee plus $1,125 per hour. Third-party plan review is allowed and cuts the permit fee to 70% (55% for third-party inspections, 35% for both)), and impact fees ($0 on the house's existing water meter; $5,828 impact fee plus $6,100-$11,700 in tap fees for a separate new water and sewer connection (Oct 1, 2026 rates). Fort Worth's water and wastewater impact fees are assessed per new or upsized meter, not per building (city Impact Fees FAQ): a 5/8 x 3/4-inch meter pays $5,504 combined from Oct 1, 2025 and $5,828 from Oct 1, 2026 (Council June 10, 2025), a 1-inch meter $14,570; a city-installed 1-inch water tap costs $2,900-$4,000 and a 4-inch sewer tap $3,200-$7,700 (§§ 35-57.4 and 35-57.5, FY2027). Transportation impact fees are collected at building permit on new development measured by land use (Ch. 30 Art. VIII); whether a non-rentable accessory unit is assessed is not published, so ask Development Services for an estimate) are included.
- Permit handling: Confirm they manage Fort Worth's permit process ("Residential building permit from Development Services (100 Fort Worth Trail; 817-392-2222), filed online through the Accela Citizen Access portal by a city-registered building contractor or by the owner under a homestead permit (owner-occupied primary residence with a homestead exemption). Submit the building permit application marked 'New Accessory', a copy of the recorded plat, a survey or site plan showing every setback, lot line and easement, a floor plan with the square footage of each floor, construction and anchoring drawings (engineering for metal buildings or work over an existing foundation), and mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for habitable space; energy-code compliance forms for conditioned space and an urban forestry permit if the property is an acre or more. Zoning review applies § 5.301 and the district table; trade permits and inspections follow (requests in by 5 a.m. are inspected that day). Codes: 2021 IRC with Fort Worth amendments (Ord. 25383-03-2022), 2021 IPC/IMC/IFGC, 2023 NEC. A kitchen or a rental use is a zoning question, not a permit item: it needs 'B' zoning or a PD rezoning first", typically City-published first-review target for a residential building permit: 7 business days from a complete application (Review Timeframes page, 2026); urban forestry review 7 business days; a zoning variance about 1.5 months; a PD rezoning about 3 months from the monthly application deadline. The city publishes no end-to-end permit figure; total time depends on correction rounds) 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 Fort Worth 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 (City-published first-review target for a residential building permit: 7 business days from a complete application (Review Timeframes page, 2026); urban forestry review 7 business days; a zoning variance about 1.5 months; a PD rezoning about 3 months from the monthly application deadline. The city publishes no end-to-end permit figure; total time depends on correction rounds) 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 Texas ADU client references?
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How much do ADU builders charge in Fort Worth?
ADU builders in Fort Worth typically quote $130,000-$320,000 for a new detached unit, or about $250-$400 per square foot, including design, permitting, and construction. A garage conversion runs $30,000-$100,000 and a prefab/modular ADU averages $150,000-$300,000. Add city permit and plan-review fees ($300-$900 building permit for a 500-1,200 sq ft unit. FY2027 Table 1-C-3 (R use groups, fee ordinance on the Sept 15, 2026 Council budget agenda, effective Oct 1, 2026): an R-3 unit up to 500 sq ft pays $61.01 plus $0.45 per sq ft over 65; 65-700 sq ft $102 plus $0.74 per sq ft over 65; 700-1,400 sq ft $570 plus $0.53 per sq ft over 700. Worked: 500 sq ft about $257, 800 sq ft $623, 1,000 sq ft $729, 1,200 sq ft $835, plus a $33.08 application fee and $16.87 technology fee; no plan-review deposit for R-3 accessory structures. Until Sept 30, 2026 the FY2025-26 table (Ord. 27191-09-2024) applies: 500 sq ft $240.80, 800 sq ft $592.44, 1,000 sq ft $692.44, plus $31.50 and $16.87. A garage conversion is a residential remodel at $119 per trade ($595 for five trades, FY2027). Third-party plan review and inspection reduce the permit fee to 70%, 55% or 35%) plus impact fees of $0 on the house's existing water meter; $5,828 impact fee plus $6,100-$11,700 in tap fees for a separate new water and sewer connection (Oct 1, 2026 rates). Fort Worth's water and wastewater impact fees are assessed per new or upsized meter, not per building (city Impact Fees FAQ): a 5/8 x 3/4-inch meter pays $5,504 combined from Oct 1, 2025 and $5,828 from Oct 1, 2026 (Council June 10, 2025), a 1-inch meter $14,570; a city-installed 1-inch water tap costs $2,900-$4,000 and a 4-inch sewer tap $3,200-$7,700 (§§ 35-57.4 and 35-57.5, FY2027). Transportation impact fees are collected at building permit on new development measured by land use (Ch. 30 Art. VIII); whether a non-rentable accessory unit is assessed is not published, so ask Development Services for an estimate. Quotes for the same scope commonly vary 20-40% between builders, so collect at least three bids.
How do I find a good ADU builder in Fort Worth?
Look for a licensed contractor with completed ADU projects in Fort Worth specifically — ADUs involve local zoning, setback rules, and utility connections that general remodelers may not have handled. Verify the license, ask for an ADU-specific portfolio and references, confirm they carry liability and workers' comp insurance, and get a written fixed-price or detailed bid. Submit a request below and we'll forward it to local ADU builders serving Fort Worth for free quotes.
Do ADU builders in Fort Worth handle permits?
Most full-service ADU builders manage the permit process for you. In Fort Worth the approval process is "Residential building permit from Development Services (100 Fort Worth Trail; 817-392-2222), filed online through the Accela Citizen Access portal by a city-registered building contractor or by the owner under a homestead permit (owner-occupied primary residence with a homestead exemption). Submit the building permit application marked 'New Accessory', a copy of the recorded plat, a survey or site plan showing every setback, lot line and easement, a floor plan with the square footage of each floor, construction and anchoring drawings (engineering for metal buildings or work over an existing foundation), and mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for habitable space; energy-code compliance forms for conditioned space and an urban forestry permit if the property is an acre or more. Zoning review applies § 5.301 and the district table; trade permits and inspections follow (requests in by 5 a.m. are inspected that day). Codes: 2021 IRC with Fort Worth amendments (Ord. 25383-03-2022), 2021 IPC/IMC/IFGC, 2023 NEC. A kitchen or a rental use is a zoning question, not a permit item: it needs 'B' zoning or a PD rezoning first" with a typical review timeline of City-published first-review target for a residential building permit: 7 business days from a complete application (Review Timeframes page, 2026); urban forestry review 7 business days; a zoning variance about 1.5 months; a PD rezoning about 3 months from the monthly application deadline. The city publishes no end-to-end permit figure; total time depends on correction rounds. Confirm in writing whether permit fees, plan check (Included in the building permit fee; first comments in 7 business days. Each revision round is billed per hour (FY2027: $66.15 first, $119 second, $237 third and fourth, $375 fifth and up). Expedited review costs a $500 application fee plus $1,125 per hour. Third-party plan review is allowed and cuts the permit fee to 70% (55% for third-party inspections, 35% for both)), and impact fees are included in the bid or billed separately.
How long does it take to build an ADU in Fort Worth?
Plan for the permit review (City-published first-review target for a residential building permit: 7 business days from a complete application (Review Timeframes page, 2026); urban forestry review 7 business days; a zoning variance about 1.5 months; a PD rezoning about 3 months from the monthly application deadline. The city publishes no end-to-end permit figure; total time depends on correction rounds in Fort Worth) plus construction. Most detached ADUs take 4-8 months of construction after permits are issued; garage conversions and prefab units are often faster. Ask each builder for a realistic schedule and what could delay it.
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