An ADU builder in Savannah 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 Savannah's permit process and utility connections. Not every general contractor has built one, so the right builder is one with ADU-specific experience in Georgia.
What ADU Builders Cost in Savannah [10][11][12]
Based on our Savannah 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-$260,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $175-$345 |
| Garage Conversion | $70,000-$160,000 |
| Prefab / Modular ADU (installed) | $100,000-$220,000 |
| City Permit & Plan Review | 2026 Revenue Ordinance, Art. P: valuation = floor area x $80/sq ft; permit = $8 per $1,000 of the first $5,000, $4 per $1,000 to $10,000, $2 per $1,000 above, plus $75 plan review (valuation under $75,000). A new 700 sq ft ADU is about $230; a conversion within the existing footprint is a flat $200. |
| Impact Fees | City development impact fee (Ch. 15, Ord. 2-23-2023(12), full rate since July 1, 2025): $3,930.85 per single-family dwelling, $3,888.53 per duplex or townhouse unit, for parks, trails, fire, police and roads. No ADU exemption is written; confirm the category Development Services applies to an ADU. |
For a full line-item breakdown, see our Savannah ADU cost guide. To confirm what you're allowed to build before you hire, review the Savannah ADU rules (max detached size: Footprint capped at 40% of the principal dwelling's footprint, not to exceed 700 sq ft; in A-1, RSF-E, RSF-30 and RSF-20 the cap is 40% or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less (Sec. 8.7.4.d). Footprint is measured at finished grade inside the exterior walls (Sec. 13.3), so second-storey floor area is not capped. No minimum floor area since May 2023: the unit must meet the building code (2018 IRC). Maximum one bedroom; variable through the Zoning Board of Appeals ($620).; owner-occupancy: Not required for the house or the ADU: Sec. 8.7.4 contains no owner-occupancy clause or deed restriction. Owner-occupancy matters only for short-term vacation rental certificates (see Rental).).
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How to Vet an ADU Builder in Savannah
- License: Confirm a current contractor's license in Georgia 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 Savannah 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 (2026 Revenue Ordinance, Art. P: valuation = floor area x $80/sq ft; permit = $8 per $1,000 of the first $5,000, $4 per $1,000 to $10,000, $2 per $1,000 above, plus $75 plan review (valuation under $75,000). A new 700 sq ft ADU is about $230; a conversion within the existing footprint is a flat $200.), plan check (Plan review fee $75 for valuations under $75,000 or $150 for $75,000-$100,000, paid at submittal (2026 Revenue Ordinance, Art. P, Sec. 1(B)); review time not published.), and impact fees (City development impact fee (Ch. 15, Ord. 2-23-2023(12), full rate since July 1, 2025): $3,930.85 per single-family dwelling, $3,888.53 per duplex or townhouse unit, for parks, trails, fire, police and roads. No ADU exemption is written; confirm the category Development Services applies to an ADU.) are included.
- Permit handling: Confirm they manage Savannah's permit process ("Building permit from Development Services with zoning review by Planning and Urban Design (MPC); a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Board of Review or Historic Preservation Commission first if the lot is in a local historic overlay; a Zoning Board of Appeals variance ($620) if the lot is under the district minimum or the unit needs a second bedroom.", typically Not published. Neither the Revenue Ordinance nor the city's ADU page gives a review-time target; ask Planning and Urban Design (planning@savannahga.gov, 912-651-3108) before submitting. A historic-district Certificate of Appropriateness adds at least one monthly board cycle.) 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 Savannah 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 (Not published. Neither the Revenue Ordinance nor the city's ADU page gives a review-time target; ask Planning and Urban Design (planning@savannahga.gov, 912-651-3108) before submitting. A historic-district Certificate of Appropriateness adds at least one monthly board cycle.) 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 Georgia ADU client references?
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