Complete 2026 cost breakdown: construction, permits, financing, and expected rental ROI.
Calculate your Bend ADU cost →Building an ADU in Bend costs between $225,000-$350,000 for new construction, with per-square-foot costs averaging $280-$440. These figures include design, permitting, site preparation, and construction. The most affordable option is a garage conversion at $60,000-$150,000, while prefab/modular ADUs fall in between at $180,000-$280,000.
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Architectural Plans | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Permits & Fees | Roughly $3,000-$4,000 for a 600-800 sq ft ADU at FY2025-26 rates: building permit $1,212.58 for the first $100,000 of valuation + $7.00 per extra $1,000, plan review 65%, 12% state surcharge, 0.33% affordable-housing fee, plus trade permits. The City emails project estimates. |
| Impact Fees | City SDC schedule FY2025-26 (effective July 1, 2025): an ADU pays a $1,086 transportation SDC; the City's water and sewer SDCs are listed 'not applicable' for the ADU category (versus $11,890 for a new house under 600 sq ft). Rates are indexed every July 1. The Bend Park & Recreation District charges its own parks SDC on top; an SDC deferral program is available (development@bendoregon.gov). |
| Site Prep & Foundation | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| Framing & Structure | $15,000 – $45,000 |
| Plumbing | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Electrical | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| HVAC | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Interior Finishes | $15,000 – $40,000 |
Quotes for the same ADU commonly vary 20–40% between builders. We pass your request to up to 5 local builders serving Bend, where we have them — free, no obligation.
Get Bend builder quotes →Permit fees in Bend are Roughly $3,000-$4,000 for a 600-800 sq ft ADU at FY2025-26 rates: building permit $1,212.58 for the first $100,000 of valuation + $7.00 per extra $1,000, plan review 65%, 12% state surcharge, 0.33% affordable-housing fee, plus trade permits. The City emails project estimates.. The review timeline is The City's published estimate is 4-8 weeks of building-permit review, depending on application completeness and how fast you answer plan-review comments (City ADU Resource Hub)., with plan check: Included in the 4-8 week building-permit review; the plan-review fee is 65% of the building permit fee. Drawings must label which rooms belong to the ADU and which to the main house.. Impact fees are City SDC schedule FY2025-26 (effective July 1, 2025): an ADU pays a $1,086 transportation SDC; the City's water and sewer SDCs are listed 'not applicable' for the ADU category (versus $11,890 for a new house under 600 sq ft). Rates are indexed every July 1. The Bend Park & Recreation District charges its own parks SDC on top; an SDC deferral program is available (development@bendoregon.gov).. Pre-approved plans: 1 free pre-approved plan set (shed or gable roof), developed by the City of Eugene and offered by Bend at no cost; the plans cannot be modified and you still pay permit fees and SDCs. The City says more plans are planned..
| 1-Bedroom Rent | $1,600-$2,000/month |
| 2-Bedroom Rent | $1,900-$2,400/month |
| Annual Rental Income (est.) | $21,600/year |
| Payback Period (est.) | 13.3 years |
| Short-Term Rental | Restricted. Any short-term rental needs a City STR permit and annual license (BDC 3.6.500; BC 7.16). |
| Overall ROI Estimate | 6-9% gross rental yield (estimate) |
A typical ADU in Bend generates approximately $21,600 per year in rental income based on average 1-bedroom rents. At an average construction cost of $287,500, the estimated payback period is 13.3 years — before accounting for the resale value the ADU adds, which an appraiser determines from comparable sales in Bend and varies by market (often less than build cost).
1. Garage conversions save 40-60% vs new construction since the shell already exists. Average cost in Bend: $60,000-$150,000.
2. Prefab/modular ADUs offer predictable pricing and faster timelines. Average: $180,000-$280,000.
3. Pre-approved plans — available in Bend, which can save $3,000-$10,000 in design costs and 2-3 months in review time. See which cities offer pre-approved ADU plans.
4. State grants — California's CalHFA ADU grant (up to $40K) is currently paused; check calhfa.ca.gov/adu for status and your state for active programs.
5. Get multiple bids — ADU contractor pricing varies 20-40% for the same project. We recommend getting at least 3 quotes.
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