ADU Experts
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Cost guide · 2026

How much does an ADU cost in New Hampshire?

Straight answer: an architect-designed detached ADU from NH ADU Experts runs $184,000 to $483,000, all-in 384 sf up to 1049 sf. Those aren't “starting at” teasers; they're the published turn-key prices for every model we build, and they're listed below.

Every model, every price

Most builders make you call to get a number. We publish ours — same table as our models page, updated whenever pricing changes.

ModelSizeBeds / BathsAll-in price$ / sf
Barrington384 sf1 bd / 1 ba$184,000$479
Wakefield525 sf1 bd / 1 ba$269,000$512
Newfield600 sf1 bd / 1 ba$244,000$407
Summit654 sf1 bd / 1 ba$293,000$448
Rye750 sf1 bd / 1 ba$348,000$464
Shapleigh800 sf2 bd / 1 ba$313,000$391
Spruce882 sf2 bd / 2 ba$361,000$409
Washington896 sf2 bd / 1 ba$380,000$424
Ella's Retreat981 sf2 bd / 2 ba$401,000$409
Ossipee1049 sf2 bd / 1 ba$483,000$460

What “all-in” actually covers

The all-in price includes the base build, the foundation, on-lot utility runs, permits, design, and standard finishes. In other words: the number on the table is the number a normal lot pays to go from grass to keys.

Three things sit outside it, because they genuinely vary by property: town water/sewer tap fees (set by each town, not by us), major site surprises (ledge removal, a septic redesign), and a travel allowance beyond roughly an hour from our Madbury base. Every one of them is written into your quote before you sign — that's the point of all-in pricing.

Why small ADUs cost more per foot

A 384 sf home and a 1049 sf home both need a foundation, a utility trench, a permit package, and a design set. Those fixed costs get divided by fewer feet on a small unit — which is why our smallest model runs about $479/sf while larger two-beds settle near $391/sf. If you're optimizing pure value per dollar, mid-size models usually win; if you're optimizing total budget, smaller wins. The compare page puts them side by side.

For context: New Hampshire's median single-family sale price hit a record $576,000 in May 2026. A complete new home in the backyard for $184,000$483,000 — on land you already own — is the cheapest square footage most NH homeowners will ever add.

The law that makes this possible

Since July 1, 2025, NH RSA 674:71-73 (HB 577) allows one ADU by-right on every single-family lot statewide — no special permits or discretionary hearings for a compliant unit, with detached ADUs up to 950 sf. Your ADU's setbacks are the same as your house's. Read the plain-English breakdown →

Common questions

What's the cheapest ADU you can build in NH?
Our entry point is the Barrington — 384 sf, 1 bed, $184,000 all-in. That's a complete, permitted, turn-key home: foundation, on-lot utility runs, design, permits, and standard finishes included.
What does an ADU cost per square foot in New Hampshire?
Our models run roughly $391–$512 per square foot, turn-key. Smaller units cost more per foot because fixed costs — foundation, utility connections, permits, design — don't shrink with the building.
What costs extra beyond the all-in price?
Three things: town water/sewer connection (tap) fees, which vary by town; major site surprises like ledge removal or a septic redesign; and a travel-time allowance if your lot is more than about an hour from our Madbury base. Each is spelled out in your quote before you sign — never after.
Can I finance an ADU in New Hampshire?
Yes — the four common paths are a construction-to-perm loan, a HELOC, a cash-out refinance, or a home-equity loan. Most NH and ME credit unions and community banks offer construction-to-perm for ADU builds. Every model page has a live calculator to test payments at real rates.
Does the 950 sf detached cap limit what I can build?
NH's by-right rule covers detached ADUs up to 950 sf. Larger plans can still work as attached configurations or where a town allows more — our two largest models are designed exactly for those cases.
Does your lot qualify? Find out for free.

We check your parcel against the by-right law and your town's setbacks — no cost, no obligation.

Get a free zoning review