Free ADU IQ™ Report | Can You Build an ADU on Your Property? | Confido Builders
For Massachusetts homeowners Free 24-Hour Property Report

Can you build an ADU on your property?

Massachusetts says yes to qualifying ADUs, by right. Give us your address and we'll tell you what's realistic on your lot within 24 hours. No cost, no site visit.

Step 1 of your free report. Built from public property records.

24 hrs Free report delivery
$0 No obligation · no site visit
Licensed MA general contractor
5.0 ★ Google rating

Here's what lands in your inbox.

A property-specific report, written for your address.

Report mockup image goes here First page of the ADU IQ Report shown on a laptop and a phone

Massachusetts now allows qualifying ADUs by right.

Under the state's new ADU framework, a qualifying accessory dwelling unit no longer requires a special permit in most residential zoning districts, provided the project complies with applicable zoning, dimensional, setback, utility, building, and site requirements. That includes single-family homes and many residentially zoned multifamily and investment properties.

  • The question is no longer whether your town "likes" ADUs.
  • The question is whether your specific property qualifies, and what can realistically be built on it.

That's exactly what ADU IQ™ answers.

Every lot is different. Setbacks, lot dimensions, utilities, flood zones, wetlands, and site conditions all shape what's possible and what it costs.

Your free ADU IQ™ Report translates the new state rules into a preliminary, property-specific picture, so you can make your first decision with real information instead of guesswork.

Get My Free ADU IQ™ Report

What does an ADU cost?

Slide to your target size to see typical all-in pricing at three finish levels.

650 SQ FT
Typical 1 to 2 bedroom ADU
400 SF650 SF900 SF
Estimated Investment by Finish Level
Essential Smart, durable selections with full Confido quality ≈ $260,000 $400 / SF
Most Popular Signature Upgraded finishes throughout, the Confido standard ≈ $280,000 $430 / SF
Reserve Custom millwork, premium fixtures, designer-level detail ≈ $400,000 $615 / SF

Every estimate reflects a complete, move-in-ready project. Design, permitting, site work, foundation, utilities, and finishes are all managed by Confido. Not a base unit price.

Every property is different. Final pricing depends on site access, utilities, foundation, permitting, grading, sewer or septic, and finishes. Your free ADU IQ™ Report includes a personalized preliminary cost assessment for your specific property.
Get my free ADU IQ Report

We take on a limited number of new ADU projects each month so every build gets full attention.

ADUs are financeable in Massachusetts.

The cost above is real, but so is the help available to pay for it. Two state programs cover most of what homeowners ask us about.

MassHousing ADU Loan
$250,000 UP TO

Statewide construction financing for a detached ADU. A fixed-rate portion plus a matched 0% deferred second layer, for owner-occupants at or below 135% AMI.

MHP Feasibility Study
Free

The state pays an approved Feasibility Study Provider directly for your professional site assessment. Confido is an approved provider. No obligation to build.

And what can an ADU return?
$2,300+ Newer 1BR · Framingham / Waltham
$2,900+ Newer 1BR · Natick / MetroWest
$3,700+ Newer 1BR · Newton / Needham / Wellesley

A long-term ADU tenancy can cover a good share of a monthly loan payment.

Also common: construction loans, HELOC or cash out refinancing, and renovation loans. Confido isn't a lender and doesn't give financial advice; your ADU IQ™ Report points you toward the programs and lenders relevant to your property. Rent figures reflect typical asking rents for newer one bedroom units by town from public listings data (2026), shown for context only, not a rent guarantee or income projection. A permitted ADU adds recorded, insurable living space; unpermitted space adds none. Massachusetts does not allow ADUs to be used as short-term rentals under 31 days.

What is ADU IQ™?

ADU IQ™ is a free 24-hour desktop assessment of your property, built from public records, parcel data, zoning, and mapping. It tells you whether your property is a strong ADU candidate.

Step 01 Property address

You share your address and goals. That's all we need to begin.

Step 02 Confido analysis

We review parcel, zoning, and site data through our structured process.

Step 03 ADU IQ™ Report

You receive your preliminary assessment within 24 hours.

Step 04 Know your options

You decide what's next, with no obligation either way.

A real assessment, not a sales brochure.

Your report walks through the factors that actually determine ADU feasibility. They are the same categories we examine before any project moves forward. If your property has meaningful constraints, we'll tell you that too.

What ADU IQ™ is (and isn't). ADU IQ™ is a preliminary desktop assessment based on publicly available data. It is not a professional engineering report, land survey, municipal approval, or formal legal determination. Site conditions, utility capacity, and local requirements are confirmed during the professional field assessment and design phases.
Inside your ADU IQ™ Report Get my free ADU IQ Report
  • Parcel review
  • Preliminary zoning review
  • Lot dimensions
  • Setback observations
  • Flood screening
  • Wetlands screening
  • Utility observations
  • Preliminary budget estimate
  • Potential constraints
  • Recommended next steps
Aaron Steeves, founder of Confido Builders

Why homeowners choose Confido.

Confido Builders is a licensed Massachusetts general contracting firm. We manage the whole project as your one accountable partner.

  • Licensed Massachusetts general contractorFull-service residential construction, renovations, and additions.
  • Deep renovation and addition experienceYears of complex residential work across Greater Boston and MetroWest.
  • Real estate development & investment backgroundWe evaluate ADUs the way investors do.
  • Local permitting knowledgeHands-on experience navigating Massachusetts building departments and site requirements.
  • Official state-approved Feasibility Study ProviderConfido is an approved Feasibility Study Provider (FSP) partner in the Massachusetts Housing Partnership's ADU Incentive Program. Founder Aaron Steeves has performed professional ADU feasibility assessments for properties across Massachusetts.

MA CS-108125 · HIC-207786

From free report to move-in.

A clear, managed process with a decision point at every step. You're never committed until you choose to be.

  1. Request your free ADU IQ™ Report

    Share your address and goals. No site visit, no cost, no obligation.

  2. Receive your preliminary assessment

    Within 24 hours, you'll know how the new state rules apply to your property, what could realistically fit, and a preliminary budget picture.

  3. Schedule your professional field assessment

    Ready to go deeper? A professional on-site feasibility assessment confirms site conditions, access, utilities, and buildability at your property.

    A $500 value, paid by the state for eligible homeowners through the MHP ADU Incentive Program. Confido is an approved provider.
  4. Design & permitting

    We coordinate design and manage the permitting process with your municipality.

  5. Modular factory construction

    Your ADU is built indoors in a controlled factory environment using precision modular construction.

  6. Site preparation, foundation & utilities

    While your ADU is being built, we prepare your site in parallel, from excavation through utility connections.

  7. Delivery, set & finish work

    Your ADU is delivered, set on its foundation, and finished by our local team to Confido's standards.

  8. Final inspection & move-in

    We manage final inspections and hand you the keys.

Why modular construction?

Your ADU is built with precision modular construction. Real, code-built residential construction, framed indoors, then delivered and finished at your property.

  • Built indoors, in a controlled environmentMaterials never sit exposed to New England weather during framing.
  • Parallel timelinesSite work and factory construction happen at the same time, not one after the other.
  • Less disruption at your homeWeeks of on-site activity, not many months of it in your backyard.
  • Predictable qualityRepeatable factory processes with consistent inspection standards.
  • Faster installationTypically faster than comparable fully site-built construction.
Confido is your local design-build partner and general contractor, not the modular factory. We manage the full local process and coordinate directly with the modular manufacturer, so you have one point of accountability.
Precision modular construction in a controlled factory environment

The quality you can expect from Confido.

High-end kitchens, baths, custom millwork, and whole-home interiors across Greater Boston. The same standards apply to every ADU we build.

High-end kitchen renovation by Confido Builders
A kitchen built for gathering
Custom kitchen detail by Confido Builders
Everyday rooms, built carefully
Bath renovation by Confido Builders
Marble & morning light
Finish detail work by Confido Builders
Trim, tile, and patience
Custom cabinetry and casework by Confido Builders
Casework, tailored to the inch
Interior renovation by Confido Builders
Every sightline considered

Trusted by Massachusetts homeowners.

★★★★★ 5.0 rating on Google
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Five star Google review from Mollie R., local REALTOR
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Confido Builders Massachusetts service area map

Serving Greater Boston, MetroWest & beyond.

NewtonNeedhamWellesleyBrookline CambridgeBelmontLexingtonConcord SudburyWestonWinchesterArlington NatickFraminghamWestboroughWorcester + surrounding communities

Don't see your town? We're steadily expanding. Request your free ADU IQ™ Report and we'll let you know right away whether we can serve your property.

Get My Free ADU IQ™ Report

ADU questions, answered plainly.

Can I build an ADU on my property?
Every property is different. Whether yours qualifies, and what can realistically be built, depends on zoning, lot dimensions, setbacks, utilities, and site conditions. Your free ADU IQ™ Report gives you a preliminary, property-specific answer within 24 hours.
What is ADU IQ™?
ADU IQ™ is Confido's free preliminary property assessment. Using publicly available property records, parcel data, zoning information, mapping, and our structured review process, we assess whether your property may be a strong ADU candidate, including a preliminary budget picture and recommended next steps. It's a desktop assessment, not an engineering report, survey, or municipal approval. The 24 hour delivery window applies to business days; requests received on weekends or holidays arrive the next business day.
Is the ADU IQ™ Report really free?
Yes. The report is free and there's no obligation. It's how we help homeowners decide whether an ADU is worth exploring before anyone spends real money.
What's included in the professional field assessment?
The professional on-site field assessment is the next level of depth: an in-person evaluation of your site conditions, access, utilities, grading, and buildability, performed by founder Aaron Steeves, an approved Feasibility Study Provider in the Massachusetts Housing Partnership's ADU Incentive Program. You receive clear findings and a refined project direction.
Do I pay for the $500 field assessment?
For eligible Massachusetts homeowners, no. Because Confido is an approved Feasibility Study Provider, the state pays for the assessment directly through the MHP ADU Incentive Program. There is no cost to you and no obligation to build. If your property doesn't qualify for the state program, the $500 fee is fully credited toward your project if you build with Confido.
How much does an ADU cost?
Pricing depends on size and finish level. A 650 SF ADU typically runs around $260,000 at our Essential finish level, $280,000 at Signature, and $400,000 at Reserve. Each is a complete, move-in-ready project, not a base unit price. Final pricing depends on site access, utilities, foundation, permitting, sewer or septic, grading, and finishes. Your ADU IQ™ Report includes a personalized preliminary cost assessment.
How long does the process take?
Most projects run roughly 6 to 12 months from design kickoff to move-in, depending on your municipality and site conditions. Modular construction compresses the schedule because factory construction and site work happen in parallel. Your report and field assessment will give you a realistic timeline for your specific property.
Will an ADU raise my property taxes?
Adding living space typically increases your assessed value, so expect some increase, proportional to the value the ADU adds, not a reassessment of your whole property at a new rate. Many owners find the added rental income or family housing value far outweighs the tax change. Your local assessor can give you specifics for your town.
Do I have to live on the property? What about parking?
Two pieces of good news from the state law. First, Massachusetts municipalities cannot require owner-occupancy for a by-right ADU, which matters for investment properties. Second, towns cannot require any additional parking for an ADU within a half mile of public transit, and can require at most one space elsewhere. Note that some financing programs, like the MassHousing ADU Loan, do have their own owner-occupancy requirements even though zoning does not.
Is modular the same as a mobile home?
No. A modular ADU is permanent residential construction built to the same Massachusetts State Building Code as site-built homes. It's set on a permanent foundation and is indistinguishable from traditional construction once complete. Mobile/manufactured homes are built to a different federal standard entirely.
Will Confido handle permitting?
Yes. As your local general contractor and design-build partner, we manage the permitting process with your municipality, along with design coordination, site work, foundation, utilities, modular coordination, installation, and finish work.
Do I need a special permit?
In most cases, qualifying ADUs in Massachusetts no longer require a special permit. They're allowed by right, provided the project complies with applicable zoning, dimensional, setback, utility, building, and site requirements. Whether your specific project qualifies is exactly what the ADU IQ™ process is designed to clarify.
What happens after I receive my report?
That's up to you. Some homeowners schedule the professional field assessment right away; others take time to think it over or plan financing. There's no pressure. The report is yours either way.
Free · No Obligation

Ready to find out what's possible on your property?

Your ADU IQ™ Report is the fastest way to understand what your property allows.

We take on a limited number of new ADU projects each month. Your free report is the first step in line.

24 hrs Free report delivery
$0 No obligation · no site visit
Licensed MA general contractor
5.0 ★ Google rating
Start your ADU IQ™ Report Takes about 60 seconds. Your report arrives within 24 hours. Step 1 of 3

Please enter your property address.

Based on public property data. We'll never sell your information.

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Confido Builders LLC · Licensed Massachusetts General Contractor · CS-108125 · HIC-207786 · Newton, Massachusetts

ADU IQ™ is a free preliminary desktop assessment based on publicly available property records, parcel data, zoning information, and mapping. It is not a professional engineering report, land survey, municipal approval, or formal legal determination. Massachusetts allows qualifying ADUs by right, subject to applicable zoning, dimensional, setback, utility, building, and site requirements. Eligibility and project scope are confirmed through professional field assessment, design, and municipal permitting. Pricing shown reflects typical ranges and is not a quote. The 24 hour report delivery window applies to requests received on business days; weekend and holiday requests are delivered the next business day.

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Get my free ADU IQ Report
Get my free ADU IQ Report