8 ADU Builders to Consider in Sarasota (2026)

Accessory dwelling units are one way Sarasota-area property owners add living space or create rental-income potential from land they already hold. The contractor you choose shapes the budget, the schedule, and how smoothly permitting goes, and the rules differ substantially depending on whether your parcel sits in the City of Sarasota or in unincorporated Sarasota County.

For those interested in residential real estate exposure without a construction project, Ark7 offers fractional exposure to rental-property investments through securities tied to individual property series, with shares starting as low as $20 per share, subject to offering availability and eligibility.

This directory profiles eight ADU builders and design-build companies serving or marketing services to the Sarasota area, including Manatee County and surrounding communities. Licensing, pricing, and service areas change, so verify current details directly before hiring.

Key Takeaways

• Sarasota County’s Unified Development Code states that an accessory dwelling unit does not count for density purposes, and the county offers an expedited permit track.
• The City of Sarasota’s published ADU guide specifies a 650-square-foot maximum. County rules differ and should be checked against the property’s specific zoning district.
• In applicable Residential Single Family districts, City rules require owner occupancy and an affordability commitment tied to households earning no more than 120% of AMI.
• The City allows ADUs citywide except on barrier islands, according to its current housing affordability guidance.
• Contractor licenses were independently verified for two companies in this directory; verify any license yourself through Florida DBPR before contracting.
• Construction cost and payback figures circulating for Sarasota ADUs are planning estimates rather than verified market averages.
• Ark7 offers fractional shares tied to individual rental-property series starting as low as $20 per share, subject to offering availability and eligibility.

How This List Was Compiled

This directory was assembled from publicly available company information rather than a reproducible scoring model, and no ranking is implied by the order below. Contractor licenses were independently verified for two companies, Goshen Tiny Homes and Vercammen Contracting. For the remaining firms, ask for the license number and verify current status through Florida DBPR at myfloridalicense.com.

Company-published pricing, experience figures, warranty terms, and service areas are labeled as such throughout and should not be read as independently verified market data.

Sarasota ADU Rules to Understand First

Jurisdiction matters more than almost anything else here:

• Unincorporated Sarasota County: The Unified Development Code defines and regulates accessory dwelling units and states that an ADU does not count for density purposes. Size and siting standards vary by zoning district, so check the current code provision for your parcel rather than relying on a single countywide number. An expedited permit track is available.
• City of Sarasota: The city’s published ADU guide specifies a maximum ADU size of 650 square feet. The city allows ADUs citywide except on barrier islands.
• City owner occupancy and affordability: In applicable Residential Single Family districts, the owner must reside in the principal dwelling or the ADU, and the applicant must agree to rent the ADU at an affordable rate to a household at or below 120% of AMI. AMI is an income measure rather than a dollar rent ceiling, so consult the City’s current annual affordable-rent schedule for the applicable limits.
• Barrier islands: The City prohibits ADUs on barrier islands. County-jurisdiction coastal parcels may allow them but carry flood zone elevation and coastal code requirements that add substantial cost.

8 ADU Companies Serving the Sarasota Area

1. Goshen Tiny Homes

Address: 8785 Stone Harbour Loop, Bradenton, FL 34212

Phone: (813) 955-7846

License: CRC1335198, Current and Active, expiring 8/31/2028 as of August 2026

Credentials: BBB accredited with an A+ rating; the company advertises 40 years of combined construction experience and states it has 30 or more ADU projects currently underway

Warranty: One-year workmanship and 10-year structural, per the company

Service Area: Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Orlando, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville

Goshen builds block ADUs on site rather than prefabricating modules. Because these are site-built permanent structures, they may generally be treated as improvements to the underlying real estate, subject to permitting, appraisal, and tax treatment.

What Sets It Apart:

• On-site block construction with two-story options
• Construction meeting Florida Building Code wind requirements
• Turnkey service from design through permits to handover
• Published warranty terms at two coverage levels

2. Vercammen Contracting

Address: 6312 44th Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34203

Phone: (941) 212-2030

License: CGC1512946, Current and Active, expiring 8/31/2026

Credentials: BBB accredited, family-owned and veteran-owned, founded 2012, advertising 30 years of experience

Warranty: One-year workmanship, with liability insurance carried

Service Area: Sarasota County, Manatee County, Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Anna Maria

Vercammen advertises a 10% discount for veterans, active military, and first responders, and handles ADU work from planning through permitting and construction.

What Sets It Apart:

• Custom ADU design and planning
• Garage conversions and detached builds
• Permit acquisition and zoning compliance
• Discount program for service members and first responders

3. Mesocore

Location: West Palm Beach facility with statewide Florida service

Type: Modular Manufacturer

Company-Published Pricing: The 420 square foot Model E is listed at $129,000 with the solar package, broken out as a $99,000 core plus a $30,000 solar system

Specifications: 6kW solar with dual 10kWh lithium-ion batteries, 180 mph wind rating, Intertek-certified MEP systems, DBPR modular home program registration, and IBC approval

Mesocore delivers factory-built modular units that arrive as a container and expand on site. The company has advertised on-site installation in about 10 days on some product and market pages; that refers to the installation phase, after site feasibility and design, permitting, factory production, and site preparation.

What Sets It Apart:

• Fixed published pricing with the core and solar package itemized
• Integrated solar and battery capability
• Off-grid features including rainwater collection
• Wind-resistant construction, though any insurance premium reduction should be confirmed with your insurer rather than assumed

4. CoastLinez

Address: 1692 4th St, Sarasota, FL 34236

Phone: (941) 363-6233

Service Area: Based in Sarasota and serving Southwest Florida, with the company also stating that it works remotely throughout Florida and listing a Charlotte County location

CoastLinez offers ADU design and construction with an emphasis on eco-friendly design principles, alongside custom homes and interior design services. Note that CoastLinez is distinct from Coastline Property Group LLC, which operates from a different Sarasota address.

What Sets It Apart:

• ADU design and construction with in-house interior design
• Garage conversions, in-law suites, and detached units
• Custom and spec home experience
• Financing options available

5. Florida Made Tiny Homes

Service Area: Orlando, Naples, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and West Palm Beach

Credentials: The company advertises more than 30 years of building experience, with a one-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties

Florida Made Tiny Homes markets a step-by-step ADU process covering design, permitting, construction, and finishes, and its in-house financing team helps owners compare HELOC, renovation loan, and personal loan options.

What Sets It Apart:

• Shell model ADUs for owner-completed interiors
• Detached ADUs, in-law suites, guest houses, and pool houses
• In-house design team and permit coordinators
• Financing guidance across several loan types

6. Sarasota Home Additions

Address: 6009 Carlton Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231

Phone: (941) 228-4979

Timeline: The company advertises roughly eight to 12 weeks for the design phase

Service Area: Sarasota and surrounding areas

Sarasota Home Additions focuses on code-compliant construction plans and handles permitting and zoning alongside design and construction.

What Sets It Apart:

• Full design-build delivery
• Permit handling and zoning assistance
• Garage conversions and in-law suites
• Published design-phase timeline

7. Coastal Haven Dwellings

Address: 1348 Fruitville Road, Suite 211, Sarasota, FL 34236

Phone: (941) 500-5667

Service Area: Sarasota and the Tampa Bay area

Coastal Haven Dwellings publicly markets modular steel homes and ADUs to Sarasota and Tampa Bay customers, with a focus on custom backyard cottages.

What Sets It Apart:

• Modular steel construction
• Custom backyard cottages and detached ADUs
• Central Sarasota office location

8. Barrier Island Homes LLC

Address: P.O. Box 18282, Sarasota, FL 34276

Phone: (941) 961-8730

Licensing note: A third-party contractor database reports license CBC1264861. Verify the number and current status directly through Florida DBPR.

Service Area: Sarasota County coastal areas

Barrier Island Homes is an active Sarasota-area building contractor with residential construction and storm-related work. Its published materials do not clearly establish ADU construction as a specialty, so ask for an ADU portfolio and references before shortlisting. Coastal and barrier island projects carry substantial additional costs for flood zone elevation and coastal code compliance, and City-jurisdiction barrier island parcels are not eligible for ADUs at all.

What Sets It Apart:

• Coastal and barrier island construction experience
• Familiarity with flood zone requirements
• Local Sarasota County focus

ADU Construction Costs in Sarasota

The figures below are illustrative planning estimates rather than verified market averages, and they are not drawn from a Sarasota construction-cost survey. Confirm scope with each contractor, since design, engineering, permits, utilities, and site preparation are often quoted separately:

• Per square foot: commonly quoted in the range of roughly $150 to $300 for site-built units
• Garage conversions: roughly $40,000 to $80,000
• 400 square foot detached ADU: roughly $80,000 to $120,000
• 600 square foot detached ADU: roughly $120,000 to $180,000
• 750 square foot detached ADU: roughly $150,000 to $225,000
• Modular: one manufacturer lists a 420 square foot model at $129,000 with solar, or $99,000 for the core
• Permits and impact fees: roughly $2,000 to $10,000
• Site preparation and utilities: roughly $5,000 to $20,000

Coastal and barrier island properties carry premium costs due to flood zone elevation and coastal code requirements. Site-built timelines commonly run five to 12 months, while modular delivery shortens the on-site phase without removing permitting, site work, and inspection time from the overall schedule.

How to Choose the Right ADU Builder

• Confirm jurisdiction first: City and county rules differ on size, owner occupancy, affordability commitments, and barrier island eligibility, so establish which applies before you commission design work.
• Verify licensing: Florida contractors must hold active DBPR licensing. Two companies here were independently verified: Goshen Tiny Homes (CRC1335198) and Vercammen Contracting (CGC1512946). Ask every other firm for its number and check it at myfloridalicense.com.
• Compare warranty coverage: One-year workmanship coverage is common; 10-year structural coverage is a step above. Ask what manufacturer warranties transfer.
• Weigh construction type: Site-built permanent structures are generally treated as improvements to the real estate, subject to permitting, appraisal, and tax treatment. Modular delivery can shorten the on-site phase and may carry high wind ratings, though any insurance effect should be confirmed with your insurer.
• Match the builder to the site: Barrier island and flood zone parcels, garage conversions, and modular installations each call for different experience.

Questions to Ask Any Sarasota ADU Builder

• Is my parcel in the City of Sarasota or unincorporated Sarasota County?
• What size does my zoning district actually permit?
• Does an owner-occupancy or affordability commitment apply to my property?
• Does your price include design, engineering, permits, utilities, and site preparation?
• Does your timeline cover installation only or the full project through certificate of occupancy?
• What is your DBPR license number, and can you supply recent local ADU references?

Comparing ADUs and Fractional Real Estate

Building an ADU requires substantial capital, months of project management, and ongoing landlord responsibilities. A permitted ADU may affect a property’s appraised or market value, but the effect varies by property and market rather than following a fixed percentage.

ADU considerations:

• Payback periods vary widely depending on total project cost, financing, achievable rent, vacancy, and operating expenses. Present any figure as an illustrative calculation with its assumptions stated rather than as a typical outcome.
• Comparable Sarasota one- and two-bedroom rentals currently average roughly $1,700 to $2,250 per month, though achievable ADU rents vary by jurisdiction, size, amenities, and location. Pull current comparables near your own property.
• City-jurisdiction ADUs in applicable districts carry an affordability commitment tied to 120% AMI, which directly constrains achievable rent and belongs in any income model.
• Total project duration depends on permitting, site work, utilities, and inspections, not just the construction phase.

How fractional investing compares:

For those who prefer fractional exposure to rental-property investments rather than developing and managing an ADU directly, Ark7 is another model to consider:

• Entry point as low as $20 per share, subject to offering availability, eligibility, and property-specific minimums
• Shares represent an investment in a particular property series rather than direct ownership of the underlying real estate
• Cash distributions when available, subject to property performance, expenses, reserves, and offering terms
• Professional property selection and management
• No construction timelines or permitting to manage
• Potential access to secondary trading, subject to holding periods, legal and state restrictions, platform availability, and market liquidity. Liquidity is not guaranteed, and investors should be prepared to hold shares indefinitely.
• Ark7 IRA options support Traditional and Roth accounts used to purchase eligible Ark7 property shares, subject to IRA rules, individual tax circumstances, and custodian fees

These are speculative securities involving substantial risk, including illiquidity, lack of diversification, and complete loss of capital.

Conclusion

The Sarasota area’s builder market spans block-built local contractors, modular manufacturers, and design-build firms handling permitting end to end. The harder part is regulatory: city and county rules diverge on size, owner occupancy, affordability, and barrier island eligibility, and several widely circulated cost and return figures are contractor estimates rather than market data.

Why Sarasota Stands Out for ADU Projects

• Density treatment: Sarasota County’s code states an accessory dwelling unit does not count for density purposes.
• Expedited permitting: An expedited permit track is available at the county level.
• Broad city eligibility: The City allows ADUs citywide with the exception of barrier islands.
• Varied delivery models: Block-built, modular steel, container-based modular, and shell options all serve the market.
• Regional builder depth: Firms serve Sarasota and Manatee counties alongside wider Florida footprints.

Investor Tips for Sarasota ADU Projects

Establish jurisdiction before anything else, because the City’s 650-square-foot maximum, owner-occupancy requirement, and 120% AMI affordability commitment change the economics substantially compared with an unincorporated county parcel. If the affordability commitment applies, pull the City’s current annual affordable-rent schedule rather than assuming a dollar figure from an AMI percentage. Verify every contractor’s DBPR license yourself, since only two in this directory were independently confirmed. Ask modular suppliers what an installation window actually covers, since permitting, factory production, and site preparation precede it. Finally, treat per-square-foot and payback figures as planning estimates, model income from current comparable rentals near your property, and confirm any wind-rating insurance benefit with your insurer rather than assuming it.

For those who prefer residential real estate exposure without a construction project, Ark7 offers fractional exposure to rental-property investments starting as low as $20 per share, subject to offering availability and eligibility. Cash distributions are made when available and are subject to property performance, expenses, reserves, and offering terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build an ADU in Sarasota?

Contractor estimates commonly fall in the range of roughly $150 to $300 per square foot for site-built units, with garage conversions around $40,000 to $80,000 and a 600 square foot detached ADU commonly quoted between $120,000 and $180,000 before permits, site preparation, and utilities. One modular manufacturer lists a 420 square foot model at $129,000 with solar, or $99,000 for the core alone. These are planning estimates rather than verified market averages, so confirm what each quote includes.

How long does ADU construction take in Sarasota?

Site-built projects commonly run five to 12 months from design through completion. Modular delivery shortens the on-site phase, and one manufacturer has advertised installation in about 10 days on some pages, but that follows site feasibility and design, permitting, factory production, and site preparation. Sarasota County offers an expedited permit track, though total approval time depends on project complexity and application completeness.

What rental income can I expect from a Sarasota ADU?

Comparable Sarasota one- and two-bedroom rentals currently average roughly $1,700 to $2,250 per month, though those figures cover the broader rental stock rather than ADUs specifically. Achievable rent varies by jurisdiction, size, amenities, and location, and City-jurisdiction ADUs in applicable districts carry an affordability commitment tied to households at or below 120% of AMI. Use current comparables near your property and check the City’s annual affordable-rent schedule where it applies.

Do I need owner-occupancy to build an ADU in Sarasota?

It depends on jurisdiction. In applicable City of Sarasota Residential Single Family districts, the owner must reside in the principal dwelling or the ADU, and the applicant must agree to rent the unit at an affordable rate to a household at or below 120% of AMI. County rules differ, so confirm which jurisdiction governs your parcel and check the current code provision before proceeding.

Can I build an ADU on a barrier island in Sarasota?

The City of Sarasota prohibits ADUs on barrier islands. For parcels under county jurisdiction, coastal construction may be possible but requires builders experienced with flood zone elevation and coastal building codes, and costs run substantially higher than inland equivalents. Confirm eligibility for your specific parcel before commissioning design work.

Neither Ark7 nor Ark7 Properties is a broker-dealer or an investment adviser. Dalmore Group LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, located at 525 Green Place, Woodmere, NY 11598, is the broker-dealer of record for Ark7, an issuer direct offering. Neither Ark7 nor Dalmore makes recommendations or provides advice about investments, and nothing here should be construed as a recommendation for any security. An investment constitutes an investment in a particular series and not in Ark7 or the underlying assets. Investments on the Ark7 platform are speculative and involve substantial risks, including illiquidity, lack of diversification, and complete loss of capital. Cash distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to property performance, expenses, reserves, and offering terms. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This article is for informational purposes only.