8 Best ADU Builders in Fort Lauderdale – 2026

Fort Lauderdale homeowners have less flexibility with ADU size and layout than in many nearby markets. Local rules limit an accessory dwelling to the smaller of 600 square feet or 49% of the principal structure, and the unit must generally be configured as either a one-bedroom, one-bath residence or an efficiency. Because many ADU plans marketed across South Florida exceed those limits, checking parcel-specific eligibility and dimensions should come before selecting a model or builder.

Another option for those seeking residential real estate exposure without managing design, permits, and construction is Ark7. The platform offers fractional interests in professionally managed rental-property series, with some shares starting at $20, subject to offering availability and investor eligibility.

This guide looks at eight builders that serve the Fort Lauderdale area, using publicly available company information reviewed in 2026. Since pricing, project schedules, service details, and contractor credentials can change, verify current licensing through Florida DBPR and confirm all relevant terms directly with the company before signing.

Key Takeaways

• Fort Lauderdale’s accessory-dwelling provisions appear in ULDR Section 47-19, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures.
• An accessory dwelling is capped at 600 square feet of gross floor area or 49% of the principal structure’s gross floor area, whichever is less.
• Units are limited to one bedroom and one bathroom, or a studio or efficiency configuration.
• Broward County falls within the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Required design wind speeds and assemblies depend on the site, structure, and risk category under the Florida Building Code.
• Fort Lauderdale states that its Development Services Department aims to complete initial permit reviews within 30 days. Total approval time depends on corrections, resubmittals, and complexity.
• Federal tax incentives for residential solar changed after 2025, and the IRS states the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
• Ark7 offers fractional shares in rental-property series starting at $20 per share, subject to offering availability and eligibility.

How This List Was Compiled

This list was assembled from publicly available company information rather than a scoring model, and no ranking is implied by the order below. Companies were compared on HVHZ construction experience, permitting support, construction methodology, and published pricing. Company-published pricing, wind ratings, and project claims are labeled as such throughout, and some entries carry limited public information. Verify licensing through Florida DBPR and confirm current pricing directly with each firm before contracting.

Fort Lauderdale ADU Rules to Understand First

• Governing code: Accessory-dwelling provisions appear in ULDR Section 47-19, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures. Accessory dwellings are permitted in specified residential zoning districts when accessory to a standard single-family dwelling.
• Size: Maximum of 600 square feet of gross floor area, or 49% of the principal structure’s gross floor area, whichever is less.
• Configuration: Limited to one bedroom and one bathroom, or a studio or efficiency, with architectural consistency to the primary dwelling.
• Parking: The city’s parking table calls for one additional space for the accessory unit in the single-family-dwelling-plus-accessory-dwelling category.
• Rental use: Fort Lauderdale separately regulates vacation rentals, and its definition addresses rentals for periods under 30 days or one calendar month under specified circumstances. Confirm with the city whether a proposed ADU qualifies.
• Local requirements: Confirm any owner-occupancy, licensing, or certificate obligations directly with the city rather than assuming rules from neighboring municipalities apply.
• Permitting: Applications are submitted digitally through the LauderBuild portal. The city has published permitting processing, payment, and fee changes effective July 1, 2026.

8 ADU Companies Operating in Fort Lauderdale for 2026

1. Mesocore (Factory-Built Modular)

Address: 3715 Fiscal Court, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

Phone: (561) 386-7252 sales, (561) 601-6910 business development

Type: Modular Manufacturer

Model E: 410 square feet, 1BR/1BA, starting at $129,000 base

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM; Saturday by appointment

Mesocore operates a factory within shipping range for Fort Lauderdale delivery, with a short on-site phase relative to site-built work.

What Sets Mesocore Apart:

• Advertised installation of its Model E in as little as about 10 days after permitting and site preparation, which is the on-site phase rather than total duration
• Company-stated construction rated to 180 mph, a product rating rather than a Fort Lauderdale requirement
• Integrated 6kW solar and 20kWh battery systems
• Intertek-certified factory-installed MEP systems
• Larger Model A units at 800 to 1,130 square feet would not qualify as accessory dwellings under the city’s 600 square foot cap

2. Florida Made Tiny Homes (On-Site Block Construction)

Service Area: Statewide, including Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach

Type: On-Site Block Construction

Warranty: One-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties

Florida Made constructs ADUs block-built on-site rather than in a factory, which suits homeowners wanting construction that matches existing architecture.

What Sets It Apart:

• In-house design team, permit coordinators, and builders
• Shell ADU option, with a “Shell+” tier including drywall and flooring
• Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom models
• Company-advertised 30+ years of building and industry experience

3. Goshen Tiny Homes (ADU-Focused Masonry)

Address: 1557 NE 164th Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33162

Service Area: Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, Miami, Orlando

Type: On-Site Block Construction

Pricing: Company-published from around $75,000 for studios to roughly $200,000

Timeline: Company-published 10 to 12 month average

Goshen positions itself as an ADU-focused builder rather than a general contractor. Treat its local-regulation statements as marketing assertions requiring independent verification: one company page describes an 800 square foot Fort Lauderdale ADU and places Fort Lauderdale in Collier County, which is geographically incorrect and conflicts with the city’s 600 square foot cap.

What Sets It Apart:

• Block-built site construction rather than prefabrication
• Custom designs matching primary residence architecture
• Enhanced moisture and humidity protection systems
• Impact-resistant windows and elevated foundations for flood-prone areas

4. Harris Contracting LLC (Garage Conversions)

Address: Coral Springs, FL

Phone: (954) 203-7292

Service Area: Broward County including Coral Springs, Parkland, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton

Type: Conversion and Addition Specialist

Founded in 2019, Harris Contracting focuses on garage conversions and ADU-style additions.

What Sets It Apart:

• Garage conversions to ADU
• Two-car garage with loft, bonus room, or apartment
• Two-story garage additions
• 3D renderings provided before construction, with six reported active Florida contractor licenses. Verify each through DBPR.

5. Artesa Build & Design (Conversion Focus)

Service Area: Miami and Fort Lauderdale

Type: Garage Conversion Specialist

Where lot size restricts new construction, converting an existing garage offers a lower-cost path, which can suit Fort Lauderdale properties with limited setback clearance.

What Sets It Apart:

• Specialization in converting garage space into rental-ready units
• Coverage across two South Florida metros
• Verify contact information and licensing through Florida DBPR before scheduling a consultation

6. Mount Olympus Construction LLC (Multi-Trade Licensing)

Phone: (786) 317-0031

Service Area: Miami-Dade and Broward counties

Type: Design-Build

Licenses: General Contractor CGC1528841, Roofing CCC1334820, HVAC CAC1823835

Multiple Florida licenses give the company multi-trade capability on projects requiring coordination across disciplines.

What Sets It Apart:

• Residential and commercial project experience
• Additions and ADUs
• Impact windows and new construction
• Verify current license status through Florida DBPR before engaging

7. BKR General Construction (Fort Lauderdale Base)

Address: 4173 SW 24th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317

Service Area: Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties

Type: General Contractor

BKR offers ADU construction alongside kitchen and bathroom remodeling, home additions, and whole-house renovations.

What Sets It Apart:

• Fort Lauderdale address providing local accessibility for site visits
• Broad renovation capability alongside ADU work
• Tri-county South Florida coverage

8. One & Only Tiny Homes (Eco-Focused Options)

Address: 15800 Pines Boulevard, Suite 300, Pembroke Pines, FL 33027

Service Area: Broward and Palm Beach counties

Type: Custom ADU and Tiny Home Builder

What Sets It Apart:

• Custom ADUs, tiny homes, and garage conversions
• Pool houses and home offices
• Full permit handling and workmanship warranties
• Eco-friendly construction marketing with luxury options and financing availability

How to Choose the Right ADU Builder

• By what fits the cap: With a 600 square foot ceiling and a one-bedroom limit, confirm early that a builder’s smallest qualifying model actually works on your parcel. Several regional models exceed the limit.
• By site access: Block construction avoids crane and delivery constraints on tight urban lots, while modular requires clear access for placement.
• By whether a garage already exists: Conversion specialists such as Harris and Artesa can be the lower-cost route where an existing structure is suitable.
• By trade coverage: Multi-licensed firms such as Mount Olympus can handle roofing and HVAC scope in-house, reducing coordination across separate contractors.

Questions to Ask Any Fort Lauderdale ADU Builder

• What is 49% of my principal structure’s gross floor area, and does that fall below 600 square feet?
• Which of your models qualify as a Fort Lauderdale accessory dwelling under Section 47-19?
• What design wind speed applies to my site and risk category, and who confirms it?
• Does your quoted price include the additional parking space the city’s table calls for?
• Are you experienced with LauderBuild submittals, and what is your resubmittal history?
• What warranty covers workmanship, and can you provide recent Broward references?

Financing an ADU in Fort Lauderdale

• Home equity options: HELOCs draw against existing equity at variable rates during construction.
• Cash-out refinance: Replaces the current mortgage and uses the equity difference. Compare the blended cost against alternatives, since replacing a low-rate mortgage can raise total borrowing costs.
• Renovation and construction loans: Available without home equity but typically requiring higher credit scores and carrying higher rates.
• Builder-affiliated lending: Ocean Capital Lending, a Mesocore partner, advertises no home equity requirement, no appraisal, instant pre-qualification, fixed rates, and upfront contractor funding. Terms and eligibility vary by borrower.
• PACE: Property Assessed Clean Energy financing may be available for eligible improvements where the applicable local government participates in a PACE program. Availability is not automatic statewide.
• Tax considerations: Federal solar incentives changed after 2025. For residential property, Florida law generally excludes increases in just value attributable to qualifying renewable-energy source devices from assessed value under Florida Statutes §193.624.

Comparing ADUs and Fractional Real Estate

Building an ADU can create rental-income potential and may contribute to a property’s value, though the effect varies by property, legality, rental income, neighborhood, and appraisal treatment. It also requires substantial capital, months of project management, and ongoing landlord responsibilities.

ADU considerations:

• Some builders estimate roughly $1,500 to $2,000 or more per month for a quality one-bedroom ADU, but these are company estimates rather than independent rental data. Pull current comparable listings for your area and unit size.
• Gross rent is not return. A hypothetical $155,000 installed cost at $2,000 monthly rent produces $24,000 in gross annual rent, but net yield depends entirely on taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, utilities, vacancy, leasing costs, and management.
• Because such an illustration includes no financing assumptions, it is an unlevered yield on total project cost rather than a cash-on-cash return. A genuine cash-on-cash figure requires down payment, loan payments, and total cash invested.
• Confirm any resale premium with a local appraiser rather than assuming a percentage.
• Florida insurers may offer premium discounts for qualifying wind-mitigation features, though actual credits depend on the insurer, construction characteristics, and inspection findings.

How fractional investing compares:

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

• Entry point as low as $20 per share, subject to offering availability and eligibility
• Cash distributions when available, subject to property performance, expenses, reserves, and offering terms
• Professional property selection and management
• Exposure across multiple markets rather than a single local property
• 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.
• Ark7 IRA options support Traditional and Roth accounts, subject to IRA rules, custodian fees, and individual circumstances

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

Conclusion

Fort Lauderdale’s ADU rules settle most of the analysis before design begins. The 600 square foot cap, the 49% alternative that can push the limit lower, and the one-bedroom restriction together mean that several models marketed regionally simply will not qualify here. Confirming what your specific parcel allows, in writing, is the first real step.

Why Fort Lauderdale Stands Out for ADU Projects

• Clear size standard: Section 47-19 sets a defined limit rather than leaving size to interpretation.
• Digital permitting: All applications route through the LauderBuild portal.
• Stated review target: The city aims to complete initial permit reviews within 30 days of receipt.
• Steady employment base: The airport, Port Everglades, and Broward Health support year-round rental demand.
• Storm-resilient standards: HVHZ requirements push design and materials toward durability.

Investor Tips for Fort Lauderdale ADU Projects

Calculate 49% of your principal structure’s gross floor area first, since a smaller main house means an allowance below 600 square feet. Ask every modular company what a base price excludes, because site work alone can add $40,000 to $70,000 on comparable projects. Confirm vacation-rental eligibility with the city before counting on nightly rates, and confirm any owner-occupancy or certificate obligations directly rather than assuming rules from neighboring municipalities apply. When modeling returns, distinguish an unlevered yield on project cost from a true cash-on-cash return, and include vacancy, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and financing. Treat any resale premium as something a local appraiser confirms.

For those who prefer residential real estate exposure without a construction project, Ark7 offers fractional interests in rental-property series starting at $20 per share, subject to offering availability and eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a two-bedroom ADU in Fort Lauderdale?

No. Fort Lauderdale’s accessory-dwelling provisions under ULDR Section 47-19 limit an accessory dwelling to one bedroom and one bathroom, or a studio or efficiency configuration. The 600 square foot cap, or 49% of the principal structure’s gross floor area if that is less, further restricts what you can build. Neighboring municipalities apply different rules, so confirm the standards for your specific jurisdiction before assuming a larger unit is possible.

Does the 180 mph wind rating I keep seeing apply to my project?

Not necessarily. Some builders advertise structures engineered for winds up to 180 mph, but that is a product rating rather than a universal requirement. Fort Lauderdale applies the Florida Building Code’s HVHZ wind and impact requirements applicable to the specific site and structure. Required design wind speed and assemblies should be confirmed by the project engineer and the city building department for your parcel and risk category.

What does the permitting process actually look like?

All applications are submitted digitally through the LauderBuild portal. Fort Lauderdale states that its Development Services Department aims to complete initial permit reviews within 30 days of receipt, which is initial review rather than total approval duration. Total time depends on corrections, resubmittals, and complexity. Permit fees vary by project valuation and applicable review charges, and the city has published processing, payment, and fee changes effective July 1, 2026, so consult the current fee schedule.

Can I use my ADU for short-term vacation rentals?

Fort Lauderdale separately regulates vacation rentals, and its definition addresses rentals for periods under 30 days or one calendar month under specified circumstances. Whether a particular accessory dwelling qualifies, and what registration or zoning restrictions apply, should be confirmed directly with the city before you plan around short-term rental income. Do not assume eligibility either way.

Will an ADU raise my property taxes and insurance?

Adding permitted living space generally affects assessment, though the amount depends on your property and the appraiser’s methodology. Separately, for residential property, Florida law generally excludes increases in just value attributable to qualifying renewable-energy source devices from assessed value under Florida Statutes §193.624, so solar components may be treated differently from the structure itself. On insurance, Florida requires admitted insurers to offer hurricane-loss-mitigation discounts for qualifying measures, but actual credits depend on the insurer, construction characteristics, and inspection findings.

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. 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.