3 Best ADU Builders in Orlando – 2026

Orlando homeowners looking to add rental income, house extended family, or make better use of an existing lot face a decision that turns on details settled before design begins: zoning district, lot area, whether the property sits inside city limits or unincorporated Orange County, and what the City’s rental rules actually permit.

For those interested in residential real estate exposure without a construction project, Ark7 offers fractional interests in professionally managed rental-property series, with shares starting as low as $20, subject to offering availability and eligibility.

This guide profiles three companies building ADUs across the Orlando metro area, plus several others worth researching, compiled from publicly available company information as of 2026. Pricing, ratings, and license status change quickly, so verify credentials through Florida DBPR and confirm current details directly with any company before signing.

Key Takeaways

• Orlando ADUs may be allowed up to 500 or 1,000 square feet depending on zoning district, lot size, and other development standards.
• For properties within Orlando city limits, the City’s ADU Incentive Program currently estimates approximately $450 to $1,050 in building permit fees and $1,300 to $3,100 in ADU-related impact fees.
• Properties in unincorporated Orange County follow separate county fee schedules and owner-occupancy rules.
• Orlando permits standard residential leasing of ADUs, while rentals of less than 30 days are subject to additional restrictions under separate City zoning and Home Share rules.
• Third-party estimates place Orlando ADU permitting at roughly 60 to 85 days, though timing varies by project and application completeness.
• Third-party estimates place total Orlando ADU costs at roughly $130,000 to $260,000 for 500 to 1,000 square foot units, which is an outside estimate rather than an official City figure.
• Ark7 offers fractional shares in professionally managed rental properties 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. Business details including addresses, phone numbers, and license numbers were independently checked, but this is not a quality, safety, complaint-history, or workmanship audit. Company-published pricing, experience claims, and review scores are labeled as such throughout, with ratings current as of August 2026. Verify licensing through Florida DBPR and confirm current pricing directly with each firm before contracting.

Orlando ADU Rules to Understand First

• Recognized forms: Orlando recognizes attached units, detached units, garage conversions and above-garage units, and units separated within the existing house.
• What qualifies: An Orlando ADU is a separate living unit with a bedroom, full bathroom, and kitchen, functioning as a complete independent living space.
• Size: Maximum size depends on zoning district and lot area. A qualifying lot may support an ADU up to 500 square feet, while an oversized lot may qualify for up to 1,000 square feet. Setbacks, parking, floor area ratio, and impervious-surface standards may reduce the allowable size further.
• Long-term rental: Orlando permits standard residential leasing of ADUs.
• Short-term rental: Rentals under 30 days face restrictions, and whole-property rentals generally do not qualify as Home Shares and may instead be treated as Commercial Dwelling Units limited to qualifying zoning districts.
• Jurisdiction: City of Orlando and unincorporated Orange County apply different fee schedules and owner-occupancy rules.
• Utilities: Electrical, water, and sewer connection requirements depend on the property and the serving utility.

3 ADU Companies Operating in Orlando for 2026

1. TEK Construction Group (Fixed-Price Contracts)

Service Area: Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Lake Nona, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, College Park, Baldwin Park, Oviedo

Type: Custom Design-Build

License: FL CGC 1530543, State Certified General Contractor

Address: 1413 Hamlin Ave, Suite 3, St. Cloud, FL 34771

Phone: (407) 768-3597

Pricing: Published cost guidance of roughly $120 to $400 per square foot for Orlando and Central Florida

Rating: 3.8/5 on Yelp across 17 reviews, plus 11 Houzz reviews, as of August 2026

TEK reports more than 50 completed Central Florida ADU projects and operates a physical showroom in St. Cloud where clients can view finishes and materials.

What Sets TEK Apart:

• Fixed-price contracts rather than time-and-materials billing
• Company states it handles design, permits, construction, utilities, and final inspections
• Detached backyard ADUs, attached in-law suites, and garage conversions
• Physical showroom for material and finish selection
• Broad published per-square-foot guidance rather than fixed unit prices, so request a current written quote

2. Florida Made Tiny Homes (Shell ADU Option)

Service Area: Statewide Florida including Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, West Palm Beach

Type: On-Site Block Construction

Address: 1375 State Road 436, Casselberry, FL 32707

Phone: (407) 906-0982 or toll-free (833) 340-8469

Florida Made describes its team as having more than 30 years of building experience, states that its ADUs are block-built on the property, and says it handles the ADU process in-house including permit coordination.

What Sets It Apart:

• Shell ADU option providing structure and rough utilities while the homeowner completes the interior. The company states this approach costs approximately 60% of a finished build.
• Custom ADUs built on-site rather than prefabricated
• Block-built construction suited to Central Florida conditions
• Mother-in-law suites, guest houses, and pool houses
• In-house permit coordination

3. Goshen Tiny Homes (Block-Built, Orlando Office)

Service Area: Orlando metro including Alafaya, Apopka, Belle Isle, Celebration, Doctor Phillips, Horizon West, Hunters Creek, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Winter Park

Type: On-Site Block Construction

License: FL CRC1335198, confirmed by Florida DBPR as a current, active Certified Residential Contractor license

Address: 2750 Taylor Ave, B208, Orlando, FL 32806

Phone: (321) 615-1318

Rating: 5.0/5 on Google, as of August 2026

Goshen operates four offices across Florida with a dedicated Orlando location, and says it handles zoning, permitting, and submissions while building on-site using block construction.

What Sets It Apart:

• Block-built on-site construction
• Custom floor plans matching existing home aesthetics
• Two-story ADUs and elevated designs
• Hurricane-resistant construction
• Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom configurations, all of which must still satisfy Orlando’s zoning-district and lot-area limits

Additional Builders to Research

Several other companies serve the Orlando ADU market and may be worth contacting:

• Mesocore: Modular ADU manufacturer with hurricane-resistant designs and solar integration
• JS-1 Construction: Markets itself as “The Lifestyle Contractor” for Orlando ADUs
• Personal Touch Contracting: Based in Apopka, offering custom ADU designs
• Talbot Custom Homes: Located on South Semoran Boulevard in Orlando

How to Choose the Right ADU Builder

• By budget: Third-party estimates place garage conversions at roughly $60,000 to $150,000, studio units at $124,000 to $190,000, one-bedroom units at $175,000 to $225,000, and two-bedroom units at $225,000 to $275,000. Modular installed pricing commonly falls between $90,000 and $210,000. Shell packages sit below finished construction, at roughly 60% of a completed build per one company’s estimate.
• By timeline: Site-built construction timelines vary by project complexity, from weeks for simple conversions to several months for detached units. Modular installation is faster on site, though design, permitting, site work, and utility connections extend the total schedule.
• By construction method: Block-built on-site construction avoids delivery and crane constraints and creates a permanent improvement; shell packages let capable owners trade labor for savings; modular offers a short on-site phase.
• By service model: Confirm whether a firm handles permitting in-house, since all three companies profiled here state they do, which can reduce resubmissions.

Questions to Ask Any Orlando ADU Builder

• Is my parcel inside Orlando city limits or unincorporated Orange County?
• Does my zoning district and lot area support a 500 or 1,000 square foot unit?
• Is the contractor licensed with Florida DBPR, and is the license currently active?
• Do you offer fixed-price contracts or time-and-materials billing?
• How many ADU projects have you completed in Orange County?
• Do you handle permitting in-house, and what warranty covers workmanship?

Financing an ADU in Orlando

• Home equity options: Home equity lines of credit draw on existing equity, with interest paid on amounts used during construction.
• Construction lending: Construction-to-permanent loans disburse in stages and convert to a traditional mortgage at completion.
• Personal loans: Suitable for smaller conversion projects where equity is limited.
• Fee planning: For properties within Orlando city limits, budget approximately $450 to $1,050 in building permit fees and $1,300 to $3,100 in ADU-related impact fees per the City’s ADU Incentive Program. Unincorporated Orange County follows separate schedules.
• Additional soft costs: Design and engineering commonly run $10,000 to $35,000 including hurricane and wind-load engineering, with site prep and foundation at $5,000 to $20,000. Utility connection costs vary substantially with distance and serving utility.

Comparing ADUs and Fractional Real Estate

Building an ADU can create rental-income potential and may increase a property’s value, though the resale impact varies by property and market, and value added is determined through appraisal, which may come in below construction cost. It also requires substantial upfront capital, months of project management, and ongoing landlord responsibilities.

ADU considerations:

• Goshen provides an illustrative example in which a $200,000 ADU renting for $2,000 per month would produce $24,000 in gross annual rent, equivalent to a 12% gross yield before vacancy, financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other expenses. This is a builder-published hypothetical rather than documentation that a completed project generated that amount during a measured year.
• Actual rents depend on location, size, condition, amenities, and lease terms.
• Any short-term rental strategy must first clear Orlando’s zoning and Home Share requirements, since rentals under 30 days face restrictions that can eliminate that income stream.
• Any rent-to-cost figure should be stated as an illustrative gross estimate, calculated as annual rent divided by total project cost before expenses, not as a return on investment.
• Use current comparable listings for your own neighborhood and unit size rather than metro-wide ranges.

How fractional investing compares:

For those who prefer fractional real estate exposure 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 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, and investors should be prepared to hold shares indefinitely.
• 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

Orlando’s ADU builder market is smaller than in South Florida, but the three companies profiled here cover distinct approaches: fixed-price custom construction, a shell option for capable owners, and block-built construction with a dedicated local office. The harder part is regulatory: zoning district and lot area determine whether you can build 500 or 1,000 square feet, city limits versus unincorporated county determines your fee schedule, and Orlando’s rental rules determine whether short-term letting is available at all.

Why Orlando Stands Out for ADU Projects

• City incentive program: Orlando publishes an ADU Incentive Program with current fee estimates for permits and impact fees.
• Recognized ADU forms: The City recognizes attached, detached, garage-conversion, above-garage, and internally separated units.
• Clear leasing pathway: Standard residential leasing of ADUs is permitted, giving owners a defined long-term rental route.
• Established builder market: Licensed contractors handle zoning, permitting, and construction in-house.
• Range of delivery models: Options span shell packages, on-site block construction, and modular units.

Investor Tips for Orlando ADU Projects

Confirm your zoning district and lot area first, since the difference between a 500 and 1,000 square foot allowance changes the entire economics of a project. Establish whether your property sits inside Orlando city limits or in unincorporated Orange County, because fee schedules and owner-occupancy rules differ. Verify contractor licenses through Florida DBPR immediately before signing, and get a written quote rather than relying on published per-square-foot ranges. When modeling returns, treat builder ROI examples as illustrations: subtract vacancy, maintenance, insurance, taxes, management, and financing from gross rent, and confirm that any short-term rental plan actually complies with City rules before counting on nightly rates.

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

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

Third-party estimates place total Orlando ADU costs at roughly $130,000 to $260,000 for 500 to 1,000 square foot units, with garage conversions lower and larger detached units higher. One local builder publishes cost guidance of roughly $120 to $400 per square foot for Orlando and Central Florida. These are planning estimates compiled from industry sources rather than official City figures or contractor quotes, so gather multiple written bids.

What size ADU can I build in Orlando?

Maximum size depends on zoning district and lot area. A qualifying lot may support an ADU up to 500 square feet, while an oversized lot may qualify for up to 1,000 square feet. Setbacks, parking, floor area ratio, and impervious-surface standards may reduce the allowable size further. The studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom categories used by builders are product classifications, not Orlando zoning standards.

How long does it take to get an ADU permit approved in Orlando?

Permit timing varies by project and by how complete the application is. One 2026 third-party Orlando ADU guide estimates roughly 60 to 85 days for review, though timelines extend if your property requires variances or plans need revisions. Confirm current turnaround directly with the City. Working with a builder who handles permitting in-house, as all three companies profiled here state they do, can reduce resubmissions.

Can I live in my ADU while renting out my main house?

Owner-occupancy rules differ between the City of Orlando and unincorporated Orange County, so confirm which applies to your parcel before planning around this strategy. Where permitted, some owners live in the smaller ADU and lease the larger main home. Any arrangement must comply with the applicable zoning standards and rental rules for your property.

Do I need separate utility meters for my ADU?

Electrical, water, and sewer connection requirements depend on the property and the serving utility. Orlando’s official ADU guidance states that the ADU must be connected to the electric utility network, and that where the primary house has public potable water or sanitary sewer service, the ADU must connect to the public utility service. Confirm metering and connection specifics with the Orlando Utilities Commission or the applicable utility, and have your builder factor those costs into initial estimates.

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.