15 ADU Builders to Research for St. Petersburg Projects (2026)

St. Petersburg expanded ADU eligibility in July 2022, and accessory dwelling units have become a common way for local homeowners to add rental-income potential or multigenerational living space. The builder you choose shapes the budget, the schedule, and how smoothly permitting goes.

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 guide profiles 15 ADU and residential builders to research for St. Petersburg projects, compiled from publicly available company information. Licensing, pricing, service areas, and project counts all change, so confirm service availability and current details directly with any contractor before hiring.

Key Takeaways

• St. Petersburg expanded ADU eligibility into additional neighborhoods in July 2022, with the ordinance covering NS, NT-3, and NSM zoning categories subject to conditions.
• The City’s current maximum ADU size is 800 square feet or 67% of the existing home, whichever is less.
• The City currently describes its ADU program as available to owner-occupants, so confirm the owner-occupancy requirement for your parcel before proceeding.
• A parking exemption exists within one-eighth mile of delineated high-frequency transit routes under the 2022 ordinance.
• The City provides an example of approximately $1,020 in listed fees for an 800-square-foot, one-bathroom ADU under specified assumptions; actual project fees vary.
• The City’s rebate program for affordable residential rehabs was expanded citywide, and applications are temporarily on hold as of August 2026.
• 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 list was assembled from publicly available company information rather than a reproducible scoring model, and no ranking is implied by the order below. Entries range from St. Petersburg ADU specialists to regional and statewide builders whose normal service market may center elsewhere, so confirm that a company actively works in St. Petersburg before shortlisting it.

Company-published pricing, project counts, timelines, and value claims are labeled as such throughout and should not be read as independently verified market data. Verify license numbers and current status directly with the state before contracting.

St. Petersburg ADU Rules to Understand First

• Eligibility: The July 2022 ordinance expanded ADUs into NS, NT-3, and NSM zoning categories with conditions. Eligibility depends on the specific zoning district and parcel conditions, so use the City’s address-specific ADU GIS lookup rather than general lot-size rules.
• Size: The maximum is 800 square feet or 67% of the existing home, whichever is less.
• Owner occupancy: The City currently describes its ADU program as available to owner-occupants and lists living in the same St. Petersburg home among its homeowner eligibility criteria. Confirm the requirement for your parcel with St. Petersburg Development Review.
• Parking: One additional off-street space is typically required, with an exemption within one-eighth mile of delineated high-frequency transit routes.
• Fees: The City’s published example is approximately $1,020 for an 800-square-foot, one-bathroom ADU, assuming specified sewer and multimodal charges with no credits. Complex projects can run substantially higher.

St. Petersburg Core Builders

1. CASK Construction

Address: 900 16th St N, Unit 207, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Phone: (727) 201-2551

License: CGC1526342, current and active with an expiration of August 31, 2026

Company-Advertised Pricing: $160,000 to $370,000 depending on size and finish level

CASK Construction is an ADU-focused builder with more than 15 years of local market experience and BBB accreditation, working across St. Pete’s ADU overlay zones. President Calin Noonan has been featured in local media discussing the city’s ADU landscape.

What Sets It Apart:

• Detached backyard ADUs, interior in-law suites, and garage conversions
• Historic property ADU experience
• Pricing tools published on the company website
• Community involvement through local events

2. CraftLine Remodeling

Address: 5741 9th Ave N, Suite 101, St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Phone: (727) 877-3144

License: CBC1269114

Service Area: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hillsborough County, and Pinellas County

CraftLine conducts zoning feasibility assessments before design work begins, which can prevent costly redesigns, and works from fixed-price proposals.

What Sets It Apart:

• Zoning-first feasibility process
• Fixed-price proposals rather than cost-plus
• Full design-build delivery
• Architectural compatibility with the existing home

3. Suncoast Dwellings LLC

Address: 360 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: (727) 615-4111

Hours: Weekdays by appointment, with emergency availability during construction

Suncoast Dwellings positions itself around modern design and higher-end finishes, handling planning and permitting alongside construction.

What Sets It Apart:

• Custom ADU design with modern finish specification
• Planning and permitting assistance
• All ADU types including detached, attached, and conversions
• Emergency availability during active construction

4. Tampa Bay ADU

Service Area: St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, and Pinellas County

Tampa Bay ADU employs licensed architects and engineers in house, which shortens the loop between design revisions and permit submission.

What Sets It Apart:

• In-house architecture and engineering
• Design-forward detached cottages
• Permitting and city approvals managed directly
• Garage conversions and backyard cottages

5. OTB Builders

Address: 6862 118th Ave N B5, Clearwater, FL 33762

License: CBC1269281

OTB Builders offers both custom ADU design and pre-designed tiny house packages. Note that value and income figures advertised on the company’s site are marketing claims rather than independently verified St. Petersburg market data.

What Sets It Apart:

• Custom design-build alongside pre-designed packages
• Shorter design phase for standard plans
• Backyard cottages and granny flats

6. Central Builders Group

Phone: (813) 421-3640

License: CBC1266673, with roofing license CCC1337484

Company-Advertised Pricing: $60,000 to $300,000 and above depending on ADU type

Service Area: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and St. Pete Beach

Central Builders Group covers a wide swath of Pinellas County and publishes cost guides and financing information that help with early budgeting.

What Sets It Apart:

• Broad Pinellas County service footprint
• Separate roofing license, useful for roof modifications
• Published cost and financing guidance
• Design-build detached cottages and garage conversions

7. Revolution Florida

Service Area: St. Petersburg and Pinellas County

Company-Published Pricing: Garage conversions from around $75,000 to $150,000; attached additions $175,000 to $275,000; detached ADUs $200,000 to $325,000 and above; second-story ADUs $225,000 to $400,000 and above. The company gives a broader typical ADU range of roughly $90,000 to $325,000 and above.

Revolution Florida publishes a detailed public pricing breakdown along with zoning guidance for St. Pete, and works on multigenerational and aging-in-place projects.

What Sets It Apart:

• Line-item published pricing by ADU type
• Aging-in-place design expertise
• Florida hurricane code compliance
• Mother-in-law suites and multigenerational layouts

8. Elite Builder Renovation

License: CGC1537676

Service Areas: Old Northeast, Kenwood, Snell Isle, Crescent Lake, Gulfport, and South St. Pete

Elite Builder Renovation concentrates on established St. Pete neighborhoods, which brings familiarity with local architectural styles and review expectations.

What Sets It Apart:

• Neighborhood-specific experience
• Detached ADUs, garage conversions, and in-law suites
• Free design consultation
• Financing assistance through the builder

Regional Builders Serving St. Petersburg

9. Goshen Tiny Homes

Address: 8785 Stone Harbour Loop, Bradenton, FL 34212

Phone: (813) 955-7846

Service Area: The company lists 19 Florida counties including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, Sarasota, and Naples

Goshen builds block-built ADUs on site rather than prefabricating them, which results in real property classification rather than manufactured housing and can affect financing. The company states it has 30 ADU projects currently underway and is BBB accredited, with 40 years of combined construction experience across a family-owned operation.

What Sets It Apart:

• On-site block construction throughout
• Detached ADUs, additions, in-law suites, and pool house units
• Turnkey delivery including appliances
• Wide Florida service footprint

10. Florida Made Tiny Homes

Experience: The company states more than 30 years of building experience

Service Area: Orlando, Naples, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Petersburg

Florida Made Tiny Homes offers a shell option that lets capable homeowners finish the interior themselves, which is a genuine cost lever if you have the time and skills.

What Sets It Apart:

• Shell and shell-plus options at different completion levels
• Block-built on-site construction
• In-house design team and permit coordinators
• Cost control through owner-completed interior work

11. TEK Construction Group

Location: Saint Cloud showroom

Service Area: The company’s published materials emphasize Orlando and Central Florida. Confirm St. Petersburg service availability directly before shortlisting.

Company-Advertised Pricing: Studio ADUs of 400 to 500 square feet at $145,000 to $175,000; one-bedroom units of 600 to 700 square feet at $175,000 to $225,000; two-bedroom units of 800 to 900 square feet at $225,000 to $275,000

TEK states it has completed more than 50 Central Florida ADUs and operates a physical showroom where clients can review finishes and layouts before committing.

What Sets It Apart:

• Fixed-price contracts
• Walk-in showroom for finish selection
• Published pricing by unit size

12. Mesocore

Service Area: Florida statewide including St. Petersburg

Company-Published Pricing: Model E at 410 square feet expandable, starting around $129,000

Specifications: 180 mph wind rating, integrated solar systems, and Intertek-certified MEP systems

Mesocore advertises an on-site installation period as short as 10 days, which may reduce the construction phase. Total project and occupancy timelines still depend on permitting, foundation and site work, utility connections, inspections, and certificate of occupancy.

What Sets It Apart:

• Modular delivery with a short on-site installation window
• Hurricane-rated wind specification
• Integrated solar as standard
• Financing partnership for ADU-specific lending

13. Onsite Construction

Service Area: St. Petersburg and Pinellas County

Credentials: Veteran-owned

Onsite Construction is a self-performing builder using in-house crews rather than subcontractors, which generally means the same team stays on the project throughout.

What Sets It Apart:

• In-house crews rather than subcontracted labor
• Garage apartments and secondary units
• Consistent point of contact through construction

14. Coastal Haven Design + Build

Service Area: St. Petersburg and Tampa

Coastal Haven advertises ADU construction with a focus on properties where overlay eligibility is unclear, and handles overlay map navigation and permitting.

What Sets It Apart:

• Zoning overlay experience
• Permitting process management
• Work on parcels with complex eligibility questions

15. Boltz Builders

Service Area: St. Petersburg

Boltz Builders is a local general contractor with ADU capability, marketing tiny homes and custom construction across Florida.

What Sets It Apart:

• General contracting with ADU capability
• Local St. Pete project focus
• Custom construction background

St. Petersburg ADU Costs and Timelines

Costs vary by ADU type, site conditions, and finish level. Builder-published ranges reviewed for this guide include:

• Garage conversion: roughly $75,000 to $150,000
• Attached addition: roughly $175,000 to $275,000
• Detached new build: roughly $200,000 to $325,000 and above
• Second-story ADU: roughly $225,000 to $400,000 and above
• Modular: starting around $129,000 for one manufacturer’s expandable model

These are contractor estimates rather than verified market averages. Confirm what each quote includes, since design, engineering, permits, utility work, and site preparation are often quoted separately.

Timelines below are builder estimates rather than market standards. Companies advertise roughly six to 10 months for garage conversions, eight to 12 months for attached additions, and nine to 15 months for detached builds. One modular manufacturer advertises a 10-day on-site installation, though permitting, site work, utilities, and inspections sit outside that window. The City notes plan reviews can be conducted within three to five business days, but total entitlement, revisions, and inspections vary by project.

How to Choose the Right ADU Builder

• Confirm service area first: Several capable firms here are regional or Central Florida companies. Ask whether they actively build in St. Petersburg and for recent local references.
• Verify licensing: Check the license number and current status with the state, and confirm the class covers your project.
• Check eligibility before design: Use the City’s address-specific ADU lookup and ask whether the builder offers a zoning feasibility assessment before paid design work.
• Compare what is included: Fixed-price and cost-plus contracts allocate risk differently, and published prices often exclude design, permits, utilities, and site work.
• Match the builder to the project: Historic parcels, complex overlays, aging-in-place layouts, and modular delivery each call for different experience.

Questions to Ask Any St. Petersburg ADU Builder

• Is my parcel eligible under the current zoning district, and have you checked the City’s ADU lookup?
• Does the owner-occupancy requirement apply to my situation?
• What size does the 800 square foot or 67% test allow for my home?
• Does your price include design, engineering, permits, utility work, and site preparation?
• Does your timeline cover construction only or the full project through certificate of occupancy?
• What is your license number, and can you supply recent St. Petersburg references?

Financing and Incentives

• Renovation lending: Some builders partner with lenders offering renovation financing underwritten on future home value, which can avoid refinancing an existing mortgage.
• City rebates: The City’s Rebates for Affordable Residential Rehabs program was expanded citywide and provides rebates of up to 40% of pre-approved construction value for properties meeting its workforce and affordable housing requirements, generally including household income at or below 120% AMI. Applications are temporarily on hold as of August 2026.
• Multigenerational tax exemption: Pinellas offers a reduction where a parent or grandparent aged 62 or older resides in the added living quarters. The reduction is limited to the qualifying increase in assessed value or 20% of the post-improvement assessed value, whichever is less.
• Home equity options: HELOCs, home equity loans, and cash-out refinancing remain common routes.

Note that the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit applied to qualified property installed through December 31, 2025 and is not available for property placed in service after that date, so do not budget around it for a 2026 installation.

Comparing ADUs and Fractional Real Estate

An ADU can create rental-income potential and may affect a property’s value, though the amount varies by neighborhood, unit size, permitted status, and appraisal methodology. Percentage premiums advertised by builders are marketing claims rather than verified St. Petersburg market averages.

ADU considerations:

• Potential rent depends on location, unit size, bedroom count, furnishing, lease type, and condition. Use current comparable rents for your own neighborhood rather than a citywide range.
• Any return figure should be presented as an illustrative simplified scenario with its assumptions stated. For example, a $225,000 project renting at $2,500 per month produces $30,000 of gross annual rent, but actual returns can be materially lower after vacancy, insurance, property taxes, maintenance and capital reserves, financing costs, and utilities.
• Total project duration depends on permitting, site work, utilities, and inspections, not just the construction phase.
• Building requires substantial upfront capital and ongoing landlord responsibilities.

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

St. Petersburg’s builder market includes ADU-focused local firms, Pinellas-wide design-build contractors, block-built regional companies, and modular manufacturers. The harder part is separating what the City actually requires from what builders advertise, since much of the pricing, rent, and value information circulating locally originates with contractors rather than independent data.

Why St. Petersburg Stands Out for ADU Projects

• Expanded eligibility: The July 2022 ordinance opened ADUs to additional zoning categories with conditions.
• Address-level lookup: The City provides a GIS tool so owners can check eligibility for a specific parcel.
• Transit parking exemption: The ordinance created an exemption within one-eighth mile of delineated high-frequency transit routes.
• Published fee example: The City publishes a worked fee example for a standard 800-square-foot unit.
• Varied builder market: Local specialists, regional block builders, and modular manufacturers all serve the area.

Investor Tips for St. Petersburg ADU Projects

Check your parcel in the City’s ADU lookup before spending anything on design, since eligibility depends on zoning district and parcel conditions rather than general lot-size rules. Confirm the owner-occupancy requirement directly with Development Review, because the City still describes the program as available to owner-occupants and the county waiver for affordable housing applies to unincorporated Pinellas rather than the city. Ask regional builders whether they actively work in St. Petersburg, not just whether they list it. Treat the City’s approximately $1,020 fee example as exactly that, an example under stated assumptions. Finally, build your income model from current comparable rents nearby, present any return as an illustrative scenario with assumptions disclosed, and do not budget around the federal solar credit for a 2026 installation.

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 long does it take to build an ADU in St. Petersburg?

Builder estimates vary. Companies advertise roughly six to 10 months for garage conversions, eight to 12 months for attached additions, and nine to 15 months for detached new builds through certificate of occupancy. One modular manufacturer advertises a 10-day on-site installation, but permitting, foundation and site work, utility connections, and inspections still control when a unit can be occupied. The City notes plan reviews can be conducted within three to five business days, though total project duration varies.

How much rental income can I expect from a St. Petersburg ADU?

Rental income varies materially by location, unit size, bedroom count, furnishing, lease type, and condition. Ranges published by builders are estimates rather than documented market data, so pull current comparable rents for your specific neighborhood and unit type instead of relying on a citywide figure.

Do I need to live on the property to have an ADU in St. Petersburg?

The City currently describes its ADU program as available to owner-occupants and lists living in the same St. Petersburg home among its homeowner eligibility criteria. A waiver exists in unincorporated Pinellas County for qualifying affordable housing, but the County states those rules apply to unincorporated Pinellas rather than the City of St. Petersburg. Confirm the owner-occupancy requirement for your parcel with St. Petersburg Development Review before proceeding.

What is the most affordable ADU option?

Garage conversions are generally the lowest entry point, with one local builder listing them from around $75,000 to $150,000. Shell options, where the homeowner finishes the interior, can reduce costs further if you have the skills and time. One modular manufacturer’s expandable model starts around $129,000 before site work, foundation, utilities, and permitting.

How do I know if my property is eligible for an ADU?

Use the City of St. Petersburg’s address-specific ADU lookup tool, since eligibility depends on the zoning district and parcel conditions rather than general lot-size rules. The July 2022 ordinance expanded ADUs into NS, NT-3, and NSM zoning categories with conditions. Many builders also offer a zoning feasibility assessment before any paid design work begins.

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.