About The Dwelling Index

The Dwelling Index is an independent ADU research publication for homeowners exploring accessory dwelling units.

We publish in-depth guides on ADU costs, regulations, financing options, prefab companies, floor plans, and project-planning decisions. Our goal is to help homeowners understand how ADU projects work in the real world by relying on primary sources, published data, and clear editorial standards instead of sales-driven claims.

ADU decisions involve significant money, complex regulations, and real risk. Much of the information available online is produced by companies selling a product or service.

Our mission is to give homeowners an independent, data-driven resource they can trust — one that explains how things actually work, what to verify before acting, and where the biggest tradeoffs and risks tend to appear.

Content on The Dwelling Index is produced under the Dwelling Index Editorial Team and follows our published research methodology and editorial standards.

Our work begins with primary sources whenever possible, including legislation, municipal planning materials, agency guidance, government data, and official company disclosures. We use secondary sources for context, not as a substitute for source documentation.

Where appropriate, pages include source citations, update dates, and notes about estimates, assumptions, or uncertainty. When a page covers a topic that may materially affect a reader's finances or compliance decisions, we may apply additional editorial review or expert review, which is identified on the page when applicable.

To learn more, visit our Editorial Team, Research Methodology, Editorial Standards, and Corrections pages.

The Dwelling Index is reader-supported.

When readers use some of our links to request financing information, compare options, or request pricing from a company, we may earn a referral commission at no extra cost to the reader. This revenue supports our research and publishing operations.

Affiliate relationships do not determine what we cover, how we rank companies, or what conclusions we reach. No company can pay to be included in editorial coverage, ranked higher in a guide, or excluded from a comparison. For more detail, see our Affiliate Disclosure.