Every guide on The Dwelling Index is produced by our editorial team — a small editorial team covering residential construction, housing policy, and real estate finance. We are not a contractor, lender, broker, or builder. We exist to publish independent research that helps homeowners make informed ADU decisions.
Our coverage focuses on housing policy, construction costs, mortgage and home equity products, and municipal zoning documentation. We approach every guide skeptically, methodically, and with a bias toward primary sources over marketing claims.
National and state-level ADU cost data, cost-per-square-foot breakdowns, hidden cost analysis, and budget planning frameworks.
HELOC, cash-out refinance, construction loan, FHA 203(k), and state/local ADU financing program research. Includes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac policy analysis.
State ADU legislation tracking, municipal zoning analysis, permit process documentation, and setback/size requirement research.
Prefab ADU company research, modular vs. panelized vs. kit analysis, contractor vetting frameworks, and construction timeline data.
Every article follows our published research methodology. We start with primary sources — state legislation, municipal planning records, published government data, and direct company disclosures — before consulting secondary sources. Cost figures are verified against multiple data points before publication.
Guides are reviewed before publication, and we display a last verified or last updated date where applicable. We re-check content on a regular cadence, or sooner when laws, pricing, or market conditions change. Our review process is documented in our editorial standards.
When we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and transparently. Material corrections are documented at the top of the affected article. Our full process is described on our corrections page.
The Dwelling Index earns revenue through affiliate partnerships — when readers use our links to request financing quotes or prefab ADU pricing, we may earn a commission. This revenue supports our research. It does not influence our editorial recommendations, company rankings, or content decisions.
We do not accept payment for editorial coverage. No company can pay to be included in, ranked higher in, or excluded from our guides. Our full disclosure is available on our affiliate disclosure page.
Have a question about our research? Spot an error in one of our guides? We want to hear from you.