Editorial Team & Review Process
The Dwelling Index is an independent ADU research publication for homeowners. We publish guides about accessory dwelling unit costs, state and local rules, financing paths, prefab options, and project-planning decisions.
Our role is educational. We are not a builder, contractor, lender, mortgage broker, attorney, architect, or financial advisor. Our goal is to help readers understand a complex, high-stakes project clearly enough to make better decisions and know what to verify next.
Who Is Responsible for Our Content
The Dwelling Index is published and edited by Kaden Coziar, Founder and Responsible Editor.
Kaden oversees editorial standards, topic selection, source requirements, final editorial review, updates, and corrections across the site. Final editorial responsibility for content published on The Dwelling Index rests with Kaden unless a page explicitly names another editor or reviewer.
Relevant experience
Before launching The Dwelling Index, Kaden worked in residential construction-related environments beginning in 2016 and later conducted focused ADU research covering homeowner demand, project feasibility, budgeting, financing paths, builder offerings, and local-rule considerations.
What that experience does and does not mean
Kaden has direct experience researching and working around ADU projects and homeowner decision-making. He is not a licensed contractor, lender, mortgage broker, attorney, architect, or financial advisor, and content on this site should not be treated as legal, tax, lending, or construction advice.
How Our Bylines Work
The Dwelling Index uses two byline types:
Named byline
When one person is the primary writer or editor of a page, we list that person by name and link to their profile.
The Dwelling Index Editorial Team
Used when a page is materially collaborative, updated over time by multiple contributors, or maintained as a living resource. The page should still identify the person responsible for final editorial review.
We do not use a team byline to create the impression of a larger newsroom than exists.
What We Cover
ADU Costs & Budgeting
Cost-per-square-foot ranges, all-in project budgets, hidden costs, and cost drivers by ADU type, size, and market.
Laws, Zoning & Permitting
State legislation, municipal code requirements, size and setback rules, owner-occupancy rules, and permit-process details.
Financing Paths
HELOCs, cash-out refinances, construction loans, renovation loans, and active grant or incentive programs where relevant.
Prefab & Company Research
Prefab and modular ADU company comparisons, verified public claims, and tradeoffs between factory-built and site-built approaches.
Homeowner Planning
Practical guides on use cases, floor plans, rental income considerations, and project-planning questions before a homeowner commits.
How We Research
We start with primary sources whenever possible. Depending on the topic, that may include:
- State legislation and bill text
- City and county code or planning department materials
- Government housing and permit data
- Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, FHFA, or other agency guidance
- Official company disclosures, product pages, and program documents
We use secondary sources for context, not as a substitute for primary documentation. When a page includes estimates, comparisons, or original calculations, we label them clearly and explain the underlying assumptions where possible.
How We Verify Information
Before publication, we review pages for source quality, factual consistency, and clarity. Where appropriate, pages include a last updated or last verified date, links to primary sources, notes on material limitations or uncertainty, and clear labeling of verified, estimated, or editorial analysis content.
When laws, financing programs, pricing, or company offerings change, we update relevant pages on a rolling basis. For time-sensitive topics, readers should still verify details directly with the relevant city, agency, lender, or company before acting.
Original Reporting and Added Value
We do not aim to simply restate what is already on page one of search results. Where possible, we add value through original comparison tables, worked examples, methodology notes, direct company verification where appropriate, market examples drawn from areas we know directly, and side-by-side analysis of tradeoffs readers can actually use.
If we cannot verify a claim confidently, we would rather qualify it, label it, or leave it out than present it as certain.
Expert Review
Some topics on this site can materially affect a reader's finances, compliance decisions, or project planning. For that reason, we prioritize expert review for higher-risk pages over time, especially in financing and mortgage-related content, major cost guides, state law and local-rule explainers, and pages that interpret policy changes.
When a page has been reviewed by a subject-matter expert, we name that reviewer on the page and describe their role. If a page does not name an expert reviewer, readers should assume it was reviewed internally under our editorial process and not externally reviewed by a licensed specialist.
Learn more about our expert review policy and credentialed reviewers.
Editorial Independence
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 commission at no extra cost to the reader. That compensation supports the publication. It does 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. If a placement is sponsored, we label it clearly. Our full disclosure is on our affiliate disclosure page.
How We Handle Financing Content
We publish financing education, not lender brokering or loan advice. That means we focus on helping readers understand the differences between financing paths, who each path may fit, what tradeoffs to consider, and what questions to ask. We do not promise approval, quote personalized rates, or act as a lender or broker.
AI & Automation Disclosure
We may use AI-assisted tools for research organization, outlining, formatting, summarization, or first-draft support. AI tools do not replace source review, editorial judgment, or final human approval. Every page published on The Dwelling Index is reviewed by a human editor before publication or substantial update. We do not publish AI-generated content as final editorial output without human review, source checking, and substantive editing.
Corrections
Accuracy matters more than appearance. If we discover a material error, we correct it promptly. When appropriate, we add a correction note or update note to the affected page so readers can see what changed. If you believe a page is inaccurate, outdated, or unclear, our full process is described on the corrections page.
Contact the Editorial Team
For editorial questions, source suggestions, feedback, or corrections — include the page URL and the source you believe is more accurate to help us review faster.
- Editorial questions & feedback: editorial@dwellingindex.com
- Corrections: corrections@dwellingindex.com