ADU & Garage Conversions — Licensed GC, Fully Permitted

ADU cost in Lee County ranges from $40,000 for a basic garage conversion to $180,000+ for a custom detached unit with 2 bedrooms and premium finishes. Our pricing includes design, permits, construction, and CO — not just construction labor. The most common detached ADU project (400–650 sq ft) runs $65,000–$110,000 all-in.

Only if it has a certificate of occupancy as a dwelling unit. An unpermitted conversion — even a beautifully finished one — cannot be legally rented. It also creates liability when you sell (must be disclosed) and may void your homeowner's insurance. We build every ADU through to CO so the unit is legal, insurable, and rentable from day one.

Design and drawings typically take 4–8 weeks. Permit review by Lee County Department of Community Development or the relevant city takes 4–12 weeks depending on scope complexity and jurisdiction. Some municipalities like Cape Coral have separate planning review for canal-lot properties before building permit submission. We manage this timeline and track the permit status — you're not waiting on hold with the county.

Depends on your CC&Rs or condo docs. Many HOAs and communities in Lee County restrict or prohibit ADU construction — either by requiring architectural committee approval, specifying exterior material requirements, or prohibiting external dwelling units entirely. We review your governing documents as part of the feasibility step before any money goes to drawings. Building without approval creates a covenant violation with real legal exposure.

Setback and size limits vary by jurisdiction and zoning designation. Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, and unincorporated Lee County each have different rules on lot size, setbacks, and maximum ADU square footage relative to the main dwelling. We review your specific parcel rules before quoting — not after you've paid for drawings.

ADU projects in Lee County typically include: impact fees ($5,000–$18,000 for new construction), sewer tap or septic fees ($3,000–$12,000), permit fees ($1,500–$6,000), and architectural drawings and engineering ($6,000–$18,000). All of these are included in our written total project cost — no surprises at permit issuance. Contractors who quote "just construction" without addressing these fees are giving you an incomplete picture.

Yes. D&Co holds Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC1531095, which authorizes all phases of residential and commercial construction including ADU design-build projects. Dariceli Kunhardt has 14+ years in construction, development, and project management. All work is fully permitted and inspected under our GC license. Verify at the Florida DBPR website.