ADU feasibility & cost audit · Fayette County
Find out what an ADU on that lot actually costs.
Lexington allows an accessory dwelling unit up to 800 square feet on most urban single-family lots. Whether yours works is a question of setbacks, utilities and money. We answer all three in writing, for a flat $1,500.
What you get
A written go or no-go, with the numbers behind it.
Most people asking about an ADU get a contractor guess over the phone and a number that moves by $80,000. This is the document that replaces that call.
Zoning and setbacks
Your lot checked against Fayette County code and the 800 square foot ADU parameters. Where the buildable envelope actually sits once setbacks and lot coverage come off.
Utilities
Where water, sewer and power would tie in, and whether the tie-in is a trench across the yard or a tap fee and a service upgrade that changes the whole budget.
Cost range, itemized
Construction cost broken out by scope with every assumption listed, priced on current central Kentucky numbers rather than a national square-foot average.
Permit path and timeline
What has to be submitted and in what order, plus roughly how long each step takes in Lexington today.
It ends with a go or no-go and the two or three variables that decide it. If the answer is no, you get that in writing with the reason, and you have saved yourself the build.
- This is a cost and feasibility opinion. It is not architectural, engineering, or legal advice.
- Numbers are priced from what exists at the time of the audit and need field verification before you build.
- Turnaround is about two weeks from the day we have your lot information.
Pricing
$1,500, flat.
| Price | $1,500 flat. One lot, one written report. No hourly billing and no change orders on the audit itself. |
|---|---|
| Where | Fayette County first. We will look at Richmond, Winchester, Nicholasville, Georgetown and Versailles. |
| Turnaround | About two weeks. |
| Builders | If you are a builder who keeps getting asked about ADUs, we do these under your name. Ask about volume terms. |
Who does the work
The same person who prices our own jobs.
Eli Hart. He prices electrical infrastructure work for a large regional contractor and is finishing a construction management degree at Eastern Kentucky University.
Hartwood buys and develops small infill property in Lexington. We run these numbers on our own acquisitions before we buy, which is the only reason we are any good at them.
Start an audit
Tell us the address and what you want to build.
This goes straight to Eli. He will confirm the lot is a candidate before you pay anything.
Got it.
Eli will come back to you within two business days and tell you straight whether the lot is worth auditing. If it is time-sensitive, call or text (859) 361-9320.