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What Is an ADU? An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, secondary home on the same lot as an existing single-family house. On Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod, ADUs have become incredibly popular as towns encourage housing options for families, caretakers, guests, and long-term residents. ADUs can be: Detached (a separate small home) Attached (connected to the main house) Basement or garage conversions Bonus rooms or over-garage apartments With new Massachusetts zonin

A 2025 Cost Breakdown for Homeowners Exploring Accessory Dwelling Units Accessory Dwelling Units — better known as ADUs — are quickly becoming one of the most practical and in-demand housing options in Massachusetts. With the new statewide ADU law in effect, homeowners can now add in-law suites, rental cottages, or backyard guest houses with far fewer restrictions than ever before. But before you start planning, there’s one key question: How much does it actually cost to bui

Understanding Which Approach Fits Your Vision, Budget, and Timeline When planning a custom home, one of the first big decisions is who will lead your project’s design and construction . Should you hire an independent architect to create the plans and then bid those drawings to multiple builders?Or should you work with a design-build company that handles everything — from concept to completion — under one roof? Both approaches can produce beautiful homes, but they offer very

A Clear Timeline from McElhinney Construction Building a custom home is one of the most rewarding investments you can make — but it’s also a process that requires planning, patience, and coordination. In Massachusetts, where every site, design, and town regulation is different, understanding the timeline for a custom build helps homeowners plan ahead and avoid surprises. At McElhinney Construction , we’ve built dozens of high-end homes across Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod ,

How McElhinney Construction Helps You Navigate and Build Your ADU Building a second unit on your property is now easier than ever in Massachusetts.The new statewide Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law opens the door for homeowners to create rental income, add family space, or increase property value — without the red tape that used to make the process difficult. At McElhinney Construction , we help homeowners throughout Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod design, permit, and build

Building a custom home on Martha’s Vineyard or Cape Cod is a dream for many — but as anyone familiar with coastal construction knows, it’s also one of the most complex and variable investments you can make. Between design choices, permitting, logistics, and the unique demands of island construction, understanding what drives cost is essential before breaking ground. At McElhinney Construction , we’ve spent over a decade building and managing projects across the Vineyard and t