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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 ,