What Does a New Detached ADU Cost and Take in Hollywood?
A new detached ADU in Hollywood, FL typically runs $90,000-$220,000 and takes 4-7 months from permit approval to final inspection, depending on whether you choose prefab delivery or stick-built construction. Every unit we build here must carry Miami-Dade HVHZ product approvals, which adds a material-vetting step most Florida contractors never deal with. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk you through which path fits your lot and budget.
Hollywood’s split housing character shapes nearly every ADU project we take on. East of I-95, we’re often tying into 1960s CBS homes with original electrical panels and narrow side yards; west toward 33029, there’s room for a full 800-square-foot standalone unit with covered parking. Either way, a detached ADU gives you rental income, multigenerational space, or a home office without touching your main roofline. It’s a different job than a garage conversion or attached addition, and the process reflects that.
How We Build a New Detached ADU in Hollywood
We’ve refined this into five clear stages. You’ll know what’s happening, what you’re deciding, and how long each piece takes.
Stage 1: Site survey and design lock (2-3 weeks). We measure setbacks, check Broward County property appraiser records for easements, and confirm your lot coverage ratio. You’ll decide on footprint size (most Hollywood lots accommodate 400-800 sq ft), ceiling height, and whether you want a kitchenette or full kitchen. If you’re considering this as part of a full property upgrade, see our Home Additions & ADU in Hollywood page for the broader scope.
Stage 2: Engineering and permit submission (4-8 weeks). Our structural engineer produces HVHZ-compliant plans with Miami-Dade NOA-referenced fasteners, impact glazing specs, and tie-down schedules. Broward’s building department reviews for code compliance; we handle revisions. You don’t make major decisions here, but you’ll approve final finishes from our curated brand roster.
Stage 3: Foundation and rough-in (3-4 weeks). We pour a monolithic slab with post-tension or stem-wall foundation depending on soil conditions. Plumbing stub-outs, electrical conduit, and HVAC rough-in happen before the slab sets. Hollywood’s high water table in eastern ZIPs sometimes requires engineered fill or moisture barrier upgrades.
Stage 4: Shell and dry-in (4-6 weeks). Walls go up, roof goes on, windows and doors install. This is where HVHZ compliance gets real: every window must be impact-rated or protected, every fastener must match the NOA schedule. We use Andersen, Pella, or PGT impact lines depending on your budget and aesthetic.
Stage 5: Interior finish and final inspection (3-4 weeks). Flooring, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, paint. We coordinate Broward’s final inspection for certificate of occupancy. Most homeowners add Kitchen Design & Layout in Hollywood coordination here if the ADU includes a full cooking space.
The Build Paths You’ll Choose Between
Not every detached ADU in Hollywood gets built the same way. Here are the honest trade-offs we walk clients through:
- Prefab/modular delivery (Abodu, Dvele, Mighty Buildings, Boxabl). Faster timeline, factory-controlled quality, and known pricing. The catch: you’ll still need a Hollywood foundation, utility tie-ins, and Broward final inspection. Best for homeowners who want minimal construction chaos and can accept standardized layouts.
- Traditional stick-built on site. Fully custom footprint, ceiling heights, and material choices. Takes longer and costs more, but fits irregular lots and specific design requirements. This is what most east Hollywood narrow-lot projects require.
- Concrete block (CBS) construction. Matches Hollywood’s existing housing stock, excellent hurricane resistance, but heavier foundation requirements and slower build. We often recommend this for permanence and resale alignment.
- Wood or steel framing with stucco or siding. Faster and lighter, with James Hardie siding as a durable exterior option. Requires precise HVHZ fastening schedules but gives design flexibility.
- Impact windows vs. shutters. Fixed impact glazing (PGT, CGI, Andersen A-series) costs more upfront but zero storm-prep forever. Shutters save initial cost but need installation every storm. For a rental ADU, impact windows reduce tenant liability.
- Kitchenette vs. full kitchen. A wet bar with mini-fridge and microwave runs $3,000-$6,000. A full kitchen with Kohler or Moen fixtures, Silestone or Caesarstone counters, and standard appliances adds $12,000-$25,000. This single choice swings your total significantly.
Our Home Additions & ADU crew manages both paths, but we don’t push one over the other until we see your lot and understand your timeline.
What New Detached ADU Costs in Hollywood, FL
| Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Small prefab ADU (400-550 sq ft) | $90,000-$140,000 |
| Mid-size stick-built ADU (600-750 sq ft) | $130,000-$190,000 |
| Large custom ADU (800+ sq ft, full kitchen) | $170,000-$220,000 |
| Foundation and site prep (varies by lot) | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Utility connection to main house | $3,000-$12,000 |
Five factors push you toward the high or low end of that $90,000-$220,000 range for a new detached ADU in Hollywood:
Size and complexity. Every square foot adds structure, insulation, HVAC, and finish cost. A simple studio with bath runs lean; a one-bedroom with full kitchen and stacked washer-dryer does not.
Foundation conditions. Eastern Hollywood lots near the Intracoastal often need engineered fill or moisture mitigation. Western 33029 lots with newer fill and better drainage typically don’t.
Utility relocation and tie-ins. If your main panel has capacity and your sewer line reaches the ADU footprint easily, you’ll save thousands. Upgrading a 100-amp Federal Pacific panel or trenching 40 feet for sewer does the opposite.
Material grade and brand selections. KraftMaid cabinets and Moen fixtures hit a solid mid-point. Moving to custom millwork or premium appliance packages shifts the budget. You choose the brand, we handle the build.
Permit scope and HOA requirements. Some Hollywood HOAs require architectural review boards and specific siding or roofing matches. This adds design time and sometimes material cost, but it’s non-negotiable.
Our written estimates include plans, permits, foundation, structure, rough and finish mechanicals, and standard fixtures. They do not include landscaping, fencing, or furniture. Many homeowners later add Backsplash, Tile & Flooring in Hollywood upgrades to match the main house.
What Hollywood Homes Specifically Do to This Job
Hollywood sits entirely within Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone, a designation shared only with Miami-Dade County. Every permitted construction project here must use HVHZ-listed assemblies backed by Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance. Contractors from Palm Beach County or Central Florida routinely get caught at the Broward permit desk when their chosen windows or roofing assemblies lack this specific listing. We’ve seen projects stall for weeks while replacement materials are sourced. We vet every product against the HVHZ database before submission.
The city’s housing stock creates two distinct ADU markets. East of I-95 in ZIPs like 33020 and 33021, we’re working with 1950s-1970s CBS homes built for the Northeast snowbird trade. These lots are often 50 feet wide with narrow side yards, so we design compact 400-500 square foot units with efficient single-plane roofs. Original electrical panels, aging sewer laterals, and flat built-up roofing on the main house frequently trigger simultaneous upgrade work.
West toward 33029, the 1980s-2000s planned communities give us 70-foot lots and room for 750-square-foot units with covered patios. The framing is newer, utilities are more accessible, and the permitting path is cleaner. But even here, the HVHZ requirement stands. Salt-air corrosion from the Atlantic barrier island, particularly in 33019, forces us to spec stainless or galvanized fasteners and corrosion-resistant hardware on any exposed structure.
If your property sits near the Coastal Construction Control Line, the Florida DEP adds a setback permit layer that inland Broward projects never see. We identify this in our initial survey and build the timeline accordingly.
We cover all of Hollywood and surrounding areas including Andover, Miramar, West Park, and West Hollywood.
Serving Hollywood, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Hollywood area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked - New Detached ADU in Hollywood
From permit approval to move-in ready, expect 4-7 months. Prefab units on simple lots hit the shorter end; custom stick-built projects with foundation complications run longer. Broward’s permit review typically takes 4-8 weeks, and we build that into our schedule. Call (844) 665-0162 for a timeline based on your specific lot.
Yes, absolutely. Broward County requires full building permits, and every material must carry Miami-Dade HVHZ approval. This is not a shed or a “temporary” structure loophole situation. We handle the entire permit package, engineering, and inspection scheduling.
Sometimes, but not often. Most Hollywood homes built before 1990 have 100-amp service that’s already at capacity. The ADU typically needs its own subpanel or a main service upgrade to 200 amps. We assess this in our first site visit and include the real cost in your estimate.
Usually by 10-20% on the structure itself, but the gap narrows once you add foundation, utility tie-ins, and Broward final inspection. Prefab wins on speed and predictability. Stick-built wins on customization and odd-lot fit. We’ll show you both numbers for your property.
We warranty our workmanship, and every brand we install carries its own manufacturer warranty. Kohler fixtures, Moen valves, Silestone and Caesarstone surfaces, Andersen or PGT windows, each has specific coverage terms we document at handoff. We don’t bundle this into vague “lifetime” language.
Ready to Add a Detached ADU to Your Hollywood Property?
Call (844) 665-0162 for a free on-site estimate. Raymond Estevez or a senior project manager will walk your lot, confirm setbacks and utility access, and return a detailed written proposal with real numbers and a honest timeline. No deposit required to start the conversation.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Hollywood since our founding.