Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
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Before
AfterTrusted Home Additions & ADU for Fort Lauderdale Homeowners
Home Additions & ADU in Fort Lauderdale typically run $45,000-$130,000 for attached room additions and $90,000-$220,000 for detached accessory dwelling units, with most projects taking 3-6 months from permit to final inspection. At Rowan Construction Group, we’ve delivered 4,000-plus projects since 2007, every one with a written price before work started and a documented photo record when the crew left. If you’re outgrowing your Victoria Park bungalow or need rental income from a Coral Ridge garage conversion, call (754) 254-7676 to schedule your free estimate. We serve Fort Lauderdale and surrounding cities with background-checked, uniformed crews and a live person answering calls 24/7.
What Our Home Additions & ADU Service Includes
ADU Design & Permitting
An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a secondary living space on the same lot as a primary residence, and Fort Lauderdale’s zoning code allows them in most single-family districts with specific setback and parking requirements. You’ll need this service when you’re converting unused property into rental income or housing for family, but the permitting maze, including Broward County’s site plan review and Florida Building Code wind-load calculations, stops many homeowners before they break ground. We handle the full design-build sequence, producing architectural drawings, structural plans, and permit applications under one contract, so you’re not coordinating between a designer, engineer, and contractor who each blame the other when the city requests revisions.
Garage Conversion ADU
A garage conversion transforms an existing attached or detached garage into a habitable living unit, which in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale typically means adding insulation, HVAC, plumbing, and a kitchenette to meet the Florida Building Code’s residential standards. This is the most cost-effective ADU path, usually $30,000-$80,000, because the foundation, walls, and roof structure already exist, though you’ll need to verify the slab’s capacity for the additional load and the ceiling height meets minimum clearance. We assess the existing structure for moisture intrusion, which is common in older Fort Lauderdale garages where the slab sits below grade, and we specify impact-rated windows and doors if the unit faces the street, since Broward County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements apply to all new habitable space.
New Detached ADU
A new detached ADU is a standalone structure built from the ground up, often 400-1,200 square feet, and in Fort Lauderdale’s flood-prone areas like Rio Vista or Las Olas Isles, this means elevating the finished floor above the Base Flood Elevation per FEMA requirements. You’ll pursue this option when the existing garage is unsuitable or when you want maximum privacy between the main house and the rental unit, though the cost runs $90,000-$220,000 due to the full site work, foundation, and utility connections required. We coordinate the civil engineering for stormwater management, which in Fort Lauderdale’s flat terrain often requires retention areas or permeable paving, and we pull all permits including the separate utility meter that FPL and Broward County Water and Wastewater Services require for independently metered ADUs.
Junior ADU & Interior Conversion
A Junior ADU, or JADU, is created entirely within the existing footprint of a single-family home, typically by converting a bedroom or portion of the house into a self-contained unit with its own entrance, kitchenette, and bathroom, but sharing the main home’s HVAC and utility systems. This works in Fort Lauderdale’s older neighborhoods like Colee Hammock or Sailboat Bend, where lot sizes or setback rules prevent external expansion, and the cost range of $30,000-$80,000 reflects the limited structural work but extensive MEP modifications. Similar constraints apply for Home Additions & ADU in Hollywood. We evaluate the existing electrical panel capacity, since many 1950s-1970s Fort Lauderdale homes have 100-amp service that cannot support an additional kitchen and bathroom without an upgrade, and we design the separation to meet fire-rated assembly requirements between the JADU and primary residence.
ADU Site Prep & Utilities
Site preparation for an ADU in Fort Lauderdale involves clearing, grading, and installing the infrastructure that supports the structure, including water, sewer, electric, and often gas lines, plus the stormwater management that Broward County’s environmental regulations demand. This is the invisible work that determines whether your project passes inspection or sits idle for months, particularly in areas with shallow water tables like near the New River or Intracoastal where dewatering may be necessary during foundation excavation. We use geotechnical reports to specify the foundation type, whether monolithic slab on grade, stem wall, or elevated pile foundation for flood zones, and we coordinate with Florida Power & Light for service upgrades and with the city for sewer connection permits, which in Fort Lauderdale require a separate tap fee and impact fee calculation.
Room Additions
A room addition is an attached expansion of the existing home, whether a single bedroom, a master suite, or a great room extension, and in Fort Lauderdale’s competitive real estate market, this is often the alternative to selling and buying larger in the same neighborhood. The cost of $45,000-$130,000 depends on whether you’re building on a slab or elevated foundation, whether the roofline ties into the existing structure or requires full redesign, and whether the addition triggers a full home re-roof under Florida’s uniform roofing codes. We match the existing construction type, whether CBS (concrete block stucco) or frame with stucco veneer, and we specify materials from our vetted brand list, including impact-rated windows from CWS or ES Windows where the addition creates new openings in the building envelope.
Second Story Additions
A second story addition doubles your living space without sacrificing yard area, which matters in Fort Lauderdale’s dense neighborhoods and nearby Plantation Home Additions & ADU properties where outdoor space carries premium value, but it requires structural verification that the existing foundation and first-floor walls can support the additional load. This is the most complex addition type, typically $90,000-$220,000, because it involves temporary roof removal, structural reinforcement, and often a full MEP rerouting to serve the new floor. We bring in a structural engineer early to assess the existing footings and wall capacities, particularly in pre-1980s homes where foundation standards were less stringent, and we sequence the work to maintain weather protection, using temporary roofing systems during the transition period that Fort Lauderdale’s afternoon thunderstorms would otherwise exploit.
Sunrooms & Enclosed Patios
A sunroom or enclosed patio converts an open outdoor space into conditioned or semi-conditioned living area, and in Fort Lauderdale, this means specifying impact-rated glass and aluminum framing that meets the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements for any space with a conditioned envelope. This is the entry-level addition for homeowners who want more usable space without the full cost of conventional construction, though the price still runs $30,000-$80,000 depending on whether the space is fully conditioned with independent HVAC or uses the main house’s system. We distinguish between a Florida room, which typically uses single-pane glass and remains unconditioned, and a four-season sunroom with insulated glass and dedicated climate control, and we specify the appropriate product from ECO Window Systems or Mr-Glass based on your intended use and the exposure of the installation wall.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service for Home Additions & ADU
We’ve specified and installed CWS impact windows across hundreds of Fort Lauderdale projects, including full-home replacements in Coral Ridge and new openings in ADU conversions where the Florida Building Code requires missile-impact resistance. Their aluminum-framed products integrate cleanly with both CBS and frame construction, and we maintain current pricing from their regional distributor so your written quote reflects actual material cost, not a placeholder we adjust later.
ES Windows is our specification for larger opening sizes and custom architectural configurations, particularly in second-story additions where the structural header requirements and wind-load ratings demand engineering-grade documentation. We’ve installed their products in homes from Victoria Park to Harbor Beach, and we know their lead times and glass options well enough to sequence construction without the delays that throw off project schedules.
Whether your project calls for CWS, ES Windows, ECO Window Systems, Mr-Glass, or any other manufacturer, we source from fifty-plus vetted brands with established pricing agreements, which means your written quote contains honest numbers rather than inflated allowances. The brand selection happens during design, not as a surprise upgrade after you’ve signed.
Before
AfterSigns You Need Home Additions & ADU Right Now
- You’re working from a bedroom or dining table with no dedicated office space. The pandemic-era remote work shift has permanently changed how Fort Lauderdale homeowners use their square footage, and a bedroom that doubles as a conference room is a daily friction that a room addition or ADU resolves. More importantly, the home office deduction and rental income potential mean the project often pays back faster than pure lifestyle value would suggest.
- Your adult children or aging parents need independent living space on the same property. Multigenerational housing is increasing in Fort Lauderdale as housing costs rise, and the alternative, buying or renting a second unit nearby, typically costs more per month than financing an ADU construction. A JADU or detached ADU preserves family proximity while respecting privacy, and the rental income from a future tenant can offset the construction cost if family needs change.
- Your garage has become storage overflow and the cars sit in the driveway. This is the classic precursor to a garage conversion ADU, because the sunk cost of the existing structure, foundation, and roof means you’re starting with 30-40% of the construction already in place. In Fort Lauderdale’s climate, where sun and salt air degrade paint and rubber seals, covered parking has value, but so does the $800-$1,500 monthly rental income a converted garage can generate.
- The city has approved your permit application and it’s approaching expiration. Fort Lauderdale building permits expire if work doesn’t commence within 180 days of issuance, and reapplying means resubmitting plans, paying new fees, and potentially facing revised code requirements. If you’ve already invested in architectural drawings and engineering, letting that permit lapse is a direct financial loss that construction can prevent.
- Comparable homes in your neighborhood have 40% more square footage and sell for proportionally more. In neighborhoods like Coral Ridge Country Club or Imperial Point, the price per square foot gap between your home and the larger comps represents trapped equity that a room addition or second story can unlock. The construction cost, spread over the added square footage, often runs below the neighborhood’s market rate per foot, which is the mathematical condition for a value-add project.
Our Home Additions & ADU Process - Step by Step
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On-site assessment and written scope. We visit your Fort Lauderdale property, measure the existing structure, photograph conditions, and discuss your goals and budget range. Within 48 hours, you receive a written scope of work with a flat price, not an estimate that shifts later, because Clause 1 of The Haven Standard requires the number in writing before anyone picks up a tool.
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Design development and permit submission. If the project requires architectural or engineering drawings, we produce them in-house or through our vetted design partners, then submit to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Building Services Division or Broward County as jurisdiction dictates. We track the permit timeline and respond to plan review comments without passing that administrative burden to you.
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Pre-construction meeting and material selection. Before breaking ground, we meet at our office or your home to finalize selections from our brand catalog, including windows, doors, flooring, fixtures, and finishes. Your choices are documented in writing, and any substitution requires a signed change order, which is the discipline that has kept our projects within a few percent of the agreed price across 4,000-plus jobs.
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Construction with documented photo record. Our background-checked, uniformed crews work on a scheduled timeline with a dedicated project manager, and every visit produces a dated photo record showing progress, conditions found, and work completed. This documentation is yours as a standard deliverable, not an upgrade, and it protects both parties if questions arise about what was covered or what lies beneath.
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Final inspection, walkthrough, and warranty activation. We coordinate all required inspections, including building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical, and we don’t request final payment until the certificate of occupancy or final approval is issued. The 365-Day Done Right Promise activates at completion: if it’s not done right, we make it right, backed by The Haven Standard’s terms page, not a handshake.
How Much Does Home Additions & ADU Cost in Fort Lauderdale?
A typical room addition in Fort Lauderdale runs $45,000-$130,000 depending on size, foundation type, and finish level, while a detached ADU construction costs $90,000-$220,000 and a garage conversion ADU falls in the $30,000-$80,000 range. These figures reflect our actual project history in Broward County, not national averages that ignore local labor rates, permit fees, and the impact-rated materials required in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Several factors move the price within these ranges. Foundation work on fill soil or in flood zones adds geotechnical and elevation costs. Kitchen and bathroom components, which require plumbing, electrical, and fixture allowances, cost more per square foot than bedrooms or offices. Custom finishes from our vetted brands, whether KraftMaid cabinetry, Cambria countertops, or Kohler fixtures, are priced transparently in the written quote rather than bundled into vague “allowances” that invite overruns.
To avoid overpaying, we recommend obtaining multiple written quotes and bringing them to us for a Free Second Opinion, line by line, at no charge. We also suggest phasing the project only if each phase produces independently usable space, since stopping and restarting construction incurs mobilization costs that a single continuous schedule avoids.
Our free estimate includes the written scope, flat price, material specifications by brand and model where selected, permit fee estimate, projected timeline, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise terms. There is no obligation to proceed, and the price is valid for 30 days so you can compare and decide without pressure.
Home Additions & ADU Near Fort Lauderdale - Our Service Area
We build home additions and ADUs throughout Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding municipalities, including Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lauderhill, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Sunrise, Hollywood, Tamarac, and Margate. Typical response time for an initial assessment is 24-48 hours from your call, and we schedule construction starts based on permit readiness rather than arbitrary queue positions. Whether you’re in a 1920s bungalow in Sailboat Bend or a 1990s tract home in Weston, we match our construction methods to the existing structure and neighborhood context.
Serving Fort Lauderdale, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Fort Lauderdale 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 Questions - Home Additions & ADU in Fort Lauderdale
An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, is a complete independent living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, and separate entrance, while a room addition expands the existing home without creating a separate household. In Fort Lauderdale, ADUs are regulated by zoning rules that require owner occupancy of either the main house or the ADU, and they can generate rental income, whereas room additions simply increase your home’s square footage and resale value. Call (754) 254-7676 to discuss which option fits your property and goals, and we’ll review the zoning constraints during your free estimate.
Most room additions take 3-4 months from permit issuance to final inspection, while detached ADUs run 4-6 months due to the additional foundation, utility, and roofing work. Permit timelines in Fort Lauderdale vary seasonally, with the city typically processing complete applications in 4-8 weeks, though complex projects or those requiring variance relief take longer. We provide a written timeline with your quote and update it if permit delays or weather, particularly during hurricane season, affect the schedule.
ADU construction in Fort Lauderdale runs $90,000-$220,000 for detached units and $30,000-$80,000 for garage conversions, while the median condo price in the area exceeds $300,000 with additional HOA fees and management complexity. The ADU builds equity in your existing property, qualifies for certain financing programs, and produces rental income without the transaction costs of a separate purchase. Your written quote from Rowan Construction Group includes all construction costs, permit fees, and standard finishes so you can compare the total investment accurately.
Yes, we specify and install CWS and ES Windows products regularly, and we maintain current pricing and lead time information for both brands through our regional distributor relationships. Impact-rated glazing is required for all new openings in Fort Lauderdale’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, and we engineer the installation to meet the Florida Building Code’s missile-impact and cyclic pressure standards. If your project requires a different manufacturer, we source from fifty-plus vetted brands and document the specification in your written quote.
We schedule construction starts based on permit readiness and material availability, not an artificial queue, and we provide a written start date with your signed contract. For projects where the design and permits are already complete, we can often mobilize within 2-3 weeks; for projects starting from initial assessment, the typical timeline is 8-12 weeks to permit plus construction duration. We do not promise same-day or emergency construction for planned work, because the permitting and material ordering processes have fixed durations that no contractor can compress without cutting corners.
Every project is covered by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not done right, we make it right, with the specific terms documented on our warranty page, not summarized in a slogan. This applies to workmanship, material installation, and the functional performance of all systems we install, and it activates from the date of final inspection approval. Manufacturer warranties on windows, fixtures, and finishes run separately and are transferred to you at completion.
Gather any existing surveys, permits, or architectural drawings for your property, note your approximate budget range and intended use for the space, and identify any access constraints like narrow driveways or overhead power lines that affect equipment mobilization. We handle the measurement, zoning research, and preliminary code analysis during our visit, so you don’t need technical knowledge to start the conversation. Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule, and we’ll confirm by text with the appointment details and any documents to have ready.
Schedule Your Home Additions & ADU Service in Fort Lauderdale Today
Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule your free estimate for a home addition or ADU in Fort Lauderdale. You’ll receive a written scope and flat price before any work starts, every time, backed by The Haven Standard and our 365-Day Done Right Promise. A live person answers calls 24/7, and your project will be built by background-checked, uniformed crews with a documented photo record on every visit. There’s no obligation, and we offer a Free Second Opinion on any competitor’s written estimate, line by line, at no charge.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner at Rowan Construction Group, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2007.