Modular ADU
Modular ADUs, built with the precision of a factory.
A SHAPE modular ADU is designed by a licensed architect, built off-site in our facility, and installed on your property in days, not months.
What 'modular' actually means at SHAPE
A modular ADU isn't a kit and it isn't a mobile home. Your unit is engineered as a permanent structure to California Building Code, then assembled in modules inside our facility, where tolerances are tighter, materials stay dry, and trades work in parallel.
While the modules are being built, our crews handle the site work on your property: foundation, utilities, and any landscaping. The two timelines run at the same time, which is the entire reason a modular ADU finishes faster than a conventional stick-built one.
Why it usually beats a conventional ADU
Faster. Conventional ADUs in the Bay Area typically run 12 to 18 months from permit. A SHAPE modular build is normally 2 to 4.
Predictable. The price you sign is the price you pay. No mid-build allowance surprises, no weather delays driving up labor.
Better finished quality. A controlled factory environment means squarer walls, tighter envelope, and a finish you can't get on a windy job site in February.
Where SHAPE builds modular ADUs
We design and build modular ADUs across the San Francisco Bay Area. Local permit experience in every one of these cities:
Frequently asked
- How much does a modular ADU cost in the Bay Area?
- SHAPE modular pricing starts at $223,000 for Model 1, $263,000 for Model 2, and $343,000 for Model 2X on a typical lot. Hillside and tight-access projects typically run $400,000–$750,000. We give you a fixed all-in number after a site visit, with no allowances or mid-build surprises.
- How long does a modular ADU take from permit to move-in?
- Most SHAPE modular ADUs are 2 to 4 months from permit issuance to move-in. Permitting itself adds 2 to 6 months before that depending on the jurisdiction; we manage that process for you.
- Do I need a permit for an ADU in California?
- Yes. All ADUs require a building permit. California state law (Gov. Code §65852.2) preempts many local restrictions and protects ministerial 60-day approval timelines on most lots. SHAPE handles the full permit package.
- How big can my ADU be?
- California state law guarantees at least 800 sq ft on most single-family lots. Most cities we work in allow detached ADUs up to 1,000–1,200 sq ft, with two stories permitted in many jurisdictions.
- Will a modular ADU look like a mobile home?
- No. SHAPE units are designed by licensed architects, clad in real materials (wood, metal, stucco, stone), and engineered as permanent structures. Modular refers to how it's built, not what it looks like.
- Does a modular ADU add value to my property?
- Yes. ADUs in the Bay Area typically appraise at $150–$400 per sq ft of added livable space and generate rental income of $2,500–$5,000 per month. We can share comps in your specific city on a consultation call.
Let's build it.
A free 30-minute call with our team. You'll leave with a feasibility read on your lot and a real sense of what the project costs and how long it takes.
