ADU Design & Construction in Central Virginia
LICENSED & INSURED CLASS A DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTOR
An Accessory Swelling, Suited and Sized to your County's Rules
We Build ADUs across the Greater Richmond Area, including New Kent, Hanover County, Henrico County, Goochland County, & Powhatan. We already know how zoning works in this counties around Richmond. So wherever your property sites, confirming the local process is stop one, not a reason we can
Virginia passed a statewide law in April 2026 requiring every locality to permit ADUs by right in single-family zones by July 2027. Some Central Virginia counties are already there. Others are mid-transition. Wherever you're building, we confirm your county's current process before a single line gets drawn
Why Homeowners are Building Here
The same reasons come up across every county we serve.
RENTAL INCOME
A long-term investment that adds usable square footage and supplemental income.
FAMILY HOUSING
Independence for aging parents or adult children, without leaving the property.
GUEST SPACE
A private, comfortable place for visitors that doesn't disrupt the main house.
HOME OFFICE
A dedicated, separated workspace — increasingly the most-requested ADU use.
FLEXIBILITY
One structure, several possible uses over the life of the property.
PROPERTY VALUE
Added living space that's built to last, not a temporary structure.
One Less Thing to Figure Out
Every county in Central Virginia handles ADUs a little differently, permit types, size limits, review boards. You don't need to learn that. We already have.
NEW KENT
HANOVER COUNTY
CITY OF RICHMOND
HENCIRO COUNTY
POWHATAN COUNTY
AND BEYOND...
What We Plan Around, Lot by Lot
IN-TOWN RICHMOND LOTS
Narrow, alley-access parcels in the Fan, Church Hill, and the Museum District often favor a garage apartment over a larger freestanding structure.
SUBURBAN HENRICO COUNTY
More room for a standalone cottage — but HOA review often enters the picture in newer subdivisions.
RURAL HANOVER COUNTY
Larger acreage and well and septic systems are common outside the more built-up eastern part of the county.
RURAL NEW KENT COUNTY
Predominantly agricultural zoning with larger lots and well/septic; New Kent's own ADU size cap reflects that lower-density character.
How a Project Moves from Lot to Livable
INITIAL CONSULATION
Your goals, property, budget, and intended use for the space.
SITE & JURISDICTION EVALUTION
We confirm the current ADU requirements for your specific city or county — zoning district, size cap, review process, and any historic or HOA considerations.
DESIGN & PLANNING
A plan built to clear your locality's actual approval process, not a generic one.
CONSTRUCTION
Every phase overseen directly, with consistent communication throughout.
SITE & JURISDICTION EVALUTION
A finished space that adds real, usable value to the property.
Why Homeowners Choose Lakewood Custom Builders
- Personalized service from first call to final walkthrough.
- Direct communication, one point of contact throughout.
- Detailed planning before any construction begins.
- Transparent budgeting, with no surprise line items.
- Quality craftsmanship built to last, not to a minimum.
- Local zoning expertise across four different counties.
FAQ's About ADUs
Do ADU rules really differ between counties?
Yes, quite a bit — different size limits, different approval paths, different timelines. That's exactly why we handle the zoning research ourselves before designing anything, rather than asking homeowners to figure it out.
Will zoning slow my project down?
It can add time in some counties more than others, but you won't be navigating it alone. We confirm the process for your property early, so there are no surprises mid-project.
How much does it cost to build an ADU in the Richmond area?
Costs vary based on size, design, site conditions, utility requirements, finish selections, and which locality's permitting process applies. We build a realistic budget with you during pre-construction planning.
Is a garage apartment considered an ADU?
Yes, across the counties we serve — and it's often the most practical option on alley-access or narrower in-town lots.
My property is on well and septic — does that change anything?
It can. Counties with well and septic systems, particularly in Hanover, Powhatan, New Kent, and more rural parts of Chesterfield, require health department verification of septic capacity before an ADU permit can move forward.
What if my county isn't shown on this page?
We regularly build outside the counties shown here. Every Central Virginia locality has its own ADU process, and confirming yours is part of our standard first step — not a reason we can't help. Reach out and tell us where your property is.