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Family close by.
Not on top of you.

A mother-in-law suite works when it gives genuine independence — a private entrance, a bathroom nobody has to share, and somewhere to make a cup of tea at midnight. Elbaz Construction builds them as additions or conversions, with the zoning, utilities and permitting resolved before anything is framed.

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  • Licensed, bonded & insured · CBC1265280
  • 104 municipalities across 3 counties
  • Design-build: permitting & construction in-house

Miami-Dade · Broward & Palm Beach Counties

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ADUs & conversions · South Florida

Independence is a floor plan question.

The difference between a spare bedroom and a suite is not size. It is whether someone can live their own routine without crossing yours.

That comes down to four things: a private way in, a bathroom of their own, somewhere to prepare food, and enough separation that neither household hears the other's television. Everything else — finishes, storage, outlook — matters, but those four decide whether the arrangement lasts.

Request A Project Estimate See what makes a suite work
4.8Google rating across 343 reviews
104municipalities across three counties
CBC1265280Florida general contractor licence
Licensed and insured

Florida-licensed general contractor, License No. CBC1265280. Bonded and insured.

Zoning checked first

What your parcel permits — and under what conditions — is established before design, because it constrains everything after it.

Utilities planned properly

Power, water, waste and cooling for an additional dwelling space assessed against the existing service capacity.

Financing available

Financing options are available through Mosaic.

  • Licensed & insuredState-licensed GC, bonded and insured
  • Design-buildDrawings and construction under one contract
  • Permits & inspectionsSubmission, review comments and closeout
  • LocalMiami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach
  • FinancingOptions available through Mosaic

What a suite actually provides

Four things that make it work.

Get these right and the arrangement is comfortable for both households. Get them wrong and no amount of finish quality compensates.

Own door.
Own bathroom.

A private entrance changes the psychology of the whole arrangement — arriving and leaving without crossing the main house is what makes it feel like a home rather than a room. A private bathroom removes the single most common friction point between two households sharing a building.

  • A private entrance, ideally with its own approach and outside space.
  • A full bathroom that nobody else uses.
  • Somewhere to prepare food, at whatever level the rules and the household allow.
  • Acoustic separation between the suite and the main house.

Ageing is part of the brief

Most suites are built for someone who will get older in them. Level thresholds, a wider door, blocking in the bathroom walls for future grab bars and a shower without a step cost very little now and are expensive to retrofit later.

Flexibility is real value

A well-planned suite serves a parent now, an adult child later, and a guest or home-office wing after that. Designing it so it can change use without rebuilding is worth more than any single finish decision.

Finished accessory unit with living area, kitchen and laundry
Completed accessory living space from an Elbaz Construction project in South Florida.

Utilities decide more than people expect.

An additional bathroom and kitchenette mean additional load, additional waste connections and often additional cooling capacity. Whether the existing service and panel can carry it — and where the drainage can connect — frequently shapes where the suite can go, which is why it is checked during feasibility rather than during construction.

Addition, or convert what you have?

A garage, a large room or an underused wing can often become a suite for considerably less than building new. Which is right depends on your parcel, your plan and what you can give up.

Completed work

Accessory living space we have built.

Genuine photographs of completed Elbaz Construction accessory living projects across South Florida.

Living area with seating in a completed accessory unitBedroom in a completed accessory living spaceLiving and sleeping area in a completed accessory unitBedroom with storage in a completed accessory living spaceBedroom and mirror in a finished accessory unitLiving area and kitchen in a completed accessory unitShower with patterned tiling in a completed accessory unit
01

Living area with seating in a completed accessory unit

Real completed Elbaz Construction work, photographed after handover. These are accessory living spaces and conversions from different projects rather than one suite, shown as a record of finish quality and layout. Captions describe only what is visible in the frame.

Bedroom in a completed accessory living space
Bedroom in a completed accessory living space
Living and sleeping area in a completed accessory unit
Living and sleeping area in a completed accessory unit
Bedroom with storage in a completed accessory living space
Bedroom with storage in a completed accessory living space
Bedroom and mirror in a finished accessory unit
Bedroom and mirror in a finished accessory unit
Living area and kitchen in a completed accessory unit
Living area and kitchen in a completed accessory unit
Shower with patterned tiling in a completed accessory unit
Shower with patterned tiling in a completed accessory unit

How a suite comes together

Feasibility, then design, then build.

Project record

Scope
Mother-in-law suite — addition or conversion
Typically includes
Bedroom · full bathroom · living area · kitchenette where permitted · private entrance
Established first
Zoning position, utility capacity, drainage connection points
Designed around
Privacy, independence and the ability to change use later
Not included by default
Separate metering and full detached construction — quoted separately
01

What the parcel allows

Zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, parking and whether a second kitchen is permitted all vary by jurisdiction and sometimes by parcel. This is established before design, because it determines whether the suite is an addition, a conversion, attached or detached — and what may be called.

02

What the services can carry

Electrical capacity, water supply, waste connection points and cooling. An additional bathroom and kitchenette are a real load, and the answer often influences where in the property the suite makes most sense.

03

Designing for two households

A private entrance and approach, an internal connection that can be closed off or opened up, acoustic separation between the suite and the main house's living areas, and outside space the suite can use without crossing the main garden.

04

Building it, then documenting it

Permitted construction, inspected through the trades, and closed out — so the additional space exists on the record with the documentation to prove how it was built.

Want to know what your property allows before you design anything?

Zoning and utility capacity set the boundaries. A feasibility visit establishes both.

Scope options

Three ways a suite gets scoped.

Planning tiers, not packages. Which fits depends on your parcel, your existing plan and what the zoning permits.

Conversion

Using space you already have

Converting a garage, a large room or an underused wing into a suite.

  • Feasibility, zoning and utility capacity check
  • Insulation, and conditioning the space properly
  • New bathroom with drainage connection
  • Kitchenette where permitted
  • Private entrance formed or upgraded
  • Acoustic separation from the main house
  • Permits, inspections and closeout

Attached addition

New space, joined to the house

Building new accommodation attached to the existing structure.

  • Everything in Conversion
  • Foundations, structure and roof for the new area
  • Structural tie-in to the existing building
  • Full bathroom and kitchenette to the design
  • Separate entrance with its own approach
  • Cooling capacity assessed and extended or separated
  • Exterior finishes matched or deliberately contrasted

Independent suite

Maximum separation

Where the brief is genuine independence rather than an annexe.

  • Everything in Attached addition
  • Fully independent entrance and outside space
  • Enhanced acoustic separation between households
  • Dedicated cooling and controls
  • Accessibility provision designed in from the start
  • Provision for future separate metering where permitted
  • Layout designed to change use over time

Add-ons and upgrades, priced individually

  • Accessibility provision — level thresholds, wider doors, blocking for future grab bars
  • Step-free shower and reinforced bathroom walls
  • Dedicated cooling system and controls
  • Enhanced acoustic separation between households
  • Kitchenette upgrades where permitted
  • Private outdoor space, paving and screening
  • Separate utility metering provision where permitted
  • Laundry provision within the suite

What is permitted varies by jurisdiction and by parcel — particularly around second kitchens, separate entrances and occupancy. We establish it before design rather than assuming.

Space by space

What finished looks like.

Completed accessory living spaces from Elbaz Construction projects across South Florida.

Stairs and laundry area in a completed accessory living space
01

Assessing the existing space

A conversion starts with what is already there: slab level, ceiling height, wall construction, and where the services run. That survey decides what the space can become.

Bathroom with a glass shower enclosure in a completed accessory unit
02

Structure and openings

New or altered openings are designed and supported properly. Where a garage door goes, something has to carry what it was carrying.

Living area viewed from the mezzanine of a completed accessory unit
03

Insulation and envelope

A space built as a garage was never built to be lived in. Walls, ceiling and floor are brought up to a habitable standard before the finishes go on.

Bedroom and mezzanine in a completed accessory living space
04

Services and capacity

Power, water, drainage and cooling are extended to the new space, and the existing panel and system capacity is checked rather than assumed.

Exterior of a completed accessory living space
05

Kitchenette and bathroom

Where the plan includes them, the wet areas are built to the same standard as any bathroom or kitchen in the main house, waterproofing included.

Living and sleeping area in a finished accessory unit
06

Finishes and separation

Finishes, doors and the separation between the new space and the rest of the house are detailed so it reads as part of the home rather than a converted garage.

Genuine photographs of completed Elbaz Construction work, from different projects, shown individually rather than as a single suite.

Process and client experience

Ten stages, feasibility to handover.

A suite is a small building project with a large planning component. The order reflects that.

Initial consultation

We walk the property and talk about who the suite is for and how independent it needs to be.

What to expect

About an hour. Think about privacy, ageing, and how long the arrangement is meant to last.

Your decision

Whether to proceed to feasibility.

Zoning and feasibility

What the parcel permits — setbacks, coverage, parking, second kitchens, separate entrances.

QC · Zoning position is established before design, not after.
What to expect

A clear answer on what is possible before anything is designed.

Your decision

Nothing yet.

Utility capacity check

Electrical service and panel, water supply, waste connection points and cooling capacity assessed.

QC · Capacity is checked before the suite's position is fixed.
What to expect

Confirmation of what the services can carry.

Your decision

Nothing yet.

Design

Layout, entrance, bathroom, kitchenette and separation designed around both households.

What to expect

Several rounds. Privacy and circulation matter more here than in most projects.

Your decision

Layout, entrance position, level of independence.

Estimate and proposal

An itemised proposal against the drawn scope.

What to expect

A proposal you can compare like for like.

Your decision

Scope trade-offs and accessibility provision.

Permits

Applications assembled with the drawings and submitted; review comments answered.

QC · Zoning position is confirmed before submission rather than discovered during review.
What to expect

Waiting. Review timelines belong to the building department.

Your decision

HOA submission where the community requires it.

Construction start

Protection, demolition or foundations, and structure.

What to expect

The noisiest phase, largely outside the main house on an addition.

Your decision

Whether the main house needs any temporary arrangements.

Services and rough-in

Electrical, plumbing, drainage and cooling installed and inspected before closing up.

QC · Services photographed before they are covered.
What to expect

The phase that determines how independent the suite really is.

Your decision

Final positions for outlets, lighting and appliances.

Finish-out

Insulation, drywall, bathroom, kitchenette, flooring, decoration and fittings.

What to expect

The suite becomes recognisable as a home.

Your decision

Finish selections, confirmed early enough not to hold the schedule.

Final inspection and handover

Final inspections, permit closed, documentation handed over.

QC · Nothing is called complete until the permit is closed.
What to expect

A closed permit file and space that exists on the record.

Your decision

Sign-off once the punch list is finished.

We do not promise building-department approval or inspection dates.

Planning, permitting and risk reduction

Zoning decides this project.

More than almost any other residential work, an accessory suite is shaped by what the parcel permits. Design before that is established is design that may have to be redone.

The paperwork sequence, in order

  1. Zoning positionSetbacks, lot coverage, parking, and what accessory living use is permitted.
  2. Second kitchen rulesWhether a kitchenette or full kitchen is permitted, and under what conditions.
  3. Entrance requirementsWhether a separate entrance is permitted and how it may be arranged.
  4. Utility capacityElectrical service and panel, water supply and waste connection points.
  5. Cooling strategyWhether the existing system extends or the suite needs its own.
  6. Drainage connectionWhere waste can connect, and what falls are available.
  7. Design documentsPlans, elevations and the structural set where an addition is involved.
  8. HOA submissionWhere the community requires it, in parallel with the building department.
  9. Permit submissionA complete application; incomplete submissions are the most common avoidable delay.
  10. Inspection sequenceStructural, rough MEP, insulation and final, sequenced so trades are not waiting.
  11. DocumentationServices photographed before they are covered.
  12. CloseoutFinal inspection passed and permit formally closed.

Why each step exists

Why zoning comes first

A suite designed before the zoning position is known is a suite that may be redesigned and re-permitted. It is the cheapest question to ask and the most expensive to skip.

Why second-kitchen rules matter

What may be installed varies by jurisdiction and materially changes the design. It is checked rather than assumed.

Why utility capacity is assessed early

An additional bathroom, kitchenette and cooling load are real. Whether the existing service carries them often decides where the suite goes.

Why drainage decides layout

Where waste can connect, and with what fall, constrains where a bathroom and kitchenette can physically be.

What we will not tell you

We will not tell you what your parcel permits before checking it. We will not promise a second kitchen without confirming it is allowed. We will not promise a building-department timeline. And we will not give advice on renting the space out — that is a legal and tax question, not a construction one.

Cost and timeline transparency

What drives a suite number.

We do not publish prices. The gap between converting existing space and building new is the largest single factor.

Addition or conversion

Building new means foundations, structure, roof and envelope. Converting existing space means none of those. The largest single swing available.

Bathroom and drainage

A new full bathroom is the most service-intensive part of a suite, and where the waste can connect often shapes the whole layout.

Kitchenette scope

From a sink and worktop to a full small kitchen, subject to what is permitted.

Utility capacity

Whether the electrical service and panel carry the additional load, or need upgrading.

Cooling strategy

Extending the existing system versus installing a dedicated one for the suite.

Entrance and access

Forming a private entrance, its approach, paving and any level changes.

Acoustic separation

Genuine separation between households needs specification, not just a closed door.

Accessibility provision

Level thresholds, wider doors, step-free shower and blocking for future grab bars.

Finish level

The same range as any other part of the house.

Zoning constraints

Setbacks and coverage limits can force a more expensive configuration than the obvious one.

Low Moderate High Very high

Typical influence on a South Florida mother-in-law suite budget. General guidance for planning — not a quote.

What actually moves the schedule

  • Zoning confirmation and design, which precede everything else.
  • Building-department review and any resubmittal cycles.
  • HOA or architectural review where the community requires it.
  • Whether foundations and structure are involved, which adds months to an addition.
  • Long-lead items — windows, doors and any specialist fittings.

Questions worth asking any contractor

  • Has the zoning position been checked for this parcel?
  • Is a kitchenette permitted here, and in what form?
  • Where will the bathroom waste connect?
  • Does the electrical service carry the additional load?
  • How is the suite separated acoustically from the main house?
  • Is accessibility provision included or extra?
  • Who submits the permit and answers review comments?

How to prepare for an accurate estimate

  • Be clear about who the suite is for and for how long.
  • Decide how much independence matters — entrance, kitchen, outside space.
  • Find the property survey and any prior permits.
  • Identify which existing space could be converted, if any.
  • Think about ageing, even if it is not relevant yet.
  • Check whether an HOA controls alterations or occupancy.

Estimates follow scope, not the other way round.

We price against a drawn scope, with allowances stated as allowances. That is what makes a proposal comparable to anyone else’s.

What makes a suite work

Independence, drawn.

A suite succeeds or fails on these five, in this order. The top band is not a design choice — it is the constraint everything else has to fit inside.

What makes a suite independentFive stacked bands describing what gives an accessory suite genuine independence: what the zoning permits, a private entrance and approach, a private bathroom, food preparation, and acoustic and visual separation. Each band builds on the one above it.WHAT ZONING PERMITSSetbacks, coverage, parking, second kitchens, separate entrancesPRIVATE ENTRANCEOwn door and approach, without crossing the main housePRIVATE BATHROOMA full bathroom nobody else usesFOOD PREPARATIONKitchenette or kitchen, at the level permittedSEPARATIONAcoustic and visual privacy between the two householdsINDEPENDENCE

Diagram drawn by Elbaz Construction for this page. It illustrates how independence is composed; what is permitted is established for your specific parcel.

Each band builds on the one above

  • What zoning permits. The constraint, not the choice. Established for your parcel before anything is designed.
  • Private entrance. The single change that most makes a suite feel like a home rather than a room.
  • Private bathroom. Removes the most common friction point between two households in one building.
  • Food preparation. At whatever level is permitted and appropriate — from a sink and worktop upward.
  • Separation. Acoustic and visual privacy. Specified deliberately, not assumed from a closed door.
Where these projects turn

At the top band, every time. Zoning determines whether a suite is an addition or a conversion, attached or detached, and whether a second kitchen is possible — which is why it is checked before a single line is drawn.

Comparison, mistakes and buyer guide

Addition or conversion, and how to decide.

Building a new attached suite compared with converting existing space

Building a new attached suite compared with converting existing space. General guidance for South Florida; your parcel decides what is possible.
FactorNew attached additionConversion of existing space
CostHigher — foundations, structure, roof and envelope.Materially lower; the shell already exists.
DurationLonger, with foundations and structure to build.Shorter.
Lot impactConsumes lot area and is constrained by setbacks and coverage.None — the footprint does not change.
What you give upGarden or yard space.Whatever the space was used for, usually a garage or room.
Layout freedomHigh — designed from scratch.Constrained by the existing shell, structure and openings.
ServicesDesigned in from the start.Has to be routed into an existing structure; drainage often the limiting factor.
Best whenThere is lot area available and the budget supports it.There is suitable underused space and the parcel is tight.

Kitchenette scope, and what each level implies

Kitchenette scope, and what each level implies.
FactorSink and worktopFull kitchenette
Typical inclusionsSink, worktop, under-counter fridge, microwave.Adds hob, oven or combination appliance and extraction.
ServicesWater, waste and a couple of circuits.Additional circuits, and extraction that may need ducting.
PermittingGenerally simpler.More likely to engage second-kitchen rules, which vary by jurisdiction.
IndependenceAdequate for most family arrangements.Genuinely self-sufficient day to day.

The mistakes that cost the most

  1. Designing before checking zoningThe most expensive mistake available on this project type. Zoning determines the whole configuration.
  2. Assuming a second kitchen is allowedRules vary by jurisdiction and sometimes by parcel. It has to be confirmed, not assumed.
  3. Ignoring drainage when siting the bathroomWhere waste can connect, and with what fall, physically constrains where a bathroom can go.
  4. Skipping the electrical capacity checkAn additional bathroom, kitchenette and cooling load are real. Finding the panel cannot carry them at rough-in is a redesign.
  5. Treating separation as a doorTwo households in one building need acoustic specification, not just a lockable door between them.
  6. Not designing for ageingLevel thresholds, a wider door and blocking for future grab bars cost very little now and a great deal later.
  7. Building a suite that can only ever be a suiteA layout that can become a guest wing, an office or an adult child's space is worth considerably more over time.
  8. Forgetting outdoor spaceSomewhere to sit outside without crossing the main garden makes a large difference to how independent the arrangement feels.

Buyer checklist

Prepare before you call

Ask at the first meeting

Expect from a qualified contractor

Tick these off as you go — nothing is stored or sent, the list is here purely so you can use it while you compare contractors.

What the build is like

Mostly outside the house you live in.

Kitchenette with tiled splashback in a completed accessory unit
Completed accessory living space from an Elbaz Construction project.

An addition is largely external

Until the structural tie-in, most of the work happens outside the existing house. A conversion is more internal but usually confined to one part of the property.

Preparation you can do

Clear the space being converted, agree where materials can be staged, and decide parking and access arrangements before the start date.

How communication runs

One point of contact and a known weekly sequence, with notice before anything affects power, water or access to the main house.

Quality control, not just inspection

Services and structural connections are checked and photographed before they are covered, and inspections are scheduled and attended by us.

What completion means

Final inspections passed, permit closed, warranty documentation handed over, and the additional space on the property record.

Questions, answered

Mother-in-law suites in South Florida.

  • Yes — it is permitted construction, and the zoning position for your parcel governs what is possible. Setbacks, lot coverage, parking and rules around second kitchens and separate entrances all vary by jurisdiction.

    We establish that position before design rather than discovering it during plan review.

  • It depends on your jurisdiction and sometimes on your specific parcel. Some permit a full kitchen, some permit a limited kitchenette, and some restrict it further.

    We confirm what is allowed before designing, because it materially changes the plan.

  • Usually, and often substantially — a conversion already has foundations, structure and a roof. The trade is that you lose the garage and inherit the constraints of the existing shell, particularly around drainage and openings.

  • Not necessarily, but it is the single change that most affects whether the arrangement feels independent. Whether a separate entrance is permitted is part of the zoning question.

  • It has to be checked. An additional bathroom, kitchenette and cooling load are real additions, and older panels frequently lack the capacity or the spare circuits.

    It is assessed during feasibility so the answer arrives before design rather than at rough-in.

  • Through the plan first — entrance position, circulation and which rooms adjoin which — and then through construction: acoustic separation in the party construction, and doors that close the two areas off from each other.

  • Yes, and it is worth doing even if it is not needed yet. Level thresholds, wider doors, a step-free shower and blocking in the walls for future grab bars are inexpensive now and disruptive to retrofit.

  • That is one of the better reasons to build one. A well-planned suite becomes a guest wing, a home office or an adult child's space without rebuilding — worth designing for from the start.

  • That is a legal, zoning and tax question rather than a construction one, and it varies considerably by jurisdiction. We will build what your permits allow; whether and how a space may be occupied or let is something to confirm with the appropriate professional.

  • A conversion is considerably quicker than an addition. In both cases the zoning confirmation, design and permit review usually take longer than owners expect, and construction cannot start before them.

  • Often yes. Extending the existing system is sometimes possible, but a dedicated system gives the suite its own controls, which matters when two households have different preferences.

  • Yes — financing options are available through Mosaic. Sorting it before design lets scope and budget be decided together.

Why Elbaz Construction

Verified, and nothing more than that.

  • Licensed general contractorFlorida-licensed general contractor, License No. CBC1265280. Bonded and insured.
  • Zoning established before designWhat your parcel permits is the constraint everything else fits inside. We check it first.
  • Utility capacity assessed earlyElectrical, water, waste and cooling checked against the additional load before the suite's position is fixed.
  • Designed for two householdsPrivacy, circulation and acoustic separation planned deliberately rather than assumed.
  • Local knowledgeWorking across 104 municipalities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Accessory-dwelling rules differ considerably between them.
  • CommunicationOne point of contact from first conversation through closeout.
  • Quality control and closeoutServices photographed before covering, inspections attended, permits formally closed.
  • Reviews you can readA 4.8 average across 343 Google reviews, published in full on Google.

What homeowners say

Reviews, unedited.

Published on Google, quoted here word for word. We do not shorten, merge or rewrite a review.

4.8Average across 343 Google reviews
Read all 343 reviews on Google
Asher was the best choice I have made. We love the outcome of the ADU. They showed up on time and did a great job, were friendly. No issues at all during the whole process. Very organized team. I would recommend them to everyone I know!
Robert BryanGoogle review
Really glad we went with Elbaz Construction for our ADU . They were in and out faster than we expected which I appreciated , and the price seemed reasonable. Overall great experience!!
Kirtsada ShearingGoogle review
Great experience! The team was professional, efficient, and delivered high-quality work on time. They communicated clearly throughout the project and exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend for any construction needs!
AndrewGoogle review
Dealing with Asher was a truly enjoyable experience. His team is experienced and swift. They did a splendid job!
Sandy ZuritaGoogle review

Related reading and services

Project files

Suite rooms, photographed finished.

An ADU kitchen and bath, a garage-conversion bedroom with its own bath, and a studio living nook. These are rooms from separate Elbaz projects, shown for how a suite is divided into private spaces.

2Projects shown
7Photos
PROJECT 01

Garage-conversion bedroom with an ensuite bath

A pale yellow bedroom in a converted garage with LVP flooring, a wall mini-split and a window. A bifold door opens to a walk-in closet, and a doorway leads to a navy-tile bath. Three views show how the bedroom, closet and bath connect.

Scope of work

  • LVP flooring through the bedroom
  • Wall-mounted mini-split cooling
  • Window on the exterior wall
  • Bifold closet door opening to a walk-in closet
  • Doorway to an ensuite bath
  • Navy-tile shower visible in the bath

Materials & finishes

LVP flooringPale yellow paintBifold doorMini-splitNavy tileWhite trim

What to look for in the photos

Count the doors: one to the closet, one to the bath. An ensuite keeps the bedroom private from the rest of the suite, and it is the plan that matters most for an older relative.

Elbaz Construction project photo · 5 photos

PROJECT 02

Studio living and sleeping nook under a vaulted beam

A small living area with a gray sectional and a kitchenette stove, a sleeping nook with a bed and a small dining table, and a detail of the vaulted ceiling with an exposed beam, a skylight and a wall mini-split. All three are views of compact living.

Scope of work

  • Vaulted ceiling with an exposed beam
  • Skylight over the living space
  • Wall-mounted mini-split
  • LVP flooring throughout
  • Kitchenette stove along one wall
  • Sleeping nook beside a window

Materials & finishes

LVP flooringExposed beamSkylightMini-splitWhite wallsWall art

What to look for in the photos

Look up in the ceiling detail. The beam, skylight and mini-split are the three things that make a small room comfortable, and each one has to be planned before the roof closes.

Elbaz Construction project photo · 2 photos

Budget and schedule

Where a suite's budget goes.

A suite is a small home with a private bath and a kitchen, so the systems and the wet rooms lead, ahead of the shell.

Where a typical in-law suite budget goes

100%OF BUDGET
  • Structure and envelope22%
  • Plumbing and electrical20%
  • Kitchenette and cabinets14%
  • Bathroom tile and glass14%
  • Cooling and insulation12%
  • Interior finish and paint11%
  • Permits and inspections7%

These are typical shares only. Whether you convert or build, and how you plan the bath, move them.

A typical suite sequence, in weeks

Feasibility and plan
Permit review
Permit review
Demo, slab and structure
Rough plumbing and electrical
Walls, tile and cabinets
Final inspection and handover
Week 0Week 14Week 28

The route you choose, conversion or addition, and the municipality's review time move these bars.

How it works

Independence, drawn for a family.

Three diagrams show how a multi-generational home is zoned, which details help older residents and the types of unit a suite can be.

SHARED LIVINGSUITEown bath + entryFAMILY BEDROOMS

Zones for a family home

Shared living space, a private suite and family bedrooms sit in separate zones, so each household keeps its own routine.

36 in DOORZERO-STEP ENTRYLEVER HANDLESRAISED OUTLETS

Aging-in-place details

Wide doors, a zero-step entry and lever handles let a suite work today and years from now.

DETACHEDATTACHEDGARAGE2-STORYFOUR WAYS TO ADD AN ADU

Four suite routes

A suite can be detached, attached, a garage conversion or a two-story unit. Your lot and your municipality decide which are open to you.

Scope planner

Plan the suite around the person.

Choose the route, bath, kitchen and privacy to see an indicative range of weeks on site.

Which route fits your lot?
What kind of bathroom?
What kitchen does it need?
How is privacy handled?

More questions

Living close, built well.

The practical details that make a suite comfortable for the person who will live in it.

Ask us directly
What helps keep sound from carrying between the suite and the house?

Insulation in the shared wall, a solid-core door, staggered studs or a double wall, and a sealed gap around outlets. These do far more than extra drywall alone. Placing a bedroom away from the main house's living room is the cheapest sound control, and it is decided at the plan stage, not after framing.

Can the suite share the house's water heater?

Sometimes, but a long pipe run means a wait for hot water and wasted water in between. A small tank or tankless unit in the suite is often the better choice, and it avoids your hot water being used in both homes at once. We look at the pipe distance and the fixtures to decide.

What flooring is safest underfoot for an older resident?

A continuous surface with no thresholds or steps, and a finish with some grip. Wood-look LVP is a common choice because it is water-resistant, easy to clean and slightly forgiving underfoot. In the bathroom, small-format tile or a textured porcelain on the shower floor gives traction. Avoid polished tile near water.

Do smoke alarms and exits have to be planned differently in a suite?

Yes. Sleeping rooms need smoke alarms, and a bedroom needs an emergency escape opening, which for windows means a minimum clear size and sill height set by code. Alarms in a suite are generally interconnected within the unit. The reviewer confirms the requirements for your plan and your municipality.

How do you ventilate a toilet nook or small bath?

With an exhaust fan that vents to the outdoors, not into the attic, sized to the room and on a switch or humidity sensor. In South Florida, a bath with no working fan grows mildew on the ceiling in months. A window helps, but it is not a substitute, because it is closed when the air conditioner runs.

Can I count on a move-in date for a relative?

Not a guaranteed one. Permit review, product lead times, weather and inspections all move the date, and the certificate of occupancy comes after the last inspection. We give you a schedule and update it as each stage closes. If a relative is waiting, plan a buffer and keep the current home until you have the certificate.

How does a suite hold up in a hurricane?

Built to code, with impact-rated windows and doors or shutters, a tied roof and a sealed envelope, a suite is as protected as the house. For an older relative, add an evacuation plan, a medical-needs registration and a way to run key items on a generator. A transfer switch can be wired in during the build.

Does a skylight leak in a Florida storm?

A properly flashed and curb-mounted skylight, with a current Florida product approval, is not a leak risk. Cheap or poorly flashed units are. Location matters too, so we avoid putting one where roof water concentrates. We also use laminated or impact-rated glass, and tell you the flashing details before it goes in.

Service Areas

Proudly serving homeowners across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

(754) 236-0675

104 municipalities across three counties — and we hold the licence to build in all of them. Not sure about your address? Ask us.

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Start here

Start with what your parcel allows.

A feasibility visit establishes the zoning position and the utility capacity. Those two answers shape everything else.

What happens after you send this

  1. We call you back to understand who the suite is for and how independent it needs to be.
  2. We walk the property, look at the options and identify what could be converted.
  3. We establish the zoning position and check utility capacity before any design.
  4. You get a design and an itemised proposal built on what is actually permitted.
Complete The Form Below (754) 236-0675

Worth having to hand

  • Who the suite is for, and for how long
  • How much independence matters
  • Your property survey and prior permits
  • Which existing space could be converted
  • Any HOA controls on alterations

Licensed, bonded and insured · License No. CBC1265280

Zoning position established before design

Serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties

Sun–Fri 7am–7pm · Saturday closed

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