Accessory Dwelling Units — ADUs for short — are one of the hottest conversations happening right now in Central Connecticut. Whether you’re in West Hartford, Farmington, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Mansfield, or Cromwell, homeowners are waking up to the same idea: that extra lot space sitting behind or beside your home could be doing a lot more for you.
At Lagace Construction, we’ve been building additions and custom homes across Connecticut for 25 years. ADUs have become one of the most requested projects we get calls about — and for good reason. Let’s walk through what an ADU actually is, what Connecticut law says about them, why Central CT is such a strong market for them, and what the building process looks like.
What Is an ADU, Exactly?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a self-contained secondary residence located on the same lot as a primary single-family home. You’ll hear them called a lot of things:
- In-law apartment or in-law suite
- Granny flat
- Backyard cottage or carriage house
- Basement apartment
- Garage conversion
ADUs can be attached (an addition to your existing home), detached (a standalone structure on your property), or interior conversions (finishing a basement or converting a garage). Each type has different cost profiles and permitting paths, and the right choice depends on your lot, your goals, and your budget.
Why Central Connecticut Is a Prime ADU Market Right Now
Towns like West Hartford, Farmington, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Mansfield, and Cromwell share a common profile that makes ADUs especially valuable:
Large Established Lots
Central CT suburbs were largely developed in the post-war era, which means many properties sit on half-acre to multi-acre lots with plenty of room for a detached structure. That space is sitting there either growing grass or growing opportunity — an ADU turns it into the latter.
High Property Values
In towns like West Hartford and Glastonbury, median home values are well above the state average. A well-built ADU doesn’t just add square footage — it adds real estate value. Appraisers recognize the additional unit, and buyers in these markets are willing to pay a premium for the flexibility it provides.
Strong Rental Demand
With Mansfield home to UConn and the greater Hartford metro driving professional demand across Farmington, South Windsor, and Cromwell, the rental market in Central Connecticut is consistently strong. A detached cottage or in-law apartment can realistically generate $1,200–$2,000 per month in rent, depending on size and finish level — enough to offset a mortgage payment for many homeowners.
Multigenerational Living
This is the biggest driver we see. Families in Connecticut are increasingly looking for ways to keep aging parents close while maintaining everyone’s independence. An ADU lets Mom or Dad live next door — not in the same bedroom down the hall. It’s a practical, dignified solution that works for a huge swath of Central CT families.
Connecticut’s ADU Laws: What You Need to Know
Connecticut passed Public Act 21-29 in 2021, which established a statewide baseline for ADUs on single-family lots. Under that law:
- Towns must allow at least one ADU per single-family lot
- ADUs can be attached or detached
- Maximum size is 1,000 sq ft or 30% of the primary home’s square footage, whichever is less
- Towns cannot require more than one additional parking space
- Towns cannot restrict occupancy to family members only
The law did include an opt-out provision — towns could adopt their own regulations by January 1, 2023. Many Central CT municipalities took that route. This doesn’t mean ADUs are off the table in your town — it means local zoning rules apply, which may be stricter or more flexible than the state baseline depending on where you live.
Bottom line: Whether you’re in West Hartford, Farmington, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Mansfield, or Cromwell — ADUs are generally permitted, but the specific rules on size, setbacks, design, and parking vary by town. The first step is always a pre-application conversation with your local zoning office, and we can walk you through what to expect in each of these towns.
Types of ADUs We Build
At Lagace Construction, we handle the full spectrum of ADU projects:
Detached Backyard Cottages
A standalone structure on your property — typically 400–800 sq ft — with its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom. These offer the most privacy for both parties and tend to be most attractive to renters or for multigenerational setups where independence matters.
Home Additions with Separate Entry
An attached addition designed as a self-contained unit. This approach works well on lots where a detached structure isn’t feasible due to setbacks or lot configuration. We’ve done these as side additions, rear additions, and even two-story configurations where the ADU occupies the new second floor.
Basement Conversions
If your home has a walkout basement or can accommodate a separate exterior entry, a basement conversion is often the most cost-effective ADU path. We handle full fit-outs including egress windows, insulation, kitchenette installation, and all rough and finish work.
Garage Conversions
Many Central CT homes — especially in older West Hartford and Farmington neighborhoods — have detached garages that convert beautifully into living space. We handle insulation, framing, mechanical rough-ins, and finish work to turn an unused garage into a livable, rentable unit.
What the Process Looks Like With Lagace Construction
We’ve built ADUs and in-law additions across Connecticut for years, and we’ve refined the process to keep it as straightforward as possible for homeowners:
- Free estimate and site review — We visit your property, assess what’s feasible, and give you a clear scope and price range
- Design and permitting — We work with your town’s planning and zoning department to get the project properly permitted
- Construction — From framing through finish carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and final inspections
- Move-in ready delivery — We don’t hand you a shell and wish you luck. You get a finished, code-compliant unit
Our NHC (New Home Construction) license — #NHC-0016939 — covers ADU construction in Connecticut, and our electrical license means we handle the full scope in-house. No juggling subcontractors for the basics.
Ready to Talk ADUs? Give Us a Call.
If you own a home in West Hartford, Farmington, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Mansfield, Cromwell, or the surrounding Central Connecticut area and you’ve been thinking about an ADU — now is a great time to have that conversation. The state regulatory environment is favorable, the rental market is strong, and construction pricing has stabilized significantly from the peaks of 2021–2022.
Call us at (860) 933-2700 or reach out through our website for a free estimate. We’ll come look at your property, walk you through what’s possible, and give you a straight answer on cost and timeline — no pressure, no runaround.
Lagace Construction LLC — Licensed, Insured, and Serving Central Connecticut for 25 Years. NHC #NHC-0016939 | Electrical #E1-00191661
