ADU Builder in Andover, MA

Custom accessory dwelling units designed, permitted, and built by one accountable team — with daily documentation, transparent pricing, and lifetime support through Bradford Home Services.

Professional Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction in Andover, MA

Andover homeowners are discovering what families across the North Shore already know: an accessory dwelling unit is one of the smartest investments you can make in your property. Whether you're creating a private space for aging parents, building an independent suite for adult children, or adding rental income to your home, an ADU delivers flexibility that a traditional home addition can't match.

Bradford Construction Management brings commercial-grade project management to every ADU we build in Andover. That means daily photo documentation so you always know what's happening on site, transparent pricing so there are no budget surprises, and a clear schedule with real milestones — not vague promises. And through our partnership with Bradford Home Services, we're the only ADU contractor in the area with a dedicated service division for lifetime support after your project is complete.

Licensed & Insured
Daily Photo Documentation
Transparent Pricing

Why Build an ADU in Andover?

Andover's desirable location, excellent school system, and proximity to Route 93 and Route 495 make it an ideal community for ADU investment.

🏠

Multi-Generational Living

Keep family close while preserving independence. ADUs provide the ideal solution for aging parents or adult children who want their own space on your property — what we call "the dignity of proximity."

💰

Generate Rental Income

Andover's strong rental market, driven by Phillips Academy and commuter access, means steady income potential while maintaining your property's character and neighborhood feel.

📈

Boost Property Value

ADUs typically increase property value by 20–35%, making them an excellent investment in Andover's competitive real estate market. It's added value you can see at resale.

💻

Home Office or Studio

Create a dedicated workspace away from your main home. A detached ADU is ideal for remote professionals, creative studios, or private practice offices with real separation between work and home.

🤝

Caregiver Accommodations

Provide private living space for live-in caregivers while maintaining household privacy. An ADU keeps help close without compromising anyone's independence or comfort.

🎉

Guest Quarters

Give visiting family and friends their own private space instead of a spare bedroom. A well-designed ADU serves multiple purposes over time as your needs evolve.

Types of ADUs We Build in Andover

Every property is different. We design and build the ADU configuration that fits your lot, your goals, and Andover's zoning requirements.

Detached ADUs

Independent structures built separately from your primary residence. Backyard cottages, carriage-house-style units, and modern detached studios — designed to complement your home's architecture and maximize privacy for both households.

Attached ADUs & In-Law Suites

Seamlessly connected to your existing home with a private entrance. In-law suites, bump-out additions, and basement conversions that expand your living space while keeping family close. A popular choice for Andover homeowners prioritizing accessibility.

Garage & Above-Garage ADUs

Maximize existing structures by converting your garage into comfortable, code-compliant living space — or build upward by adding living quarters above an existing or new garage. A smart choice for Andover properties where lot space is at a premium.

Detached, attached, and conversion ADU configurations available for Andover properties

Why Andover Homeowners Choose Bradford Construction

Most contractors build your ADU and disappear. We build it, document it daily, and support it for the long run.

📷 Daily Photo Documentation

Every day of your ADU project, you receive timestamped photos with descriptions of exactly what happened on site. No guessing, no chasing updates, no "I'll check and get back to you." You see progress as it happens — the same transparency Rick brought to managing commercial construction projects.

"Daily photos made all the difference — we always knew what was happening."

💰 Transparent Pricing

Your ADU contract spells out exactly what's included — no surprise line items, no vague allowances, no "we'll figure it out as we go." If anything changes, we present a clear change order with costs before any work happens. You approve it or we don't do it.

"No surprises, period — that's what we needed."

🛠 Commercial-Grade Project Management

Bradford Construction Management applies the same systems used on large-scale commercial projects to your Andover ADU: professional scheduling tools, critical path tracking, coordinated subcontractor management, and clear milestones you can track.

"Run it like a real project — that's exactly what we wanted."

🛡 Lifetime Support Through Bradford Home Services

After your ADU is complete, you're not on your own. Through our sister company, Bradford Home Services (BHS), you get ongoing seasonal maintenance, small repairs, warranty follow-through, and system check-ups for the life of your ADU. We're the only ADU builder in the North Shore with a dedicated service division.

"Once paid, they disappeared completely." — That will never be your story with Bradford.

Our ADU Construction Process in Andover

One accountable team guides your ADU project from feasibility through completion and beyond.

1

Consultation & Site Evaluation

We meet at your Andover home to evaluate your property, discuss your goals, and review zoning considerations specific to your lot and neighborhood.

2

Design & Planning

Our design-build team develops custom ADU plans that complement your home's architecture, meet Andover's building standards, and fit your budget with transparent pricing.

3

Permitting & Approvals

We manage all interactions with the Town of Andover — building permits, Site Plan Review with the ZBA, Board of Health approvals, and Conservation Commission when needed.

4

Construction & Documentation

Your ADU takes shape with daily photo updates, coordinated subcontractors, and professional project management keeping everything on schedule and on budget.

5

Completion & Lifetime Support

Final inspections, Certificate of Occupancy, and a smooth handoff to Bradford Home Services for ongoing maintenance and warranty support.

Foundation and framing phase — daily documentation keeps you informed every step of the way

What Are Andover's ADU Zoning & Building Requirements?

Massachusetts' Affordable Homes Act (effective February 2025) allows ADUs by right in single-family zones. Andover adopted local regulations through Article 22 at the April 2025 Town Meeting.

Maximum Size

900 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling's gross floor area, whichever is smaller

Approval Process

Site Plan Review by Andover's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) — not a special permit, but a regulatory review

Parking

One off-street parking space required if property is more than 0.5 miles from an MBTA station

Owner Occupancy

Not required — state law prohibits owner-occupancy mandates for ADUs

Setbacks & Height

Must comply with existing zoning district setback and height requirements for your lot

One ADU Per Lot

Principal structure must be completed before ADU construction begins

Important: Zoning requirements vary by district and individual lot characteristics. Septic capacity, lot coverage limits, and conservation considerations can all affect your ADU project. Bradford Construction Management navigates Andover's regulatory process so you don't have to — schedule a free consultation for guidance specific to your property.

How Much Does an ADU Cost in Andover, MA?

Every ADU project is unique - pricing depends on size, configuration, site conditions, and finish selections. Our free ADU Lookbook includes detailed floor plans, exterior styles, and transparent pricing for every model we offer.

What Our Clients Say

Bradford Construction Management delivers on communication, quality, and follow-through — exactly what homeowners need from their ADU contractor.

★★★★★

"Rick and his team did a great job on our home. Communication was solid throughout, we always knew what was happening and when. They showed up when they said they would and communicated everything we expected, and the quality of work is excellent."

— Jon A.

Google Review

★★★★★

"Bradford Construction was phenomenal on our multi-stage, 10-month complete rebuild. Due to a burst pipe in an upstairs sink, most of our home was flooded and had to be completely rebuilt from the studs-up. Rick and the whole crew at Bradford Construction surpassed any expectations we had going into the project."

— Luke R.

Google Review

★★★★★

"Excellent customer service and quality work throughout project. Highly recommend!"

— Michael J.

Google Review

Frequently Asked Questions About Andover ADUs

Yes. Under Massachusetts' Affordable Homes Act (effective February 2, 2025), ADUs up to 900 square feet are allowed by right on single-family zoned lots statewide. Andover approved local ADU regulations through Article 22 at the April 2025 Town Meeting, which includes a Site Plan Review process through the Zoning Board of Appeals. We handle the entire permitting process for you.
ADU costs depend on the type, size, site conditions, and finish selections. Our ADU page includes detailed pricing for each model we build. Bradford Construction Management provides transparent pricing with clear change order processes so you know exactly what your investment covers. Contact us for a free estimate.
A typical ADU project in Andover takes 8 to 14 months from initial consultation to move-in, including 2–4 months for design, permitting, and Andover's Site Plan Review, followed by 4–8 months of construction. We use commercial-grade project management tools and daily photo documentation to keep your project on track.
Andover allows detached backyard cottages, attached additions or in-law suites, above-garage conversions, and interior conversions. Each must be a self-contained unit with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Maximum size is 900 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling's gross floor area, whichever is smaller.
No. Under the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act, owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs are prohibited statewide. You do not need to live in the principal dwelling to build or rent out an ADU. Andover may regulate short-term rental use separately — we can walk you through the specifics during your consultation.
Yes, adding an ADU increases your property's assessed value and property taxes. However, rental income in Andover's strong market often more than offsets this increase. ADUs typically boost overall property values by 20–35%, making the net financial impact very positive for most homeowners.
Unlike most contractors who disappear after final payment, Bradford Construction Management provides ongoing support through our sister company, Bradford Home Services (BHS). This includes seasonal maintenance, small repairs, warranty follow-through, and system check-ups for the life of your ADU. We're the only builder in the North Shore area with a dedicated service division — you'll always have someone to call.
Absolutely. As a design-build contractor, we handle architecture and construction under one roof. Every ADU is designed to complement the primary residence and respect Andover's established neighborhood character — from exterior materials and rooflines to interior finishes.

Serving Andover & Surrounding Communities

While we specialize in ADU construction in Andover, Bradford Construction Management proudly serves homeowners throughout the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. Our team understands the unique zoning requirements, architectural styles, and building conditions in each community we work in.

We build ADUs, home additions, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, whole-home renovations, and custom homes across the region.

Communities we serve:

• North Andover, MA • Boxford, MA • Lawrence, MA • Methuen, MA Haverhill, MA • Georgetown, MA • Tewksbury, MA • North Reading, MA Newburyport, MA • Ipswich, MA • Beverly, MA Southern NH
Bradford Construction Management
Plaistow, NH
978-945-9771

We also build ADUs in Newburyport, MA, Ipswich, MA, Exeter, NH, Portsmouth, NH, and across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. View all ADU services.

More Than ADUs — Full Design-Build Services

Bradford Construction Management is a full-service design-build contractor. Whatever your project, we bring the same daily documentation, transparent pricing, and lifetime support.

Start Your Andover ADU Project Today

Ready to add an accessory dwelling unit to your Andover property? Bradford Construction Management makes the process straightforward — from your first call through decades of maintenance support. One team. No surprises. Lifetime support.

Licensed & Insured
Daily Photo Documentation
Transparent Pricing
Commercial PM Background
Bradford Home Services Partnership