DADU Builder in Nashville — New Builds, The Old Way

A DADU — Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit — is a smaller secondary home built on the same property as an existing house. In Nashville, they’re often called garage apartments, carriage houses, or backyard cottages. A DADU is a fully independent living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance, typically built above a detached garage or tucked behind the main house. They’ve become especially popular in many Nashville neighborhoods as homeowners look for smarter ways to use their property.

Nashville’s zoning laws have gradually evolved to allow more of these projects, helping create additional housing without changing the character of established neighborhoods. Still, every lot is different, and factors like setbacks, overlays, easements, and parking requirements can heavily impact what’s possible.

At Myers & Beck Residential Construction, we focus on designing and building DADUs that feel like they’ve always belonged there — functional, thoughtfully designed spaces that add long-term value to both the homeowner and the neighborhood.

WHAT IS A DADU?

A detached accessory dwelling unit is one of the highest-ROI investments a Middle Tennessee homeowner can make. A well-designed DADU adds usable square footage to your property, can generate rental income from day one, and increases your home's assessed value. Myers & Beck builds them fully permitted, architecturally matched, and ready to work for you from day one.

  • A 1-bedroom DADU in neighborhoods like East Nashville, Inglewood, or Donelson commands competitive long-term rents. Myers & Beck builds units ready for immediate occupancy.

  • Keep family close without sacrificing independence. A well-designed DADU gives aging parents or adult children the privacy of their own home — right on your property.

  • Use your DADU as overflow guest space, a creative studio, or a dedicated home office. Build for now — the optionality remains yours forever.

  • A permitted, professionally built DADU adds real assessed value. Rental income typically offsets the modest property tax increase within the first year.

WHY BUILD A DADU?

HOW IT WORKS

From Our First Conversation To The Certificate Of Occupancy

Myers & Beck handles every phase.
You don't coordinate trades, chase permits, or manage inspections — that's our job.


  • FREE CONSULTATION — We review your parcel, zoning, and site. We tell you exactly what's possible — before you spend a dollar.

  • DESIGN & PLANS — Site plans, elevations, and floor plans that meet Metro requirements and match your home's architecture.

  • PERMIT FILING — We submit all applications, coordinate zoning review, and manage approvals.

  • CONSTRUCTION — Small, local crews. Care and accountability at every phase — foundation through finish-out.

  • INSPECTIONS & C.O. — We schedule all required Metro inspections and deliver your Certificate of Occupancy. Move-in ready.

COMMON NASHVILLE DADU QUESTIONS

  • Maybe — and honestly, more Nashville properties qualify now than most homeowners realize. In many neighborhoods across East Nashville, Inglewood, Sylvan Park, The Nations, and other parts of Nashville’s Urban Services District, DADUs are allowed by-right as long as the property has residential zoning and meets basic lot requirements.

    Every property is a little different, though. Things like setbacks, easements, alley access, historic overlays, and lot size can all affect what’s possible. At Myers & Beck, we’ll help you figure that out early by reviewing your property and explaining what can realistically be built before you spend money on plans or engineering.

  • Yes — every DADU in Nashville requires permits, whether it’s a brand-new structure or converting an existing garage into living space. Metro Codes typically requires building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits, along with inspections throughout the project to make sure everything is built safely and up to code.

    The good news is you don’t have to navigate that process alone. At Myers & Beck, we handle the permitting process from start to finish — including plan review, applications, inspections, and coordination with Metro Codes — so homeowners aren’t left trying to figure it out themselves.

  • In most cases, yes. Properly permitted DADUs in Nashville can typically be used as long-term rentals, which is one of the biggest reasons homeowners choose to build them. Many people use them for rental income, aging parents, adult children, or guest space.

    Short-term rentals like Airbnb are more restricted and depend heavily on your zoning and the type of DADU being built. That’s why it’s important to understand the rules before designing the project. At Myers & Beck, we help homeowners sort through those details early so there are no surprises later in the process.

  • Most DADU projects in Nashville take around 6 to 8 months from the time contracts are signed to final completion. A big part of that timeline is permitting and plan review through Metro, which can vary depending on the property and how busy the city is at the time.

    Once construction begins, most builds take roughly 4 to 5 months depending on the size and complexity of the project. At Myers & Beck, we provide a realistic timeline upfront and keep homeowners updated throughout the process so expectations stay clear from day one.

  • Usually, yes. Many Nashville homeowners build DADUs specifically for long-term rental income, and properly permitted DADUs can typically be rented as long as the owner lives either in the main house or in the DADU itself.

    Short-term rentals like Airbnb are more limited and depend on your zoning and the type of property you have. Because those rules can change from neighborhood to neighborhood, Myers & Beck helps homeowners understand what’s allowed before moving forward with design or construction.

  • A home addition expands your existing house — adding square footage directly onto the main structure. A DADU, on the other hand, is a completely separate living space built on the same property, usually in the backyard or above a detached garage, with its own entrance and independent living area.

    The right option really depends on your goals, budget, and property layout. Some homeowners want extra space connected to the main house, while others want privacy, rental income, or flexible living space. At Myers & Beck, we help homeowners figure out which approach makes the most sense for their property and long-term plans.

  • Maybe — and this is something a lot of homeowners overlook early in the process. Even if Metro Nashville zoning allows a DADU on your property, your HOA or neighborhood covenants may still have their own restrictions on detached structures, guest houses, or rentals.

    That’s why it’s important to check both city zoning and private neighborhood rules before moving forward. At Myers & Beck, we help homeowners review HOA restrictions and property limitations early so you can understand what’s realistically possible before spending money on plans or permits.

  • If your home is located in one of Nashville’s Historic Overlay districts — like parts of East Nashville, Germantown, or Edgefield — your DADU project will usually need an extra layer of approval before permits can be issued. That process involves review by the Metro Historic Zoning Commission to make sure the design fits the character of the neighborhood.

    While that can add some time to the process, it’s very manageable with the right planning. At Myers & Beck, we help homeowners navigate historic approvals, design requirements, and permitting so the process feels clear and organized from the start.

  • Usually, yes. Because a DADU adds livable square footage and overall value to your property, Davidson County will typically reassess the home after construction is complete, which can increase your property taxes.

    That said, many homeowners find the increase is relatively reasonable compared to the added value, flexibility, or rental income a DADU can provide. At Myers & Beck, we encourage homeowners to factor this into their planning early so there are no surprises down the road.

Free consultation. We'll review your parcel, walk you through the current requirements, and give you honest answers — before you spend a dollar on plans or permits.

INTERESTED IN BUILDING A DADU?