Backyard Suite Blueprint

A Guide to Planning an ADU Without an Architect

By: Ethan Wilder

Narrated by: Kimberly A. Johnson

Most homeowners who want to add a backyard suite don't know where to start — so they don't start at all. Backyard Suite Blueprint changes that.

Written by a construction professional for homeowners who have never built before, this plain-language guide walks you through every phase of planning an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) — from checking your zoning and setting a realistic budget to hiring a contractor, navigating permits, and becoming a landlord. No architectural jargon. No vague inspiration. Just a practical, step-by-step roadmap for turning the unused space behind your home into a legal, income-producing dwelling.

Inside, you'll find: how to look up your zoning and understand what your property can actually do; what a realistic ADU costs to build in today's market (including the soft costs most guides ignore); how to read a site plan well enough to communicate with any professional you hire; the complete permit sequence from application to final inspection; a full chapter on garage conversions as the fastest and lowest-cost path to a finished suite; and everything you need to know about setting rent, screening tenants, and understanding landlord-tenant law as a first-time rental property owner.

Whether you're planning a detached backyard suite, a garage conversion, or a basement suite, this book gives you the foundation to move forward with confidence — and avoid the mistakes that derail projects before they break ground.

The lot behind your house may already be your best investment. This is how you build it.

©2026 Ethan Wilder (P)2026 Ethan Wilder