An in-law suite or accessory dwelling can add real value, multigenerational space, or flexibility to a Tampa Bay property — but in Florida the rules are local, not statewide. What's buildable depends entirely on your city or county zoning, your lot, and your setbacks, so the honest first step is a feasibility check, not a sales pitch.
LRG Contractors Group builds the full range where the rules allow it: attached in-law suites, converted garages turned into living space, garage apartments, and detached accessory units. Every one is designed for your specific lot and how you actually want to live — not pulled from a prefab catalog — so it fits your setbacks, your utilities, and your jurisdiction's ordinance.
Because a Pinellas County lot can play by different rules than a parcel in unincorporated Hillsborough or the City of Tampa, we start with a feasibility assessment so you know what's permitted, what it can do for you, and what it truly costs before you commit. We never promise a unit your zoning won't allow.
What's included
- Attached in-law suites
- Garage conversions to living space
- Garage apartments and detached accessory units (where zoning allows)
- Feasibility, lot, and setback analysis
- Local zoning and ordinance review for your jurisdiction
- Utility connections and Florida Building Code energy compliance
- Humidity-aware insulation and ventilation
- Full permitting and inspections
Our process
- 1
Feasibility assessment
We evaluate your lot, setbacks, utilities, and — critically — what your city or county zoning actually permits, then identify the most cost-effective unit type.
- 2
Design & fixed proposal
We design the unit to your local ordinance and the Florida Building Code, then deliver a fixed-scope proposal.
- 3
Permits
We submit drawings, handle Florida Building Code and energy compliance, and manage the local permit and inspection process.
- 4
Build
Foundation through finish for detached units, or full conversion for garages — managed on a clear schedule.
- 5
Final inspection & handoff
We pass final inspection, connect utilities, and hand you a finished, code-compliant unit.
In-Law Suites & ADUs cost in Tampa Bay
Garage conversion to living space
Converting an existing garage into a habitable suite — the most cost-effective option.
$40,000 – $90,000
Attached in-law suite
Added suite with bedroom, bath, and often a kitchenette, tied into the home.
$80,000 – $160,000
Detached accessory unit (where allowed)
Ground-up detached unit, roughly $150–$220/sq ft depending on size, site, and finish.
$140,000 – $250,000+
Typical Tampa Bay ranges, not a quote. Cost is driven most by type (conversion vs. attached vs. detached), size, site access, and utility connections — and by whether your zoning allows the unit at all. We give you a fixed proposal after a feasibility visit.
Remodel now, pay monthly. Ask about flexible financing options for your project.
Financing options →Timeline
Garage conversions often finish in 2–4 months; attached suites and detached units typically run 5–9 months including design and permitting.
Permits & code
Florida has no statewide ADU mandate — accessory units are governed by local zoning, which varies widely across Tampa Bay. We confirm what your jurisdiction permits, then design to that ordinance plus the Florida Building Code so approval is realistic, not wishful.
Key things to consider
- Local zoning decides everything — confirm what your jurisdiction allows before designing.
- Garage conversion vs. attached vs. detached is the biggest cost and timeline decision.
- Utility connections (sewer, water, electrical panel capacity) can drive cost — we check early.
- Detached units add the most flexibility but cost more and face the strictest zoning.