Additions & ADUs
By 7Acre Construction
Add Breathing Room to Your Home
Most addition projects start with a specific person in mind. A parent who shouldn't be living alone anymore, a teenager who needs their own space, a guest room that's been doubling as an office since 2020.
Adding square footage solves those problems without giving up the neighborhood, the schools, or the yard your family already chose.
We design additions to read as part of the original house rather than something attached later, matching rooflines, window proportions, and trim so the seams disappear. ADUs bring their own layer of local rules, and we'll help you sort out what your property actually allows before you get attached to a plan.
It's detailed work, and we'd rather take the time to get the design right than rush to a shovel.
What Is an In-Law Suite?
A mother-in-law suite is a private living space on the same property as the main house, with its own bedroom, bathroom, and usually a kitchenette and separate entrance.
They come in three shapes. An attached suite shares a wall with the house and is generally the least expensive to build, since it can tie into existing systems. A converted space turns a garage, basement, or bonus room into a suite without adding a footprint. A detached suite sits apart in the yard as a small cottage, which costs the most and offers the most privacy.
Families build them for aging parents most often, but adult children who've moved home, live-in caregivers, and long-term guests all fit the same space. A well-built suite also tends to hold its value, since multigenerational buyers are a growing part of the Charlotte market.
Zoning decides more than design does. Size limits, whether a full kitchen is permitted, and whether you can rent it out all depend on your address, and Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the Union County towns, and the South Carolina side each handle it differently. We check that before anyone starts drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Additions & ADUs
- How much does a home addition cost in Charlotte?expand_more
- Most of our addition and ADU projects fall between $125,000 and $750,000. Foundation work, roof tie-ins, and whether the addition needs its own systems drive that number more than square footage alone. A detached ADU generally costs more per square foot than an attached room addition, since it needs everything a small house needs.
- What's the difference between an addition and an ADU?expand_more
- An addition expands your existing house. An ADU is a separate, self-contained dwelling on the same property, with its own kitchen, bath, and entrance, which is what makes it suitable for a family member living independently or for rental in areas where that's permitted.
- Do I need a permit for an ADU in Charlotte?expand_more
- Yes, and the requirements vary depending on your jurisdiction, your zoning, and your lot. Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the Union County towns, and the South Carolina side each handle this differently. We'll pull the specifics for your address early, before design gets far enough to be expensive to change.
- Can we stay in the house during an addition?expand_more
- Usually yes, which is one of the real advantages of an addition over a whole home remodel. Most of the work happens outside the existing envelope until it's time to open the wall between old and new, and we plan that connection to be as short and contained as possible.
- Can I rent out an ADU?expand_more
- Sometimes, and it depends entirely on your jurisdiction and zoning. Some parts of our service area permit it, some restrict it to family members, and some don't allow it at all. Ask us to check your address before you build a plan around rental income.
Our Process
Our most popular features for additions & ADUs:
Where We Work
7Acre Construction is based in Charlotte and works across the metro on both sides of the state line, licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina. Most of our remodeling happens in established neighborhoods where the homes have individual character. We also build custom homes and take on commercial upfits for offices, retail spaces, and more throughout the region. If your home, your lot, or your business sits in or near one of the areas below, we'd be glad to talk about your project.
Our Service Area
- Belmont
- Charlotte
- Davidson
- Eastover
- Fort Mill
- Harrisburg
- Indian Land
- Indian Trail
- Marvin
- Matthews
- Mint Hill
- Myers Park
- Pineville
- South Park
- Tega Cay
- Waxhaw
- Weddington
Remodeling & Custom Home Cost Guide
Cost is at the top of most people's minds when starting a project. It's important for us to be transparent about costs, too. Our comprehensive guide includes:
- Cost ranges for each type of service we provide
- Multiple cost tiers for each service
- What's included in each tier
Hear From Your Neighbors
"My husband and I hired 7Acre to complete a renovation to our outdoor living space and convert our garage storage room to a pool bathroom. Along the way, we had two bathrooms that needed to be renovated as well, and they were happy to assist. Throughout the course of our project, the 7Acre team was very responsive, respectful, and outstanding at communicating. It was a pleasure working with Brian Sr, Brian Jr, and John. We couldn’t be happier with what they’ve done with our house. They will be our go-to team for any work we need completed moving forward. I highly recommend them for all sorts of projects!”
Elizabeth O.
Working with Brian Sr., Brian Jr and John made life easy for us, giving my wife and I peace of mind that the work was being done professionally and with all the care and attention to detail required to deliver a superior product."
Bruce J.
"I interviewed several contractors for my project. At our first meeting, Brian Sr. was very clear that he wanted me to be happy with the results and get exactly what I wanted from the renovation. He and his team delivered on his promise. The first floor was pretty much gutted. I have a gorgeous kitchen, living room with added architectural details, reconfigured primary bedroom and bath. Brian Jr. was on top of all the details as the renovation progressed and went above and beyond to make the project run smoothly. I love my new home and couldn’t be happier."
Carolyn S.
"This is the second time I’ve used this team. Not only do they do excellent work, but they’ve actively defined the design work to fit my particular home vision. Their team is prompt, respectful, and does excellent work. Management (the owners) stay engaged with the project, supervise the work, and check in constantly on the project status, any needed changes, and, most importantly, my satisfaction with the work! They are definitely my team of choice. I have recommended them to other friends who’ve also been thrilled with their work and, importantly, with their ethics!"
Betty H.
"7Acre fixed a leak in a 2nd-floor shower that was visible in the kitchen below. They found the leak, fixed the bathroom tile and the kitchen ceiling. John and Brian were professional and polite, keeping us informed of every step along the way. We will call them again!"
Courtney O.
"Brian at 7Acre has been amazing with my client referrals. He’s prompt, professional, and overdelivers. My clients have ALL been satisfied, and we look forward to working on many projects in the future!"
Desiree H.
"Brian has been very responsive and has kept us updated if there have been any changes to our project. The work has progressed well, and we are looking forward to completing the project soon and moving in."
Todd A.
Stay in Your Home and Add the Space You Need
Let's Talk About What's Possible
Tell us who needs the space and how they'll use it, and we'll walk the property to see what's possible. You'll get an honest read on what fits, what it costs, and what your zoning allows.