Most prefab ADU companies publish a starting price, but the numbers don't always cover the same things. Below are the published prices from three companies that sell factory-built ADUs in California, what each price includes, and what to ask before you compare quotes. All prices were checked on each company's own website on October 29, 2026.
The short answer
- EVO Compact (350 sq ft studio): $145,800 for the home. Complete projects start from $189,540, delivered and installed. City permit fees are extra.
- Abodu Studio (385 sq ft): $234,800 for the home. Expected all-in from $298,800 with typical installation. Permits and plan check are included.
- Samara Backyard: starting at $152k plus installation. Samara doesn't publish an installed price on its ADU page.
Entry-level models side by side
| EVO Compact | Abodu Studio | Samara Backyard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 350 sq ft studio, 1 bath | 385 sq ft studio, 1 bath | Not listed with the price |
| Home price | $145,800 | $234,800 | From $152k |
| Installed / all-in price | From $189,540 | From $298,800 | Not published |
| Permits | Handled by EVO; city permit fees extra | Permits and plan check included | Samara secures permits; cost not itemized |
At the entry level, EVO's published complete price is $109,260 lower than Abodu's expected all-in price. The two figures aren't identical in scope: Abodu's includes permits and plan check, while EVO's excludes city permit fees. Ask each company for a written quote for your lot.
Two bedrooms, two baths, 800 sq ft
| EVO Two Plus | Abodu 2 bed, 2 bath | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 800 sq ft | 800 sq ft |
| Home price | $238,000 | $328,800 |
| Installed / all-in price | Site work quoted after a site evaluation | From $424,800 (typical installation $96,000) |
For EVO's larger models, site work is quoted after a site evaluation, because the foundation, trenching and delivery access vary from lot to lot. The home prices above also cover different things, as the next section shows.
What each price includes
EVO
The unit price covers the complete factory-built home: finishes, full-size kitchen appliances, quartz or stone countertops, a mini-split heat pump, a tankless water heater, dual-pane windows, a standing-seam metal roof and fiber cement cladding. Site work (foundation, delivery, installation and utility connections) is quoted for your property; complete projects start from $189,540 for the EVO Compact. City permit fees and any upgrades to your electrical panel or utilities are extra.
Abodu
Abodu's home price includes the factory-built unit, architectural and interior design, civil engineering, permits and plan check, fire sprinklers and delivery. Its installation price covers the foundation and site work, utility trenching up to 50 feet with connections, a crane set up to 100 feet and a project manager. Quoted separately: a boundary survey ($6,000), trenching or craning beyond those allowances, demolition or tree removal, unique site engineering and sales tax. (Abodu pricing)
Samara
Samara lists Backyard starting at $152k plus installation, and says it secures the building permits, manufactures the unit and readies the site. It visits your site to create a proposal for the installation work. (Samara Backyard)
Why the numbers differ
Part of the gap is what each company bundles into its headline number. Part is the product: EVO offers five standard models, from a 350 sq ft studio to an 800 sq ft two-bedroom, with a curated set of finishes, which is how the unit price stays fixed at contract. Every EVO is steel-framed and built in our California factory under the state's factory-built housing program. Compare all five models.
How to compare prefab ADU quotes
- Ask for one total for your lot, in writing, and a list of what it excludes.
- Check whether city permit fees are in the number, or only the permit paperwork.
- Ask how far utility trenching is included, and the price per extra foot.
- Ask about delivery access: crane distance, street width, and the plan if the unit can't reach your yard.
- Ask whether your lot needs a boundary survey, soils report or fire sprinklers, and who pays.
- Check whether sales tax is included.
- Compare timelines from contract to move-in, not just factory build time.
- Ask for the payment schedule. EVO's is published: 10% at contract, 40% when production starts and 50% when the home is complete, with site work paid 40% at start, 30% at delivery and 30% at completion.
Check your lot before you compare
The biggest variable in any ADU quote is your lot. Our free California ADU census shows what share of lots in your ZIP code can fit a detached ADU, and the EVO model that fits best. When you're ready, configure your EVO or book a free consultation for a quote for your property.
Sources: evoadu.com, abodu.com/fixed-pricing and samara.com/adus, checked October 29, 2026. Prices change; check each company's site for current figures. This comparison is published by EVO ADU.