Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Abodu started as a weekend pastime for John Geary and Eric McInerney. When California state laws concerning ADUs relaxed in 2017, the pair seized the opportunity and committed to building backyard homes full time. Ever since, the Bay Area company has specialized in providing property owners in the state with turnkey units that can be used to host in-laws, guests, or kids home from college, provide space for aging parents, or be rented out for additional income. Here, John tells us about Abodu’s range of prefab ADUs (including a collaboration with Dwell) and its menu of services.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?

While each project is unique, we’ve recently completed a number of multigenerational family projects that have been extremely exciting. Think grandparents living in the backyard, with parents and kids in the main home. We work extremely closely with our homeowners and get the chance to understand who they are, what they’re using their Abodu for, and decide which of our five unique products will fit into their individual lifestyles. Their stories inspire us on a daily basis.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

Our ADUs start at $228,900 which includes the Abodu unit, delivery, project management, foundation, utility hookups, and permitting. Permit fees fluctuate depending on the city where we’re doing the install.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

I’d say it’s the level of construction, attention to detail, design, and materials that we use. And our end-to-end service removes the headache of installing an accessory dwelling unit.

Where do you ship/where is the prefab currently available?

Throughout Northern and Southern California.

Is your design currently pre-permitted in any U.S. municipalities?

We are pre-approved in many cities, including Los Angeles and San Jose.

Are there plans to expand to different parts of the country/world?

Absolutely! We closely track demand to inform our expansion plans.

How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?

Roughly nine months depending on the city we are delivering to.

What aspects of an install do you manage?

Site preparation
Foundation
Utility hookups
Street closure
Craning unit installation

What aspects of the design can a client customize?

We have a curated selection of options and upgrades for our clients to choose from, including roofing, siding, folding panoramic doors, flooring, cabinetry, lighting, appliances, and fixtures.

See more from Abodu:

These Affordable Backyard Homes Can Be Installed in Two Weeks, and They Start at $199K

Introducing the Dwell House

All About Abodu and the Dwell House Delivery Process