"We hired MNBE to build our ADU in Bellevue, and the entire experience was amazing. They handled everything from foundations and framing to kitchen, siding, windows and HVAC."
Zena Heywood
Bellevue, WA · Attached ADU
4.8 STAR RATED40+ CUSTOMER REVIEWS
LICENSED · BONDED& FULLY INSURED
Seattle Pre-Approved DADU Plan Construction
The faster legal path to a finished DADU inside Seattle. MNBE matches your lot to one of Seattle SDCI's pre-approved architectural plans, prepares the lot specific drawings, and builds it, skipping 8 to 12 weeks of plan-check.
Seattle SDCI program
Lot matched to a plan
Founder supervised
The Program
Seattle has done the architectural review for you.
Seattle's Department of Construction and Inspections runs a pre-approved DADU plan program, a small library of architectural designs that have already passed the city's full architectural plan-check. Build one of these designs on a qualifying lot and you skip that portion of the permit process, shaving 8 to 12 weeks off the total timeline. MNBE matches your lot to the right published plan, prepares the lot specific drawings, and builds it under one founder supervised team.
Lot specific reviews still happen, structural engineering for your soils, utility connections, setback verification, and tree retention, but the architectural review that historically takes the longest is what disappears. The program is Seattle only and does not extend to Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, or any other Eastside city. The first move is always a feasibility study to confirm your buildable envelope, paired with the rules in our HB 1337 explainer. See the full range of permits and design services we handle.
Schedule Free Estimate
4.8 STAR RATED40+ CUSTOMER REVIEWS
LICENSED · BONDED& FULLY INSURED
The Time Savings
A faster legal path, with the math to back it.
Pre-approved plans pair with the state law to compress your permit timeline. Read the full HB 1337 explainer →
8 to 12weeks faster
Plan-check skipped
The architectural review is already done, so that wait disappears.
5 to 7months total
Whole project
Down from roughly 7 to 10 months on a standard custom path.
4
Build phases
Feasibility, plan license, permit, then build and handover.
1Seattle only
SDCI program
Available inside Seattle, not on the Eastside.
What does a pre-approved DADU cost?
Priced to your project.
A pre-approved build carries its own cost drivers, and dollar figures depend on your lot, not a per square foot rule of thumb. The plan license from the architect, your soils and foundation work, utility connections, site access, the chosen design, and finish level all move the total far more than floor area does. The real saving is time: skipping 8 to 12 weeks of plan-check trims financing carry, and we put the whole number in a written fixed price before you commit.
Every MNBE pre-approved DADU includes
- Lot matched to the right pre-approved plan
- Plan license and lot specific drawings
- SDCI submittal, corrections, and inspections
- Full construction by our own licensed crew
- Founder supervised, one year workmanship warranty
How MNBE Delivers
Pre-approved DADU build, four phases.
From matching your lot to a published plan through certificate of occupancy, here is exactly how the faster path runs.
01
Feasibility & plan match
We walk your lot, run the zoning and HB 1337 analysis, and identify which pre-approved plans fit your buildable envelope. You pick the one you like best.
Weeks 1 to 2
02
License & lot drawings
We license the chosen plan from the architect, prepare lot specific drawings for foundation, utilities, and site layout, and submit to SDCI.
Weeks 2 to 6
03
Permit & corrections
SDCI reviews lot specific items only, not the architectural design. The corrections cycle is shorter and more predictable than full plan-check.
Weeks 6 to 14
04
Build & handover
Foundation through finish, supervised by Aharon personally on the standard MNBE 18 week build window, ending with certificate of occupancy.
Weeks 14 to 32
Reviews
What Seattle homeowners say about building with MNBE.
Verified five star reviews from owners who built their ADU, DADU, or renovation with us.
"We hired MNBE for a full renovation of our 100 year old home and the results exceeded expectations, structural upgrades, new insulation, a luxury bathroom, a high end kitchen, a new roof and mini split AC."
Dave Gierok
Sammamish, WA · Whole home renovation
"We hired MNBE for a major exterior renovation: a 900 sq ft custom deck with metal railings, full exterior painting and new siding. From start to finish the experience was exceptional, responsive, meticulous and patient."
Santosh S.
Redmond, WA · Deck & exterior
Schedule Free Estimate
4.8 STAR RATED40+ CUSTOMER REVIEWS
LICENSED · BONDED& FULLY INSURED
FAQs · What Clients Ask Us
Pre-approved DADU questions Seattle homeowners ask before they sign.
Six practical answers from a builder who has built from multiple pre-approved sets. If yours isn't here, call us. We answer the phone Monday through Saturday.
Seattle's Department of Construction and Inspections publishes a small library of architectural plans that have already passed full plan-check. Using one on a qualifying lot skips the architectural review portion of permitting, which typically removes 8 to 12 weeks from the timeline. The plans carry a license fee, but the time savings often justify it. The program is Seattle only.
8 to 12 weeks on average. Standard Seattle DADU plan-check runs 3 to 6 months; pre-approved plans skip the architectural review, leaving only structural and lot specific reviews, compressing a 4 month average to 2 to 2.5 months. Paired with MNBE's faster build pace, the total project drops from roughly 7 to 10 months down to 5 to 7 months.
Sometimes. A pre-approved plan license carries a fixed fee, and a custom DADU design from MNBE's in-house team runs higher than that floor, though you get exactly the layout you want. The real savings is the 8 to 12 weeks of compressed permit time; with financing, that translates to avoided interest that can offset or exceed the plan license fee.
Limited customization, yes. Cosmetic changes such as paint colors, finish materials, and fixtures do not affect the pre-approval. Layout changes inside the existing footprint are sometimes acceptable but require a small architectural review. Any change to the building footprint, height, or window openings typically voids the pre-approval and pushes the project back into full plan-check. We help homeowners decide which customizations are worth the time cost during the consultation.
It depends on your lot dimensions, setback envelope, height limit, privacy goals, and finish preferences. Seattle's published plans range from compact studio configurations to two bedroom two story designs. We've built from multiple pre-approved sets and can advise which ones fit your lot, budget, and look. Selection happens after the feasibility step, so you know the lot is buildable first.
We publish every question Seattle homeowners ask us about DADUs, permitting, and construction. Browse the full FAQ library for expert guidance.
View all FAQs
Contact Us · Free Estimate
Tell us about your project.
We'll get back to you within one business day with a clear next step.
Contact information
Thank you for considering MNBE for your pre-approved DADU project. We respond within one business day, Monday through Saturday.
(206) 637 0044
info@mnbe-wa.com
2014 Fairview Ave Unit 2308, Seattle, WA 98121