Shell Units
Your Trusted Michigan Tiny Home Builder
Northwood Tiny Homes
A Shell Accessory Dwelling Unit, or shell ADU, offers the ideal blend of ready-built construction and customizable interiors. Designed to the “shell” stage, these units come with a complete foundation, walls, roof, windows, and essential utilities, while leaving the interior unfinished for you to personalize to suit your style and needs.
At Northwood Tiny Homes, our expertise and dedication to quality make us the trusted choice for shell ADU projects. Discover the benefits of shell ADUs and why Northwood Tiny Homes is the perfect partner for bringing your vision to life.
Advantages of a Shell ADUs & Who Benefits
Shell ADUs offer numerous benefits, making them an appealing choice for homeowners looking to expand their living space:
COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION: By delivering a pre-built structure, shell ADUs help save both time and money, reducing the high labor costs associated with conventional construction.
PERSONALIZATION: The interior of a shell ADU can be customized to suit your unique needs, whether it’s for a guest suite, home office, or rental unit, giving you creative freedom.
QUICKER COMPLETION: With the exterior already constructed, shell ADUs can be finished much faster than building entirely from the ground up.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Shell ADUs can incorporate energy-saving features like insulation and quality windows, creating a comfortable space year-round.
Shell ADUs are a flexible option that suits various needs and lifestyles:
HOMEOWNERS: Perfect for adding extra space for guests, family, or rental income potential.
REMOTE WORKERS: An ideal solution for a peaceful home office, offering a dedicated workspace away from household distractions.
INVESTORS: Great for those interested in the rental market, as shell ADUs provide a customizable space that can attract tenants.
MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES: Shell ADUs offer a comfortable living space for elderly family members who want independence while staying close to loved ones.
3 Steps to Build Your Shell ADU
Contact Us Today
Reach out to us by phone or complete a form to request your FREE property analysis and estimate. We’ll discuss your project details, review preliminary pricing, and, if you’re on board, schedule an in-person visit with one of our ADU experts to inspect your property and provide a firm estimate!
ENHANCED PROPERTY VALUE
After understanding your goals and confirming that your project is feasible, we’ll move forward once the contract is signed. From there, we’ll guide you through every step of the process, including finalizing floor plans, selecting finishes, drafting plans, obtaining permits, and building your new ADU, all while maintaining clear communication throughout the project.
ENJOY YOUR NEW ADU
After completing a final walkthrough and handing over the keys, you’ll have a beautiful, fully finished ADU tailored to your needs, ready for your family to move in or to start generating rental income immediately!
Our Models
At Northwood Tiny Homes, we specialize in creating the perfect tiny home for your needs. Whether you need extra space for aging parents, a rental property, or a private retreat, our streamlined process ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.
STUDIO & LOFT
1 BEDROOM
2 BEDROOM
3 BEDROOM
Check out our 3-bedroom model, with attached 2 car garage. This home feature smart layouts and high-quality finishes that make this the perfect option for small families.
GARAGE UNITS
2 STORY
The Northwood Tiny Homes Experience
Our Tiny Homes, whether detached or attached, offer a range of benefits. With our proven All-In-One Construction System, you’ll work with a full team—expert designers, permit specialists, and builders—all dedicated to bringing your Tiny Home vision to life. We take care of the entire process, from design to completion, making it a smooth and stress-free experience for you. The Northwood Tiny Home construction process is designed to be fast and efficient. We ensure that your new Tiny Home is built on schedule without compromising on quality. Each Tiny Home is built like a traditional house, giving you and your family—or even renters—a space that truly feels like home.
Our Services
At Northwood Tiny Homes, we specialize in creating the perfect tiny home for your needs. Whether you need extra space for aging parents, a rental property, or a private retreat, our streamlined process ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.
DETACHED ADUs
& TINY HOMES
Our popular stand-alone structures offer extra living space while maintaining privacy, separate from your main home. They’re versatile and can be used as guest houses, or rental units. Designed to complement your property, our detached ADUs are built with high-quality materials and come with manufacturer warranties. Choose from several standard floorplans and designs, or opt for a fully custom option to suit your needs.
ATTACHED ADUs
Enhance your property with a high-quality attached ADU, ideal for creating extra space as an office, guest room, or cozy retreat. ADUs are also a smart option for generating additional rental income. Choose an experienced builder to guide you through the process and ensure a seamless home addition. Experts at Northwood Tiny Homes offer the solutions and expertise needed to make your project a success.
GARAGES
Investing in a custom detached garage from Northwood Tiny Homes is a great way to enhance both the functionality and visual appeal of your property. This versatile structure provides secure storage for your vehicles and personal belongings while adding convenience to your daily life. Learn more about our detached garage construction services today!
POOL HOUSES
A pool house is the perfect way to infuse enjoyment and practicality into your outdoor space. If you’re considering taking your pool to the next level, learn more about the benefits of building a pool house, brought to you by your expert pool house builders.
OFFICES
We understand the importance of creating a comfortable and productive workspace within your home, and our commitment to quality and affordability ensures that our ADU offices are the ideal choice for those seeking a convenient and private office solution.
SHELL ADUs
Frequently Asked Questions
WHERE CAN I PLACE A NORTHWOOD TINY HOME?
According to state laws, any property zoned as single or multi-family can build a tiny home, regardless of location, HOAs, or any other local regulations, as long as you have the space. The most common placement is in the backyard, but tiny homes can also be placed in the side yard or even the front of your house, given there is enough room when considering setbacks, local regulations, and any unique easements on your property.
WHAT CAN I CUSTOMIZE AND DESIGN?
Because our tiny homes are stick-built on-site, you have many options to customize our base models or create a custom tiny home from scratch. From floor plans, room sizes, kitchen fixtures, and cosmetic changes, we can help you create the exact space you’ve always imagined.
Some of the key elements you can customize include:
- External color
- External finish materials (including options to match your primary home)
- Internal finishes from floors to tile to countertops to appliances and more!
- Internal wall colors
- Shower features (metal shower, porcelain shower, glass door, and more)
- Kitchen features (sink style, countertop style, cabinets color, and more)
You can customize everything on this list and so much more for your new tiny home.
WHAT FEATURES COME WITH A NORTHWOOD TINY HOME?
Our Northwood Tiny Homes come fully finished with a full kitchen, bathroom, living space, and bedrooms if desired. Some of the specific features include:
- LP siding (board & batten/LAP)
- Lifetime Dimensional Composition Shingles
- Windows and door (based on plan)
- LVP Flooring (several color options)
- Shaker cabinets
- Subway tile backsplash
- 3 options for fixtures
- Tiled shower
- Drywall 30″
- Stainless steel fridge 30″
- Stainless steel range
- Stackable washer/dryer
- Interior and exterior paint
- Can lights
- Decor plugs and switches
- Water heater
- Mini Split unit
And there are dozens of upgrades available.
WHAT FINANCING IS AVAILABLE?
There are many financing options available for tiny homes, and our in-house financing department can help you find the best loans for your desired terms and current qualifications. The most common type of financing for a tiny home project right now is either a cash-out refinance or a Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC), but several other options are available, including renovation and personal loans.
Feel free to reach out to us today to learn more about financing and get connected with our financing team!
DO YOU OFFER SHELL OPTIONS?
Yes, we offer shell or unfinished versions of our tiny homes. With our shell model tiny homes, we handle the entire process for you and finish everything except for the interior. For the interior of a shell model tiny home, we complete rough plumbing, rough electrical, and framing, leaving the rest for you to complete on your own or using your subcontractors.
DISCOVER MORE
Ready to explore the world of Tiny Homes? Contact Northwood Tiny Homes today to schedule your free Tiny Home Property Analysis & Estimate. As a trusted Michigan Tiny Home builder, we’re here to help you every step of the way—from planning and designing your Tiny Home to construction and finishing. Get started on your Tiny Home journey with us today!