Franchise FAQ
Since 2015, Ellery ADU Studio has operated on one contract, one written price, and one standard. If you’re considering bringing that model to your market, these answers cover what we look for, what the investment looks like, and what you get from day one. If you want specifics beyond this page, call (971) 497-2402.
Common Questions
Do I need construction or design experience to open an Ellery ADU Studio franchise?
No. We require franchisees who can run a business, not swing a hammer. You’ll need to pass a background check, meet the financial qualifications, and commit to the Havena Standard, including Clause 1’s written-price requirement. What we look for is operational discipline: someone who returns calls, reads contracts, and holds crews to the drawings. The design-build systems, permitting workflows, and vendor relationships are what we teach you. Your job is to make sure they run.
What is the total investment range for an Ellery ADU Studio franchise?
Total investment typically ranges from $150,000 to $350,000, depending on your market, real estate, and vehicle needs. That includes the franchise fee, training, initial marketing, and working capital to carry you through the first projects. We don’t publish a one-size number because a 1,200-square-foot studio in Sacramento costs something different than a 2,400-square-foot shop in Portland. What we do provide is a written breakdown before you sign anything, under the same Haven Standard we require of every ADU project.
Is financing available?
Ellery ADU Studio does not provide direct financing. We can connect you with third-party lenders who have worked with franchisees in the home services space, but the terms are between you and the lender. We do help you structure the initial build-out so you’re not overcapitalized on the front end. Most franchisees fund their start through a combination of SBA lending, existing assets, or retirement account rollovers through a qualified plan administrator.
Is my territory exclusive?
Yes. Each franchise agreement includes a protected territory, defined by geography rather than by zip code alone. The territory is drawn to match ADU demand in your metro area, so you’re not competing with another Ellery ADU Studio for the same homeowners. We don’t franchise on top of existing franchisees. If a lead comes in from outside your territory, it goes to the franchisee who owns that area.
How long is training?
Initial training runs three weeks at our home office, followed by two weeks in your market with a launch team. The first week covers the Haven Standard, Clause by clause, and how we quote written prices on every project. The second week is design and permitting: how to spec a detached ADU, run a garage conversion, or coordinate a prefab system from Abodu, Cover, or Plant Prefab within one contract. The third week is operations: scheduling, photo documentation, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise. After that, we spend two weeks with you on the ground, setting up your first estimates and walking your first job sites.
What ongoing fees and royalties does Ellery ADU Studio charge?
We charge a royalty and a marketing contribution, both calculated as a percentage of gross revenue, not a flat fee. The percentages are disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document, which you’ll receive early in the process. There are no hidden charges for training, software, or ongoing support. We’d rather take a smaller percentage of a growing business than a larger cut of a stalled one.
How long does it take to open after signing?
Most franchisees are running their first estimates within 90 to 120 days of signing the franchise agreement. The timeline depends on real estate, licensing in your state, and how quickly you complete training. We help you sequence it so you’re not paying rent on an empty space while you wait for a permit. Some franchisees start with a smaller footprint and scale up once the project pipeline justifies it.
What support do I get after I open?
You get the same documentation system we’ve used on 900+ ADUs since 2015: a written price before any work starts, a documented photo record on every visit, and a 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. You also get ongoing training, access to our vendor network, and a live operations line answered by a person, not a voicemail queue. When a permit gets complicated or a prefab delivery shifts, you’re not figuring it out alone. We’ve seen the failure modes, and we built the playbook around them.
What kind of person is the ideal franchisee?
The ideal franchisee is someone who’d rather hand a homeowner a written price than give them a ballpark. They’re disciplined about documentation and uncomfortable with vague promises. They don’t need to know how to frame a wall, but they need to care whether the wall matches the drawings. Most of our successful franchisees came from sales, operations, or project management. What they share is a low tolerance for the way residential construction usually runs, and a desire to run it differently.
What is the next step if I’m interested?
Call (971) 497-2402. A live person answers, and they’ll walk you through the qualification process, the FDD, and a discovery conversation with our team. There’s no pressure and no countdown clock. We’d rather take the time to make sure the fit is right, because the franchisee’s name goes on the door, and the neighborhood will know whose practice it is.
Still Have Questions?
Call (971) 497-2402 and speak with a live person, no voicemail queue. Or submit the form below and we’ll get back to you with written answers, not a sales pitch. The FDD is available to qualified candidates at no cost.
Written by Nadia Ellery, Principal at Ellery ADU Studio, serving homeowners since 2015.