In the Seattle area, building a backyard cottage typically takes about 8 to 14 months from start to finish. This includes permitting, site preparation, construction, and final inspections. For a standard DADU around 1,000−1,500 sq ft, the construction timeline is usually around 8 months. A larger project of around 3,000−3,500 square feet can take closer to 14 months, because it would need to be permitted not as a DADU, but more like a townhouse-type structure. The permitting process for that typically takes longer, and of course the construction itself also takes additional timeand in addtion all this depending on design complexity, site conditions, and city permit review timelines.