BuildX · ADU Projects · Plymouth, Massachusetts
A 900 Square Foot Plymouth ADU, Built for Scott
A real accessory dwelling unit BuildX designed and built in the Farrell family's Plymouth side yard: two bedrooms, one bath, bedrooms at the back so it lives like a house, a slider off the primary bedroom onto a deck facing the woods, and construction finished in under 100 days.
as told by Adam and Keely Farrell, Plymouth homeowners
“This is the only thing that works for our family that allows him to continue the life that he wants.”
Keely Farrell, PlymouthThe Full Story“We recently had an ADU built on our property for my stepfather, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience of working with Build X.
From the very beginning, Buz was incredibly attentive and addressed all of our initial concerns during the planning phase. He made sure we felt confident and well-informed before signing the contract. Once everything was finalized, the process moved forward seamlessly—from floorplan design and the selections meeting to staking the property, securing permits, and starting construction.
During the build, we worked closely with Kevin and Stevie, who were both fantastic. They took the time to clearly explain anything we had questions about and were always open to feedback, making thoughtful adjustments when needed.
The quality of the finished home is truly exceptional. Everyone who walks through it is amazed that it’s only 900 square feet—it feels much more spacious, and the craftsmanship stands out in every detail.
What really went above and beyond, though, was the care taken during the final phase. Stevie and Thomas helped move us in, unpacked the furniture, added headboards to the beds, and even hung a large mirror perfectly centered over the dresser. During the final walkthrough with Kevin, he took the time to hang our family’s claddagh door knocker—and that thoughtful touch meant so much to us.
My stepfather is now happily living in the home and absolutely loves it. He’s been beaming during phone calls with friends, telling them how they “thought of everything.” Just last night, he called me from the back deck and said he still can’t believe how wonderful it all is.
A huge thank-you to the entire Build X team. Your hard work and dedication made this a smooth and rewarding experience. If you’re considering a build of any size, be sure to contact Build X.”
Why did the Farrells build an ADU in Plymouth?
Keely's stepfather, Scott, had recently moved in with Adam and Keely and their kids. He could not live on his own anymore, and he did not want assisted living. The family wanted to respect that. So they ran the other options and every one failed: a condo means stairs and a ten minute drive that is really an hour out of the day; a place a few miles away still means missing dinner with your own kids to go set out someone's pills. What they needed was Scott close enough to check on every morning and separate enough to have his own front door.
The timing did the rest. The need showed up at the same moment the state's ADU law did. Adam saw the Plymouth's First ADU sign on Jordan Road, asked around town, and every friend he asked pointed back to Buz. The Farrells talked to six builders. BuildX was the one that had actually built ADUs, communicated, and came in at a reasonable number.
How was the plan designed to feel like a house, not an apartment?
That was Keely's requirement. She did not want a narrow row where the bedrooms and bath run down one side and the living space runs down the other. She wanted a front door that opens on an open kitchen, living and dining area, then a hallway, then the bathroom, then two bedrooms all the way at the back. She and Buz worked it out on the floor plan together, on 3D models over repeated Zoom calls where Buz moved walls live while they watched.
Keely also wanted a slider somewhere. She had it in her head on the side of the house, facing either the main house or the neighbors. Buz put it in the primary bedroom instead, which opens onto a deck looking into the woods behind the property. Keely calls that genius. Scott sits out there at all hours, including after dark. The plan they built is now the X3, one of the most popular BuildX builds, and the Mays built a modified version of it in Kingston.
What was construction like for the Farrell family?
Adam did not want a bunch of separate contractors, a timeline to manage, or a town to chase. Permitting and the back end were handled entirely by BuildX. When a concern came up, Buz was on the phone or on a Zoom the same day, sometimes that evening, to work it out. Adam walked the site once or twice a day and caught things early, and changes were made fast.
“Sometimes we would have ideas and they'd be like, that's a terrible idea, you shouldn't do that. And we appreciated that.”
Keely Farrell, on why a yes-man is the last thing you want in a builderThe Farrells also got told no. When an idea was bad, the team said so and explained why, which the family valued because they had never built a house. At the end of the build the crew helped Scott move his things into the ADU, which nobody expected. Adam's three words for BuildX: reliable, honest, fun.
How long did the Plymouth ADU take to build?
Buz said 100 days of construction. Adam says it was definitely less than that. When they walked through the door of the finished house, it looked like the 3D markup, very close if not exactly what they had pictured. Their reaction was that maybe they should be the ones moving in.
Does 900 square feet feel small?
Not with the layout Keely fought for. The open kitchen and living area at the front takes the daylight from the tall windows, and Adam says the kitchen is better than the one in the main house. The two bedrooms sit at the back down the hallway, so the house has a private end and a public end the way a full-size house does. The deck off the bedroom adds a room outside.
What changed once Scott moved in?
Keely checks on him in the mornings, makes his food, sets out his medication, and is back at her own table for dinner with her family. She can say to him that this is why they built it, that he is not a burden, that she is right here. Adam and Keely are raising children and looking after an older relative at the same time, and the ADU let them do both with the least possible disruption. They also planned for the long term: a separate driveway and a separate dwelling, so the house could be rented someday without being attached to theirs.
Can an ADU replace assisted living for an older relative?
For a relative who is not ready for a nursing home but not quite able to live alone, Keely thinks it is one of the best options there is. The person keeps the life they want, and the family keeps the ability to check in without losing hours to the drive. If that describes someone in your family, say so on the first call. The layout that makes it work already exists.
More from the family
Thinking about an ADU in Plymouth?
This home went from first shovel to finished in the town where you are thinking of building yours. Start with Plymouth ADU rules, costs and permits, then see what an ADU really costs in Massachusetts.
Read the full Farrell family story for the long-form version, in the family's own words.
Every project starts the way this one did: a conversation about what you actually need. No pressure, either way.
Meet the builder
Buz Artiano
"My name is Buz Artiano, owner of BuildX. At BuildX we're more than a home builder. While building is what we do, the relationships that are created in the process are what drives our passion to transform your dream into a reality. That is why we strive to give a first-class experience to our clients by listening to their vision and then building their trust with a custom home design that matches their taste and lifestyle."