What's Standard in a Massachusetts BuildX ADU?

By Buz Artiano, BuildX | February 2026

When we talk to someone about building an ADU they always want to know exactly what they are getting for the price, they always ask us what comes standard in our ADUs. We have gone over this with hundreds of families because we understand why it matters so much. It's important to know what you're paying for, what you'll have to buy yourself, and what areas and items you can customize.

At BuildX, we've spent years refining our ADU packages so they include everything you need to be move-in ready, but still giving you the option to customize the things that matter most to you. We build ADUs all over Massachusetts, and the way we do things is a direct result of the things we've learned from all of our completed ADU projects across the South Shore and other areas. We never want you to be surprised by what is or isn't included in your ADU. We feel very strongly about being clear and transparent on these details.

What Comes Standard in Every BuildX ADU?

Every BuildX ADU includes the elements that make it complete and livable. Here's what's included in our base package:

Electrical: 200-amp electrical service from the pole to your ADU. We do a complete electrical plan review and what's called a "boxing" walkthrough so you can see where all the switches and outlets are before any wiring goes in. This is when you can ask us to move or add outlets or switches and we can easily do that.

Interior Painting: All the walls are painted with an eggshell finish in your choice of color, with up to two color changes included. All millwork is painted with semi-gloss, and ceilings are flat white. Exterior doors can be any color you choose. If you want to add more colors beyond the two that are included, it's $250 for each one.

Interior Millwork: Paint-grade trim throughout, including 3.5-inch staffing casing on windows and doors, plus a larger 5.25-inch baseboard. Interior doors are two-panel style.

Hardware: All door handles are lever-style. We don't use any round knobs. You can choose from about five different colors, and we have over 50 options for cabinet and drawer pulls.

Exterior Decking: Pressure-treated framing with composite PVC decking on top. The decking is rot-proof and mildew-proof with seven to eight colors available. We always screw and plug every board, we don't use clip systems because they fail over time. With our decks, if a board ever gets damaged, you can pop the plugs out and replace just that board, it's very simple.

Siding: CertainTeed Monogram vinyl siding, which is the absolute top-of-the-line product with 28 colors to choose from. We've used this product for 20 years and never had a single issue.

Gutters: Seamless aluminum gutters on both sides with downspouts, usually plain white.

Cabinets and Vanities: U.S. Cabinet Depot shaker-style cabinets with 8 to 16 colors to choose from. These are all plywood construction with the nice soft-close hinges. Assembled in Norton, Massachusetts.

Shower Enclosure: A one-piece shower enclosure with about 13 standard options, including variations in threshold height, seating, and configuration. Shower doors are not included.

Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV): A small wall-mounted device that changes the air in the home periodically so you are not breathing the same air all time. This is a code requirement for new well-insulated construction.

Warranty: A three-year warranty on your completed ADU.

Are Appliances Included in Your ADU Price?

Appliances are not included in the base BuildX price. You pick out and purchase them independently, then we install, test, and run everything to make sure it works perfectly before you move in.

We used to offer appliance allowances, but no matter what amount we set, it was either too high or too low for what people actually wanted. Doing it that way just didn't offer enough customization. By having you purchase the appliances you want directly, you control exactly what quality you get for the price you want. Buy whatever fits your budget and preferences, have them delivered to the job site, and we handle the rest.

The typical appliance list for a BuildX ADU includes:

• Refrigerator
• Range or cooktop with oven
• Microwave (typically mounted above the range, which also serves as the hood)
• Dishwasher
• Laundry center or stackable washer and dryer

Did you know that about 5% of brand-new appliances don't work right out of the box? So we test every single appliance before your final walkthrough. We check every outlet, every switch, every light, and run every appliance to make sure everything is in working order. We call this the punch-out phase, we do this to make sure you can move in without ever discovering something doesn't work.

Where Should You Buy Your Appliances?

You can buy appliances anywhere you choose. Just have them delivered to us, and we will make sure everything works. That being said, we do recommend local appliance stores over the big name stores.

Recommended retailers: Kahane's in Plymouth, Yale Appliance in Hanover, and KAM are all excellent choices with good service and support.

Retailers to avoid: Lowe's and Home Depot. If something arrives broken, getting it fixed through a big store like that can be a real pain. They carry all the major brands, but sometimes they have different model numbers than what you find at a place that specializes in appliances. The parts inside are a lot of times lower quality than the same-brand product at a specialized retail store. The same thing actually applies to faucets as well: the ones at big-box stores look the same as the more expensive versions, but what you don't see is that they have cheaper inside parts.

What About Laundry Connections in Your ADU?

Laundry connections are included in every BuildX ADU. We give you full plumbing and electrical hookups sized for a full-size washer and dryer, so you don't need to go back and use the basement at the main house.

The physical washer and dryer are considered appliances and are provided by you though. Most of our floor plans include a laundry area, which can fit a full sized washer and dryer stacked, not just those little apartment sized units.

We recommend the 27-inch laundry centers over the 24-inch ventless models. The 27-inch units work the same as regular washers and dryers and they're actually a lot faster. The 24-inch ventless models take about three and a half hours to run because they're made for apartments where there's no vent. If you can vent, go with the 27-inch.

How Much Can You Customize Your Finishes?

You have some really nice choices within our standard package. Wall paint colors, hardware finishes, cabinet pulls, decking colors, and shower enclosure configurations all have multiple options for no extra charge.

For example, hardware comes in black, brushed nickel, chrome, and brass (even though nobody does brass anymore). Our decking comes in seven or eight colors. Also, the shower enclosures have about 13 different configurations with different thresholds, seat options, and layouts.

But there are some things that add a little extra if you want to go beyond the standards. Two paint colors come with the price, but if you want to add more they are $250 each. As we said before we don't include shower doors, which can cost $950 for a basic one all the way up to $2,500 or more for premium upgrades. We also offer a cabinet upgrade to the Wellborn line for those who want a lot more options, but it is a significant price increase.

Is This Approach Right for Every Homeowner?

We don't include appliances in our base price, but some people might actually prefer a builder who bundles everything together. That can be a good option in some situations.

If you are looking for a very simple price and process where you don't have to take a lot of time to make decisions, you might like this approach better. You just have to be comfortable accepting whatever appliances your builder picks for you. This can simplify the whole process.

But most of the people we talk to appreciate the control they have by choosing and purchasing their appliances independently. They can choose custom appliances that work for their actual cooking habits or pick the exact right sized refrigerator, or decide whether to pay extra for top of the line washer/dryer setups. When we tried bundling appliances with an allowance, it just never worked out to be exactly what our client wanted. We do it this way so you get to choose whatever appliances you like and we will still give you full installation, testing, and warranty support.

What Else Will BuildX Install for You?

On top of everything else, we will install any extras you want to bring to the job site. TV mounts, towel bars, robe hooks, toilet paper holders, window shades, and all sorts of other things can all be installed while our team is doing the final punch list. We also supply and install the vanity mirror for you.

Our goal is that when you move in, you are not working on your house. Everything is hung, connected, tested, and ready to use. We walk you through filter locations, system operations, and anything else you need to know, then hand over the keys.

Want to see our standard finishes in person? We can arrange a visit to a completed BuildX ADU so you can see exactly what the trim, hardware, and finishes look like in a real home.

Ready to See What Your Massachusetts ADU Package Includes?

BuildX ADUs deliver a complete, move-in ready home with all the structural elements, finishes, and systems included. Appliances remain your choice because that is what works best for the families we serve. If you are ready to discuss your specific project, schedule a consultation and we will walk through exactly what your ADU will include.