2026 ADU Loan Calculator

Denver ADU Loan Calculator

Denver opened up ADU permitting citywide in 2024, and lender appetite for ADU construction loans along the Front Range has grown with it. This calculator compares HELOC, construction-perm, and cash-out refi payments on a realistic Denver build.

Enter your project details

$50K$800K
20% ($47,000)

Loan amount: $188,000

Featured

HELOC

Variable rate, interest-only draw option

$1,515/mo
Est. APR7.50%
Term20 yr
Total interest$175,484

Flexible line of credit. Only pay interest on what you draw.

Construction-Perm

Draws during build, converts to mortgage

$1,602/mo
Est. APR8.25%
Term20 yr
Total interest$196,452

Funds disbursed by milestone. Permanent loan activates at completion.

Cash-Out Refi

Replaces your current mortgage

$1,543/mo
Est. APR7.75%
Term20 yr
Total interest$182,412

Combines existing mortgage + ADU cost into one new 30-year loan.

Rent-coverage estimate

Typical ADU rent in the Mountain region runs about $1,900/mo. That covers roughly 125% of the featured HELOC monthly payment shown above.

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ADU loan product comparison

ProductTypical rateTermBest for
HELOC7.5–10.5% variable10 draw + 20 repayHomeowners with 20%+ equity who want flexibility
Home Equity Loan7.3–10.3% fixed10–30 yrBorrowers who want a fixed monthly payment
Cash-Out Refi7.5–8.5% fixed30 yrCurrent mortgage rate already near market
Construction-Perm8.0–12.0%12–18 mo then 30 yrGround-up builds over $200K
DSCR8.5–12.0%30 yrInvestors qualifying on rent
RenoFi8.0–11.0%10–20 yrLimited current equity, new-build ADUs

Frequently asked questions

How do I get an ADU loan in Denver?

Start by pulling a recent appraisal to confirm your usable equity. Then get quotes from 2–3 lenders — local credit unions often beat national banks on HELOC rates, while a national construction lender may be the only option for a ground-up build. Use the calculator above to compare a HELOC, cash-out refi, and construction-perm payment on the same build cost.

What does an ADU cost in Denver?

Denver ADU builds typically run $170,000–$340,000 all-in. Detached units with full kitchens and utility hookups fall in the upper half of that range, while garage conversions and attached units come in lower.

Will Denver ADU rent cover the loan payment?

Detached ADUs in Denver typically rent for $1,800–$2,200 per month. Against a $200,000 HELOC at current rates, that rent covers 80–110% of the monthly payment in most configurations — meaning the unit usually cash-flows or comes close.

What ADU lenders serve Denver?

National lenders (Figure, RenoFi, LightStream) lend in every state. Local Colorado credit unions and community banks often offer the lowest HELOC rates for Denver homeowners. The lender-match CTA on this page connects you with three Colorado lenders that specialize in ADU financing.

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