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Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners across Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County plan and build ADUs, detached garages, garage apartments, workshops, hobby spaces, storage buildings, and secondary structures designed around real life.
Whether you need more room for family, vehicles, tools, storage, guests, work, hobbies, or future flexibility, we help you think through the structure, layout, site conditions, city requirements, utilities, parking, access, and construction details before the work begins.
Founded in 1980 by Scott Cleverly and now owned and operated by his son, Shannon Cleverly, Cedar Grove Construction brings over 40 years of experience in home building, remodeling, renovations, and restorations throughout Utah County and Salt Lake County.
An ADU or detached garage should not feel like an afterthought on the property. It should be planned carefully, built correctly, and designed to serve the home for years.
Homeowners are asking more from their properties than ever before.
Some need a detached garage for vehicles, trailers, tools, gear, or storage. Some want a workshop, hobby space, or home-based work area. Some need a garage apartment, guest space, or ADU for multigenerational living, long-term rental potential, or future household flexibility. Others want to use available lot space in a smarter way instead of moving.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners look at the full property, not just the main house. We consider how the new structure will be used, where it can realistically fit, how access and parking will work, what utilities may be needed, how the building should relate to the main home, and what city requirements may affect the project.
A successful ADU or detached garage starts with the right plan. Before construction begins, the structure needs to make sense for the property, the household, and the long-term use of the space.
ADUs and detached garages are not simple “extra buildings.” They can involve foundations, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, exterior finishes, utilities, setbacks, driveway access, parking, city approvals, inspections, and long-term property use.
Cedar Grove Construction was founded in 1980 by Scott Cleverly and is now owned and operated by Shannon Cleverly. As a family-owned and operated business, Cedar Grove has spent more than 40 years helping homeowners with home building, remodeling, renovations, restorations, kitchen updates, full-home improvements, and major residential projects throughout Utah County and Salt Lake County.
That experience matters when the project affects the property as a whole. An ADU, detached garage, workshop, or garage apartment needs to be planned with care so it works with the main home, the lot, the access points, the exterior style, the city requirements, and the intended use.
Cedar Grove Construction is built around honesty, detail, care, and lasting results. We treat every home and property like it matters — because it does.
ADUs and detached garages are often grouped together because they both involve using space outside or separate from the main home. But they are not the same project.
A detached garage may be focused on parking, storage, tools, equipment, hobbies, or workspace. A detached ADU or garage apartment may include living space, sleeping space, a bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette, utilities, parking requirements, and rental or occupancy rules. A workshop may need electrical planning, insulation, heating, ventilation, storage, and access. A storage structure may be simpler, but it still needs the right site placement and construction approach.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners define the project correctly from the beginning. That matters because the intended use affects design, budget, permits, inspections, utilities, setbacks, and what the city may allow.
The first question is not just, “What do you want to build?”
The better question is, “What do you need this space to do?”
Before design or construction begins, the first step is understanding whether the property can support the structure you have in mind.
Cedar Grove Construction can help homeowners think through lot size, setbacks, driveway access, parking, utilities, existing structures, grade, drainage, building placement, and the intended use of the space. This early review helps determine whether the project is realistic, whether the structure should be attached or detached, and whether another improvement may make more sense.
For ADUs, the feasibility review may include whether the city allows the ADU type, whether owner-occupancy rules apply, how parking will work, what utility connections may be needed, and whether the project is more realistic as a detached ADU, garage apartment, basement ADU, home addition, or another type of improvement.
For detached garages, the review may focus more on vehicle access, driveway layout, garage-door placement, slab and foundation requirements, storage needs, electrical service, roofline, height, drainage, and how the building will fit the property.
The goal is to identify the most practical path before time and money are spent on a plan that may not fit the lot, the budget, or city requirements.
Many homeowners know they need more space, but they are not sure what kind of project makes the most sense.
A detached garage may solve parking and storage problems. A workshop may be better for hobbies or tools. An ADU may be the right fit for family flexibility or long-term rental use where allowed. A home addition may be better if the space needs to connect directly to the main house. A basement finish may be more practical if the home already has unfinished square footage.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through the real need before choosing the project type. We look at the property, the home, the lot, access, utilities, budget priorities, and long-term plans so the project is built around the right solution.
The goal is not just to add another structure. The goal is to improve the way the property serves your life.
The intended use of an ADU matters.
A space for aging parents may need different privacy, parking, accessibility, storage, and comfort considerations than a long-term rental unit or guest space. A living area for an adult child may require a different layout than a guest house used occasionally. A rental-focused ADU may need stronger attention to access, parking, durability, maintenance, utility planning, and city rules.
Some cities restrict short-term rentals, require owner occupancy, require registration or ADU permits, limit the number of ADUs on a property, or apply specific parking and design requirements. These details should be reviewed early, before the layout and budget are finalized.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through the intended use of the ADU so the design, utilities, access, privacy, and city review path match the real goal of the project.
A detached garage may look simple from the outside, but the details make a major difference in how useful the structure becomes.
Before construction begins, Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through the garage as a long-term property improvement, not just an empty box with doors.
Important detached garage details include:
A garage built only for today’s needs may become limiting later. A garage planned with future use in mind can serve vehicles, storage, tools, hobbies, equipment, and property value much better over time.
Every property is different. The right structure depends on lot size, zoning, setbacks, access, utilities, driveway layout, grade, drainage, existing buildings, city requirements, and the homeowner’s long-term goals.
A detached garage can make a property significantly more useful. It can provide space for vehicles, trucks, trailers, tools, storage, outdoor equipment, motorcycles, recreational gear, seasonal items, or a cleaner separation between household storage and daily living space.
Detached garages need to be planned around vehicle access, driveway layout, foundation, garage door placement, electrical needs, lighting, storage, exterior materials, roofline, drainage, and how the building will look next to the home.
A good detached garage should feel like it belongs on the property, not like a random structure dropped into the yard.
A garage apartment may combine vehicle or storage space with finished living space above, beside, or connected to the garage. These projects can be useful for family, guests, adult children, aging parents, long-term rental use where allowed, or flexible future property needs.
Garage apartments require strong planning because they may involve stairs, fire separation, structural loads, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, windows, parking, privacy, and exterior design. They should be planned as complete living spaces, not simply as rooms added above a garage.
A workshop or hobby building can give homeowners space for woodworking, mechanics, crafts, art, equipment, tools, storage, or home-based projects without taking over the main garage or basement.
These structures may need upgraded electrical, lighting, insulation, ventilation, heating, workbench space, storage, durable flooring, larger doors, or special access. Cedar Grove Construction helps plan workshops around how the space will actually be used.
A detached ADU is a separate living space located outside the main home. Depending on the city, property, and project, it may be used for family, guests, multigenerational living, long-term rental potential, or future flexibility.
Detached ADUs are more complex than standard detached garages because they may involve living areas, bathrooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, sleeping space, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical systems, utility connections, parking, permits, inspections, design requirements, and city-specific occupancy rules.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through those requirements early so the project starts with a realistic path.
Some homeowners need a structure that is primarily practical: storage for tools, lawn equipment, bikes, seasonal items, outdoor furniture, sports gear, or property maintenance equipment.
Others want a finished space for guests, hobbies, remote work, exercise, music, study, or a separate retreat from the main living area.
The level of finish, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, insulation, and permit requirements will depend on how the space is intended to be used. Even a storage-focused structure should be planned properly for placement, durability, access, drainage, and long-term use.
Utilities can be one of the biggest differences between a simple detached garage and a more complex ADU, garage apartment, or workshop.
A detached garage may only need basic electrical service, lighting, outlets, and garage door openers. A workshop may need more power, better lighting, insulation, ventilation, heating, or internet. A garage apartment or detached ADU may need plumbing, sewer, water, electrical, HVAC, bathroom fixtures, kitchen or kitchenette features, and year-round comfort.
Utility planning may include:
These decisions should be discussed early because they affect cost, permits, inspections, comfort, and long-term use.
Founded in 1980, Cedar Grove Construction has served homeowners in Utah County and Salt Lake County for over 40 years. That long history includes home building, remodeling, renovations, restorations, kitchen updates, full-home improvements, and major residential projects.
Cedar Grove Construction was founded by Scott Cleverly and is now owned and operated by his son, Shannon Cleverly. The company carries forward a family standard of honesty, detail, care, and lasting results.
ADUs, detached garages, and secondary structures should be evaluated before homeowners get too far into design. Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through the lot, city requirements, access, utilities, parking, structure type, and intended use before the project direction is finalized.
A detached garage, ADU, or workshop needs to fit the property, not just the plans. We pay attention to placement, access, parking, drainage, exterior appearance, utilities, and the way the new structure will relate to the main home.
These projects can involve excavation, concrete, framing, roofing, siding or exterior finishes, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, doors, windows, garage doors, cabinets, fixtures, and finish work. Cedar Grove Construction coordinates the project as a complete build.
Construction affects daily life, parking, access, yard space, and the way the property functions during the project. Cedar Grove Construction works efficiently and respectfully to help make the process as smooth and manageable as possible.
ADUs and detached garages are highly local projects. What works on one property may not work on another property a few streets away.
Cities commonly review accessory structures and ADUs for setbacks, lot coverage, building height, utility connections, parking, owner occupancy, rental use, exterior design, site plans, construction drawings, and inspections. Detached garages may require site plans and building plans, especially when they exceed size thresholds, include foundations, or involve utilities. ADUs often require additional review because they create dwelling space.
Important requirements may involve:
Because requirements can change and vary by property, homeowners should confirm current rules with the city before finalizing an ADU, garage apartment, workshop, or detached garage plan.
A strong ADU or detached garage project starts before construction.
Depending on the structure, planning may involve site plans, building plans, structural details, engineering, foundation planning, utility coordination, exterior design decisions, grading, drainage, parking layout, and city submittals.
For detached garages, the planning often focuses on placement, access, slab and foundation, vehicle use, storage, electrical service, roofline, and exterior compatibility.
For ADUs and garage apartments, the planning goes deeper. The structure may need living space, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, kitchen or kitchenette planning, bathroom layout, egress, fire separation, parking, privacy, utility connections, and occupancy-related city approvals.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners understand the level of planning needed before construction begins. That helps reduce surprises, avoid unrealistic layouts, and create a clearer path from concept to build.
ADU and detached garage pricing can vary dramatically because these projects can look similar from the outside while having very different scopes.
A basic detached garage shell is not the same as a finished workshop. A workshop is not the same as a conditioned garage apartment. A garage apartment is not the same as a detached ADU with a bathroom, kitchen, HVAC, utility connections, parking requirements, and city review.
Common cost factors include:
The best first step is not asking for a generic square-foot price. The best first step is defining what the structure needs to do.
Timelines vary based on the project type, permit requirements, design development, engineering, city review, site conditions, weather, inspections, material selections, utility work, and construction complexity.
A straightforward detached garage may move faster than a detached ADU or garage apartment. An ADU with plumbing, HVAC, kitchen features, bathroom, insulation, finished living space, parking requirements, and city approvals usually requires more planning and coordination.
During the consultation process, Cedar Grove Construction can review the property, talk through the intended use, and help set a more realistic timeline based on the actual scope.
A successful detached structure should make the property more useful without creating new problems.
The intended use affects almost every decision. A garage, workshop, ADU, guest space, and storage building all need different levels of planning. Defining the use early helps avoid underbuilding, overbuilding, or creating a structure that does not fully solve the problem.
Location matters. The structure needs to fit the lot, meet setback requirements, allow access, support drainage, preserve usable yard space, and make sense in relation to the main home.
A detached garage or ADU should look like it belongs with the home. Roof pitch, siding, stucco, stone, trim, doors, windows, color, and architectural proportions all affect whether the structure feels intentional.
Garages, workshops, and ADUs all need practical access. That may include driveway layout, walking paths, parking spaces, garage-door placement, and safe entry points.
If the structure will be used as living space, workspace, or hobby space, comfort matters. Insulation, heating, cooling, windows, lighting, ventilation, and finish quality affect how useful the building will be year-round.
A well-planned structure can serve the homeowner in more than one stage of life. A garage may later support more storage. A workshop may become a flexible studio. An ADU may support family or long-term use. Thinking ahead can make the project more valuable.
Cedar Grove Construction builds ADUs, detached garages, garage apartments, workshops, and secondary structures throughout Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County.
In newer-growth areas like Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Herriman, and South Jordan, homeowners often have growing families, unfinished property goals, storage needs, vehicle needs, and interest in flexible living space. Detached garages, ADUs, workshops, and garage apartments can help these properties work harder.
In established and higher-finish areas like Draper, Sandy, Alpine, Highland, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Midvale, and Cottonwood Heights, these projects may focus on matching the character of the home, adding guest or family space, supporting hobbies, expanding storage, or improving long-term property use without leaving a desirable neighborhood.
The best project depends on the property, the city, the home, and the homeowner’s goals.
We start by learning what you want the space to do. Are you trying to add parking, storage, a workshop, guest space, family living space, rental potential, hobby space, or a more complete detached structure?
Next, we review the property, including available space, access, grade, driveway layout, existing structures, possible placement, utilities, drainage, setbacks, and visible constraints.
Before the project moves too far into design, we help identify major feasibility questions. This may include lot conditions, setbacks, parking, utility access, building placement, intended use, city requirements, HOA considerations, and whether the project is better approached as an ADU, detached garage, garage apartment, workshop, addition, or basement finish.
Once the project goals and property conditions are understood, we help shape the project scope. This may include size, placement, room layout, garage door location, windows, storage, bathroom needs, utility needs, finish level, and long-term use.
Depending on the project, the structure may require building permits, site plans, construction drawings, engineering, inspections, ADU review, utility planning, parking review, or HOA approval.
After the scope is better defined, Cedar Grove Construction provides an estimate based on the planned work. This helps clarify what is included, what decisions still need to be made, and how the project can move forward.
The construction phase may include site preparation, excavation, foundation or slab work, framing, roofing, exterior finishes, windows, doors, garage doors, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, trim, paint, and finish work depending on the project.
At completion, we review the finished structure, address final details, and make sure the space is ready for its intended use.
I’ve worked with them and highly recommend them. The quality of their work is excellent, their attention to detail really stands out, and they’re clean, reliable, and great to work with on any project.
An ADU or detached garage may connect to other home improvement needs. Cedar Grove Construction can also help with:
When the detached structure is part of a larger property improvement
When the home needs more connected living space
Often the home needs multiple interior updates
When the ADU or main home needs better cooking and gathering space
When the project includes new or updated bathrooms
When the detached structure connects to patios, decks, pergolas, or backyard gathering areas
Cedar Grove Construction builds ADUs, detached garages, garage apartments, workshops, and secondary structures throughout Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County.
Our service area includes Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Draper, Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, Sandy, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, and nearby communities.
Instead of trying to serve every part of Utah, Cedar Grove Construction focuses on the communities where we can provide responsive service, careful planning, and dependable construction for homeowners who want their project done right.
Take a look at a recent projects completed by Cedar Grove Construction to see the quality, craftsmanship, and design detail we bring to every home.
An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, is a secondary living space on the same property as a primary home. Depending on the city and property, an ADU may be internal, attached, or detached. Detached ADUs are separate structures outside the main home.
Yes. Cedar Grove Construction can help homeowners plan and build detached ADUs where city requirements and property conditions allow. Detached ADUs require careful planning around permits, setbacks, parking, utilities, design, access, and inspections.
Yes. Cedar Grove Construction builds detached garages for vehicles, storage, tools, hobbies, workshops, equipment, and property organization. Detached garages can be designed around the home, lot, driveway access, storage needs, and future use.
In some cases, yes. A garage apartment may be possible depending on city rules, zoning, lot size, parking, utilities, setbacks, design requirements, and building-code requirements. These projects should be reviewed carefully before design and construction begin.
Often, yes. ADUs commonly require permits and city review. Detached garages often require permits when they exceed certain size thresholds, include utilities, include a foundation, or are designed as habitable or conditioned space. Requirements vary by city, property, and project scope.
The first step is a feasibility review. Lot size, zoning, setbacks, parking, driveway access, utilities, existing structures, grade, drainage, and intended use can all affect what is possible. ADUs also require city-specific review because rules may involve owner occupancy, rental limits, registration, parking, and utility requirements.
Utility needs depend on the structure. A basic garage may need electrical service, lighting, outlets, and garage door power. A workshop may need upgraded electrical, insulation, heating, ventilation, or internet. An ADU or garage apartment may need water, sewer, plumbing, HVAC, electrical service, kitchen or kitchenette features, bathroom fixtures, and utility coordination.
Cost depends on size, foundation, structure type, utilities, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, finish level, exterior materials, garage doors, windows, site access, grading, permits, inspections, and whether the project is a garage, workshop, ADU, garage apartment, or storage structure.
Short-term rental rules vary by city and property. Some cities restrict ADU rentals to longer-term occupancy or require specific permits or registration. Homeowners should confirm current city rules before planning an ADU for rental use.
Cedar Grove Construction builds ADUs, detached garages, garage apartments, workshops, and secondary structures throughout Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County, including Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Draper, Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, Sandy, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, and nearby communities.
If your property has the space, the right project can make your home more useful for years. A detached garage can create better storage and vehicle space. An ADU can support family, guests, or long-term flexibility where allowed. A workshop can give you room for tools, hobbies, or projects. A garage apartment or secondary structure can help the property serve more than one need.
Cedar Grove Construction can help you understand what may be possible and what the next step should be. Tell us what you want your property to do. We will help you think through the project and decide the best path forward.
