434-996-8788

A family of custom builders spanning three generations.

Daddy Rabbit Inc. builds new single family homes and turnkey backyard ADUs in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. One team, one price, one point of contact.

See the ADU plans Homes for sale
Backyard homes, priced up front. Most builders make you call for a number. Ours are on the page. Five ADU plans from $139,000, turnkey on your lot.

Five ADU plans, five prices

Turnkey, built on your lot, with allowances. Every plan uses the same specification sheet, so you know exactly what is included before you call.

The StudioStudio, 1 bath292 sq ft$139,000 The Contemporary1 bedroom, 1 bath442 sq ft$175,000 The Two Bedroom2 bedrooms, 1 bath592 sq ft$199,900 The Weekender1 bedroom, 1 bath, cathedral ceilings654 sq ft$225,000 The Garage Apartment1 bedroom, 1 bath over a two car garage660 sq ft$249,900

We also convert existing garages into ADUs, priced after a site visit. Prices above are turnkey subject to allowances and standard site conditions. Utility connections, septic or well, unusual grading, tree clearing, long driveways and locality fees are quoted after a free site visit.

Homes for sale

New construction from Daddy Rabbit, listed and sold by Anthony McGhee, real estate broker.

View current listings

Backyard ADUs

An in law suite, a rental, a guest house or a place for an adult child. Five plans, published prices, one builder.

Explore the ADU program

About Daddy Rabbit

Three generations of McGhees have built custom homes in central Virginia, from Stuart McGhee after the war to McGhee Brothers in the 1960s to Anthony McGhee today. Daddy Rabbit Inc. carries the family name and the family standard, with Anthony's nearly forty years as a Class A contractor and real estate broker, working with his sister Audrey Badgett and his brother Mark McGhee.

Read the full story

Talk to Anthony 434-996-8788
anthonysmcghee@gmail.com
Charlottesville, Virginia
Class A Contractor, License #2705184029

Homes for sale

New construction by Daddy Rabbit Inc., listed by Anthony McGhee, real estate broker.

1004 Cottonwood Rd, front exterior
$689,900
1004 Cottonwood Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901
4 beds, 2 full baths, 2,200 sq ft, 0.22 acre lot, Locust Grove

In Charlottesville's Locust Grove neighborhood, minutes from public parks, the Rivanna River and its trail network, downtown and the 250 Bypass, with quick access to UVA, Route 29 and I-64, this four bedroom home has been renovated down to the studs. Everything is brand new: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall, windows and roof, finished with gleaming surfaces and beautiful glass tile throughout. The main level offers two bedrooms and a full bath, while the walk out lower level, with two more legal bedrooms, a second full bath and its own private entrance, easily lives as a full apartment, in law suite or guest quarters, or simply flexible space for a home office and more. A screened in back porch overlooks the 0.22 acre yard with a storage shed and potential room for an ADU. A sought after in town location with green space at every turn, and nothing left to do but move in.

View on Zillow Call for a showing
186 Palmer Pl, front elevation rendering
$789,900 Under contract
186 Palmer Pl, Ruckersville, VA 22968
4 beds, 3 full and 1 half baths, 2,500 sq ft, 2.02 acre lot, Hancock Farms, built 2026

Custom new construction designed for multigenerational living on a very private cul de sac lot. An open floor plan is anchored by a first floor primary suite with travertine flooring, a his and her vanity and a fully tiled shower, with additional bedroom suites upstairs for extended family or guests. A dedicated first floor office, a chef inspired kitchen with custom cabinetry, granite countertops and a separate butler's pantry, a second living area on the upper level, and laundry rooms on both floors. Full walk out basement, attached two car garage, foam insulation and board and batten siding.

View on Zillow Ask about the next one
236 Palmer Pl, finished home
$789,900 Sold
236 Palmer Pl, Ruckersville, VA 22968
3 beds, 4 baths, 2,400 sq ft, Hancock Farms, new construction

Custom new construction by Daddy Rabbit in Hancock Farms, sold in 2026. Shown here as an example of what we build. Call Anthony to talk about the next available lot.

View on Zillow

Virginia just opened the front door to backyard homes.

For decades, building a backyard home meant special use permits, public hearings and local rules that made accessory dwelling units nearly impossible in many communities. That era is ending.

Beginning July 1, 2027, every locality in Virginia must allow ADUs as a permitted use in single family residential zoning districts. If your project meets the requirements, the locality must issue the permit. No hearings, no neighbor objection process, no more hoping for a variance.

What the law guarantees

  • ADUs allowed by right in single family residential zones statewide, with permits approved administratively when requirements are met
  • Permit fees capped at $500, so the locality cannot price you out of the process
  • No new dedicated parking can be required for the ADU in most situations
  • Fair setbacks. Localities cannot demand setbacks greater than those that apply to your main house or other accessory structures
  • Equal treatment. No rules on height, lot size, lot coverage or frontage that are stricter for an ADU than for single family homes in the same zone
  • Rent to anyone. The old rules requiring the ADU occupant to be a family member are eliminated

Why this matters now

When the law takes effect, demand for ADU construction across Virginia is expected to surge, and so will wait times for quality builders. Homeowners who start planning now can have their site evaluated, their plan chosen and their financing arranged so they are first in line. Some projects are already possible today under current local rules, and we can tell you exactly where your property stands.

Find out what the law means for your backyard

Why build an ADU?

A backyard home does one of three jobs for a family, and sometimes all three over the years.

Keep family close

An aging parent stays independent but a few steps from the kitchen door. An adult child or college student gets a real front door instead of a basement. Guests get a place of their own.

Earn rental income

A one bedroom backyard rental in the Charlottesville market can carry most or all of the loan payment used to build it. Long term tenants, traveling nurses, UVA affiliates and short term guests are all looking for exactly this.

Add lasting value

A permitted, professionally built second dwelling adds appraisable value to the property and makes the whole parcel more attractive to a future buyer.

How an ADU can pay for itself

Most homeowners fund an ADU with a home equity line of credit. A HELOC lets you borrow against the equity you have already built, using the home as collateral. It works like a credit line rather than a lump sum loan: you draw what you need, when you need it, and pay interest only on what you use. That makes it a practical way to build without draining savings or refinancing your whole mortgage.

A recent example

A recent client had equity sitting idle in their home. They opened a $175,000 HELOC and used it to build a small ADU. That ADU now rents for $1,850 a month against a payment of about $1,100. The equity never left the household. It went back into the property and started paying them back every month, and it raised the resale value of the whole parcel at the same time.

Financing Your ADU

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank, NMLS #423065 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. All loans are subject to credit approval as well as program requirements and guidelines. Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank is not affiliated with Daddy Rabbit Inc.

Applying takes about ten minutes online. Financing is available through Bill Bader at Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank. Curious to see what you qualify for? Bill can walk you through other loan programs that may fit.

Apply for a HELOC

Bill Bader, Branch Manager, NMLS# 208908
Mobile (434) 409-2968
bill.bader@novushomemortgage.com
3450 Berkmar Dr, Suite A205, Charlottesville, VA 22901

Plans and pricing

Five plans. Every price is turnkey on your lot with allowances, and every plan is built to the same specification sheet.

The Studio, exterior rendering
The Studio floor plan, 292 square feet The Studio, overhead view

The Studio

$139,000
292 sq ft, studio, 1 bath, 15' x 19'6"
  • Full kitchen
  • Full bath
  • Stackable washer and dryer
  • Two closets and a built in dresser

Fits: home office, guest house, single tenant rental, aging parent who wants one level and no stairs.

The Contemporary, exterior rendering
The Contemporary floor plan, 442 square feet

The Contemporary

$175,000
442 sq ft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 17' x 29'
  • Shed roof with a modern profile and a vaulted living, dining and kitchen area (16' x 12')
  • Separate bedroom (10'8" x 9'10") with 9' ceiling and full bath
  • Full kitchen with pantry, washer and dryer
  • Exterior storage room with double doors

Fits: backyard rental, in law suite, adult child, anyone who wants a true one bedroom at the lowest price.

The Two Bedroom, exterior rendering
The Two Bedroom floor plan, 592 square feet The Two Bedroom, overhead view

The Two Bedroom

$199,900
592 sq ft, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 23' x 30'8", 9' ceilings throughout
  • Two real bedrooms, 11' x 10' and 11' x 9', each with a closet
  • Open living, dining and kitchen, 11' x 20', with dishwasher
  • Full bath and stacked washer and dryer
  • Covered rear porch with sliding glass door off the dining area

Fits: a couple with a grandchild visiting, roommates, a family rental that commands higher rent.

The Weekender, exterior rendering with window wall
The Weekender floor plan, 654 square feet The Weekender, side view rendering

The Weekender

$225,000
654 sq ft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 20' x 35'8"
  • Cathedral ceilings and a full wall of windows in the great room
  • 11'11" x 10'7" bedroom with walk in closet
  • Full kitchen with dishwasher and a true dinette under the cathedral ceiling
  • Full bath plus a dedicated laundry room
  • Full width covered patio

Fits: weekend getaway, short term rental, guest house, a parent who wants light and room.

The Garage Apartment, Craftsman exterior rendering
Garage level plan, two bays 12'4" x 25' Upper level plan, 660 square foot apartment

The Garage Apartment

$249,900
660 heated sq ft over a 700 sq ft two car garage
  • Craftsman exterior: shingle accented gables, shed dormer, carriage style doors with lites, fiber cement lap siding
  • Two car garage with two 9' x 7' doors and no interior walls in the way
  • Exterior stairs with covered landing to a private entry
  • Open living and kitchen upstairs, 12'4" x 22'8", with an eat at bar
  • Bedroom 12'4" x 10'4" with closet, full bath with washer and dryer, walk in attic storage

Fits: homeowners who need the garage anyway, rental income upstairs, the highest resale value of the five.

Already have a garage? We convert those too. If you have an existing garage, attached or detached, we can convert it into a finished ADU with its own kitchen, bath, entry and utilities. It's often the fastest and most affordable way to add a backyard home, since the foundation and roof are already in place. Every garage is different, so conversions are priced after a free site visit.

Renderings and floor plans are for marketing purposes. Final appearance depends on selections. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Your ADU journey

Building a backyard home is a big decision, and you should know exactly what to expect. Here is the full process from first phone call to move in day.

  1. First call

    Tell us what you want the ADU to do, where you live and roughly what your lot looks like. We will tell you right away whether your locality allows it today or on July 1, 2027.

  2. Free site visit

    Anthony walks the property, checks setbacks, grade, utility locations, septic or sewer, and access for equipment. This is where we find the site costs before they find you.

  3. Choose your plan

    Pick one of the five plans. We give you a written price for your lot: the turnkey number plus any site items identified on the visit.

  4. Contract and financing

    Sign the agreement and place the 10 percent deposit. If you are using a HELOC, Bill Bader at Novus Home Mortgage can start the loan at the same time.

  5. Permits

    We prepare the plans, engineering and survey and submit to the locality. You do not attend a hearing. We handle the zoning and building permit.

  6. Construction

    Foundation, framing and dry in, mechanical rough in, then finishes. Payments follow the milestones, and each one is tied to an inspection.

  7. Certificate of Occupancy and keys

    Final inspection, final walk through, final payment. Then it is yours to rent, host or hand to family.

Specification sheet

One specification sheet applies to all five plans. Included means it is in the turnkey price from builder's selections. Allowance means a set dollar amount is carried, and you are only charged if you go above it. We do not credit back for coming in under.

Structure and exterior
FoundationEngineered for the plan and applied at the foundation. Price can vary depending on site conditions and grade.Included
FramingConventional stick framing, lumber and labor.Included
Roof30 year architectural shingle.Included
Siding and exterior trimBuilder's standard selections in the style shown on the plan.Included
Windows and exterior doorsSelected from our standard offering.Included
Systems
ElectricalComplete wiring, panel and devices.Included
PlumbingComplete rough and finish plumbing.Included
HVACHeating and cooling sized for the plan.Included
InsulationPer current Virginia residential code.Included
Interior finishes
Drywall and paintFinished and painted throughout.Included
FlooringLVP (luxury vinyl plank) throughout the finished area, material and installation.Included
Interior doors and trimDoors, casing, shoe and stool, including locksets and hardware. Carpentry labor included.Included
Cabinets and countertopsKitchen and bath cabinets with countertops from builder's selections.Included
Plumbing fixturesToilet, tub or shower, lavatory and faucets, including mirrors, towel bars and accessories.Included
Light fixturesInterior and exterior light fixtures.Included
AppliancesRange, refrigerator and dishwasher where shown. Washer and dryer included only where shown on the floor plan.$4,000 allowance
TileWhere shown on the plan.Allowance
Site work
Site allowancesUtility connections, septic or well, unusual grading, tree clearing, long driveways and locality fees vary by property and are priced after the site visit.Allowance
Not includedRetaining walls and municipal utility connection fees. Most areas allow tapping into existing lines.

Included items are from builder's selections. Upgrades are priced at cost plus. No additional decks are included if not shown on the plans. If the property is served by a drainfield, the drainfield may need to be modified to accommodate the ADU at additional cost. This sheet accompanies your floor plan and pricing worksheet and is not a contract.

How we price

Our numbers come from the same local subcontractors and suppliers that every other builder in the Charlottesville area uses. We are not marking up a mystery. We are pricing a complete, turnkey project with the full scope on the page.

Why a smaller home costs more per square foot

A kitchen, a bathroom, an HVAC system, a water heater and an electrical service cost about the same whether the house around them is 292 square feet or 2,900. In a small home those fixed costs are spread over fewer square feet, so the per foot number looks high. The total is what matters, and ours is complete.

Compare apples to apples

If you get another quote, ask whether it includes plans and engineering, the survey, permits, the foundation, all fixtures, cabinets, flooring, appliances and a builder's risk policy. Then compare the total.

Working within your budget

If the number needs to come down, tell us. Some components can be reduced in price and some standard options can be scaled back or left off. We would rather build you a smaller or simpler ADU than none at all.

What you are paying for

Nearly forty years of building in these counties, a crew that has framed hundreds of houses, and a builder who answers his own phone. The price includes the quality and the service, not just the materials.

Payment terms

Payments follow construction milestones, so you never pay for work that is not done. Each milestone is confirmed by the applicable inspection.

Deposit at contract signingReserves your place in the schedule and covers plans, engineering and permitting time10%
Permit issued and construction start25%
Foundation complete20%
Dry inFraming, roof, windows and exterior doors in place20%
Mechanical rough inElectrical, plumbing and HVAC roughed and inspected15%
Certificate of OccupancyFinal inspection and walk through10%

Payment is due within five business days of the invoice date. Allowance overages are billed at the milestone in which they occur. HELOC and construction loan draws can be scheduled to match these milestones.

Ready to get started?

From first call to keys in four steps.

Call or email

Tell us what you want the ADU to do and where you live.

Free site visit

Anthony walks your lot and tells you what it will take.

Choose a plan and sign

Written price for your property, financing lined up if you need it.

We build, you get keys

Permits, construction and inspections handled by one team.

434-996-8788
anthonysmcghee@gmail.com

Request a free site visit

Three generations of builders

Daddy Rabbit Inc. is the third chapter of a family that has been building homes in central Virginia for three generations.

Where it started

Stuart H. McGhee came home from World War II and started building houses in central Virginia. He built them one at a time, the way you build when your name is on the job and your neighbors are your customers.

McGhee Brothers

In the 1960s his sons founded McGhee Brothers General Contractors. Over the decades that followed, McGhee Brothers earned a reputation as master builders of fine custom homes throughout central Virginia, the kind of houses that still hold their value and their character today.

Why Daddy Rabbit

Anthony's father in a straw hat and red suspenders, the original Daddy Rabbit
The man himself. Anthony's father, the original Daddy Rabbit.

Anthony's father was a bit of a character. He liked a good cigar and a glass of whiskey, and after a few of the latter he had a habit of referring to himself as Daddy Rabbit. When Anthony formed his own company, he named it in his father's honor. The rabbit in the hat with the cigar on our logo is a nod to the man himself.

Anthony McGhee

Anthony has built and sold homes in central Virginia for nearly forty years. He is a Class A licensed contractor and a licensed real estate broker, and he served as president of the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors. Because he builds and he sells, he knows what a home is worth when it is finished, not just what it costs to build.

The team

Anthony works alongside his sister Audrey Badgett and his brother Mark McGhee, keeping Daddy Rabbit a family operation. A client gets one team, one price and one point of contact from the first site visit to the day the keys are handed over.

Talk to Anthony 434-996-8788
anthonysmcghee@gmail.com
Charlottesville, Virginia
Class A Contractor, License #2705184029