LEE — It took 10 months, more than $265,000 and 2,000 hours of his own labor, but Bill Swindlehurst has a completed accessory dwelling unit, one of the first built in Berkshire County under a new state law.

"I am so proud and so grateful that it was done," he said.

Swindlehurst, a retired high school teacher, started the project on July 21 of last year, and he finished May 31, with tenants moving in in June. It was a learning process for him, but he made new connections that helped pitch in for the framing and electrical work.

"I am extremely proud and extremely thankful to all the people that helped me do it," Swindlehurst said. "I couldn't have done it without them."

Accessory dwelling units (ADU) are in-law suites that are no larger than 900 square feet with a separate entrance, and they can be either detached or attached from a main residence. Although Gov. Maura Healy and her administraiton have lauded ADUs as a quick way to build up the housing stock, Berkshire County was slow on the uptake due to, among other factors, the cost of building the units.

"I am extremely proud and extremely thankful to all the people that helped me do it," Bill Swindlehurst said. "I couldn't have done it without them." Their contributions included helping build the frame, complete the electrical wiring and painting.

Swindlehurst took away one of the line items for building an ADU — the labor. By his estimate, he saved $100,000 building primarily on his own. His costs totaled to $265,000, which he covered using a home-equity loan and personal savings.

The most surprising costs were the various permitting, design and application fees incurred as part of the process, he said. "The money I spent before I broke ground was substantial."

By November the frame, which he put up with local carpenter Shane Johnson, and insulation were in place, protecting the ADU from the weather. That let Swindlehurst work inside on the wiring, which Henry's Electric helped with.

Swindlehurst recommended that people looking to build an ADU do their research and find local contractors to do the work.

The ADU has a combined living room and kitchen, an in-unit washer and dryer, plenty of loft space and air conditioners. The unit is being rented for $3,000 over the summer and $2,500 during other times of the year. All utilities are included in the rent.

The finished ADU is a two-bed, one-bath, with high ceilings in the open living room and mini-splits for temperature control. It features walls and furnishings painted in blue hues and two skylights that let in lots of natural light. It also has a dishwasher and in-unit washer and dryer.

Although it's not there yet, the ADU could have a basement, as it just needs stairs built, Swindlehurst said.

The unit has about 820 square feet of living space, he said, keeping it under the state limit. The summer rate is $3,000 a month, with a regular rent of $2,500, which include all utilities. In Lee, two-bedroom apartments rent between $1,400 and $3,500, according to Zillow.

Right now a couple with aging parents who live nearby are renting the unit, but Swindlehurst said he and his wife might eventually move in. "It's one of the options," he said.

Bill Swindlehurst is a retired high school teacher who started building an ADU on July 21 of last year. He finished ten months later on May 31, and had tenants move in in June. It was a learning process for him, but he found new friends that helped pitch in for the framing and electrical work.

His parcel of land is also big enough where he may be able to split the lots and sell the ADU, which is another option.

For Swindlehurst, the wins were simple: He stayed on the timeline he set out for himself, got his hands dirty and built a home.

"Let me tell you something, it's been worth it," Swindlehurst said. "I'm happy, I've met some people, I'm in good shape, I'm healthy."