Los Angeles's ADU-Only Design-Build Contractor
We build nothing but ADUs — and have for over 15 years. Full-service design, permitting, and construction under one contract, across Los Angeles County.
Who We Are
ADU Build LA is a Los Angeles–based contractor that builds Accessory Dwelling Units exclusively. We are not a general remodeling company that added ADUs to a service menu. Every project we take, every permit we file, every crew we deploy is focused on a single project type: adding a fully legal, professionally built ADU to a Los Angeles property.
We have been doing this for over 15 years. In that time we have completed more than 200 ADU projects across Los Angeles County — detached ADUs, garage conversions, attached additions, and Junior ADUs — for homeowners in Los Angeles, Culver City, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica, and dozens of surrounding communities.
Our work covers the entire project lifecycle under one contract: architectural design and planning, all city permit filings and approvals, and complete construction from foundation through certificate of occupancy. You do not need a separate architect, structural engineer, or general contractor. One team. One fixed price. One point of accountability.
Why ADU-Only Matters
ADU projects involve a permit pathway, structural conditions, and utility coordination process that is different from a bathroom remodel or a room addition. The details matter enormously: California ADU law applies differently across more than 80 LA County jurisdictions. Plan check timelines, correction expectations, and local design standards vary city by city.
A contractor who builds ADUs occasionally is learning on your project. We are not.
Because we do nothing else, we have filed hundreds of ADU submissions across Los Angeles County. We know what plan reviewers at LADBS, Culver City, Pasadena, and Glendale flag most often — and we resolve those issues before a package goes to plan check. Our crews build ADUs full-time, which means they work faster, make fewer errors, and finish more cleanly than crews moving between project types. Our fixed-price estimates are accurate because we have priced hundreds of ADU projects — not artificially low to win a bid.
For a homeowner making a $100,000–$250,000+ investment, working with a specialist is not a luxury. It is the difference between a project that finishes on time at the agreed price and one that does not.
See the results in our completed project portfolio.
How We Work
Every ADU Build LA project follows the same four-phase process:
Phase 1 — Design. Our in-house architectural team creates your floor plan, elevations, and permit-ready drawings. You review and approve 3D renderings before anything goes to plan check. Structural drawings and Title 24 energy compliance calculations are produced in-house and coordinated with the architectural package. No third-party architect. No handoff delays. Phase 2 — Permitting. We prepare and file all plan check documents, manage correction notices, coordinate directly with city plan reviewers, and schedule every required inspection. You do not visit a permit counter or correspond with a building department. We track your permit and keep you updated. Learn more about ADU permitting in Los Angeles. Phase 3 — Construction. Our construction crews build ADUs full-time. Your assigned project manager stays with your project from contract signing through the final inspection. We use self-performed core trades — not unfamiliar subcontractors rotated in from a referral list. Phase 4 — Completion. We obtain the certificate of occupancy and walk through the finished ADU with you. Every project includes a 2-year workmanship warranty. Your project manager remains your point of contact after the CO is issued.Have questions about the process? Our FAQ covers the most common homeowner questions in detail.
Service Area — Los Angeles Focus
We serve all of Los Angeles County. Our primary market is the City of Los Angeles and the cities immediately surrounding it, where we have the deepest permit experience and the most completed projects.
Cities where we work most actively:- Los Angeles — City of LA (LADBS jurisdiction), including Westside, San Fernando Valley, South LA, Northeast LA
- Culver City — One of LA's most ADU-active cities; we know the Culver City plan check process well
- Pasadena — Older housing stock with strong garage conversion and JADU potential
- Glendale — Active ADU market; we have filed extensively in the Glendale Building & Safety department
- Burbank — Growing ADU market with straightforward local permitting
- Santa Monica — Coastal zone and local overlay rules managed by our team
Why Homeowners Choose Us
Specialization you can verify. We build ADUs exclusively. Over 15 years. Over 200 completed projects. That is not a marketing claim — it is a track record you can review in our project portfolio and confirm through verified reviews on Google and Yelp. Full-service under one contract. From design through the certificate of occupancy, one team manages the entire project. No gaps between architect and contractor. No surprises when permits reveal structural issues that were not priced. One fixed price covers everything. Local knowledge that saves time and money. We know the permit timelines, plan reviewer expectations, and correction patterns at every major LA County building department. That knowledge shortens your permit approval window and avoids costly design revisions after submission. Transparent pricing before you commit. Our free property assessment produces a realistic all-inclusive fixed-price estimate before you sign anything — covering design, engineering, all permit fees, full construction, and the certificate of occupancy. No open-ended budgets, no surprise add-ons, no deposit required to get a number. Licensed, insured, and fully compliant. ADU Build LA holds an active California General Contractor (B) license with the CSLB and carries full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. All work is performed to California Building Code standards with required inspections at every construction phase.Browse our services to understand the full scope of what we offer, or contact us to discuss your property.
Start With a Free Property Assessment
We review your lot, confirm ADU eligibility, identify the best ADU path for your goals, and give you a realistic all-inclusive estimate — no deposit, no obligation, no pressure.
Common Questions