Garage Conversion 450
Your existing garage is your fastest, most affordable path to a legal ADU. The Garage Conversion 450 transforms a standard two-car garage into a complete 450 sq ft living unit — fully permitted, fully finished, and ready to rent. Starting from $95,000.
Starting price reflects a standard 2-car detached garage in good structural condition. All-inclusive of design, engineering, permits, and full construction. Properties requiring significant structural repair or upgrades may increase the starting price.
Who Is the Garage Conversion 450 Designed For?
If you have a detached garage, you already have the foundation and structure of your ADU. A garage conversion leverages that existing footprint to dramatically reduce both cost and construction time compared to a new detached build. It's the most common first ADU for Los Angeles homeowners — and often the most financially efficient.
- Homeowners with an existing detached garage (standard 2-car size)
- Anyone who wants the fastest possible ADU timeline
- Investors looking for the most affordable ADU return on investment
- Properties where a new rear structure isn't feasible
- First-time ADU owners testing the rental income model
Complete Inclusions — Design Through Delivery
Every Garage Conversion 450includes design, engineering, permitting, and full construction. Here's exactly what's in scope.
Conversion Scope
- Structural assessment and reinforcement of existing garage framing
- New or upgraded foundation where required by site conditions
- Garage door opening converted to window wall or sliding door
- R-21 insulation in walls, R-38 in ceiling (new framing as needed)
- All new interior framing for bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen
- New exterior finish to match or complement primary residence
Interior Build-Out
- One private bedroom — fully enclosed with closet
- Full bathroom — shower, vanity, and toilet
- Full kitchen with cabinetry, counters, and appliances
- Open living area from converted garage bay
- Vaulted ceiling option where existing roof pitch allows
- Private entry — separate from main house
Interior Finishes
- LVP flooring throughout (covers concrete slab)
- Shaker kitchen cabinetry with quartz or laminate counters
- Tile shower surround and tile bathroom floor
- Recessed LED lighting throughout
- Interior paint — standard two-color package
- Closet systems and interior doors throughout
Systems
- Single-zone mini-split HVAC (heating and cooling)
- New sub-panel from main house — sized for full living use
- Tankless water heater (new installation)
- In-unit washer/dryer hookups
- New plumbing rough-in for kitchen and bathroom
- Internet, cable, and electrical outlets to modern code
Garage Conversion 450 Starting From $95,000
Starting price reflects a standard 2-car detached garage in good structural condition. All-inclusive of design, engineering, permits, and full construction. Properties requiring significant structural repair or upgrades may increase the starting price.
- Architectural design and engineering
- All permit fees and city approval management
- Full construction — foundation through finish
- Final inspection and certificate of occupancy
- Site ConditionsSoil type, slope, and access affect foundation and site work costs.
- Finish TierStandard, Premium, and Luxury finish tiers are available at each model level.
- Optional UpgradesCovered patio, solar rough-in, EV charger, upgraded appliances, and more.
- City Permit FeesPermit fees vary by jurisdiction — LADBS, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and others differ.
Get a Free Estimate for the Garage Conversion 450
Tell us about your property. We'll confirm whether the Garage Conversion 450 works on your lot, provide a site-specific price estimate, and walk you through next steps — at no charge, no commitment.
- Confirm Garage Conversion 450 buildability on your lot
- Site-specific all-inclusive price estimate
- Permit timeline based on your city and jurisdiction
- Finish tier options and upgrade pricing
Request Your Free Estimate
We'll be in touch within 1 business day.
Common Questions
Garage Conversion 450 — Frequently Asked Questions
Does my garage qualify for conversion?
How is a garage conversion ADU different from building a new ADU?
Will I lose my garage parking if I convert?
How long does a garage conversion take from start to finish?
What rental income can I expect from a garage conversion ADU?
Have more questions about the model?
Talk with an ADU specialistWhy ADU Build LA
Built by an ADU-Exclusive Team
Every project we take is an ADU — which means our team has refined every process, navigated every city permit office, and resolved every site challenge around this one type of work.
Services Included With Every Garage Conversion 450
ADU Plans & Design
Custom ADU plans and architectural design tailored to your property and Los Angeles zoning requirements — from initial concept to permit-ready drawings.
ADU Permits & Approvals
We manage the full ADU permitting process across Los Angeles and LA County — plan check, corrections, and final approval handled end to end.
Detached ADU Construction
New-construction detached ADUs in Los Angeles — from foundation to certificate of occupancy. Full-service design, permitting, and construction under one contract.
Projects Built Using the Garage Conversion 450
See how this model performs in real Los Angeles builds — real costs, real timelines, real outcomes.
Glendale Junior ADU Remodel
An attached garage and unused bonus room converted into a 480 sq ft Junior ADU on a hillside Glendale lot — navigating structural constraints and earning a multigenerational family its own private living space.
Santa Monica Garage Conversion ADU
A 2-car detached garage transformed into a coastal-style one-bedroom ADU — permitted through Santa Monica's Coastal Zone process and earning $3,200/month in rental income.
Want to customize beyond this model?
Our interactive configurator lets you adjust size, finishes, exterior style, and more — then shows you matching floor plans and a live budget estimate.
Start Your Garage Conversion 450 Project
Join over 200 Los Angeles homeowners who have added rental income and lasting property value with an ADU from ADU Build LA.