ADU FAQ — Los Angeles

All-inclusive ADU costs in LA range from $85,000 for a garage conversion studio to $280,000+ for a large custom detached ADU. Our pricing covers design, engineering, all permit fees, full construction, and the certificate of occupancy — one fixed price with no hidden costs. Garage conversions start from $85,000; new detached ADUs start from $150,000.

Architectural design, structural engineering, all permit fees and city filings, full construction from foundation through finish, appliances, utility connections, and the final certificate of occupancy. No separate design contract. No open-ended construction budget. One fixed number that covers everything.

Only partially. California's Prop 13 protections mean your existing home's assessed value is not reassessed when you add an ADU. Only the new structure is assessed at current market value. In most cases, an ADU adds $85,000–$150,000 to your assessed value — roughly $950–$1,700/year in additional property tax. Rental income from an ADU typically runs $2,000–$4,200/month, so the tax increase is a minor cost.

Rental income varies significantly by neighborhood. Studio garage conversions in most LA neighborhoods achieve $1,800–$2,800/month. Higher-demand cities — Culver City, West Hollywood, Santa Monica — achieve $2,800–$4,500/month for similar units. One-bedroom ADUs typically run $2,400–$3,800/month across the county. We can provide neighborhood-specific rental comps during the consultation.

Most clients use a cash-out refinance, HELOC, construction-to-permanent loan, or ADU-specific lenders like RenoFi. We don't provide financing, but we work with homeowners across all common financing approaches and can provide the documentation lenders require — cost estimates, permit status, project timelines. We can refer you to lenders we've worked with on past projects.

A garage conversion uses an existing foundation, existing framing, and nearby utilities — avoiding the most expensive new-construction line items. A new detached ADU requires excavation, a new foundation pour, new framing, and longer utility runs. The savings range from $30,000–$80,000 depending on the project. The tradeoff is that the finished size is constrained by the existing garage footprint.

We handle everything. Our team prepares and submits all plan check documents, manages correction notices, coordinates with the city's plan reviewers, and schedules all required inspections. You don't need to visit a permit counter or navigate a city department. We manage the full process from initial submission through final inspection.

No. California state law prohibits cities from requiring replacement parking when you convert a garage to an ADU. This applies in every LA County city — including those that previously required it. You lose the parking stall, but no substitute is required. This is one of the most important regulatory changes in California's ADU reform.

Cities incorporated separately from Los Angeles — Culver City, Burbank, Pasadena, West Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica — each have their own planning and building departments. Unincorporated LA County areas and neighborhoods within the City of LA use LADBS. The rules are similar (all follow California state ADU law), but timelines and processes vary. We know the requirements for every city we work in.

A correction notice is a city plan reviewer's written list of items that need to be revised or clarified before the permit is approved. Correction rounds are normal and expected — nearly every project receives at least one. The key is responding quickly and correctly. We turn around correction responses within a few business days, which minimizes the timeline impact.

Building without permits is illegal and creates serious problems — unpermitted structures cannot be legally rented, are a liability in a sale, and may require demolition if discovered. California's ADU reform has made the legal path faster and less expensive than it used to be. There is no good reason to avoid permits for a project of this size.

We handle everything under one contract: architectural design, structural engineering, all permit filings and city coordination, and full construction from foundation through certificate of occupancy. You won't need a separate architect, engineer, or general contractor. One team, one project manager, one fixed price.

We serve all of Los Angeles County — the City of Los Angeles (LADBS), Culver City, Burbank, Pasadena, West Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Torrance, Long Beach, and surrounding communities. Each city has its own permitting process and we have active permit experience in all of them.

After the free property assessment, we provide a single all-inclusive fixed price. This number doesn't change unless you change the scope. There are no separate design invoices, no open-ended construction budgets, no surprise permit fees. If something unexpected arises mid-project (unusual site conditions, for example), we discuss it with you before any cost changes — and these situations are rare because we assess carefully upfront.

Yes. We maintain a portfolio of completed projects on this website. We can also share additional photos, floor plans, and specs from past builds that match your project type. Some completed ADUs are available for private showings by arrangement.

Every project includes a 2-year workmanship warranty from the date of certificate of occupancy. Structural components carry 10-year coverage per California contractor law. We also coordinate manufacturer warranties on all major systems — HVAC, appliances, windows, and roofing. Your project manager remains your contact for post-occupancy issues.

Request a free property assessment. We review your lot, confirm what's buildable, and provide an initial price range — no deposit, no obligation. If you decide to move forward, we start design immediately. Most projects go from initial consultation to design kickoff within 2–3 weeks.