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An accessory dwelling unit relieves many problems and allows for a ton of flexibility of uses. People are building them to use as extra space (an office or guest house), a music or yoga studio, a mancave or she-shed, or a home for their retired parents or grown children.

The two primary options are either building a new unit in the backyard or converting an existing garage to an ADU. It can be attached to an existing home, attached to a garage in the rear of the lot, or detached completely.

An accessory dwelling unit will vary greatly in cost based on the options and size you choose. The cost for an ADU garage conversion can usually range from $95,000-$120,000 depending on the homeowner’s requirements. Costs to construct a new accessory dwelling unit will generally range from $150,000-$400,000. A safe rule of thumb is to assume any new construction costs $300-$400 per square foot – the bigger the space, the lower cost per square foot.

For a garage conversion, you can expect the entire process to take 3-6 months. A new accessory dwelling unit will take longer for city plancheck and require a longer construction process, so you can expect the entire process to take 6-9 months, with the construction phase lasting 3-6 months.

The city of Los Angeles has allowed ADUs on most residentially zoned lots regardless of their size as long as the structure meets the basic restrictions and there is an existing home already on the property. ADU’s are also allowed on multifamily properties such as duplex, triplex, four-plex, and apartment buildings.

When looking to build an accessory dwelling unit or even starting to explore the idea, it’s best to search for only local, licensed General Contractors. No other contractors are qualified or equipped to do this sort of construction, and using an unlicensed contractor or handyman would be a mistake.

Yes, but you will need to bring it up to code and pay for the construction that is required. A good contractor can look at your property and give a rough estimate of the costs involved. Learn more about this specific situation here: https://www.greatbuildz.com/blog/unpermitted-los-angeles-garage-conversion/

It depends on which city you live in. In Los Angeles, you must connect your water & sewer directly to the water meter & main sewer lateral.

A new accessory dwelling unit or garage conversion which is more than 10’ away from the edge of the powerlines is acceptable. An ADU within 10’ of the powerlines must file for a DWP encroachment permit (current processing time is 3-4 months). A garage that is currently under the powerlines may not be converted to an ADU.

No, an ADU cannot be sold separately from the main home. 

Yes, walking path access of 3’ wide is required from the front yard/sidewalk to the ADU (a driveway is acceptable).

No, you can rent both the main house and the ADU. However, if you are building a Junior ADU, then owner-occupancy is required.

There is an LA City permit fee calculator you can find here: https://www.ladbs.org/services/pay-fees/permit-fee-calculator

Give us a call – we are happy to help! Too shy to say hello? Check out this blog with the 50 most frequently asked ADU questions from our clients: https://www.greatbuildz.com/blog/los-angeles-50-most-common-adu-questions/

An ADU housing unit becomes the optimum living arrangement in retirement in many respects. Having a house of one’s own helps a person to preserve independence and pride. And being on the same property and within a few feet of their family or support network is crucial when the need for assistance arises. This is especially true for retired individuals who opt to stop driving. Even though retirement is a delicate balance between independence and assistance, an ADU may be the best of both worlds.

It is probably a mistake to save money by operating as your own general contractor. Although you believe this may save you money, it’s a horrible idea unless you are really skilled or have a vast network of subcontractors (plumber, framer, roofer, foundation, electrical, stucco, drywall, etc,). When you choose an ADU contractor (or general contractor), you are not only paying them to oversee the project, but also for their relationships with the crew, employees, and subcontractors who can complete the project successfully. It is quite difficult for you to find skilled tradespeople. And if one of these contractors performs poorly, you will have to pay twice to repair their errors.

Regardless of the specifics of your project, you should pay your ADU contractor a reasonable fee. Obtain three to five bids from various ADU contractors prior to making a final decision. If all of the bids are somewhat comparable in price, it indicates that your project is ‘clear’ to each contractor and that their pricing is likely in line with the market. However, if your estimates are inconsistent, it indicates that something is wrong. Either your project’s specifications are unclear, or your contractors’ bids are unrealistically high or cheap. In this instance, obtaining several bids will assist you determine the job’s suitable pricing.

ADU investments have become an appealing financial prospect for investors. Real estate investors or first-time investors previously chose to purchase a duplex or triplex, but now have a new alternative. The ADU investment opportunity is quite straightforward: buy a single-family house with the option to add an ADU and/or junior ADU, and construct one or both. This ADU investment has transformed the property from a single-family dwelling to a duplex or triplex. An ideal property has sufficient backyard space or a detached garage that can be transformed into an ADU. Now, the ADU investor may rent the units to numerous tenants and generate several streams of rental revenue from a single property.