How much does it cost to build an ADU in Los Angeles County?

Cost is usually one of your first concerns if you're thinking about constructing an ADU. The price in every city is going to vary, so what about Los Angeles? Cost is an important factor to consider, especially as many homeowners intend on using the ADU to create a source of income, or to house their aging parents or family members.

However, finding clear and trustworthy information online in the initial stages. So we’ve written this guide to help.

It can be challenging to determine the actual expenditures that lie ahead while you design your ADU project. That’s what we’re here to provide.

The Basics

An ADU is an additional residence on a property. These units can often be either detached or attached to your home. In actuality, there are various ADU varieties, and your costs will vary greatly depending on the one you pick.

The best ADU for you will depend on your needs, the permissions and limits the city has on your property, and your financial situation.

The first type of ADU we'll go over are those attached to the primary home.

Conversions and Additions

Attached ADU's are one of the most common. Since the unit is inside the limits of your existing home, they are less expensive to build and typically simpler to secure permits for. A garage can be converted into the ADU, an addition can be added onto the existing home, the existing home can be remodeled to convert a portion into an ADU, or there may be a combination of these options.

Building Up

To add a livable second story, these extensions are built on top of your existing house or garage.

These ADUs give more seclusion and significantly increase your home's square footage, which raises the value of your property even though they are more expensive and time-consuming than interior conversions.

Detached ADUs

These detached ADUs are constructed on your land as a standalone unit that is fully independent of your home. Since these units are constructed entirely new, there will be considerable planning, design and additional foundation work, especially if you have sloped land or are a hillside property.

Since these ADUs are standalone structures that need to be built entirely from scratch, it is also more challenging to get permits for them… in the same way that building a new home is more of a process than remodeling an existing.

Simply said, a garage conversion enables you to transform the existing garage into another living space.

What Steps are Involved in Building an ADU?

So, you might now have a very clear notion of the kind of ADU that best meets your requirements. What follows?

Step 1: Design

Hire a qualified Los Angeles architect to design your ADU.

It can be a nightmare to have to change your plans, wasting time, money and energy on a plan that won’t pass city approval or is simply not functional or the best use of the space. This is one of the biggest, most costly and time consuming mistakes homeowners make when building an ADU. It may cost more upfront, but you will be happier with this decision.

The advantages of a well-planned space outweigh any up-front design costs you might have to incur.

Step 2: Permits

Permits are required for most construction projects, an ADU especially.

You must ensure that your design and engineering documentation comply with the requirements of the city so that your plans will be approved. This indicates that before the city can approve your designs, there may need to be a number of adjustments.

To save you the pain and confusion of having to attempt and figure out the process yourself, many ADU design businesses will do this for you. You may also pull permits as an owner, or your General Contractor may do it for you. Check your contracts to make sure who is doing what, or if you want to do this yourself, only after thorough consideration.

These businesses are aware of what you require and how to complete it right the first time. So, if it's within your means, let them handle it for you!

Remember that finishing the project without permission is against the law and could get you into trouble and hassle in the future.

3. Building

Now that you’ve had plans drafted and approved, you’re ready to hire a builder!

Depending on the features and complexity of the ADU, the construction procedure typically lasts two to six months. Time varies depending on the project, and what you’re starting with.

Since we’ve gone through the steps needed to tackle this sort of project, let's look at the prices related to each one.

How Much Does an ADU Design in Los Angeles Cost?

Creating your ADU is arguably the most crucial step in the process. The cost of building an ADU might rise significantly without a precise and comprehensive design.

You may be amazed at what spaces can be transformed into a beautiful living place by a talented designer. They can help you get the most for your money by optimizing the square footage needs of all different sorts of ADUs.

Therefore, it is crucial that you work with a qualified and experienced business to design your ADU. All of the different specialities required to construct an ADU require different licenses. A handyman is not equipped or qualified, and you may risk not passing city inspections.

The cost of hiring a company to design the ADU and go through the permit process might range anywhere from $3,500 to $15,000 or more. Architects are taught to make the most of your space, so while it may seem like a large sum to spend on design, you will make up for it in your ADUs efficient and functional design. They are skilled at designing your space so that it complies with construction requirements and is both beautiful and optimally habitable. Without a qualified designer, you risk having minor mistakes or extra requirements when building is underway, which could cost $20,000 and $30,000 or more to fix as well as delay your project.

In conclusion, employing a qualified designer can help you save much more than they cost, and ensure that the design is done correctly. A builder can only build what is on the plans, so you want to be sure of your design and have confidence in the designer.

How Much Does a Los Angeles ADU Permit Cost?

A relatively small fraction of your overall expense goes on obtaining the proper permits for an ADU. Plan checks and permits to the respective municipality in Los Angeles are often included in the cost of an ADU permit.

Before the plans are reviewed by the city, the plan check fee must be paid. Depending on the city, plan check fees might range from $1,000 to over $2,000.

Depending on the city, the final permit fee, which must be paid when the permits are prepared to be issued, can range in price from $1,500 to more than $15,000. As always, we advise getting in touch with your ADU provider to learn more about the costs associated with your project. These costs may also change, and depend on the project.

Remember that for new construction or projects with a larger valuation, these costs rise dramatically. It may seem like a waste of time and money to obtain the proper permits for your ADU, but this is actually one of the most important aspects in the procedure. It will save you a TON of hassle in the long run to make sure you comply with all zoning rules, bylaws, and construction codes.

You can get in touch with us for a more precise estimate on permitting your ADU, and we'll be pleased to help!

In Los Angeles, how much does it cost to build an ADU?

Construction of an ADU is expensive. They require the same amount of effort and skill as building a typical house.

However, this is a difficult question to answer because there are so many different things that go into determining the final cost of developing your space. Due to the stark disparities between the various types of ADUs you might take into consideration, it is hard to determine the cost of construction without actual plans.

At this point, you should speak with your contractor and compile a range of quotes based on your plans and blueprints.

A case study of a detached two-story ADU with two bedrooms and 1.5 baths in the 90025 area code cost a whopping $361,358.

The majority of new ADUs can range in price from $100,000 to $350,000.

Instead, the average cost for a basement or garage ADU is substantially more affordable, ranging from $30,000 to $75,000 and above. This is because there isn't any new building involved; instead, the area is typically only converted. Prices are always fluctuating due to material prices and availability.

How to locate a reasonably priced Dwelling Unit Company in Los Angeles

The most crucial choice you'll make about your ADU is choosing the correct General Contractor and Architectural firm for the job. You can reduce the overall cost of your ADU project by thousands of dollars by working with the correct builder.

There are a number of important factors to consider while choosing the business that is best for you.

Experience

The business you select ought to have appropriate ADU expertise.

Designing an ADU is a challenging task. Given the square footage limitations for an additional apartment on your land, the idea of space is even more crucial. You need a skilled crew that knows how to make the most of your available area while still making it totally legal and allowable.

More importantly, a well-thought-out plan can help you avoid spending a fortune on construction. You will wind up spending more money on the construction process if the blueprints are not efficiently developed by an expert company.

Open and Honest Communication

It is essential that you and the organization you hire have a solid foundation of trust and open communication.

Make sure they are aware of what you are looking for as well as your budget. They ought to be able and willing to work with you to achieve your goals while staying inside your price range.

Along with this, your business should be open with its inquiries in order to fully comprehend your requirements and the intended usage of the area.

This shows that they are prepared to collaborate with you and genuinely want to learn about the project in order to give you exactly what you had in mind.

Which Services Are Offered?

A reputable ADU design firm typically provides more than just a straightforward layout of your room.

They should guide you through the procedure, assist you in obtaining all required permits for your project, and ensure that there are no issues standing in the way of your building plans being approved.

This entails carrying out the design work while providing you with advice on how to maximize your investment.

A good company can also offer guidance on how to find a trustworthy builder for your project.

In essence, the business you select must be knowledgeable in all facets of ADU design and planning.

Final Thoughts

An ADU requires a significant investment and a significant decision. Depending on the city and the scale of your project, the cost of constructing an ADU can change in Los Angeles.

Your ADU will ultimately cost less if you collaborate with the right people, take the right actions, and invest the right amount up front. By selecting the firm that is best for you, you can ensure the success of your project.



To obtain a sense of how they function, conduct some research and ask for a consultation.

A good company can also offer guidance on how to find a trustworthy builder for your project.

If you are looking for a custom home builder who is qualified to construct your ADU, contact Advanced Builders & Contractors. We’ve been building custom homes, ADU, additions, and remodels for over 17 years under the same owner. Contact us to discuss your project, we can’t wait to work with you.

You can find out more about ADU’s and JADU’s on the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning website here.