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Licensed CSLB Design-Build ContractorADU Construction in Los Angeles
If you want to create additional living space without moving, ADU construction is one of the most efficient ways to solve your housing needs on the property you already own. Renova Built is a licensed design-build contractor handling your entire accessory dwelling unit, from architectural design and permits to final inspection, in-house and on one fixed-price contract.
Your ADU Guide
Building an ADU on Your Southern California Property
This page is your guide to ADU construction across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Bernardino. You will learn about the different types of accessory dwelling units, the complete construction process, real cost ranges, financing options, and our service areas. It is written for Southern California homeowners who want to make the most of their property and turn unused yard space or an existing garage into a real, permitted home.
Building an ADU can boost property value, generate rental income, and add flexible living space for family or guests. ADU construction matters because it addresses the region’s housing shortage, supports multigenerational living, and gives homeowners a practical path to more space and financial flexibility without leaving the neighborhood they know. Renova Built handles the entire process for you, so you get one team and one point of contact from the first site visit to the final inspection.
Why Renova Built
Why Homeowners Choose Renova Built as Their ADU Contractor
Choosing the right ADU contractor starts with verifiable credentials and a process that holds up to scrutiny. Renova Built is a licensed design-build contractor, CSLB Class B License #1149349, bonded under Bond #67750133, headquartered in Sherman Oaks and serving Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. every ADU project runs through one in-house team rather than a loose group of separate firms.
- Complete in-house service, from architectural design to final inspection, so you have one team and one point of contact
- Fixed-price contracts with a no change orders approach, so your budget stays locked from day one
- In-house architects and custom 3D design renderings included before you commit
- Title 24 energy compliance and permit management built into every one of our ADU projects
- Free consultations with no obligation and transparent pricing
ADU Types
Types of ADUs We Build
Accessory dwelling units come in three main configurations, each suited to different goals, budgets, and site conditions. You may have heard them called granny flats, in-law suites, casitas, guest houses, or tiny homes, but they are all variations of the same concept.
Detached ADUs
Standalone structures built separately from your primary home, usually in the backyard. Detached ADUs offer the most privacy and design flexibility, which makes them ideal for rental income, aging parents, or independent living for adult children. They can reach up to 1,200 sq ft under California law and command the highest rents.
Detached ADUs
Attached ADUs
An attached ADU shares one or more walls with your existing home, which reduces foundation, roofing, and utility connection costs compared to a detached build. Shared walls simplify HVAC and plumbing runs, so an attached ADU is a cost-effective option for family members who want their own comfortable living space while staying close.
Attached ADUs
Junior ADUs (JADUs)
A junior ADU is a small unit, capped at 500 sq ft by California law, created within existing space inside your single-family home. A JADU is the most affordable ADU option, perfect for turning unused space into a guest space, a home office, or a modest rental. Owner-occupancy rules for JADUs differ from full ADUs, so local regulations matter here.
Junior ADUs A garage conversion ADU is a fourth popular path that turns an existing garage into a legal living unit, and it is often the lowest-cost way in. To count as an ADU under California law, every type has to feature independent living, sleeping, and sanitation facilities, which means its own kitchen, its own bathroom, and a separate entrance.
Fixed Pricing
No Change Orders, No Surprises
One NumberDesign, engineering, Title 24, permits, and construction included upfront
LockedFixed-price contract with a no change orders approach
ClearTransparent pricing at your free consultation, no hidden fees
Many ADU builders quote a base price that grows through change orders and unspecified allowances once construction starts. We take the opposite approach. Every cost, from architectural design and structural engineering to Title 24 compliance, permits, plan-check fees, and construction, is included upfront in one fixed number. Your budget stays locked, so you are not managing a moving target while your ADU goes up.
How It Works
Our Complete ADU Construction Process
The ADU building process runs through design, permitting, and construction. We manage every phase under one roof, from your first call to move-in day.
1
Free Consultation and Site Assessment
We evaluate your property for zoning, lot coverage, setbacks, and feasibility, and we discuss your goals, whether that is rental income, family housing, or flexible living space. You get initial cost ranges and a realistic timeline, plus a read on site conditions like slope, soil, or utility access that could affect the build.2
Custom Design and 3D Renderings
Our in-house architects create custom ADU plans tailored to your property. You receive detailed 3D renderings so you can visualize the finished unit from every angle before committing. Title 24 energy compliance for insulation, windows, HVAC, and lighting is built into the design from the start so it does not slow your permit.3
Permits and City Approvals
We prepare and submit your complete permit package: architectural plans, structural engineering, site plans, elevation drawings, and Title 24 calculations. Our team coordinates every plan-check round and handles agency communication across LA, Orange County, and San Bernardino jurisdictions. For the full picture of California ADU law and fees, see our ADU permits guide.4
Construction
Once permits are approved, we begin construction with regular progress updates and photos at each milestone. Quality-control inspections happen throughout the build, not just at the end, so issues are caught early rather than at the finish line.5
Final Inspection and Move-In
After the final walkthrough and city inspection, the certificate of occupancy is issued and your ADU is move-in ready, whether you are welcoming family or your first tenant. We walk you through the finished, permitted unit before we hand over the keys.
Cost Overview
ADU Construction Costs
ADU costs in Southern California vary by type, size, finish level, site conditions, and utility connections. These are typical ranges, not a fixed quote.
| ADU type | Typical total range |
|---|---|
| Attached or detached ADU, 500 sq ft | $180K to $220K |
| Garage conversion ADU | $150K to $200K |
| Junior ADU (JADU) | $110K to $200K |
Your final pricing depends on site conditions, the finishes you choose, and permit fees. Cost drivers include hillside or sloped lots that need extra foundation work, separate utility connections for detached units, and finish level, since high-end materials raise the overall cost. Soft costs like design, engineering, and Title 24 compliance are included in our fixed-price estimate, so there are no hidden fees. For a full breakdown by ADU type, see our ADU cost guide, and to fund the build, our ADU financing overview walks through the options.
Financing Options
How Homeowners Fund ADU Construction
Building an ADU is a significant investment, and understanding your financing options early keeps the process on track. These are the most common approaches property owners use.
Home Equity Lines of Credit
Flexible access to funds based on your existing home equity, often with competitive rates, so you draw only what the build needs.Cash-Out Refinancing
Leverage the equity in your primary home to fund construction with a single, restructured mortgage.Construction-to-Permanent Loans
Financing that converts from a construction loan to a standard mortgage once your ADU is complete, so you manage one loan.ADU-Specific Loan Programs
Some lenders offer programs built specifically for ADU construction, including special options where you start making payments only after the build is complete, which eases cash flow while the project is underway.Impact Fee Savings
California law waives impact fees for ADUs under 750 sq ft, which adds real financial flexibility on smaller builds. We walk you through every option in our ADU financing overview.One-Stop-Shop
In-House Architects, One Team, One Contract
Most homeowners building an ADU find that the biggest headache is not the construction itself. It is coordinating an architect, a structural engineer, a permit expediter, and a general contractor who all point fingers when something goes wrong. Renova Built removes that problem by handling the entire process under one roof.
Our in-house architects create custom ADU plans and 3D design renderings tailored to your property’s dimensions, slope, and zoning constraints, so you see exactly what your ADU looks like before a single permit is filed. Because design, engineering, permitting, and construction all live with one licensed team, there are no handoff gaps and no miscommunication between separate firms. Title 24 energy compliance and permit management are part of every project from day one, which keeps plan check moving instead of stalling on missing documentation.
One Idea, Many Names
ADU vs Granny Flat vs In-Law Unit vs Casita
If you have been researching accessory dwelling units, you have probably run into a pile of different names for the same thing. A granny flat, an in-law suite, a casita, a guest house, a backyard cottage, a tiny home on a foundation: these are all everyday words for what California code calls an ADU. The name usually reflects who the space is for or where it sits, not a different set of rules.
“Granny flat” and “in-law unit” tend to describe an ADU built for aging parents or adult children. “Casita” is common in Southern California for a small detached unit. “Guest house” describes an ADU used for visitors or a home office. Whatever you call it, the legal definition is the same: a self-contained secondary residence on the same property as a primary home, with independent living, sleeping, and sanitation facilities. When we talk about your project, we use whichever term fits, but we always build to the ADU code standard so the finished space is fully permitted and rentable.
Family Housing
ADUs for Aging Parents and Multigenerational Living
The housing shortage across Southern California has made multigenerational living a practical necessity, not just a preference. Many homeowners build ADUs specifically to house aging parents who need proximity for caregiving, or adult children who need independent living while they get on their feet. An ADU keeps family close on the same property without anyone giving up their own front door.
An ADU gives family members a private, comfortable living space with a separate entrance that protects everyone’s dignity and autonomy. For seniors, we can incorporate accessible design features like grab bars, no-step entries, wider doorways, and walk-in showers. The result is a setup where family stays close for support without sacrificing independence, and it is typically far less expensive than assisted living.
Service Areas
ADU Construction Across LA, OC, and San Bernardino
Based in Sherman Oaks, we serve homeowners throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County. Each jurisdiction has its own ADU regulations, review timelines, and fee structures, and our team knows the specific requirements for the cities we serve, which means fewer revision rounds and faster approvals.
Free ADU Consultation
Start Your ADU Project Today
The best time to start planning your ADU is before you need it. Tell us about your property and we will reach out, usually within one business day, to walk you through your ADU options and a transparent, fixed-price estimate. No pressure, no obligation. Call (818) 968-2981 or send your details.
ADU Construction FAQ