Home / ADU Construction
A backyard home for family — or for income
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a full, permitted home on the property you already own. Whether it's for your parents, your adult children, or a long-term rental, we handle everything: feasibility, design, city permits, and construction.
Why families build ADUs
Two good reasons — and we design for the one that's yours
Keep family close, but independent
Aging parents nearby without stairs or a long drive. Adult children with a real home of their own while they save. An ADU gives your family privacy and closeness at the same time — a full kitchen, bathroom, and entrance, steps from your door.
A permitted unit that pays you back
A legally permitted ADU can be rented long-term in most SGV cities, adding monthly income and lasting property value. We build it fully permitted and to code — so it's a real asset, not a liability when you refinance or sell.
First question first
Is an ADU even allowed on your lot?
Probably — California law now permits ADUs on most residential lots, and the rules have loosened considerably in recent years. But the details are decided city by city: maximum size, setbacks from property lines, parking requirements, and how the unit may be used all differ between Rosemead, Arcadia, Alhambra, and every other SGV city.
Doing that research yourself — in English, across city websites and municipal codes — is exactly the kind of task that stalls projects for months.
So we do it for you, free. Tell us your address and what you have in mind. We'll evaluate the property and explain, in plain terms and in your language, what you can realistically build, roughly what it may cost, and how long your city usually takes.
The free property evaluation covers
- Whether your lot qualifies, and for what size unit
- Your city's specific rules and where they bite
- Detached, attached, or garage conversion options
- A realistic cost range and timeline for your city
- Rental and occupancy rules that apply to you
What's included
One package, no vendors to coordinate
You hire one team. We carry the project through all four phases — described in detail here — and everything below is part of the package, stated in your contract before work begins:
Design & drawings
Site evaluation, layout design, and complete construction drawings your city will accept.
City permits
Plan-check submissions, corrections, and permit applications — managed directly with your city by us.
Construction to completion
Licensed construction to the approved plans, utility connections, inspections, and a final bilingual walkthrough.
Straight answers
ADU questions we hear every week
How much does an ADU cost?
It depends on size, site conditions, and finishes — which is why we won't quote a number before seeing your property. What we will do is give you a written, itemized scope before you sign anything, so the price you agree to is the price you understand. Most of our full projects fall in the $300,000–$500,000 range; a smaller ADU or garage conversion can be less.
How long will it take?
Honestly: months, not weeks. Design and permitting time varies a lot between SGV cities, and construction adds several months more. Before contracts are signed we give you a realistic timeline for your specific city — and during construction you get regular milestone updates so you always know where things stand.
Can I rent it out?
In most cases yes, for long-term rentals (generally 30+ days). Short-term rental rules are stricter and vary by city. We'll tell you exactly what applies to your property during the free evaluation.
Can my parents live in it permanently?
Yes — an ADU is a full legal dwelling with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance. Multi-generational living is one of the most common reasons our clients build.
Do I need to deal with the city at all?
No. We prepare and submit the plans, respond to plan-check corrections, and manage the permit process with your city. You'll be informed at every step, but the paperwork is ours.
Find out what your lot allows — free
One conversation, in your language. We'll tell you what's realistic before you spend a dollar.