ADU Construction · Los Angeles

Los Angeles
ADU Construction
Build Your Backyard.

Detached ADUs, garage conversions, JADUs, and attached units — design through Certificate of Occupancy, every permit managed.

The Right Image Approach

A Second Unit
Built to Perform

California's ADU law has changed dramatically since 2020. Senate Bills 9 and SB 897, Assembly Bill 68, and a series of LADBS ordinance updates have made it significantly easier — and faster — to build an ADU on most Los Angeles residential lots. Reduced setbacks (now 4 feet on rear and sides for detached ADUs), streamlined plan check timelines, and the elimination of owner-occupancy requirements have opened the door for thousands of LA homeowners who couldn't have built an ADU under the old rules.

Right Image Builders manages the entire ADU process under one contract. We coordinate architectural design (you don't need to hire a separate architect), handle all permit submittals and plan check responses with LADBS or your city's building department, pull all trade permits (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing), build the unit with our in-house team, and manage the Certificate of Occupancy process. You don't manage a designer-contractor split or explain the permit corrections to two different parties.

We build every ADU type: detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) on the back of single-family lots; attached ADUs that expand the existing structure; Junior ADUs (JADUs) that convert a bedroom, bonus room, or portion of a garage within the existing building envelope; and full garage conversions. Each type has different permitting requirements, setback rules, and utility implications — we assess all of it at the site visit before you commit to anything.

An ADU in Los Angeles typically adds $500–$700/month per square foot in property value and $2,000–$3,500/month in rental income for a 600–800 sq ft unit in the Valley. For families looking at multi-generational living, it creates a dignified, independent space without losing the connection of a shared property. We've built ADUs across Valley Glen, Encino, Burbank, Pasadena, and dozens of other LA communities — and we know the local permit landscape better than most.

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ADU construction Los Angeles — Right Image Builders

ADU project · Valley Glen, CA

ADU Types We Build

Choose Your
Unit Type

01
Detached ADU

A completely separate new structure built on the same lot as the primary residence. Up to 1,200 sq ft. Requires new foundation, separate utilities, and full permit. Maximum flexibility in design and layout.

Up to 1,200 sq ft
02
Attached ADU

An addition to the existing home footprint — sharing at least one wall with the primary structure. Efficient use of existing utility connections. Up to 50% of primary dwelling area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less.

Connected to primary
03
Junior ADU (JADU)

A conversion of an existing bedroom, bonus room, or space within the primary home's existing walls. Up to 500 sq ft. Requires an efficiency kitchen and separate entrance. Fastest and most affordable path to a legal unit.

Up to 500 sq ft
04
Garage Conversion

Converting an existing attached or detached garage into a permitted living unit. Requires insulation, interior finishing, egress windows, full MEP rough-in, and a permit. Most cost-effective ADU path when the structure is sound.

Existing structure

Our Full Scope

Design to CO,
Under One Contract

01

Site Analysis & ADU Feasibility

Before any design work begins, we assess your property for ADU viability: lot size and coverage allowance, existing setbacks, utility capacity (sewer, water, electrical panel amperage), SB 9 and JADU applicability, and any HOA or deed restrictions. You'll know exactly what you can build, how large it can be, and what it will realistically cost before committing to design.

02

Architectural & Structural Design

We coordinate licensed architectural drawings — site plan, floor plan, elevations, sections, and all LADBS-required details. Structural drawings and calculations for foundation, framing, and lateral systems. Title 24 energy compliance documentation. All of this is coordinated under our engagement; you're not managing a separate architect-contractor handoff.

03

Permit & LADBS Coordination

ADU permit submittals, plan check responses, and correction rounds with LADBS or your city's building department. We know the ADU-specific streamlined review process under SB 35 and the LADBS Pre-Approved ADU Standard Plans program. Trade permits (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing) are pulled and managed under our license. You never visit the permit counter.

04

Full Construction — Foundation to Finish

Site preparation and foundation (slab, grade beam, or raised), framing, roofing and exterior waterproofing, windows and exterior doors, insulation, drywall, flooring, kitchen and bath finishes, interior doors and trim, paint, and all mechanical systems. One crew, one schedule. No subcontractor coordination left to you.

05

Utility Connections & Mechanical

New electrical service connection or panel subpanel feed, gas line extension or all-electric design, water supply and drain connection to the main sewer, and HVAC — typically ductless mini-split systems for ADUs. We coordinate with LADWP, SoCalGas, and the applicable water district for new service accounts where the ADU is to have its own utility meters.

06

Certificate of Occupancy

Final inspections for all trades — building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing — coordinated and scheduled by our team. Punch list items identified during final walk-through are addressed before we request final sign-off. We hand you a Certificate of Occupancy and a fully legal, permitted, rentable unit. No open permits, no uninspected work.

Recent Projects

ADU construction Los Angeles — Right Image Builders
ADU exterior Los Angeles — Right Image Builders
ADU interior finish Los Angeles — Right Image Builders
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Permitted Projects

How It Works

Three Steps.
Zero Surprises.

01

Free Site Consultation

Vladimir visits your property, assesses feasibility, reviews setbacks and utility capacity, and gives you an honest assessment of what ADU type makes sense and what it will realistically cost.

02

Design, Permit & Fixed Price

We coordinate architectural design, submit for permit, and deliver a fixed-price construction contract before a single shovel moves. No open-ended T&M contracts on an ADU project.

03

Build & Deliver Your CO

One crew builds your ADU from foundation to final inspection. We hand you the Certificate of Occupancy — a fully legal, rentable unit with zero open permits.

See Full Process →

ADU Construction FAQ

Questions We
Hear Every Day

How much does it cost to build an ADU in Los Angeles?+
A detached ADU in Los Angeles typically costs $250,000–$450,000+ depending on size, design complexity, site conditions, and finish level. A garage conversion (JADU or ADU) runs $80,000–$150,000. Attached ADUs fall between at $150,000–$300,000. These ranges include architectural design, permits, and full construction. We provide fixed-price proposals after a site analysis — not ballpark estimates that balloon after permit review.
Do I need a separate architect for an ADU in Los Angeles?+
LADBS requires architectural drawings, a site plan, and Title 24 energy calculations for an ADU permit. Right Image Builders coordinates licensed architectural design as part of our scope — you don't hire an architect separately and then find a contractor to execute their drawings. We manage the design-through-permit process under one engagement, eliminating the architect-contractor handoff that causes most ADU project delays.
What are the setback requirements for an ADU in Los Angeles?+
Under current California state law, detached ADUs in most LA jurisdictions require a minimum 4-foot setback from rear and side property lines. Front setbacks match the primary dwelling's setback. JADUs within the existing building envelope have no additional setback requirement. Rules vary by city — Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Burbank each have their own ADU ordinances that may differ from LADBS rules. We perform a site-specific feasibility analysis at the consultation.
Can I build both a JADU and a detached ADU on the same property?+
Yes. California Government Code Section 65852.2 allows most single-family properties to have both a Junior ADU (up to 500 sq ft within the existing structure) and a detached ADU on the same lot. This means you could potentially add two additional legal rental units to a single-family property. Lot coverage, parking, and utility capacity are assessed at the site visit to confirm feasibility for your specific parcel.
How long does it take to build an ADU in Los Angeles from start to Certificate of Occupancy?+
A detached ADU typically takes 12–18 months from the start of design to Certificate of Occupancy. Design and permit documentation takes 4–8 weeks. LADBS plan check runs 4–8 weeks for initial approval plus corrections. Construction for a detached ADU takes 4–6 months after permit issuance. Garage conversions move faster — typically 2–3 months of construction after permit. We provide a milestone schedule at the start of the engagement so you know what to expect at every phase.
"

We had tried two other contractors who couldn't navigate the LADBS permit process for our ADU. Right Image Builders had the permit in hand within six weeks of starting design and delivered a beautiful unit on the exact date promised. It's now generating $2,800 a month in rental income. Best investment we've made in this property.

Marcus & Tricia L.
Detached ADU Construction · Encino, CA · Google Review ★★★★★

Your ADU, Next

Let's Build
Your Second Unit

Free on-site feasibility consultation. Design-to-CO under one contract. Fixed price before construction begins.

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