Common questions
Frequently asked
The questions we hear most often, answered plainly. If your question is not here, call us and we will answer it the same way.
Can I convert my garage into an ADU?
In most cases yes. California has made garage conversions to accessory dwelling units far easier than they used to be, and a garage is one of the most common and cost effective ways to add an ADU because the foundation, walls, and roof already exist. We confirm what your specific lot and city allow before we design anything.
What is the difference between an ADU and a junior ADU?
A full ADU is an independent dwelling with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance. A junior ADU is smaller, created within the existing footprint of the home, and can have an efficiency kitchen rather than a full one. Junior ADUs often carry a lighter permit path and lower cost, but they are also more limited in what they can be used for.
Does a garage conversion need a permit?
Yes. Converting a garage to living space always needs a permit, and doing it without one creates real trouble at resale, at refinance, and with insurance. Unpermitted converted space also does not count toward your legal square footage. We handle the permit and the inspections as part of the job.
Why does the floor have to be raised?
A garage slab is poured with a slope toward the door so water drains out. A room you live in needs a level floor that meets the height of the rest of the house. That usually means building a raised subfloor over the slab, which also gives us a place to run insulation and utilities.
Is my garage ceiling tall enough?
Habitable rooms have a minimum ceiling height under code. Many garages clear it comfortably, but some, especially where the floor has to be raised, end up tight. We measure before we design, because ceiling height is the constraint most likely to change the plan.
Do I need an egress window?
If the room will be used for sleeping, yes. Code requires a window with a minimum net clear opening, a minimum width and height, and a sill within a set distance of the floor, so a person can get out and a firefighter can get in. Rooms that are not bedrooms have lighter requirements.
What happens to the garage door?
It comes out. We frame the opening into a finished wall, and depending on the design that wall gets a window, a slider, French doors, or an entry door. Detailing that wall so it matches the rest of the house from the street is what keeps the conversion from looking like a converted garage.
Do I lose required parking?
It depends on your city and on whether the conversion is an ADU. State ADU law has removed replacement parking requirements in many situations, but the rules are not identical everywhere. We check your specific case before we design, because parking is one of the more common reasons a plan has to change.
How long does a garage conversion take?
Plan on several months once you count the permit and plan check window. The construction itself commonly runs six to twelve weeks depending on whether it includes a kitchen and bathroom. The permit stage is usually the longest and least predictable phase.
How much does a garage conversion cost?
Cost is driven mostly by whether you are adding a kitchen and a bathroom, since plumbing is the expensive part. A conversion to an office or a bedroom is far less than a full ADU conversion. We price against a specific written scope once the design is real rather than guessed at.
Will a garage conversion add value to my home?
Converted space that is permitted and legal counts toward your livable square footage, and an ADU can generate rental income on top of that. Unpermitted converted space does the opposite, because a buyer, an appraiser, and a lender will all treat it as a liability. The permit is what makes it an asset.
