- CSLB License #1048107
- 1-323-360-1425
- info@gmhomeremodeling.com
A complete guide to planning, permitting, and building your Accessory Dwelling Unit in Los Angeles, from the family-run team at G&M Home Remodeling.
Serving Sherman Oaks and the greater Los Angeles area. Free estimates. Same-day callback.
Learn more about kitchen remodeling Los Angeles in Burbank →
Learn more about whole house remodeling Los Angeles in Santa Monica →
Learn more about bathroom renovation Los Angeles in Sherman Oaks →
G&M Home Remodeling is a family-run construction company based in Sherman Oaks, serving homeowners across the greater Los Angeles area. We handle every phase of your project, from initial design consultations and permit filings to final inspections and finishing touches.
We hold CSLB License #1048107, are fully insured, and back every project with a commitment to transparent communication. You will always know what is happening on your jobsite, and you will never be surprised by a bill.
ADU projects in Los Angeles involve navigating city zoning rules, state law changes under AB 68 and SB 9, utility hookups, and design standards that vary by neighborhood. We have worked through these processes hundreds of times and know exactly what it takes to get your unit approved, built, and ready to occupy.
No commitment required. We walk your property, assess the scope, and give you a clear, itemized quote before any work begins.
Call or submit a form and a real team member will follow up the same business day. No automated runaround, no waiting weeks for a quote.
From Sherman Oaks to Culver City, from Burbank to Long Beach, we know the permit offices, inspectors, and zoning rules that apply to your neighborhood.
From a detached backyard ADU to a complete kitchen overhaul, every service below is handled in-house by our licensed crew.
We design and build detached ADUs, junior ADUs (JADUs), and garage conversions from the ground up. Each project includes full permit management with the City of Los Angeles.
ADU Garage Conversion Los Angeles →Converting an existing attached or detached garage is typically the most cost-effective way to add livable square footage. We handle structural framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, and finishes.
Explore Garage Conversions →From cabinet refacing to a full layout redesign, we bring your kitchen up to 2026 standards. See our detailed kitchen remodel cost guide for Los Angeles before you budget.
Cabinet Refacing Costs 2026 →Tile work, vanity upgrades, tub-to-shower conversions, and accessibility modifications. Read our full 2026 bathroom remodel cost guide for realistic pricing in LA.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Guide →Need a dedicated home office, guest suite, or family room? We plan and permit room additions that match your existing structure and comply with LA setback and height requirements.
Call for a custom quoteStucco repair, exterior painting, patio construction, and pool work round out our service list. Our 2026 stucco repair guide covers what LA homeowners should expect to pay.
Full exterior services availableCalifornia law now allows multiple ADU configurations on most single-family and multifamily lots. Understanding your options before you call a contractor saves both time and money.
The four main configurations we build in the City of Los Angeles are listed here. Each has its own cost range, setback rules, and permit pathway. We review all four with you during the free estimate so you choose what fits your lot and budget.
An ADU project in Los Angeles moves through a predictable sequence of phases. Knowing what comes next helps you plan, budget, and avoid the surprises that cause delays.
Most ADU projects in LA, including permitting, run 6-12 months. Garage conversions can finish faster. We give you a phase-by-phase schedule at kickoff.
We come to you. A G&M project lead walks your property to assess setbacks, utility locations, soil conditions, and existing structures. You receive a written scope and preliminary cost range before you commit to anything.
Typical duration: 1-3 days from first contact to written estimate.
Permit-ready drawings are non-negotiable. We work with licensed architects who specialize in ADU submissions to the City of Los Angeles. Plans include floor layouts, elevations, structural details, and Title 24 energy compliance documentation.
Typical duration: 3-6 weeks for a complete drawing set.
This is where most DIY projects stall. We submit to the LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety), track review status, respond to correction notices, and coordinate with the utility companies for electrical and gas service. For standard ADU designs, the City of LA offers a pre-approved plan program that can cut review time significantly.
Typical duration: 4-16 weeks depending on submission type. Check current LADBS turnaround times at LADBS.org.
Once permits are in hand, we move fast. Site prep, foundation, framing, rough mechanical (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), insulation, drywall, finishes, and final fixtures are all coordinated by one point of contact on our team. You receive weekly photo updates and can reach your project lead directly at any time.
The project is not done until the city signs off. We schedule all required inspections, address any correction items, and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy on your behalf. This document is required before any tenant can legally occupy the unit.
Once issued, your ADU is legal, insurable, and ready to generate rental income or house a family member.
California has dramatically streamlined ADU approvals since 2020. Here is what Los Angeles homeowners need to know right now.
Eliminated most owner-occupancy requirements. Reduced setbacks to 4 feet for side and rear yards for detached ADUs. Prohibited cities from requiring replacement parking when a garage is converted.
Allowed single-family lots in most jurisdictions to be split, enabling up to four units total (primary home + ADU + second unit + second ADU). Significant impact on investor-owned parcels.
Further restricted the ability of cities to reject compliant ADU applications. Required ministerial (non-discretionary) approval for ADUs meeting the state standards, removing most design-review hurdles.
For the authoritative text of these laws, visit California Legislative Information.
Los Angeles has one of the tightest rental markets in the United States. A well-built ADU generates income, offsets your mortgage, and adds to your resale value. Here is how to think through the numbers.
Explore Garage Conversion ROI →Los Angeles median rents for a 1-bedroom unit are among the highest in the country. A 600-800 sq ft ADU in a desirable neighborhood can command $1,800-$3,200/month depending on finishes, location, and amenities.
At $2,200/month, an ADU generating rental income would return its construction cost within 6-8 years on a typical $180,000 garage conversion project. Long-term appreciation accelerates that further.
An ADU adds livable square footage and an independent income stream, both of which are valued by appraisers and buyers in LA. Appraisers typically calculate ADU value using a combination of comparable sales and income capitalization.
Properties with permitted, move-in-ready ADUs sell faster and attract investors who are willing to pay a premium. An unpermitted unit, by contrast, can complicate a sale and create liability.
Not every ADU is a rental. Many of our clients build ADUs to house a parent, an adult child, or a caregiver close by. This arrangement provides privacy for both parties while keeping family on the same property. In LA's housing market, it is also a meaningful way to help the next generation get a foothold.
Consult a CPA, but generally: rental income from an ADU is taxable, construction costs may be depreciable, and certain energy-efficient upgrades (Title 24 compliant insulation, solar-ready panels) may qualify for state or federal incentives. Your property taxes are reassessed only on the new construction value, not the entire parcel.
The right contractor makes permitting smoother, construction faster, and your investment safer. Here is exactly what to verify before you sign anything.
Every general contractor in California must hold a valid license from the California Contractors State License Board. Search by company name or license number on their website. Confirm the license is active, the classification is correct (B General Building), and there are no disciplinary actions on record. G&M's license number is #1048107.
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance showing both general liability and workers' compensation. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' comp, you may be liable. Do not accept a contractor's verbal assurance on this point.
General remodeling experience does not automatically translate to ADU competence. ADUs require specific knowledge of LADBS submission procedures, Title 24 energy standards, utility coordination, and certificate of occupancy workflows. Ask how many ADUs they have completed in the City of LA specifically.
A professional contractor provides a written contract that includes: full scope of work, materials specifications, payment schedule tied to milestones (not calendar dates), permit responsibilities, change order procedures, and a lien waiver policy. Be cautious of contracts that ask for more than 10% or $1,000 down (whichever is less), as California law limits initial deposits for home improvement contracts.
Never let a contractor suggest building without permits. An unpermitted ADU cannot be legally rented, is excluded from standard homeowner insurance coverage, and must be disclosed in any future sale. In some cases, the City can require demolition. Always confirm your contractor will pull all required permits in their name.
Three bids is the industry standard minimum. Compare scope, not just price. A bid that is 30% lower than the others typically reflects missing scope, unlicensed subcontractors, or materials substitutions you will discover only mid-project. For guidance on related remodeling costs, see our guide to finding a bathroom remodel contractor in Los Angeles.
These warning signs have cost LA homeowners thousands. Know them before you start calling contractors.
Every homeowner planning a project in Los Angeles deserves clear, honest pricing information. These guides cover what you need to know.
Every ADU project starts with a conversation. Call or contact us online and a G&M project lead will reach out the same business day. We will schedule a free site visit, walk you through the ADU options for your specific lot, and give you a written estimate with no pressure and no surprises.
We come to your property, assess the scope, and provide a clear written quote. No pushy sales tactics, no hidden fees.
Submit your contact information before 5 PM and a real team member will call you back the same business day.
Fully licensed, bonded, and insured for residential construction in the State of California. Verifiable at CSLB.ca.gov.
We serve the entire greater Los Angeles area, including the Valley, Westside, South Bay, and beyond.
