Garage Conversion to Permitted ADU, Woodland Hills
A detached two-car garage converted into a permitted one-bedroom ADU, now rented long-term.

- Final cost
- $118,000
- Duration
- 7 months including permitting
- Size
- 440 sq ft, 1 bed / 1 bath
- Permits
- LADBS, permitted and inspected
SCOPE OF WORK
- Slab leveling, moisture treatment and new subfloor
- New framing for windows, entry door and infill of the garage opening
- Full kitchen and bathroom with new sewer connection
- Insulation, drywall, mini-split HVAC and Title 24 compliance
- Exterior stucco to match the main house
WHAT WE RAN INTO
The slab sloped almost two inches toward the old garage door and sat below the required floor height. We leveled it with a self-leveling pour over a moisture barrier instead of demolishing and repouring, which kept the budget where it was quoted.
THE RESULT
The owners added a rentable unit for roughly a third of what a new detached ADU would have cost on the same lot.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD
Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.
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