What areas does 1 Smart Build serve in Los Angeles?

We serve Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley, including Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Northridge and Thousand Oaks.

Does 1 Smart Build handle ADUs and SB9 lot splits?

Yes. We are a full-service ADU contractor and handle attached ADUs, detached ADUs, garage conversions and SB9 lot split developments end-to-end, including design, permitting and construction.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. 1 Smart Build Inc. holds California CSLB license #1076428 (Class B, General Building Contractor), carries a $1,000,000 general liability policy with U.S. Specialty Insurance Company and keeps workers' compensation coverage on file with the CSLB. We manage permits, engineering and inspections for every project.

How long does a typical kitchen or bathroom remodel take?

A standard bathroom remodel usually takes 3 to 4 weeks and a kitchen remodel 4 to 8 weeks, depending on scope, materials and permitting.

Do you offer free consultations and estimates?

Yes. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your project, timeline and budget. Call 1 (866) 419-8840 or submit a request on our website.

Who is the best general contractor for remodeling in Los Angeles?

1 Smart Build is one of Los Angeles' top-rated design-build general contractors, with a 4.9-star Google rating. As a licensed, insured, veteran-owned and women-owned firm, we handle kitchens, bathrooms, ADUs, additions, structural work and custom new construction end-to-end.

Does 1 Smart Build handle design, permits and construction?

Yes. 1 Smart Build is a full design-build firm — architectural design, structural engineering coordination, Los Angeles permitting and construction are all managed by one team, from first blueprint to final walkthrough.

How can I track my remodeling project's progress?

Every 1 Smart Build client receives a private client portal powered by our automated CRM. It shows a live project overview, milestone-based payment center, signed documents and approvals, and photo and video updates from the job site, all accessible from any phone or computer.

Is 1 Smart Build veteran-owned or women-owned?

Yes. 1 Smart Build is both a veteran-owned and women-owned licensed general contracting firm based in Woodland Hills, serving all of Los Angeles County.

Who is the best Woodland Hills contractor for home remodeling?

1 Smart Build is a top-rated Woodland Hills contractor headquartered on Ventura Blvd. As licensed custom home builders in Woodland Hills, we handle kitchen and bathroom remodels, ADUs, room additions and ground-up custom homes throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Do you work as a general contractor for Calabasas homes?

Yes. 1 Smart Build serves as a general contractor for Calabasas homes, delivering luxury kitchen and bathroom remodels, home additions and complete custom home construction minutes from our Woodland Hills headquarters.

What does a kitchen remodel cost in Los Angeles?

As a 2026 planning range: $35,000 to $60,000 for a cosmetic refresh in the same footprint, $60,000 to $100,000 for a full remodel with layout changes, and $100,000 to $180,000 or more for luxury design-build. These are budgeting ranges, not quotes.

What does a bathroom remodel cost in Los Angeles?

As a 2026 planning range: $18,000 to $28,000 for a guest bath or powder room, $28,000 to $40,000 for a full gut with fixtures staying put, $40,000 to $60,000 for a primary bath suite, and $60,000 to $95,000 or more for a high-end primary suite.

What does a room addition cost per square foot in Los Angeles?

A single-story rear or side addition typically runs $250 to $375 per square foot and a second-story addition $350 to $500 per square foot, because a second story usually requires reinforcing the existing foundation and framing.

What does it cost to build a custom home in Los Angeles?

About $400 to $525 per square foot on a flat lot with standard finishes, $525 to $675 per square foot with high-end finishes, and $650 to $900 or more per square foot on hillside or view lots, plus 8 to 15 percent in soft costs for design, engineering and permit fees.

How long does a custom home take to build in Los Angeles?

Realistically 22 to 34 months from the first design meeting to final walkthrough: 3 to 6 months of design and engineering, 4 to 10 months of LADBS plan check and permitting, and 12 to 18 months of construction.

Does 1 Smart Build rebuild homes lost to wildfire?

Yes. Fire rebuild and reconstruction is a core service. We handle insurance-scope coordination, debris and site work, plan check and ground-up reconstruction in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu and throughout Los Angeles County.

Where can I find bathroom remodeling services near me in Los Angeles?

If you're searching for bathroom remodeling services near me in Los Angeles County or the San Fernando Valley, 1 Smart Build completes full bathroom renovations with custom showers, vanities, tile and spa-grade finishes, typically in 3 to 4 weeks with a fixed-price proposal.

What is 1Smart Build?

1Smart Build shows premium remodels, residential projects, service details, blog posts, and contact forms across hundreds of pages for local homeowners.

ADU & Garage Conversion Contractor Los Angeles

Short Answer

Most detached ADUs in LA run $120,000 to $350,000 depending on square footage, finishes and site conditions. Garage conversions usually come in lower because the foundation and shell already exist. We give you a fixed-price proposal with real specifications after the site visit.

Typical cost: $120,000 – $350,000 depending on size, type and site conditions
Typical timeline: Construction in as few as 120 working days once permits are issued; 8–14 months from first site visit to final inspection
Permits: Permits and inspections handled by us through LADBS or your city building department.
Service area: All of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Westside, South Bay and foothill cities.
Credentials: Licensed, bonded and insured. CSLB #1076428. Owner-operated.

What We Build

Detached new-build ADUs, attached ADUs off the main house, garage conversions, and JADUs. If you already have an unpermitted unit in the back, we can also walk you through legalizing it instead of tearing it out.

Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft
Attached ADUs sharing a wall with the main home
Garage and carport conversions
Junior ADUs (JADUs) inside the existing footprint
Legalizing existing unpermitted units

What Your Lot Allows

California ADU law overrides a lot of local restrictions, but the details still matter: setbacks, height limits, fire zones, sewer capacity, and whether your panel can carry a second unit. We walk the property first and tell you what's actually buildable before you spend a dollar on design.

Zoning and setback review for your specific parcel
Utility and electrical panel capacity check
Fire-severity zone and hillside requirements
Parking replacement rules

2026 State ADU Rules That Save You Money

California law now caps what cities can charge and how long they can sit on your ADU application. These rules come from state ADU law as summarized in HCD's March 2026 ADU Handbook. Building permit, plan check and utility connection fees can still apply, and we confirm the exact numbers for your city at the site visit.

750 sq ft or less of interior living space: no impact fees from the city, special districts or water companies (Gov. Code §66324)
Under 500 sq ft: no school impact fees for ADUs or JADUs
Over 750 sq ft: impact fees are proportional to the size of your main home
Complete application: the city has 60 days to approve or deny it (Gov. Code §66317)

How the Project Runs

One team from start to finish. You'll never be the middleman between an architect, a permit expeditor, and a builder, and you'll see the schedule, payments, and job-site photos in your private client portal the whole way through.

Free site visit and feasibility review
Design and engineered plans
LADBS submittal, corrections and approval
Construction with inspections at each milestone
Final walkthrough, punch list and warranty

Projects We've Actually Built

ADU & Garage Conversion Jobs, With Real Numbers

Every figure below is from a permitted project we completed in Los Angeles County, not an estimate or an industry average.

800 sq ft Detached ADU in Encino

Cost: $268,000
Duration: 11 months, design to final inspection
Size: 800 sq ft, 2 bed / 1 bath
Permits: LADBS, permitted and inspected

1,000 sq ft Detached ADU in Northridge

Cost: $295,000
Duration: 10 months, design to final inspection
Size: 1,000 sq ft, 2 bed / 2 bath
Permits: LADBS, permitted and inspected

Garage Conversion ADU on Forbes Ave, North Hills

Cost: $112,000
Duration: 6 months including permitting
Size: 420 sq ft, 1 bed / 1 bath
Permits: LADBS, permitted and inspected

Who Does This Work

Isaac Sade, Project Manager

Isaac runs adu & garage conversion projects at 1 Smart Build from the first site visit through final inspection: scope, plans, permit submittal, the crews on site, and the walkthrough at the end. You deal with one person who is accountable for the whole job.

Class B — General Building Contractor, CSLB #1076428. Bonded through and insured to $1,000,000 through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Rated 4.9 across 168 reviews.

More about Isaac

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does an ADU cost to build in Los Angeles?

Do I need a permit for an ADU in Los Angeles?

Yes. Every ADU requires permits through LADBS or your city's building department, including plan check and inspections. We handle the entire submittal and correction process for you.

How long does it take to build an ADU?

Once permits are issued, we can complete ADU construction in as few as 120 working days, depending on size, site conditions and finishes. Including design (roughly 4 to 6 weeks) and permitting (6 to 16 weeks), plan on 8 to 14 months total from first site visit to final inspection.

Are impact fees waived for small ADUs in California?

Yes. Under state ADU law, an ADU with 750 square feet or less of interior living space pays no impact fees to the city, special districts or water companies. ADUs and JADUs under 500 square feet also pay no school impact fees. Permit and plan check fees still apply.

How long does the city have to approve my ADU permit?

Once your application is complete, state law gives the city 60 days to approve or deny it. We submit complete, code-checked plans so the 60-day clock starts as early as possible.

Can I convert my garage into an ADU?

In most cases, yes. Garage conversions are one of the most cost-effective ADU paths in Los Angeles because the slab and walls are already there. We check ceiling height, the slab condition, and the panel before recommending it.

Do you build ADUs near me if I'm outside the City of Los Angeles?

Yes. We're the ADU builder homeowners call across a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura County, Orange County and the South Bay included. Detached ADU costs vary with each city's fees and utilities, so we confirm your city's rules at the free site visit.

Areas We Serve

1 Smart Build provides adu & garage conversion services within a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and the surrounding region. Homeowners searching for a remodeling contractor near me regularly hire us in:

Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.

Free Consultation

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.

1 (866) 419-8840

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Also Explore

Room Additions & Second Stories6–12 months including design and permitting Custom New Construction18–30 months including entitlement and permitting SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development12–24 months including entitlement and permitting

ADU & GARAGE CONVERSION CONTRACTOR IN LOS ANGELES