Short Answer
Most permitted garage conversions run $70,000 to $150,000. A studio without a kitchen sits at the lower end; a full ADU with a kitchen, bathroom and separate utilities sits at the upper end.
- Typical cost
- $70,000 – $150,000 depending on size and whether it becomes an ADU
- Typical timeline
- 4–8 months including design and permitting
- 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 a Conversion Includes
We convert attached and detached garages into permitted living space with proper insulation, ventilation, plumbing and electrical.
- Attached and detached garage conversions
- Full ADU conversions with kitchen and bathroom
- Studios, offices, gyms and guest suites
- New windows, doors and exterior finishes
- Insulation, drywall, HVAC and Title 24 compliance
- Slab leveling and moisture treatment
What We Check First
Not every garage converts cleanly. Low ceilings, a cracked or sloped slab, an undersized panel, or a sewer line that runs the wrong way can all change the budget. We walk it before quoting so the number holds.
- Ceiling height against code minimums
- Slab condition, slope and moisture
- Panel capacity for a second living space
- Sewer and water line routing
- Parking replacement requirements
Permits and Legalizing Existing Work
Converted garages need permits through LADBS or your city, including plan check and inspections. If someone already converted yours without a permit, we can usually walk you through legalizing it instead of tearing it out.
- Plan submittal, corrections and inspections
- Legalizing existing unpermitted conversions
- Title 24 energy calculations
- Fire separation between the house and the unit
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.
Garage Conversion to Permitted ADU, Woodland Hills
- Cost
- $118,000
- Duration
- 7 months including permitting
- Size
- 440 sq ft, 1 bed / 1 bath
- Permits
- LADBS, permitted and inspected
Attached Garage Converted to a Studio ADU, Torrance
- Cost
- $96,000
- Duration
- 6 months including permitting
- Size
- 380 sq ft studio with a full bath
- Permits
- Torrance Community Development, permitted and inspected
Garage Conversion on S Dalton Ave, Gardena
- Cost
- $89,000
- Duration
- 5 months including permitting
- Size
- 400 sq ft studio ADU with full bath
- Permits
- City of Gardena, permitted and inspected

Isaac Sade, Project Manager
Isaac runs 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 IsaacFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a garage conversion cost in Los Angeles?
Most permitted garage conversions run $70,000 to $150,000. A studio without a kitchen sits at the lower end; a full ADU with a kitchen, bathroom and separate utilities sits at the upper end.
Do I need a permit to convert my garage?
Yes. Converting a garage into living space requires permits and inspections. Unpermitted conversions cause problems at appraisal and sale, and often have to be redone.
Do I lose my required parking?
California ADU law removed replacement parking requirements in most situations, including near transit. We confirm the rule for your specific parcel before design.
Is there a garage conversion company near me that handles permits?
Yes, we design, permit and build garage conversions across Los Angeles and every city within about 100 miles of our Woodland Hills office, handling LADBS or your local building department's plan check from start to finish.
Areas We Serve
1 Smart Build provides 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:
- Garage Conversion in Woodland Hills
- Garage Conversion in Calabasas
- Garage Conversion in Encino
- Garage Conversion in Sherman Oaks
- Garage Conversion in Studio City
- Garage Conversion in Pasadena
- Garage Conversion in Glendale
- Garage Conversion in Burbank
- Garage Conversion in Santa Monica
- Garage Conversion in Beverly Hills
- Garage Conversion in Culver City
- Garage Conversion in Long Beach
- Garage Conversion in Torrance
- Santa Clarita
- Thousand Oaks
- Ventura
- Anaheim
- Irvine
Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.
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.

