ADU San Diego is a licensed contractor specializing in accessory dwelling unit design and construction across San Diego County. Services include garage conversions, detached ADUs, and JADUs, with costs ranging from $100,000–$400,000.

ADU San Diego, San Diego, CA

About ADU San Diego

ADU San Diego – Accessory Dwelling Unit Contractor in San Diego County

ADU San Diego is a licensed ADU contractor serving homeowners throughout San Diego County. The company specializes in the design, planning, and construction of accessory dwelling units, helping property owners navigate the process from initial concept through to a completed build. Their team includes certified contractors, architects, and other building professionals, along with qualified tradespeople such as electricians and plumbers.

Accessory dwelling units — also referred to as granny flats, backyard cottages, secondary units, or in-law suites — are smaller, self-contained dwellings that share a lot with a primary residence. They are a legal housing option in San Diego County and have grown in popularity as a way to add livable space, accommodate family members, or generate rental income. An ADU cannot be sold separately from the main property, but it can contribute to the overall value of the lot.

ADU Services and What to Expect

ADU San Diego handles all aspects of an ADU project, including:

  1. Custom design and architectural planning
  2. Processing and obtaining required permits, including building, health, sanitation, and inspection approvals
  3. Construction management and on-site coordination
  4. Garage conversion into a livable ADU or JADU (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit)
  5. Detached ADU and attached ADU builds
  6. Budget planning and project timelines

The company works with homeowners to develop a detailed budget based on the scope of the project. In San Diego, the cost to build an ADU typically ranges from $100,000 to $400,000, depending on factors such as the number of rooms, size of the unit, and permit costs. The maximum allowable size for an ADU in San Diego is 1,200 square feet, and county regulations allow up to two ADUs on a single residential lot, provided all local zoning requirements are met.

Regarding size restrictions: a regular ADU cannot exceed 1,200 square feet, and an attached ADU may occupy no more than 50% of the primary home's footprint. Detached ADUs can reach up to 1,200 square feet regardless of the size of the main dwelling. Multi-story ADUs are generally not permitted under current height restrictions.

Potential Benefits of Adding an ADU to Your Property

Homeowners in San Diego County consider building an ADU for a range of practical reasons:

  1. Additional private accommodation for guests or family members
  2. Potential increase in property value and resale appeal
  3. A dedicated workspace for remote work or a home office
  4. Affordable housing for adult children or aging relatives
  5. Opportunity for long-term or short-term rental income

ADU San Diego serves homeowners across a wide range of locations in San Diego County, including San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, San Marcos, La Mesa, Santee, Poway, Fallbrook, Coronado, and Lemon Grove. Their team is familiar with local building codes and zoning regulations, which can be a significant factor in keeping a project on track and within budget.

For those considering a detached ADU, Casita, garage conversion, or any other type of accessory dwelling unit in San Diego County, ADU San Diego offers consultations and site surveys to help homeowners understand their options before committing to a project.

Services

ADU San Diego performs the following services

  • Architecture & Design
  • Permit Specialist
  • Construction
  • Feasibility & Site Assessment

ADU San Diego Reviews

Zachary Seldess

2025-10-14
"While we ultimately had to pause our project for personal reasons, I wanted to share that working with SnapADU was a truly exceptional experience. From start to finish, the team was organized, responsive, and clearly expert at what they do. Every step of the process was handled with professionalism and care, and I continue to be extremely impressed by their approach, top to bottom. Highly recommend them to anyone considering an ADU."

Zachary Adamson

2025-09-29
"Actually cannot say enough amazing things about SnapADU. Not only did they build an incredible ADU, on-time and on budget where they went above and beyond on to help overcome unique site conditions, but now they continue exceed expectations 2 years later. I reached out and let them know that our water heater had rusted out and needed to be replaced. We had just passed our warranty period so it felt like we were going to have to pay for an entirely new water heater. Enter SnapADU stage left. The called and fought the water heater company, showing how their product was faulty. They got a free replacement water heater AND THEY COVERED THE FEES FOR INSTALL!! Honestly, if the world work more like SnapADU, it would be a better place. High integrity, always going above and beyond. Thank you SNAP FAM!"

Karen Charlesworth

2024-05-29
"We contracted with Snap ADU to build an ADU last year, they were supportive from the inception, including paperwork with the City, to permitting, plans, site work, and the final build out. They kept us informed through the building process through builders trend, so we were able to follow the build while living out of state. We would recommend using them for your ADU build."

Zeno Rausa

2023-11-14
"I just completed my first design-build home construction project in the form of an ADU and I wanted to recognize my General Contractor for their exceptional work. I interviewed 8 contractors and felt most comfortable with SnapADU because I felt Mike Moores word could be trusted. SnapADU completed my ADU in 2021 and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Throughout the process, their team of personable, professional and dedicated employees and subcontractors helped me stay on budget, several times making helpful recommendations on substitutions I could make to keep costs down. The quality of workmanship was very high and I found all the subcontractors to be exceptionally competent. Ben Gagnon was my project lead and was very responsive. He made sure everything detail or concern was addressed to my satisfaction. I do want to personally highlight the framing lead, Jeremy Kirk, because of his expertise and intricate attention to detail. As you will see from the photos, this project was a custom fit with many unusual aspects. Jeremey impressed me enough to give him a by-name call out. I highly recommend SnapADU. When you make your decision to spend this kind of time, money and resources on a complex project you gotta know you have the right team on the job. SnapADU is team you want. "Update Nov 2023: I wanted to give a shout-out to SnapADU for their exceptional after-sales support, more than two years after my build was complete. They went above and beyond to rectify an issue with the HVAC system in my basement, ensuring everything was running smoothly. Their dedication to ensuring my complete satisfaction, long after the initial project, was truly impressive. Not only did they resolve the problem but they helped bring the space back to standard with incredible finish work as shown.""

O M

2023-09-02
"I chose SnapADU to design, permit build an ADU on my investment property. Having self-managed an ADU project just the year before, I was well-aware of the intricacies and challenges involved. This time, I hoped to delegate the entire thing, looking not just at raw costs but the overall value in terms of time, effort, and money. Working with SnapADU has been nothing short of exceptional. Even amidst a high inflation environment, they honored their pricing from our Feasibility phase, allowing me to proceed with the project on budget despite frustrating city permitting delays. Their commitment to their 6-month price lock is genuine, and they stood by it even beyond that timeframe. I'm particularly grateful for their advocacy when the city was pushing for right of way improvements on my property. SnapADU's team was well-versed in state ADU laws, and they successfully contested these unnecessary requirements, saving me thousands. Their dedication didn't stop there; they went above and beyond to assist me in securing a state grant for ADU funding. Despite the paperwork and extended payment delays due to that state program, they supported me without any extra charges. Post-build, their service remained impeccable. I had a warranty claim months after the project was finished, and they responded swiftly, addressing all concerns. If you're looking for a trustworthy and professional ADU partner, considering the overall value, SnapADU comes highly recommended!"

Specifics

Licensed Eco-Friendly

Opening hours

Monday 7:00AM - 10:00PM
Tuesday 7:00AM - 10:00PM
Wednesday 7:00AM - 10:00PM
Thursday 7:00AM - 10:00PM
Friday 7:00AM - 10:00PM
Saturday 7:00AM - 10:00PM
Sunday 7:00AM - 10:00PM

Location

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