ADU Contractor Serving San Diego Homeowners
Groysman Construction operates as an ADU contractor based in San Diego, CA, working with homeowners who want to add a legal accessory dwelling unit, garage conversion, or junior ADU to their property. As an accessory dwelling unit builder familiar with San Diego's permitting process, the company handles design, engineering coordination, and construction for detached ADUs, attached units, and in-law suites.
California homeowners exploring ADU projects often ask about financial assistance available through the state. The CalHFA ADU Grant Program offers up to $40,000 to reimburse pre-development "soft" costs, including site plans, engineering, permits, and impact fees, when a homeowner hires a licensed California builder. Eligibility generally requires owning and occupying the home, building a new ADU or legitimizing an existing garage conversion, and earning no more than 80% of the county's Area Median Income. For San Diego County in 2025, that threshold is approximately $97,000 for a four-person household and $67,900 for a single applicant. Income limits are updated annually, so homeowners should confirm current figures with CalHFA or discuss them with their ADU builder before applying.
Beyond the grant, CalHFA also offers low-interest construction loans, and some local jurisdictions provide fee-waiver programs. A contractor familiar with these programs can help homeowners organize the paperwork needed to apply for available funding sources.
Regulatory Changes Affecting ADU Construction
Recent state legislation has altered how ADU projects move through approval. Senate Bill 897, effective in 2023, along with 2024 updates, requires many cities to approve detached ADU applications within 60 days, removes owner-occupancy requirements until 2027, and permits two-story designs on many lots. These changes are relevant for both standard new builds and garage conversion projects, as they reduce some of the procedural delays homeowners previously encountered.
Building without a permit carries risk. Unpermitted ADUs can result in fines, stop-work orders, demolition requirements, insurance denial, and complications when selling a home. Legalizing an unpermitted structure retroactively typically means submitting detailed plans, passing inspections, bringing plumbing and electrical systems up to current code, and paying additional fees. Not every unpermitted structure can be legalized, particularly if it violates zoning or setback rules. Working with a licensed contractor from the start of a project is one way to avoid these complications.
Cost Considerations for ADU Projects
Costs for ADU construction in San Diego tend to run higher than the statewide average, typically 10–15% above figures seen elsewhere in California. Garage conversions generally cost between $165,000 and $225,000, while detached ADUs range from roughly $295,000 to $385,000, depending on size and finish level. An 800-square-foot detached unit with mid-range finishes often lands near $345,000.
Garage conversion projects tend to be the least expensive option since the existing slab, framing, and roof reduce structural work. Site work, including utility trenching and sewer connections, along with material costs for lumber and concrete, are typically the largest cost drivers on any ADU project. Smaller options, such as a Junior ADU capped at 500 square feet, or a modest prefab studio, can offer a lower-cost entry point for homeowners who don't need a full-size detached unit.
Homeowners weighing a room addition against a detached ADU should note that while additions may cost less per square foot, they don't provide an independent kitchen or bathroom, which affects potential rental income. Groysman Construction works with San Diego homeowners to evaluate these trade-offs as part of planning a garage conversion, backyard cottage, or detached accessory dwelling unit.
