ADU Construction Services by Daniel's Development Group
Daniel's Development Group Inc. is an ADU contractor serving the greater Los Angeles area, including Pasadena, West Hills, Thousand Oaks, and surrounding communities. They work with property owners who are looking to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to their property — whether for additional living space, housing a family member, or generating rental income.
An ADU is a secondary housing unit located on the same property as a primary residence. There are several types of ADUs that Daniel's Development Group can build, depending on the homeowner's needs and existing property layout:
- Attached ADU: Connected directly to the existing home.
- Detached ADU: A fully separate structure on the property, also known as a backyard cottage or granny flat.
- Internal ADU: Converted from an existing room within the home.
- Garage conversion: An existing garage is converted into a livable ADU space.
During a free consultation, Daniel's Development Group helps homeowners determine which ADU type suits their situation best.
Permits and Regulations for ADUs in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles County, ADUs are classified as new structures, meaning property owners must obtain all applicable building permits before construction begins. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and the Department of Water and Power handle ADU applications and permit issuance.
Before applying, homeowners typically need to work with an architect or engineer to develop a design. The design and permitting process costs approximately $6,000, separate from the actual construction costs.
Recent California State Legislature bills have made the ADU permitting process more straightforward. Key changes include:
- Reducing permit review periods from 120 to 60 days.
- Limiting local government discretion over minimum and maximum ADU size requirements.
- Allowing a maximum of one ADU and one Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) on a residential property.
- Permitting multiple ADUs within a multifamily dwelling, or up to two detached units on a multifamily property.
- Eliminating parking replacement requirements when existing parking is converted or demolished as part of ADU construction.
In Los Angeles County, an ADU must measure up to 1,200 square feet and provide permanent accommodations for sleeping, dining, cooking, and sanitation. It must also comply with applicable fire, safety, and public works codes.
A JADU is a smaller unit, capped at 500 square feet, that must be contained entirely within an existing interior residence and have a separate exterior access point. Either the primary residence or the JADU must be owner-occupied.
ADU Uses and Cost Considerations
The most common use for an ADU is as a secondary residence. It can house family members, elderly relatives, people with disabilities, college students, or in-home care providers. Property owners may also rent out the unit, with average rental income in the Los Angeles area reaching around $2,500 per month.
ADU construction costs vary depending on the type and design chosen. Garage conversions tend to be among the more affordable options, since the foundational structure already exists. Interior conversion ADUs are similarly cost-effective, as the boundaries of the space are already in place. Detached ADUs built from the ground up generally cost more but can add more significant value to the overall property and are often a practical choice for rental purposes.
Compared to other construction projects, ADUs are generally more cost-effective because they do not require purchasing additional land or building major new infrastructure.
Daniel's Development Group Inc. works directly with clients throughout the ADU building process, from initial consultation through to completed construction. Property owners interested in starting an ADU project can request a free estimate through their website.
