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ADU Contractors in California
Backyard Homes
2800 5th Street, Davis, CA 95618Backyard Homes is a top ADU builder in Sacramento with 80+ completed units. They offer detached, attached, and conversion ADUs, handling design, permitting, and construction for a seamless experience across the greater Sacramento region.
read moreGW Construction
4694 Alvarado Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92120GW Construction is a San Diego general contractor specializing in ADU construction, home renovations, custom homes, and commercial projects. Services include garage conversions, backyard cottages, home additions, and multi-unit builds.
read moreOneStop ADU
2667 Camino del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108OneStop ADU is a San Diego County ADU contractor with 25+ years of experience. They offer custom-built detached ADUs from ~$335/sq ft, including solar, permits & plans. Free feasibility studies available. ADA-compliant units offered.
read moreUSA Builders Pro
2900 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626USA Builders Pro offers 20+ years of ADU construction and home addition services. Specializing in detached & attached ADUs, room additions, permits, and zoning compliance, they help homeowners boost property value and living space.
read moreMartins Construction Corp
1666 Courtney Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046California's 2020 ADU laws allow two ADUs on single-family lots, reduced setbacks, larger units up to 800 sq ft, no owner-occupancy rules until 2025, faster approvals, and expanded parking exemptions statewide.
read moreMastery Home Improvement
10233 Woodrose Avenue, Santee, CA 92071Mastery offers full-service ADU construction in San Diego, covering design, permitting, and building. Specializing in detached ADUs, garage conversions, and granny flats, they also provide kitchen remodeling, room additions, roofing, and more.
read moreDB Construction
4555 Valley Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90032DB Construction is a full-service ADU contractor in Greater Los Angeles, building detached ADUs, garage conversions, JADUs, in-law suites, and room additions. They manage permits in-house, offering transparent costs and turn-key project completion... read more
Bobcat Builders
East Palo Alto, CA 94303Bobcat Builders is a Bay Area ADU contractor specializing in accessory dwelling units in Palo Alto. They offer attached & detached ADUs, garage conversions, granny flats & in-law suites, backed by a Two Year Satisfaction Guarantee.
read moreLarson Shores Architects
1295 Alabama Street, San Francisco, CA 94110Larson Shores Architects is a San Francisco-based firm offering residential, ADU, and commercial design services. Founded in 2007 by Josh Larson, they specialize in new builds, garage conversions, in-law suites, and full permit navigation across t... read more
Tohill Construction
250 East Easy Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065An ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is a secondary home on a single-family property. Tohill Construction builds granny flats, garage conversions & detached ADUs, offering predesigned plans, custom designs, and financing support.
read moreQuality First Builders
15250 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403Quality First Builders offers full-service ADU construction across LA County since 2014. They handle design, permits, and building in-house for detached ADUs, garage conversions, JADUs, and in-law suites.
read moreTodd Jersey Architecture
1321 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710Todd Jersey Architecture (TJA) is a Berkeley-based sustainable design firm serving the SF Bay Area. Specializing in ADUs, remodels, new homes & historic preservation, TJA combines 30+ years of experience with a performance-driven, eco-consciou... read more
BNC Builders Inc.
101 State Place, Escondido, CA 92029BNC Builders Inc. is a San Diego County ADU contractor offering detached, attached, garage conversion & JADU construction. Services include permit management, custom design & financing assistance.
read moreMetricon Homes
2010 Crow Canyon Road, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583Metricon Homes offers ADU construction and garage conversion services. Choose from 5 sizes: Marigold, Camellia, Magnolia, Dahlia, and Sunflower. Their Design to Doorstep process covers custom design to completion. Licensed contractor: Tobin Brinke... read more
Other cities in California
- North Highlands
- Sacramento
- North Hollywood
- Agoura Hills
- Encino
- Los Angeles
- Tarzana
- Long Beach
- Hollywood
- Glendale
- Valley Village
- Pasadena
- Burbank
- Downey
- Beverly Hills
What you need to know
ADU Contractors in California: Navigating the Golden State's Unique Landscape
California is at the forefront of the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) movement in the United States. With one of the most severe housing shortages in the nation, the state has enacted sweeping legislation to make ADU construction more accessible. Since 2020, California laws such as AB 68, AB 881, and SB 13 have significantly reduced barriers, eliminating minimum lot size requirements, reducing setback rules, and streamlining the permitting process. For homeowners looking to add value to their property or create additional rental income, working with experienced ADU contractors in California has never been more important.
What California ADU Contractors Must Know About State Regulations
Professional ADU contractors operating in California must stay current with a constantly evolving regulatory environment. Under California law, local agencies are required to approve or deny ADU permit applications within 60 days. Additionally, ADUs under 800 square feet cannot be denied solely based on floor area ratio limits. Contractors must also be familiar with owner-occupancy rules, utility connection requirements, and fire safety standards that vary by county and municipality. Cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose each have their own local ordinances layered on top of state law, making local expertise a critical asset.
Types of ADUs Built by California Contractors
Experienced California ADU contractors are skilled in building a wide variety of ADU types to suit different property configurations and homeowner needs. The most common types include:
- Detached ADUs: Standalone structures built in the backyard or side yard of a primary residence.
- Attached ADUs: Units that share a wall with the main home, often built as additions.
- Garage Conversions: Transforming existing garages into livable spaces, a popular and cost-effective option.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs): Units up to 500 square feet created within the existing footprint of a home.
How to Choose the Right ADU Contractor in California
Selecting the right contractor is one of the most critical decisions in any ADU project. Homeowners should look for contractors who hold a valid California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license, ideally a Class B General Building Contractor license. It is also important to verify that the contractor carries proper liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Look for professionals with a proven track record of successfully permitted ADU projects in your specific city or county.
The Benefits of Building an ADU in California
Building an ADU in California offers significant financial and lifestyle benefits. Homeowners can generate rental income to offset mortgage costs, house family members, or increase overall property value. In high-cost markets like the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles, a well-built ADU can add hundreds of thousands of dollars in property value. With the right California ADU contractor by your side, the process can be smooth, compliant, and highly rewarding.