Kitchen Remodeling
Custom kitchens designed for beauty, function, and your lifestyle.
Learn more
Accessory Dwelling Units
A Second Home On Land You Already Own
California has spent the last several years making ADUs dramatically easier to build. Most homeowners still assume their lot does not qualify. Usually it does.
We build detached ADUs, attached additions, garage conversions and junior ADUs — from the zoning check and site plan all the way through final inspection and utility hookups.
The first thing we do is confirm what your specific parcel allows before you spend a dollar on design: setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, utility capacity and whether a separate meter makes sense. Then we design to what actually gets approved instead of what has to be redrawn twice.
ADUs
Scope
What Is Included
- Detached ADUs, ground up
- Garage and accessory structure conversions
- Junior ADUs (JADUs) within the existing home
- Zoning, setback and lot-coverage feasibility review
- Full architectural and structural plan sets
- Foundation, framing, envelope and roofing
- Separate utility connections, panels and sub-meters
- Kitchens, baths, finishes and certificate of occupancy
Typically a Good Fit For
- Rental income on an existing lot
- Aging parents or adult kids at home
- Home offices and studios
- Underused detached garages
Not sure this is what you need?
Call and describe the project. If it is not something we do, we will point you to someone who does it well.
(805) 406-2911
Drag to Compare
Before & After
Slide the handle to see the difference. Stock imagery for now — real project photography is being swapped in.
ADUs
Before
After
Budget
What Drives Your Price
We price every project individually after walking the space — so rather than publish numbers that would not apply to your home, here is what actually moves the total, and how to compare bids fairly.
Your estimate is free, written and line-item. We walk the space, measure, and put every line in writing with allowances stated in dollars so you can raise or lower them yourself. No obligation, and no number scribbled on the back of a business card.
What Moves the Number
- Detached new construction vs converting an existing structure
- How far utilities have to be trenched from the main house
- Whether a separate electrical meter and service upgrade are required
- Soil and foundation requirements on your specific lot
- Site access — a backyard with no equipment access costs more to build in
- Finish level, which on a rental you may deliberately keep modest
How to Compare Bids Fairly
A low bid is often just a smaller scope. When you compare estimates, check that each one includes permits, the same allowances, debris removal, and the same level of demolition. Ask every contractor what happens when they find something unexpected — the answer tells you more than the number does.
Verify any license at cslb.ca.gov before you sign anything. Ours is #1125128.
Schedule
How Long It Takes
Real durations from our own jobs. Permitting is the phase most homeowners underestimate — it is controlled by the building department, not by us.
| Phase | Typical duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility check | 1–2 weeks | Free. We confirm what your parcel actually allows before you spend on design. |
| Design | 4–8 weeks | Architectural plans, structural engineering, Title 24 energy calcs. |
| Permitting | 6–16 weeks | Plan review and corrections. State law has shortened this, but it is still the longest wait. |
| Site work & foundation | 2–4 weeks | Grading, trenching, forms, pour and inspection. |
| Framing & envelope | 3–6 weeks | Framing, roof, windows, doors, exterior finish. |
| Rough-in & inspections | 3–5 weeks | Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation and drywall. |
| Finishes & CO | 4–8 weeks | Kitchen, bath, flooring, paint, final inspections, certificate of occupancy. |
Choices
Materials & Options
A starting menu, not a limit. If you want something that is not on here, ask.
Where We Work
ADUs on the Central Coast
ADU rules differ between the City of Santa Maria, unincorporated Santa Barbara County, Lompoc and the smaller jurisdictions around us. We check your parcel against the ordinance that actually applies to it, not the general state rule, before anyone starts drawing.
Local guides: Santa Maria · Orcutt · Santa Barbara
See every area we serve15+Years Experience
100+5-Star Reviews
BLicense Class
1 DayResponse Time
Licensed, Bonded, Insured
CSLB #1125128 · General Building (Class B) · $25,000 bond · general liability and workers’ compensation. Certificates come with every proposal without you having to ask.
How It Goes
What Working With Us Looks Like
Consult
We walk the property, listen, and talk budget honestly before anything gets drawn.
Design & Bid
Drawings, selections and a written line-item estimate.
Permits
We submit, handle corrections and schedule every inspection.
Build
Weekly photo updates and a schedule you can hold us to.
Walkthrough
Punch list built with you, warranty handed over, site left clean.
FAQ
ADUs — Questions
Can I build an ADU on my lot?
Most likely. State law now requires cities to permit ADUs on nearly all single-family lots, subject to size and setback rules. We check your specific parcel first, free, before any design work starts.
How long does an ADU take?
Plan on roughly 2 to 5 months for design and permitting, then 5 to 8 months of construction depending on size and whether it is detached or a conversion.
Does an ADU need its own utilities?
Not always. Junior ADUs and some conversions can share. Detached units often need a separate panel and sometimes a separate meter — we will tell you which applies before you commit.
Will an ADU raise my property taxes?
The ADU itself gets assessed and added to your assessment; your existing home is not reassessed. Talk to the county assessor for specifics on your property.
Can I rent it out?
In most cases yes, though short-term rental rules vary by jurisdiction and change often. Check current local ordinances before you build a business plan around nightly rentals.
Is a garage conversion cheaper than building new?
Usually, because the slab and some framing already exist. But not always — if the slab is not thick enough, the walls are not to code, or drainage has to be redone, the savings shrink fast. We check that during feasibility.
Also From Us
Other Services
Bathroom Remodeling
From modern upgrades to luxury retreats, we handle it all.
Learn moreRoofing
High-quality roofing solutions built to protect your home.
Learn moreFull Home Remodels
Complete renovations from concept to completion.
Learn more