How much does building an ADU cost in Los Angeles, California today?
How much does building an ADU cost in Los Angeles, California today?
I’ve been thinking about adding an ADU to my property in Los Angeles, but I’m getting totally mixed estimates. One contractor said it could be under $150k, another claimed over $300k. It’s confusing because I just want something small, like a studio for my parents. Has anyone here actually built an ADU recently in LA? How much did it end up costing you overall, including permits and utility work?



I went through this exact process last year in Los Angeles. The total cost for me ended up around $220k, and that included permits, design, and hookups. The price really depends on whether you’re doing a garage conversion or starting from scratch. For new builds, foundation work can drive the cost up fast. I also learned that some contractors bundle everything, which helps with budgeting. You might want to check out LA, Los Angeles, California adu construction — it gives a good breakdown of realistic pricing and timelines based on size and materials. It helped me understand where the money was really going before I started building.