How Much Does An Accessory Dwelling Unit/Granny Flat Cost In Los Angeles

Maybe your garage is sitting empty and you are trying to decide what to do with it? Maybe you have space on your property and want dt build a second one for family or to rent? Whatever the reason you have decided to research how much it may cost to create one of these spaces, but the information you seen just leaves you more confused. One site might tell it you will only cost you around $40,000, another site may say it will only take 6 weeks from start to finish, and a third may tell you it could be completed as a DIY. This can be very confusing and give you the wrong impression and even more end up costing you down the line. This false information is what leads to many illegal structures being built. What is true and how can you learn the truth? Well in this article I will discuss some of the costs and what goes into making the cost of ADU’s and break it down.

Well, how much do granny flats really cost?

This is a part question and comes down to what you are looking to build. When it comes to ADU’s you can either tackle a garage conversion or build a separate ADU. A garage conversion is going to cost you less as the building structure is already built. Typically, a garage conversion is going to cost you around $80,000. A standalone ADU such as a granny flat will cost around $130,000. Though many of these costs are dependent on a few factors. Often when a homeowner hears these cost, they decide to undertake the project themselves without proper permits, I will discuss this more in another article! This is a bad decision as it will cost you in fees and often the city will make you tear down the dwelling to original style.

In the end the total cost of the development will come down to the total of the two different budgets: the construction and the actual project.

What should be included in the Construction Budget?

You might be scratching your head at this point, thinking, “why do I have to have two budgets?” The short answer is you do not, you plan for one. The two budgets make up the whole amount you will pay, it is just easier to break it down in terms of the two to understand where all the cost comes from. When you are undergoing any type of construction project some amount of money will go to the contractors and laborers. It’s the same thing as taking your car to the shop, you got to pay for the labor, same rules apply here. A construction budget will include all of materials, labor and things needed by the workers to complete the project. Listed below is just a small number of items that would be needed:

• Foundation and framework
• Roofing and gutters
• Windows, shades and doors
• Decks and trim
• HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical
• Insulation, Drywall and Paint
• Hardware
• Portapotty rentals
• Tools
• Debris Removal
• Landscaping work

Okay, So what is in the project budget then?

Your project budget is simple and straight forward, this are the costs incurred after construction that make the unit a room or apartment. What is the mean? Well, it is the details, like carpet or wood, fancy marble or the laminate, backsplash or just paint. Without these you would just have walls and outline. Here is also where you can a little more control over the costs that are incurred. If you feel you are handy enough and have confidence you can do some of this work on your own as a DIY. Things like painting, installing appliances and even tiling have videos on YouTube that can walk you through how to do. Though it should be noted that using the professional team can save you time and they are trained and covered. If the pros make a mistake or something breaks during the process it's covered. If you tackle it on your own and something happens you are liable for the costs and the extra time. Often enough I would not advise you to undertake a few DIY, there are too many things out of your control and can easily cause you to spend more money than if you let the pros handle it. You can opt for lower-end finishes, like using carpet and laminate to offset costs. If you plan on renting out the ADU though you should go for more quality items, not only will they look nice to tenants they will hold up better and you will not have to replace as often. Also using a higher quality finish means you can add into rent and make back the money spent.

Hopefully this article helps to break down why the cost for an ADU might be more expensive than you might have planned or thought. As always feel free to contact us for a more personalized quote and discussion!