Free · Los Angeles · 60 seconds
What will your ADU really cost?
Plug in your lot, type, size, and finish. We'll model hard cost, soft cost, and contingency the same way a licensed LA contractor does — and give you a real range, not a press-release number.
Live estimate
Build your estimate
Your estimated all-in cost
$0 – $0
- Hard cost (labor + materials)
- $0
- Soft cost (permits + design)
- $0
- Contingency (8%)
- $0
Free · 3–5 licensed LA contractors · No obligation
- Typical range
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$180K–$340K
Typical LA range
- Factors modeled
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12+
Cost factors
- Cost to you
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$0
To use this
Updated for 2026 · Based on LA-county permitting & real build data
What's in your number
Three buckets make up every honest ADU bid.
Roughly 75%
Hard cost.
Everything you can physically point at: framing, roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, drywall, floors, cabinets, fixtures, finishes. The bulk of your build.
Roughly 17%
Soft cost.
Architect, structural engineer, Title 24 energy calcs, city plan-check fees, permit fees, utility tap fees, surveys, soils reports. Not physical — still required.
8%
Contingency.
The honest reserve — for a surprise in the ground, a material price swing, or a last-minute finish upgrade. If a bid doesn't include contingency, it's hiding risk in your contract.
What moves your estimate
Five levers that decide your final cost.
01
ADU type.
Garage conversions and internal conversions lean cheapest — they reuse existing walls, foundation, and sometimes utility runs. Detached and multi-family are the priciest because you're building from slab to roof.
02
Square footage.
Cost scales with size but not linearly. The kitchen, bath, and electrical panel are fixed costs, so cost-per-sqft actually drops as you go from 400 to 900 sqft, then plateaus.
03
Finish level.
Basic (builder-grade laminate, stock cabinets, vinyl plank) vs. Luxury (quartz, custom cabinets, European tile) can swing the bottom line 25–30%. Mid-range is where 70% of our LA builds land.
04
Site conditions.
Flat, accessible backyards with utility connections already stubbed are fastest and cheapest. Sloped lots require retaining, drainage, and sometimes deeper foundations — add 8–12%. Tight lots mean hand-digging and crane premiums.
05
City you're in.
Permit fees, plan-check timelines, and inspection rigor vary across LA. Los Angeles proper, Pasadena, Glendale, and Beverly Hills all price differently. Our calculator blends the LA-county average.
From estimate to bid
Ready for real numbers on your lot?
Our estimator gets you close. A vetted LA contractor walking your property gets you exact — with line items, timeline, and trade-offs. Request 3–5 apples-to-apples bids and pick what fits.
Request free bids →Questions
Cost-calculator questions we hear often.
Still have a question? Ask us during your free consultation.
How accurate is this calculator?
Order-of-magnitude accurate. It uses real 2025–2026 LA build data across size, finish level, site conditions, and ADU type. Your actual bids will land within roughly ±10% of our mid-range for standard projects. Tricky lots, heavy utility upgrades, or luxury finishes can swing wider.
Does this include soft costs and permits?
Yes — the high-end of our range includes soft costs (architectural, engineering, permits, utility taps) and an 8% contingency. If you only want hard construction cost, subtract ~22% from the high number.
Why is there a range instead of a single number?
Because ADU cost is never one number until the scope is pinned down. Our range reflects real variation between licensed contractors bidding on identical scope. If anyone promises a single guaranteed number before seeing your lot and plans, that's a red flag.
What's the cheapest path to an ADU in LA?
Garage conversion with basic finishes on a flat, accessible lot runs the lowest. Detached ADU with luxury finishes on a sloped or tight lot runs the highest — roughly 3× the cheapest path. Most homeowners land in the middle with an attached or detached 600–900 sqft build.
What happens after I see my estimate?
You can request free apples-to-apples bids from 3–5 vetted LA contractors through our /adurc-bids/ service. Comparing real bids is how homeowners typically save 12–22% off the first quote they'd have accepted solo.
Stop guessing
Turn your estimate into three real bids.
Free, no obligation, 3–5 comparable contractor quotes in 10–14 days on the exact scope you just modeled.
