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A backyard cottage provides additional space. A garage conversion creates an accessory unit for a family member or tenant. Before either project breaks ground in Los Angeles, a homeowner must first navigate the less glamorous task of finding a builder to transform their vision into an approved, completed home.

Go ADU Construction is the best overall pick of the bunch for homeowners who desire their design, permitting, construction and payment milestones managed by a single team. The options below offer helpful strengths as well, especially for those who like to shop off specific floor plans or focus on design options first.

Quick Comparison

1. Go ADU Construction: Best Overall for Coordinated Design and Build

There are several handoffs in an ADU project. The original site review, architectural drawings, engineering, plan checks with the city, construction and final inspection. Homeowners can hire different firms for each phase, but must then coordinate who does what and handle conflicts between firms.

Go ADU Construction takes a more streamlined approach. As a Los Angeles ADU builder, Go ADU Construction provides design-build services and also construction for homeowners who already have plans. According to its website, they start with a discovery call and site visit, then move into design and permitting, then construction.

The company emphasizes three particularly useful safeguards:

• Contract price transparency. Go ADU Construction promises a firm price for the defined scope of work. The process also notes that Go ADU Construction may begin with a plans-and-permits contract before submitting a construction bid. Conditions of the site, negotiated changes and fees that may be excluded from the firm price still need to be clearly defined.

• Payments linked to progress. Invoices are based on established milestones according to their published policy. The homeowner can verify completion.

• A transparent project timeline. Their website details a weekly update and construction process that typically takes four to six months after receiving permits, depending on project complexity.

The company also claims to use 3D modeling during design so owners can evaluate their proposed layout prior to building. Its website provides California contractor license number 1076712. Homeowners can verify that license number on their own via the Contractors State License Board lookup.

Imagine a homeowner bringing an elderly parent into closer proximity to family. Privacy, thoughtful circulation, and an intuitive relationship to the main house are important. Go ADU Construction's integrated design and build process allows these desires to shape the plans early on.

This specialization becomes incredibly valuable to owners who prefer to have one company take care of the job vs. pulling a team together themselves. If you're considering a turnkey ADU and want to make sure scope, payment schedules, and communication are taken care of, start your search with Go ADU Construction.

2. GatherADU: Best for Exploring Layout and Design Possibilities

A few homeowners know they want an ADU but aren't sure what shape it should take. A backyard standalone house? An attached unit? Or conversion?

GatherADU lays those options out plainly, along with images of projects, floor-plan details and various planning options. Based in Los Angeles, the company touts a service that walks you through design, permitting and construction with an emphasis on how you'll use your new dwelling on a daily basis.

Its website publishes starting price estimates for various types of projects. However costs will vary depending on site conditions and finishes.

If you’re a family weighing the options of a small guest home vs. a large rental floorplan, browsing visuals can help decide on a project brief. Check out GatherADU if exploring designs is your top goal and you want to peruse multiple iterations of what an ADU could look like.

3. ADU Build LA: Best for a Dedicated ADU Project Workflow

ADU Build LA bills itself as a Los Angeles County ADU contractor. Their published workflow includes site visitation, design, permitting and construction bundled into a coordinated project workflow.

Its services include detached builds, garage conversions and junior ADUs.

Its website mentions first that they'll assess your property prior to creating drawings, then they'll submit them to the appropriate city department, then they oversee construction. Knowing what stages are involved beforehand can ease a buyer's mind as to what occurs before people show up to work on their home.

For instance, an owner who has a detached garage might use the feasibility phase to explore if conversion is practical before investing in a set building design. ADU Build LA might be appropriate for owners who like a specialist workflow with separate evaluation and permit phases.

4. DWD Builders: Best for Comparing Defined Floor-Plan Options

Instead of beginning completely from scratch, some homeowners like to compare multiple familiar layouts and price ranges.

DWD Builders offers modeled ADU options ranging from garage conversions to studios and larger one- or two-bedroom designs. Its page on Los Angeles services lists design, engineering, permitting and construction among its offerings.

Published starting prices for models are intended as a guide only. They are not specific to your property. Extras such as utility work, foundations, site access and finishes will vary the scope.

For a homeowner who is looking into building a small rental studio this could be a much easier discussion than starting off with a completely custom design conversation. DWD Builders work well with buyers that would like to start with common floor plans then tweak the project to work with their land.

How to Choose an ADU Builder in Los Angeles

Obviously the builder's resume is important. But the telling questions deal with how things go from contract signing to final approval.

Begin with the site, not the floor plan. Just because something looks good in a rendering does not mean it will work on your lot. Inquire about setbacks, utility hookups, access for construction vehicles, existing foundations and local jurisdiction for permitting. The City of Los Angeles ADU resources summarize its local ordinance and approved standard plans program. However, a plan must still be tailored to meet the specific needs of your property. What sounds like a cheap garage conversion can become costly if you need to move beams or upgrade utility lines.

Break up the project schedule into phases. The quoted construction schedule may not start until permits are approved. Request separate estimates for feasibility, design, plan check, construction and inspection. This will allow you to compare apples to apples with competing schedules.

Ask for the same scope. One bid may contain engineered solutions, permit handling/fees and finish allowances while another leaves those as extra costs. Verify if costs such as permits, utilities, appliances and site surveys are included. Ask for a detailed scope list and how owner desired changes will be bid.

Verify the responsible party on site. Determine if the firm actually directs construction activity on site, who talks to subcontractors and how they plan to track progress. One point of contact is only useful if they can actually solve problems.

Verify credentials independently. Obtain the contractor license number, verify that it is active with the state board, and verify insurance. Ensure they can provide proof of permits for that specific address. Permit requirements may vary if the work is done in the City of Los Angeles or another municipality in Los Angeles County.

Ask what would make the proposed ADU a poor fit.

Wrapping It Up

The four builders have unique entry points. GatherADU focuses on exploring designs visually. ADU Build LA outlines a streamlined assessment-to-build process. DWD Builders simplifies comparing drafted layouts.

If you desire having one entity provide design and build services under one roof, and staged payments tied to specific milestones and a guaranteed contract price for defined work, Go ADU Construction is your best bet out of the group reviewed here. Get a property evaluation and reasonable scope drafted before agreeing to any design.