Turn Your Garage Into a Home Someone Can Live In.
A permitted garage conversion is the fastest, most affordable path to adding real living space to your property. ADU Cities handles the design, engineering, permits, and construction in-house — one team, one quote, one accountable partner from first sketch to final walkthrough.
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Why Convert Your Garage
Most Affordable ADU Path
Because the structure already exists, a garage conversion typically costs far less than building new — conversions cluster at the lower end of our $52,000–$200,000 range.
Fastest Timeline
No foundation pour, no framing from scratch. Once permits are in, construction moves quickly — often the shortest timeline of any ADU type.
Space That Finally Works for You
Most garages store clutter worth a fraction of what permitted living space is worth. Convert it into a rental unit, a home office, or a place for family.
Permitted and Legal
Unpermitted conversions are a liability when you sell or refinance. We permit every project through your city, so your new space adds appraised value instead of risk.
What’s Involved: Four Steps
1. Property evaluation and consultation
We visit your property, assess your garage’s structure and layout, and confirm what your lot qualifies for. Free, no obligation — and you’ll get an honest read on whether conversion is the right move.
2. Design and plans
Our in-house designers create a layout that fits your goals — a one-bedroom apartment, a studio, a guest suite. We engineer the structure and produce the full permit plan set.
3. Permits handled for you
We submit to your city and manage the process through corrections and approval. You don’t fill out forms or chase inspectors. That’s our job.
4. Construction and walkthrough
Licensed crews handle framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, and finishes. You get weekly progress updates, and we don’t hand over keys until the final walkthrough is done to your satisfaction.
Is My Garage a Good Candidate?
Most garages are. The best candidates have sound existing structure, adequate ceiling height, and reasonable access for utility connections. Garages with structural issues, flooding problems, or severe termite damage can still work — but may need repair first, which affects cost and timeline. The free consultation answers this exact question: we’ll tell you straight whether your garage converts cleanly, what it would take, and what it would cost.
Common Questions
Straight answers before you even call.
How long does a garage conversion take?
Most conversions move faster than new-build ADUs because the structure is already standing. Once permits are issued, construction is typically measured in weeks. We’ll give you a real schedule before construction starts and weekly updates while we build.
Will I lose my parking?
It depends on your city and property. Many cities have relaxed or eliminated replacement-parking requirements for ADU conversions, especially near transit. We check your city’s current rules during the evaluation and tell you exactly where you stand.
Do I need to move out during construction?
No. A garage conversion happens in a separate structure, so most homeowners live in place comfortably. We keep the work area contained and the schedule predictable.
How much does a garage conversion cost?
Garage conversions are the most budget-friendly ADU type. Our projects typically fall within the $52,000–$200,000 ADU range, with conversions toward the lower end. Every project starts with a free on-site consultation and an itemized fixed quote. Financing is available, including 0%-interest options for qualified homeowners.
Find Out What Your Garage Could Become.
A free consultation costs you nothing and tells you everything — whether your garage is a good candidate, what it would cost, and how long it would take.