01
Detached ADUs
A standalone unit built from the ground up on your lot. It is the most flexible option, with its own foundation, roof and utility connections.
Girl Flip is a licensed, women-led ADU builder in Los Angeles. We design, permit and construct detached, attached and garage ADUs under one roof.
Our ADU construction services cover design, engineering, permits and the build of a detached, attached or garage-converted accessory dwelling unit, including the kitchen, bathroom, utilities and finishes. Cost depends mostly on type and size. Garage conversions are usually the most affordable, and new detached ADUs commonly start around $150K.
Girl Flip is a licensed, women-led, family-owned general contractor. We handle ADU design, permitting and construction as one process, so you are not passed between an architect, an engineer and a builder. Erica Anenberg, our general contractor and founder, and Beth Benson, our head of sales and operations, stay on every ADU from the first walkthrough to the final inspection.
ADUs are one of the most common calls we get, usually from homeowners who want space for in-laws, a rental, or a home office. Our HGTV work with Tarek El Moussa included a full gut remodel with an addition in Long Beach, plus two brand-new detached, side-by-side ADUs built from the ground up. Coordinating two new structures on one lot taught us a lot about utilities, sequencing and inspections.
We hold CA contractor license #1091248 and a 5.0 rating across Google, Yelp, Sitejabber, ProvenExpert and BuildZoom.
See the HGTV Long Beach ADU project or meet our women-led ADU contractor team.
Every accessory dwelling unit in Los Angeles is different, so we scope each one in writing after a site walk. Here is what that scope usually covers.
A standalone unit built from the ground up on your lot. It is the most flexible option, with its own foundation, roof and utility connections.
Turning an existing garage into a full living unit is usually the most affordable path, since the structure already exists.
Explore →New square footage built onto the side or back of your home. It shares some infrastructure with the main house.
Every ADU needs a functional kitchen and bath. We size cabinets, appliances and fixtures to a smaller footprint without making it feel cramped.
Explore →Architectural plans, structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance and permit processing, handled as part of the project.
Electrical, water, sewer and gas runs from the main house or the street, sized and routed for the new unit.
Durable flooring, clean tile, paint and trim that make a small unit feel like a real home.
Explore →Grading, demolition of old slabs or sheds, tree work and equipment access for a rear-lot build.
Thinking about adding an ADU to your property? Tell us about your lot and we will set up a discovery call.
An ADU has more moving parts than a room remodel, so we keep the order of work clear.
A short call about your goals, your lot, your timeline and your budget.
We look at the lot, the setbacks, the utilities and the access, then write a scope and estimate. Two lots that look alike from the street can cost very different amounts.
Plans, structural engineering and Title 24 energy compliance, then permit submission. Review times vary by city and by how busy the department is.
Site work, foundation, framing, utilities, inspections, finishes and fixtures, with regular updates from our crew.
A final walkthrough and the city sign-off, so the unit is ready to move into or rent.
ADU cost in Los Angeles depends first on the type. Garage conversions commonly run from the high $70Ks into the $150K range, and new detached ADUs commonly start around $150K. These are general ranges, not a quote.
| ADU type | What it involves | Typical range in LA |
|---|---|---|
| Garage conversion | Existing garage turned into living space, with a new kitchen and bath | Commonly from the high $70Ks into the $150K range |
| Attached ADU | New space added onto your existing home, with a new foundation | Between a garage conversion and a detached unit |
| Detached new construction | Standalone unit with its own foundation, roof and utilities | Commonly starts around $150K and can pass $250K |
Read the full ADU cost guide for Los Angeles. The state CalHFA grant is paused for new applicants, so see our guide to ADU financing options.
California law requires cities to approve compliant ADU applications, and it sets a 60-day review clock for a complete application. State rules also let most lots build an ADU of at least 800 square feet, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Your lot, zone and any hillside or overlay rules can change what is possible, so we check them on the site walk.
Layout choices come down to how you will use the unit. A studio or one-bedroom works well for a rental or a parent. A two-bedroom suits a family member or a longer stay. We plan the kitchen, bath and storage so a small footprint still lives well, and we plan privacy and separate entries so both households keep their space.
Yes. Every ADU in California needs its own permit set, structural review and energy compliance documentation before construction starts. In the City of Los Angeles, permits come from LADBS. Other cities, such as Burbank, Glendale, Culver City and Santa Monica, run their own building departments.
Our preconstruction package takes the project to Ready to Issue, with plans, engineering, energy compliance and permit processing handled for you. Read more in our permit guide for California remodels.
We build ADUs across the city of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, with dedicated pages for these areas.
Photos from our ADU work. Each one packs a full kitchen, bath and living space into a small footprint.
Rated a perfect 5.0 across Google, Yelp, Sitejabber, ProvenExpert and BuildZoom.
We hired Girl Flip to reinvent our dilapidated old garage, and now we have a beautiful new recreation room the whole family and our dogs love. Beth and Erica listened to our ideas, returned calls immediately, and solved every issue that came up. The crew was skilled, timely, and respectful, and communication was outstanding.Vicki NewcombGarage to Rec Room
We had a great consultation with Beth and Erica. They came prepared, took detailed notes and photos, and spent time understanding every aspect of our project. They were transparent about costs and potential challenges, and we left feeling informed about our options and next steps. Highly recommend!Veronica GrijalvaRemodel Consultation
As a designer, I'm always looking for good contractors to work with. After speaking with Beth about my project, I was impressed with her attention to detail and their efficient project management. At our on-site consultation they took their time to ask the right questions and paid attention to every detail. Great ideas and real transparency.Eden Coriann BrightDesigner, Consultation
Tell us about your project and we'll set up a discovery call to talk it through. Serving LA and the Valley.