01
Garage assessment
We check the slab, framing, roof, electrical panel and drainage to see what can stay and what needs work.
A garage conversion is the fastest and usually the most affordable way to add a legal living space to your Los Angeles home. We turn an existing garage into a permitted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and its own entry. Girl Flip Construction is a licensed, women-led general contractor (California license #1091248) and we handle the design, permits, construction and inspections.
An ADU garage conversion in Los Angeles turns an existing garage into a legal, livable unit with its own kitchen and bathroom. These projects commonly run from the high $70Ks into the $150K range, depending on size and finish level. Pricing includes labor and construction materials only, and finishes are determined by your selections. It is usually the most affordable way to add an ADU, because the structure, foundation and roof already exist.
Girl Flip is a licensed, women-led, family-owned general contractor. For a garage conversion, we handle the design, the engineering, the permits and the construction as one process, so you are not coordinating an architect, an engineer and a builder on your own.
We have turned an old garage into a living space before. One client hired us to reinvent a dilapidated garage into a recreation room, and wrote that Beth and Erica listened, returned calls right away and solved every issue that came up. The same planning applies to a garage that becomes a legal ADU, with the added steps of permits, utilities and inspections.
We hold CA contractor license #1091248 and a 5.0 rating across Google, Yelp, Sitejabber, ProvenExpert and BuildZoom.
Planning a full ADU of any type? See our ADU builders and contractors page for detached and attached units.
Every garage is different, so we scope each conversion in writing after a site walk. Here is what that scope usually includes.
We check the slab, framing, roof, electrical panel and drainage to see what can stay and what needs work.
A studio or one-bedroom layout with a kitchen, bath and storage, planned around the existing walls and door openings.
Garage slabs usually slope and are not insulated. We level, add a vapor barrier where needed and install flooring that suits living space.
Explore →The overhead door comes out and gets framed in, and we add windows, an entry door and egress where required.
Explore →Plumbing, a compact kitchen and a full bath, sized to the footprint and finished cleanly.
Explore →A heating and cooling system, a proper panel feed, outlets and lighting that meet current code.
Architectural plans, structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance and permit processing.
Water, sewer, gas and power connections, routed from the main house or the street.
Want to turn your garage into an ADU? Tell us about it and we will set up a discovery call.
A garage conversion follows the same path as other ADUs, with a few steps specific to an existing building.
A short call about your garage, your goals and your budget.
We measure, inspect the structure and the panel, and write a scope and estimate.
Plans and engineering for the conversion, then permit submission. Review times vary by city.
Framing, slab work, rough plumbing and electrical, insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinets and fixtures.
City sign-off and a final walkthrough, so the unit is ready to live in or rent.
Garage-to-ADU conversions in Los Angeles commonly run from the high $70Ks into the $150K range, depending on size and finish level. Pricing includes labor and construction materials only, and finishes are determined by your selections. That is usually below a new detached ADU, because the garage already provides a structure, a foundation and a roof. These are general ranges, not a quote.
| Garage conversion scope | What it involves | Typical range in LA |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or small unit | New kitchen and bath, insulation, flooring, windows, utilities | Commonly from the high $70Ks |
| Larger unit or higher finish level | More square footage, custom cabinets, upgraded fixtures and flooring | Commonly up to the $150K range |
| Detached new construction (for comparison) | A new building with its own foundation and utilities | Commonly starts around $150K |
Pricing includes labor and construction materials only, and finishes are determined by your selections.
See the ADU cost guide for every type, and our ADU financing guide for ways to pay for it.
In most cases, yes. California law allows homeowners to convert an existing garage into an ADU, and it limits a city's ability to require new setbacks for an existing structure. State law also generally does not require you to replace parking that is lost when a garage is converted. Local overlays, hillside rules and the condition of the structure can change the answer, so we check them on the site walk.
Keep in mind that a garage that becomes an ADU needs to meet current code for living space. That means insulation, ventilation, egress, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and a properly sized panel. We plan for these from the start.
Yes. A garage conversion is a change of use, and it needs its own permit set, structural review and energy compliance documentation. In the City of Los Angeles, permits come from LADBS. Other cities, such as Burbank, Glendale and Culver City, run their own building departments.
Our preconstruction package takes the project to Ready to Issue and handles the plans, the engineering and the permit processing. Read our permit guide for California remodels to learn what triggers a permit.
We convert garages across the city of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, with dedicated pages for these areas.
A garage conversion uses the walls and slab you already have, so it is faster and costs less than building a new detached ADU. A detached ADU gives you more space and more design freedom, but needs new foundations, framing and utility connections. If your garage is in good shape and the size works for you, converting it is usually the smartest first move. We look at your lot and your goals and tell you which route makes sense.
Compare with our detached ADU construction page.
California has made it easier to build ADUs, and converting an existing garage is one of the simplest paths. Here is what homeowners usually ask us about:
Read our guides on ADU cost in Los Angeles and ADU grants and financing in California.
Photos from our ADU work, showing how a small footprint can hold a full kitchen, a bath and a living area.
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
Read more before you plan your project.
Tell us about your project and we'll set up a discovery call to talk it through. Serving LA and the Valley.
