ADUs & Additions in Sherman Oaks
Detached ADUs, garage conversions, room additions and second storeys, designed, permitted and built. Designed, permitted and built by our own crews.
ADUs & Additions built for Sherman Oaks properties
Sherman Oaks rewards planning. North of the boulevard the lots are flat and generous, and the temptation is to fill them; the better outcome is usually fewer, larger zones with real circulation between them. South of the boulevard the hillside parcels come with view potential that is worth designing around, and structural work that has to be resolved before anything decorative happens.
Established mid-century homes on generous flat lots north of the boulevard, and steeper view parcels to the south where structural work leads the schedule.
We are a design-build team, which means the people who draw your project are the people who build it. Design, engineering, permits and construction run through one project manager and our own crews, so nothing gets lost in a handoff between a salesperson and a subcontractor. We are licensed and insured, LIC #1119054.
Permits in Sherman Oaks: Private pools in the City of Los Angeles are permitted through a combined Building-Mechanical permit. Plumbing plan check applies to apartment and commercial pools, not single-family homes, and using an LADBS pre-approved standard plan shortens plan check. South-of-the-boulevard hillside parcels fall under the Baseline Hillside Ordinance, which governs grading quantities and retaining height.
What We Build
- Retaining and slope drainage
- Mature-landscape protection during excavation
- Detached ADUs, ground-up
- Garage conversions to living space
- Junior ADUs within the main house
- Room additions and bump-outs
- Second-storey additions
- Full kitchens and bathrooms in the ADU
- Separate utility metering where required
- Private entries, patios and landscaping
- Plans, engineering and city submittals
- Title 24 energy compliance
Local Conditions
What building in Sherman Oaks actually involves
Every city in Southern California builds differently. These are the things that change the scope, the schedule or the budget on Sherman Oaks projects.
Flat lots north of Ventura Boulevard suit full backyard builds with pool, kitchen and lawn in one phase
Hillside parcels to the south typically require retaining walls and slope stabilization first
Mature landscaping and established root systems often dictate excavation routing
Investment
What this costs in Sherman Oaks
Real Southern California ranges, not a teaser number. Every project is priced line by line after we have seen the site.
Detached ADU
$150,000 to $400,000+
What moves it: square footage, finish level, utility runs, and site access; garage conversions typically run well below a ground-up detached build
Garage conversion ADU
$80,000 to $180,000
What moves it: whether the existing slab and framing meet current code, how far utilities have to run, and the finish level of the kitchen and bathroom
Plans, drawings and permit management
$4,500 to $25,000+
What moves it: project type and size, whether structural engineering, Title 24 or a soils report is required, and how many jurisdictions or review bodies are involved
How We Build
Your Sherman Oaks project, step by step
Feasibility
We check lot size, setbacks, utilities and access to confirm what your property will actually support.
Design & 3D
Layout, elevations and finishes, modelled in 3D so you approve the unit before submittal.
Plans & Permits
We prepare the full drawing set, handle engineering and Title 24, and manage the city submittal and corrections. In Sherman Oaks that submittal goes to Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).
Foundation & Framing
Site prep, foundation, framing and dry-in by our own crews.
Systems & Finishes
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, then kitchen, bath and interior finishes.
Final Inspection
We pass final inspection, walk the unit with you and hand over the keys.
Sherman Oaks Questions
Common questions from Sherman Oaks homeowners
Who issues the permits for this work in Sherman Oaks?
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Private pools in the City of Los Angeles are permitted through a combined Building-Mechanical permit. Plumbing plan check applies to apartment and commercial pools, not single-family homes, and using an LADBS pre-approved standard plan shortens plan check. South-of-the-boulevard hillside parcels fall under the Baseline Hillside Ordinance, which governs grading quantities and retaining height. We prepare the drawings, make the submittal and handle plan-check corrections ourselves, so you are not the one chasing the city.
What makes building in Sherman Oaks different?
Established mid-century homes on generous flat lots north of the boulevard, and steeper view parcels to the south where structural work leads the schedule. In practice that means flat lots north of Ventura Boulevard suit full backyard builds with pool, kitchen and lawn in one phase.
Which parts of Sherman Oaks do you work in?
All of it, including Chandler Estates, Sherman Oaks Heights, Longridge Estates, Royal Woods. We are based in Los Angeles at Cahuenga Pass, so Sherman Oaks is a short run for our crews rather than a job we service from out of the area.
What does adus & additions cost in Sherman Oaks?
Detached ADU in this market generally runs $150,000 to $400,000+. What moves it is square footage, finish level, utility runs, and site access; garage conversions typically run well below a ground-up detached build. We give line-item pricing after seeing the site rather than quoting a number over the phone.
How long does an ADU take start to finish?
Plan a realistic year. Design and engineering typically take one to three months, city plan check and corrections add several more, and construction usually runs four to eight months depending on size and site access.
Is a garage conversion cheaper than a detached ADU?
Usually yes, and often substantially, because the foundation, walls and roof already exist. The trade-offs are that you lose the garage, and older slabs and framing sometimes need upgrading to meet current code.
Can I rent the ADU out?
California ADU law is designed to allow long-term rental, and an ADU is one of the few ways to add rentable square footage to a single-family lot. Short-term rental rules vary by city, so confirm your local ordinance before counting on that income.
Do you handle the permits?
Yes. Plans, engineering, Title 24 and the city submittal are all handled in-house, including responding to plan-check corrections. That is a service we sell on its own, so it is not something we hand off.
More services in Sherman Oaks
Sherman Oaks Guides
Planning guides for Sherman Oaks homeowners
Costs, materials and process notes from our own projects.
Pool Remodel Cost in Sherman Oaks: What the Work Really Prices At
Pool remodels in Sherman Oaks run $18,000 to $55,000 depending on scope. Here is what each element costs, and why hillside pools above Ventura Boulevard price higher than the flats.
Read guideOutdoor Kitchens in Sherman Oaks: Design & Installation Guide
Sherman Oaks homeowners are adding outdoor kitchens to extend living space. Here's what you need to know about design, costs, and local requirements.
Read guideADU Cost Breakdown by Size in Los Angeles
A detached ADU in Los Angeles runs $150,000 to $400,000-plus. Here is the real cost broken down by unit size, with the soft costs, utility work and finish decisions that move the number.
Read guideGarage Conversion to ADU: The Step-by-Step Build
A garage conversion runs $80,000 to $180,000 in Southern California. Here is the real sequence, from slab testing and plan check to the raised floor, the mini-split and final sign-off.
Read guidePlanning adus & additions in Sherman Oaks?
Sit down with your project manager, go through the details, and get an accurate estimate for your property.
Licensed & Insured · LIC #1119054