ADU Builder & Home Additions in Sherman Oaks, CA

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Last modified: 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z
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Design · Permit · Build

ADUs & Additions in Sherman Oaks

Detached ADUs, garage conversions and additions, from plans to move-in.

Book a Consultation Call 818-300-2393

Built for Sherman Oaks Homes

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, bonded and insured, CSLB license #1119054 .

Permits in Sherman Oaks: Private pools in the City of Los Angeles are permitted through a Combined Building-Mechanical permit, while pools serving more than two dwelling units need separate building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits. Using a City of Los Angeles standard plan on file with LADBS reduces plan check time.

South-of-the-boulevard hillside parcels are in the Hillside Area. There the Baseline Hillside Ordinance caps grading and import/export quantities, and LAMC 12.21 C.8 separately limits retaining-wall height. A pool there also needs its own LADBS grading permit, and much of the area is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

Permit details checked September 2026 against LADBS and LA City Clerk . Rules change, so we confirm them again for your parcel.

What We Build

Local Conditions

What to Know in Sherman Oaks

These local conditions change the scope, the schedule and the budget.

01

Flat lots north of Ventura Boulevard suit full backyard builds with pool, kitchen and lawn in one phase

02

Hillside parcels to the south typically require retaining walls and slope stabilization first

03

Mature landscaping and established root systems often dictate excavation routing

Areas we serve in Sherman Oaks:Chandler EstatesMagnolia Woods

Investment

What It Costs in Sherman Oaks

Real Southern California price ranges, not teaser numbers.

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

Your lot, access and finishes set the price. We walk the site, then show you where every dollar goes.

Get a line-item price for your Sherman Oaks property

The Process

How We Work in Sherman Oaks

01

Feasibility

We check lot size, setbacks, utilities and access to confirm what your property will actually support.

02

Design & 3D

Layout, elevations and finishes, modeled in 3D so you approve the unit before submittal.

03

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).

04

Foundation & Framing

Site prep, foundation, framing and dry-in by our own crews.

05

Systems & Finishes

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, then kitchen, bath and interior finishes.

06

Final Inspection

We pass final inspection, walk the unit with you and hand over the keys.

Questions

What Sherman Oaks Homeowners Ask

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, while pools serving more than two dwelling units need separate building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits.

Using a City of Los Angeles standard plan on file with LADBS reduces plan check time. South-of-the-boulevard hillside parcels are in the Hillside Area. There the Baseline Hillside Ordinance caps grading and import/export quantities, and LAMC 12.21 C.8 separately limits retaining-wall height.

A pool there also needs its own LADBS grading permit, and much of the area is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. We prepare the drawings, make the submittal and handle plan-check corrections ourselves, so you are not the one chasing plan check.

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. One local condition that shapes the work: 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 and Magnolia Woods. Our crews run every job out of our Cahuenga Pass base in Los Angeles, with our own people on site.

What does an ADU or addition cost in Sherman Oaks?

Detached ADU: generally $150,000 to $400,000+ across Southern California. 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

Pool & Spa Remodeling in Sherman Oaks Backyard & Outdoor Living in Sherman Oaks Kitchen, Bath & Interior Remodeling in Sherman Oaks Plans, Permits & Design in Sherman Oaks Everything we build in Sherman Oaks

ADUs & Additions Nearby

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Planning Guides

Before You Build in Sherman Oaks

Costs, materials and process notes from our own projects.

Pool Remodel Cost in Sherman Oaks: Plaster to Pipes 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 guide Sherman Oaks Outdoor Kitchens: Costs & Permits 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 guide ADU 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 guide Garage 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 guide

Planning an ADU in Sherman Oaks?

Sit down with your project manager and get an accurate estimate. We call you back within one business day.

Book a Consultation 818-300-2393

Licensed, bonded & insured · CSLB license #1119054


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