Garage Conversion ADU, Fullerton
The slab sat below the surrounding grade, the existing panel had no spare capacity, and fire access to the rear of the lot needed confirming.
Residential and ADU
Garage Conversion Design, Plans and Permits in Southern California
A garage conversion is usually the lowest cost route to a legal second unit, because the slab, walls and roof already exist. The variables that decide whether it pencils are ceiling height, existing framing, drainage, panel capacity and replacement parking rules in your city.
What this covers
- Attached garage conversions
- Detached garage conversions
- Junior ADU conversions
- Structural and panel upgrades
- Plan sets and permit submittal
How we run it
- 01
Site check
Ceiling height, slab condition, framing, drainage and electrical capacity.
- 02
Feasibility
City standards, replacement parking and utility routing confirmed in writing.
- 03
Permit set
Complete drawings, Title 24 and structural coordination.
- 04
Build
Conversion work sequenced to keep the rest of the property usable.
Related projects
Questions people ask before hiring
Is a garage conversion cheaper than a detached ADU?
Usually yes. The existing slab, walls and roof remove a large share of shell cost. The savings shrink when the slab has to be raised for drainage, the roof structure needs reinforcement, or the electrical service has to be upgraded.
Do I have to replace the parking space I lose?
State ADU law removed replacement parking requirements in many situations, but city overlays, coastal zones and hillside rules still vary. We confirm your specific address before design starts.