Full-Service General Contractor: Remodeling, ADUs & New Builds
From bathroom remodeling to ADU construction and new builds, Hollywood Contractor Corp is the full-service general contractor Los Angeles homeowners trust. Learn what to expect at every stage.
Los Angeles summers are long, dry, and relentless — and every fall, Santa Ana winds push fire risk across hillside neighborhoods from the San Fernando Valley to Pasadena. That seasonal pressure makes a lot of homeowners rethink their properties: add an ADU for a family member, upgrade a fire-resistant exterior, or finally finish that bathroom remodel that has been sitting on the to-do list for two years. Hiring a full service general contractor is the most efficient way to move all of those projects forward without managing a dozen separate vendors yourself.
What Does a Full-Service General Contractor Actually Do in Los Angeles, CA?
A full-service general contractor manages every phase of a construction project from the first permit application to the final city inspection. That includes hiring and scheduling subcontractors, ordering materials, meeting city inspectors, and keeping the job on budget and on timeline. The homeowner has one point of contact instead of coordinating separately with a framer, electrician, plumber, and tile setter.
In Los Angeles, CA, that coordination layer matters more than in most cities. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) requires separate permits for structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work on most projects. A general contractor pulls and tracks all of those permits so nothing falls through the cracks.
Contractors working in California must be Licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). That license protects homeowners and is required before any contract over $500 can legally be signed. Always verify a contractor’s license number on the CSLB website before work begins.
What Types of Projects Can a Full-Service General Contractor Handle?
A true full-service general contractor covers the full range: interior remodels, exterior upgrades, accessory dwelling units, and ground-up new construction. Hollywood Contractor Corp works across all of these project types throughout Los Angeles, CA and nearby communities including Burbank, Hollywood, and Pasadena.
- Bathroom remodeling: Full gut-and-rebuild or targeted upgrades — tile, fixtures, waterproofing, ventilation, and layout changes. Bathroom remodeling in Hollywood and bathroom remodeling in Burbank are two of the most common requests the team handles, often in older 1940s and 1950s bungalows where the original plumbing needs full replacement.
- Kitchen remodels: Cabinet layout, countertop installation, appliance rough-ins, and island additions. California’s Title 24 building energy standards now require LED lighting and efficient ventilation in all remodeled kitchens.
- ADU and JADU construction: Detached backyard units, garage conversions, and junior ADUs carved from existing living space. More detail on this in the next section.
- Exterior remodeling: Stucco repair, siding replacement, window upgrades, and deck construction. Exterior remodeling in Pasadena often involves matching historic stucco profiles on Craftsman and Spanish Colonial homes.
- New construction: Ground-up single-family homes on infill lots, including grading, foundation, framing, and all finish work.
- Room additions: Expanding square footage with a permitted addition, including foundation work and tie-ins to existing MEP systems.
Our team has seen bathroom remodel scopes in the Burbank and Hollywood areas grow by an average of 20-30% once walls are opened and outdated galvanized pipe or knob-and-tube wiring is discovered — which is why a detailed pre-construction assessment saves money in the long run.
How Does ADU and JADU Construction Work in Los Angeles, CA?
An ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is a fully self-contained second home on a single-family lot, while a JADU (junior ADU) is a smaller unit of up to 500 square feet created from existing interior space. Both are legal in Los Angeles, CA under state law that went into effect in 2020 and was further expanded by California’s 2024 ADU guidelines. The city now allows most single-family lots to have one ADU and one JADU simultaneously.
The construction process for an ADU typically runs through these stages in order:
- Site assessment and feasibility: Confirm setbacks, lot coverage limits, utility capacity, and whether a detached or attached unit makes more sense for the lot.
- Design and plan preparation: Architectural drawings, structural engineering, and Title 24 energy compliance documentation.
- Permit submittal to LADBS: Plan check can take 4 to 12 weeks depending on project complexity and current city workload. Pre-approved standard plans can cut this to under 4 weeks.
- Site prep and foundation: Grading, concrete pour, and utility stub-outs. In hillside neighborhoods like Silver Lake or Eagle Rock, grading work adds cost and time.
- Framing, MEP rough-in, and inspections: Framing inspection, rough electrical, rough plumbing, and insulation inspections happen before walls close.
- Finish work and final inspection: Drywall, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, exterior finish, and final city sign-off.
A detached ADU of 600 to 800 square feet typically takes 6 to 10 months from permit submittal to final inspection in Los Angeles, CA. A garage conversion JADU can move faster — sometimes 4 to 6 months — because the shell already exists.
A detached ADU of 600 to 800 square feet typically takes 6 to 10 months from permit submittal to final inspection in Los Angeles, CA.
Homeowners who add an ADU may also qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act federal tax credit on qualifying energy-efficient systems installed in the new unit, including heat pumps and insulation upgrades. The TECH Clean California rebate program also offers incentives for all-electric ADU construction.
What Does a Remodel or New Build Cost in Los Angeles, CA?
Construction costs in Los Angeles, CA run higher than national averages because of land costs, labor demand, and California’s strict building codes. The ranges below reflect current regional market conditions and shift based on scope, materials, and site complexity.
| Project Type | Typical Regional Range | Key Cost Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel (full) | $25,000 – $60,000+ | Layout changes, plumbing relocation, tile selection, fixture grade |
| Kitchen remodel (full) | $45,000 – $120,000+ | Cabinet quality, countertop material, appliance package, structural changes |
| ADU (detached, new construction) | $150,000 – $350,000+ | Size, site conditions, finish level, utility connections |
| ADU (garage conversion) | $80,000 – $175,000 | Existing structure condition, insulation, HVAC, bathroom addition |
| Room addition | $75,000 – $200,000+ | Foundation type, square footage, tie-in complexity |
| New construction (SFR) | $350,000 – $700,000+ | Lot conditions, design complexity, material selections, permitting timeline |
These are market context ranges only — not quotes from Hollywood Contractor Corp. Every project is different, and the only way to get an accurate number is a site visit and written scope review. Request a custom quote by calling (818) 264-1955.
As of 2026, California’s Title 24 building energy standards require new ADUs and additions to meet updated insulation, window, and HVAC efficiency thresholds. Meeting those requirements adds modest upfront cost but reduces long-term utility bills — especially relevant during Los Angeles summers when cooling loads are highest.
As of 2026, California's Title 24 building energy standards require new ADUs and additions to meet updated insulation, window, and HVAC efficiency thresholds.
When Should You Call a Pro Instead of Managing It Yourself?
Any project that requires a permit in Los Angeles, CA should be managed by a licensed general contractor — not self-managed by a homeowner hiring individual subs. Unpermitted work is the single biggest source of cost overruns and legal problems we see, and it affects resale value and insurance coverage.
Here are the clearest signals that a project needs a full-service general contractor from day one:
- Structural changes: Moving or removing walls, adding windows, or changing the roofline all require engineering review and structural permits.
- ADU or JADU construction: These projects involve every trade — civil, structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical — and require coordinated inspections at each phase.
- Exterior remodeling on older homes: Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint or asbestos in stucco and siding. Proper testing and abatement must happen before any demo work.
- Hillside or sloped lots: Properties in hillside neighborhoods across Los Angeles, CA often require geotechnical reports and engineered foundations before any new structure can be added.
- Projects over $500: Under California law, any contract over $500 for labor and materials requires a CSLB-licensed contractor.
- Tight timelines: A general contractor can overlap trade schedules in a way a homeowner managing subs individually cannot, cutting weeks off a project.
Across our ADU and remodel projects in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding Los Angeles neighborhoods, we find that roughly 1 in 3 garage conversion projects uncovers either substandard electrical panels or inadequate foundation footings that were never permitted on the original structure. Catching those issues early — before framing goes up — saves homeowners an average of 6 to 8 weeks of rework.
Roughly 1 in 3 garage conversion projects uncovers either substandard electrical panels or inadequate foundation footings that were never permitted on the original structure.
Get Your Project Started in Los Angeles, CA
Whether you are planning a bathroom remodel in Burbank, an ADU on a lot in Hollywood, or a full new build in Pasadena, the right contractor makes the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one. Hollywood Contractor Corp is a full-service general contractor serving all of Los Angeles, CA — handling design coordination, permits, subcontractors, inspections, and final delivery under one contract.
Schedule a site visit and get a written project estimate before any work begins. Call (818) 264-1955 or book online. Hollywood Contractor Corp serves all Los Angeles ZIP codes, including Burbank, Hollywood, Pasadena, and the San Fernando Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an ADU take to build in Los Angeles?
A detached ADU in Los Angeles, CA typically takes 6 to 10 months from permit submittal to final city inspection. A garage conversion can move faster — sometimes 4 to 6 months — because the existing structure reduces framing time. The biggest variable is permit plan check, which can take 4 to 12 weeks at LADBS depending on project complexity.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Los Angeles?
Yes, most bathroom remodels in Los Angeles, CA require permits if you are moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits, or making structural changes. Cosmetic updates like replacing a vanity or retiling a shower with no layout changes may not require a permit, but any work touching the drain system or adding a new circuit does. Hollywood Contractor Corp handles all permit applications as part of the project scope.
What is the difference between an ADU and a JADU in Los Angeles?
An ADU is a fully self-contained unit up to 1,200 square feet with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance — either detached or attached to the main home. A JADU is smaller, capped at 500 square feet, and must be created from existing interior space within the primary residence. Both are allowed on most single-family lots in Los Angeles, CA, and you can have one of each on the same property.
How do I know if a general contractor in Los Angeles is licensed?
You can verify any contractor's license number for free on the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website at cslb.ca.gov. A valid license confirms the contractor is bonded, insured, and legally authorized to pull permits in Los Angeles, CA. Never sign a contract or make a deposit before confirming the license is active.
Can I get a tax credit for building an ADU in Los Angeles?
Yes, depending on the systems installed. As of 2026, the Inflation Reduction Act federal tax credit covers qualifying energy-efficient upgrades including heat pumps, insulation, and electric panel upgrades — all common in new ADU construction. The TECH Clean California rebate program also offers cash incentives for all-electric ADU builds. A full-service general contractor can help you identify which upgrades qualify before construction begins.
