Garage Conversion
Turn an underused garage into a legal, permitted living space or ADU — built by a licensed contractor (Lic. #1092628) serving Southern California.
Garage Conversions in Los Angeles
A garage is usually the cheapest square footage you already own. The slab, walls, and roof exist, so converting costs far less per square foot than building new — and California ADU law has made permitting dramatically more straightforward. Hollywood Contractor Corp is a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1092628) converting garages across Los Angeles County, including Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and North Hollywood. We confirm feasibility for your address first, then handle plans, permits, insulation, egress, electrical, plumbing, and finishes so the finished room is legal habitable space — not an unpermitted conversion that causes problems at resale or with your insurer. See our new construction services.
What You Can Turn a Garage Into
Once it’s permitted as habitable space, the layout is up to you.
- A full ADU with kitchen and bathroom
- A guest suite or in-law unit
- A home office or studio
- A gym or hobby workshop
- A teen or multigenerational suite
- A rentable unit for ongoing income
What a Legal Conversion Requires
Converting to habitable space means meeting real code requirements — this is why permits matter.
- Insulation in walls, roof, and slab edge
- Egress windows and proper ceiling height
- Upgraded electrical and dedicated circuits
- Plumbing for kitchen and bathroom
- Heating and ventilation to code
- Fire separation from the main dwelling
How We Convert Your Garage
We handle the design, the city, and the build so the finished space is fully legal.
- Feasibility check — zoning, setbacks, and parking rules
- Plans & permits — drawn, submitted, and cleared
- Slab & envelope — insulate, level, and seal
- Systems — electrical, plumbing, and HVAC
- Finishes — flooring, drywall, kitchen, and bath
- Final inspection — signed off as living space
Garage Conversion Options
From a simple finished room to a fully independent rental unit — we build the version that fits your goals.
- Full ADU conversion — kitchen, bath, private entry.
- Junior ADU (JADU) — compact unit under 500 sq ft.
- Attached garage conversion — integrate with the house.
- Detached garage conversion — a private backyard unit.
- Office or studio — finished, insulated workspace.
- Partial conversion — keep some storage or parking.
Our Garage Conversion Process
Most of the risk in a garage conversion is in the paperwork. We handle that first, then build.
Feasibility & Design
We confirm zoning and parking rules, then design a layout that will actually permit.
Permits
We submit the plan set and clear city corrections so the space is fully legal.
Build Out
Insulation, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, and finishes.
Final Inspection
The city signs off and you have permitted, habitable square footage.
Why Homeowners Choose Hollywood Contractor Corp
An unpermitted conversion can cost you at resale and in insurance. We build them legally so the space counts.
- Licensed, bonded & insured (Lic. #1092628)
- Permitted work that appraises and insures
- We handle zoning, plans & city corrections
- Honest feasibility check before you spend
- ADU-ready with kitchen and bath
- Local crews who know LA & county ADU rules
- Hundreds of completed LA-area projects
- Workmanship warranty on every conversion
Garage Conversion FAQs
How much does a garage conversion cost in Los Angeles?
Most garage conversions in the LA area run from about $60,000 to $150,000. A simple finished room without plumbing sits at the low end; a full ADU conversion with a kitchen, bathroom, and separate utilities costs more. Because the slab, walls, and roof already exist, it is usually the least expensive way to add legal square footage.
Do I need a permit to convert my garage?
Yes. Converting a garage into habitable space always requires permits. Unpermitted conversions create serious problems at resale, can be flagged by appraisers and insurers, and may have to be reversed. We handle the permitting so the finished space is fully legal.
Do I have to replace the parking I lose?
Under current California ADU law, replacement parking generally cannot be required when you convert an existing garage into an ADU. Local rules still vary in the details, so we confirm the specific requirements for your address during the feasibility check.
How long does a garage conversion take?
Construction typically takes about 2 to 4 months. Design and permitting usually add another 2 to 4 months before that, depending on your jurisdiction’s plan-check timeline.
Can I rent out a converted garage?
Yes, if it is permitted as an ADU with the required kitchen, bathroom, and egress. That is exactly why most of our clients convert — a legal ADU can generate meaningful long-term rental income in the LA market.
Will a garage conversion add value to my home?
A permitted conversion generally adds value, because it adds legal, appraisable square footage and potential rental income. An unpermitted conversion often does the opposite, so permitting is what protects the investment.
Does the ceiling height in my garage work?
Habitable space requires a minimum ceiling height, and many older garages are close to the line. We measure during the feasibility visit. If the height is short, options include lowering the slab or modifying the roof structure — we’ll tell you what’s realistic.
What about the garage door opening?
It gets framed in and finished with a wall, windows, or a door, depending on the design. Done well, the finished exterior reads as part of the house rather than a filled-in garage.
What Our Customers Say
Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what LA-area homeowners say about working with Hollywood Contractor Corp.
Ready to Convert Your Garage?
Let’s check what’s possible at your address. Free feasibility consultation covering zoning, layout, and a realistic budget for a fully permitted conversion.
Garage Conversion Across Los Angeles County
Local crews, local permit knowledge. These communities have a dedicated page covering the work we do there.
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