What is the cost and process to update or legalize my unpermitted Los Angeles garage?

What is the cost and process to update or legalize my unpermitted Los Angeles garage conversion?

Garage conversions can be seen all over Los Angeles and most people know someone who is living or has lived in one at one point.  Dud you know that you have to legally convert a garage though? Most do not as they feel it is already a room that just needs a few things, some just do not want to spend the money.  A typical, legal Los Angeles garage conversion will cost around $70,000, which to some is too much.  What they do not realize is the fines and penalties they face when they are caught with an unpermitted garage and the process they will have to take.  It is best to legalize as soon as possible to prevent loss of money and time.

What is the process to convert your garage into a granny flat or build an ADU from the ground up?

You want to legalize before you face a fine?  The first step is to move out any renters you may have.  This process will require work and inspection or two, if someone is living there you cannot legalize.  The next is to get blueprints drawn up of your garage conversion, you need these to submit to your permits office, a drafter or architect can do this for you.  Once you have your floorplans they need to be submitted to obtain permits and licenses.  Once approved you need to schedule the pre-inspection with your local Los Angeles city inspector.  The city inspector will make you demo your garage and provide you with a list of items that need to be followed to legalize your new garage.  After you have demoed your existing garage you can hire the contractor and be creating your garage conversion.

For passing inspections for house remodeling, you can contact our trusted partners Los Angeles Home Remodeler.com. Before you pass inspection for anything you will need architectural designs, our sister company also provides does here Architectural Designs.com.

What is the cost to build a granny flat?

Well, the costs can vary depending on what Los Angeles city you are located in.  The floorplans will cost roughly between $2,000-5,000. To obtain permits and licenses is another $6,000-8,000 but can vary based on your city and cannot be known beforehand.  The demo of the existing garage is $5,000-10,000 and then the last phase of recreating your garage conversion will start around $55,000. The final costs of the last phase will depend on the size, materials used and the design of your conversion. Total is will cost you around $75,000 and a few months, on the other if you do not legalize and get caught you you will then face fines and penalties and be forced to either start the legal process or demo your garage and lose that space. For some, you might not get back the chance to have a garage conversion.  Save yourself the hassle and legalize it.

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