Garage Conversions

Your garage is your best square footage.

Garage-to-ADU and garage-to-living-space conversions across Los Angeles — a new room, rental, office, or gym without expanding the house, at a fraction of new-construction cost.

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Projects completed
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Years building in LA
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Cheaper than new construction
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Free design renderings
License #773147
Licensed, bonded & insured
Free in-home design session
Free 3D design ($3k–$5k value)
3,000+ projects since 1996
Design-build, one roof
The Preferred approach

A new room hiding in plain sight.

The cheapest square footage you can add is the square footage you already own. A garage conversion repurposes an existing structure — foundation, walls, and roof already paid for — into space your family or a tenant uses every day.

We start with a thorough site assessment: structural integrity, zoning laws, permit requirements, and budget, reviewed before design. Then our team produces layouts and 3D renderings tailored to the use you have in mind.

Construction covers everything the structure needs to become livable — insulation, flooring, windows, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — code-compliant and finished to match your home.

What to expect

Typical cost & timeline by conversion type.

Real ranges from our completed projects. Your estimate is confirmed after the free assessment.

Conversion typeTypical costTimelineNotes
Living space / bedroom$35,000–$80,0002–3 monthsInsulation, flooring, HVAC
Home office / gym / studio$35,000–$70,0002–3 monthsLighter plumbing needs
Full ADU with kitchen & bath$50,000–$150,0003–6 monthsRental-ready, separate entrance
Two-story garage addition$100,000+4–8 monthsSpace above and within

Ceilings must meet a 7-foot minimum and energy upgrades (insulation, windows, HVAC) are usually required to meet residential code — we scope all of it up front.

Who this is for

For every garage storing nothing worth storing.

Single-car garages typically yield 400–600 square feet of living space — a studio, suite, office, or income unit.

These are the conversions we build most.

Rental ADU conversions
Guest suites
Home offices
Home gyms
Playrooms & media rooms
Art & hobby studios
In-law quarters
Two-story additions
Why Preferred

Craft you can hold us to.

Design-build, one roof

Architects, designers, and builders on one team — from 3D renderings and permits to the final walkthrough, with no handoffs and no finger-pointing.

Free 3D design session

A free in-home design session with 3D renderings — a $3,000–$5,000 value when you build with us — so you see the space before a wall moves.

One accountable team

A 25-person team led by the same family since 1996 — with a dedicated project manager, regular updates, and a clean, organized site.

What’s included

Everything, handled.

Design & 3D renderings

Architectural layouts and renderings tailored to your use — guest suite, office, or rental unit.

Permits & compliance

City permits, structural assessments, and code compliance handled through final inspection.

Systems & insulation

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, and windows brought up to residential code.

Full finish-out

Flooring, drywall, lighting, and finish carpentry that blends seamlessly with your home.

Planning a bigger project? Garage Conversions often pairs with ADU Construction, Room Additions, or Interior Remodeling — we can scope it all together.

Problems we solve

  • A garage full of boxes on a lot that could earn rent
  • No guest room, office, or gym in a house that needs all three
  • New-construction costs that don’t pencil out
  • Unpermitted conversions that surface at appraisal or sale

Common triggers

  • Working from home in a corner that was never meant for it
  • A parent or adult child who needs a place of their own
  • Rental income that would meaningfully help the mortgage
  • Seeing a neighbor’s conversion and realizing yours could match
In detail

What this service covers.

Every scope is different, but a garage conversions project with Preferred typically includes each of these.

Garage to living space

Cozy bedrooms, studios, and family rooms with insulation, flooring, windows, and HVAC.

Garage to ADU

Fully functional units with kitchen, bath, and separate entrance — rental-ready.

Garage to home office

Quiet, professional workspaces with soundproofing, cabinetry, and proper lighting.

Garage to gym

Rubber flooring, ventilation, mirrors, and equipment storage for real workouts.

Garage to guest suite

Private bedroom-and-bath suites for visitors and extended family.

Garage to studio

Well-lit creative spaces with worktables, storage, and ventilation for the work you love.

Two-story conversions

Living space above and within the garage for growing families on tight lots.

Permits & code upgrades

Structural changes, energy upgrades, and every inspection — handled.

Where we build

Serving greater Los Angeles.

FAQ

Common questions.

Yes — it adds usable space and property value while reusing a structure you already own, typically 20–30% cheaper than equivalent new construction.
A basic conversion starts around $35,000; a full ADU with kitchen and bath typically runs $50,000–$150,000 depending on size and finishes. Quotes are free.
Yes — structural changes, plumbing, and electrical work all require permits from local building and safety. Our team manages the entire approval process.
Converting the garage is generally cheaper for a straightforward extra room since the structure exists. If you need more space or plumbing-heavy features, an addition may serve better — we price both honestly.
A bedroom, rental ADU, office, gym, playroom, art studio, or guest suite. If you can imagine it in 400–600 square feet, we’ve probably built it.
Get started

Ready to put your garage to work?

Get a free assessment and design session — we’ll evaluate the structure, review zoning, and show you what it could become.

(818) 312-6622
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