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What Is a Junior ADU?
A Junior ADU, or JADU, is a smaller housing unit created within an existing or proposed single-family home. Under California law, a JADU can contain up to 500 square feet of living space.
Unlike a standard ADU, a JADU requires an efficiency kitchen but does not necessarily need a separate bathroom. California allows it to share sanitation facilities with the primary residence.
A Junior ADU can make sense when you have usable space inside your Los Angeles home and do not need a full-size ADU. A spare bedroom, underused portion of the house, or qualifying attached garage may provide the space you need.
Go ADU evaluates your existing space, access, utilities, and goals to determine how that square footage can become a practical dwelling that meets California JADU requirements.
JADU conversions up to 500 square feet
Efficiency kitchen design and installation
Private entrances and thoughtful interior layouts
Design, permitting, construction, and final inspections
"Go ADU kept their word on everything. The build finished early and on budget. I still can’t believe how smooth it was."
Rebecca M.
Van Nuys ADU
See What a Junior ADU Can Become
A smaller footprint does not have to feel like a compromise.
In this video, take a look inside a completed Go ADU JADU project in Culver City. You’ll see how an existing portion of the home was transformed into a bright, comfortable living space with its own kitchen, living area, and thoughtful finishes.
The walkthrough gives you a better sense of what is possible when every square foot has a purpose. If you are considering a Junior ADU, it is a useful example of how smart design can make a compact space feel like a complete home.
What Are the Junior ADU Requirements in California?
California gives Junior ADUs their own set of rules. A JADU must be created within an existing or proposed single-family residence, although the eligible area can include an attached garage.
For a project to qualify as a Junior ADU in California, key requirements include:
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500 square feet maximum of interior living space
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An efficiency kitchen with cooking appliances, food preparation space, and storage
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A separate entrance from the main entrance to the primary residence
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A private or shared bathroom, depending on the layout
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No additional parking requirement for the JADU
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One JADU maximum on a qualifying single-family lot
If the JADU shares a bathroom with the main house, it must also have an interior entrance into the primary living area. Owner-occupancy requirements can apply in this situation.
Local permitting and building-code requirements still matter. Before designing the space, Go ADU reviews the property and existing structure to determine how the project can meet state requirements along with the rules that apply in your local jurisdiction.
Estimate Your ADU Project Cost
Answer a few questions and we'll show you a realistic price range based on real Los Angeles ADU projects. This is an estimate to help you plan, not a quote. The most accurate number comes from a free site evaluation.
What type of ADU are you planning?
About how big will it be?
What level of finish are you after?
One or two stories?
How's your site?
Your estimated range
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What's driving it
Permit, impact, and school fees are paid directly to the city and vary by jurisdiction, so they sit on top of this estimate. Also excluded: appliances, landscaping, furniture, and a soils report or survey if required.
Every property is different. The most accurate number comes from a free site evaluation with our team.
Estimates include design and engineering, structural plans, Title 24 calculations, plan submittal and city clearances, full construction, new sewer and water lines, electrical service, HVAC, and interior and exterior finishes. City fees are separate.
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ADU GALLERY
Explore past ADU projects we've built for our clients.
Happy Homeowners Across Los Angeles
LA’s Recommended ADU Builders
We had a beautiful experience working with Gil’s team of Hugo and Daniel and they were very diligent throughout the entire process. They built our ADU from start to finish in less than 6 months all while my elderly 77 year old dad lived in the front house and they showed great consideration to him. The finishes were on point and the communication never lacked with Gil and Daniel always picking up the phone when we called. And one of the most impressive features of our experience is that for a six figure project the price we were given is the EXACT price that we paid at the end. Would definitely recommend Go ADU to take the stress out of building in the City of LA
Just finished an ADU build with Go ADU and I’m genuinely impressed with how they ran the job. Anytime something unexpected popped up—city, utilities, you name it—they told me right away and laid out options instead of just dumping problems in my lap. Communication was steady the whole way through, and I never felt like I had to chase them for updates. The unit turned out exactly how I pictured it: clean lines, solid workmanship, and ready to move into. I’d gladly bring them back for another project.
Thursday afternoon I met Go ADU Construction for a backyard ADU consult. They arrived on time, walked the yard, measured, and explained utilities and the permit path in plain language. I left with a clear written estimate and a sensible timeline.Low pressure and organized, would hire.
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Gil Vaisman and the Go ADU Construction team, and I can confidently say they represent the very best of what you’d hope to find in a Los Angeles ADU builder. While I have not personally hired them for an ADU project, I’ve seen firsthand the integrity, transparency, and professionalism that Gil brings to his work as a Los Angeles ADU contractor.
Go ADU Construction has built a strong reputation in Los Angeles for ADU construction, garage conversions, and accessory dwelling units of all types. Gil leads his team with honesty and a client-first mindset, qualities that are rare in the construction industry. He is straightforward, dependable, and deeply committed to delivering excellent results.
If you’re searching for a trusted Los Angeles ADU builder or contractor who prioritizes quality craftsmanship and clear communication, I highly recommend reaching out to Gil and his team at Go ADU Construction. They have earned the respect of many homeowners across Los Angeles, and it’s easy to see why.
I hired Go ADU Construction to build an ADU for us, it just got completed. Gil and Hugo were amazing to work with. They have high integrity, and did an excellent quality work. They finished the job within the exact time frame that they promised. We did not have a single glitch throughout the process. They are very honorable and reliable. They have my highest recommendation.
Gil and his amazing team just completed my ADU project in less than five months. I am extremely satisfied with their promptness, work ethic, and the quality of the job. There is no guessing or sugar-coating in his business. As I was researching my options on Yelp before working with Go ADU, I read the reviews about Gil but found them a bit unrealistic and market-pitched. However, after completing the work on schedule and within budget, I can confirm that everything said about Go ADU is true. I will definitely work with Gil again.
I recently had the pleasure of working with GO ADU, and I cannot speak highly enough of my experience. Gil and Hugo were exceptional throughout the entire process. Their professionalism, strong work ethic, and responsiveness truly stood out. They provided great options whenever we needed to make adjustments, ensuring the project stayed on track and aligned with my vision.
The quality of their work is unmatched. I’ve looked at other ADUs, but none compare to what they’ve built. My ADU is absolutely stunning—luxurious, beautiful, and classy. It's ready to hit the market, and I’m confident it will stand out from the competition.
I would highly recommend GO ADU to anyone considering a project. Thank you, Gil and Hugo, for your incredible work. I look forward to referring you to all my friends and family!
We hired Go ADU, with Gil as the owner and Hugo as the project manager, to design and build an ADU for us, and we’re so happy with how everything turned out. From day one, they made the whole process easy to navigate. Gil was great at working through the design, helping us turn our ideas into a functional plan, while Hugo made sure everything stayed on schedule during the build. The communication between them and with us was seamless.
I really appreciated how clean they kept the site. We’ve worked with other contractors before, and this is something a lot of people overlook, but not Gil and Hugo. Their team was careful about cleaning up each day, and even after a huge rainstorm that made everything muddy, they had the site looking spotless by the next morning. Little things like that really made a difference.
The design process was another standout part of the experience. I had a general idea of what I wanted, and Gil helped bring it to life with practical suggestions to make the space both beautiful and functional. Hugo was fantastic at managing the day-to-day construction, making sure the project moved along smoothly and keeping us updated at every stage.
If you’re looking for a team that’s professional, reliable, and easy to work with, I’d definitely recommend Go ADU. They made the entire process so much less stressful, and we love how the ADU turned out!
I couldn't be happier with the work Go ADU did on my garage conversion. They were professional, efficient, and communicated every step of the process. The finished product is stunning, and I've already rented it out! The fact that they finished on time was a huge relief. If you're considering an ADU project, I highly recommend them.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Go ADU on my ADU project. From start to finish, their team was incredibly professional and efficient. One of the things that impressed me most was the cleanliness of their worksite. They were meticulous about keeping the area tidy, minimizing disruption to my daily life.
I would highly recommend Gil and Hugo from Go ADU to anyone considering building an ADU. Their attention to detail and commitment to a clean workspace made the entire process a breeze.
I just wrapped up an ADU project with Go ADU, and I’ve got to say, I’m really happy with how it turned out. They kept the site super clean, which isn’t always the case with contractors. Plus, they actually finished on time. There were a couple of hiccups, but they were quick to let me know and always had a plan to keep things moving.
The final result looks great—exactly what I was hoping for. Solid work all around. Definitely someone I’d work with again.
I don’t often leave reviews but Gil and the team did an awesome job on our ADU. We vetted a couple contractors and chose Gil as he was very personable and we wanted to enjoy the experience of the build as we had heard some horror stories. Go ADU did a fab job, and we’ll be recommending them to friends and neighbors. We’ll be renting our ADU and here are the photos from our staging! Thank you Gil!!!
Gil, Hugo and the entire Latino fleet of GOADU are simply remarklable! They made my dream into a reality. And made a highly expensive task become cost effective!!! I am now a proud owner of garage converted ADU! If you are on a tight budget but still adamant at pursuing of owning an ADU. Gil of GO ADU is the answer! Feel free to check them out and find out for yourself how Gil can work magic on your dream!
I've built several ADUs now with different contractors and this one was the easiest and smoothest to date thanks to Gil and his team at Go ADU. Communications was great throughout the process and most impressively, Gil's team actually stuck to a schedule and on the few occasions where we had to deviate, we were only off by a few days rather than weeks or months on my previous jobs with other contractors. Gil was also very responsive and accommodating to change orders and corrections -- no fuss, no pushback. Am definitely going to recommend him to other clients and investors of mine!
Hiring Go ADU for my project was finding a gem in a sea of contractors. From day one, they had a game plan that made sense and kept the project on track.
Their transparency was refreshing. No smoke and mirrors—just clear communication about timelines and costs that helped me plan ahead without any surprises.
But what really stood out was how they listened. They didn't just build; they collaborated, taking my ideas and turning them into reality.
I'm grateful for a stress-free build process, look no further than Gil, Hugo and their team.
I want to recommend Go ADU. They did a great job getting our project done. Helped us design and build.
I’m a long time real estate investor and I’ve worked with at least a dozen contractors. Gil and his team are by far my favorites. They’re the most reliable contractors I’ve ever worked with. Communication was superb — clear, realistic timelines and constant updates with photos. He and is team were highly skilled in understanding the nuances of my project. I’m thrilled with the final product and will absolutely be using GoADU again for my next project.
Gil fixed up my ADU after a nightmare contractor couldn’t get it finished according to code and kept failing inspection. He walked off the job and I was overwhelmed because construction wasn’t my lane of expertise. Gil knew how to communicate with us as a homeowner himself. He understood our point of view, was knowledge and helpful, and got the ADU finished and permitted.
Go ADU provided transparent pricing and transparent timelines. Gill provided a realistic timeframe and included detailed estimates from soup to nuts. So happy to have gone in this direction. A+++
If you want a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done ADU contractor in Los Angeles, look no further than Gil and GO ADU. Their team is all about delivering results with great communication. They listened to my needs, provided a clear plan, and executed flawlessly. There were no surprises, no delays—just quality workmanship and exceptional service. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone in need of reliable ADU construction services.
Your Junior ADU From Start to Finish
How It Works for You
We visit your property, look at the space you want to convert, and discuss how you plan to use your Junior ADU. This gives us a clear picture of the project before design begins.
Once you decide to move forward, we develop the plans, coordinate the necessary engineering, and handle the permitting process for your project.
Our team takes the approved plans into construction and manages the build through final inspection. You stay informed as your existing square footage becomes a finished, functional living space.
Frequently Asked Questions About Junior ADUs in Los Angeles
What is the difference between an ADU and a Junior ADU?
A Junior ADU is smaller and is created from space within an existing or proposed single-family home. A standard ADU can be larger and may be attached to the home or built as a separate structure. JADUs are limited to 500 square feet.
How much does a Junior ADU cost in Los Angeles?
Go ADU’s Junior ADU projects typically range from $80,000 to $150,000. Your actual cost depends on the existing space, layout, utility work, finishes, and the amount of construction needed to complete the conversion.
Does a Junior ADU need its own kitchen and bathroom?
A JADU needs an efficiency kitchen, but it does not always need a private bathroom. California allows a Junior ADU to share sanitation facilities with the primary residence when applicable requirements are met.
Can I convert part of my garage into a Junior ADU?
An attached garage may provide usable space for a JADU because California allows a Junior ADU to be created within the walls of a proposed or existing single-family residence, including an attached garage. The existing layout and condition of the space should be evaluated before deciding on a conversion.
Can I rent out a Junior ADU?
A Junior ADU can potentially be rented to a long-term tenant, subject to applicable state and local rules. Your property and intended use should be reviewed before you make rental income part of your project plan.
How much space do I need for a Junior ADU?
A JADU can be no larger than 500 square feet, but it does not have to use the full 500 square feet. The amount of space you need depends on the existing floor plan and what you want to include in the finished unit.
