ADU Construction
in Sherman Oaks, CA
Detached ADUs, garage conversions, and JADUs on Sherman Oaks lots — flat and hillside — with LADBS permits, Standard Plans, and the Hillside Ordinance handled by one local team.
Right Image Builders is a licensed ADU contractor building across Sherman Oaks — from the flats of Chandler Estates to the hillside lots south of Ventura. We handle detached ADUs, garage conversions, and Junior ADUs, through LADBS permits, Standard Plans, and Hillside Ordinance requirements to final inspection. Licensed & insured, CSLB #1021284, based just over the hill in Valley Glen. Free feasibility visit: (818) 210-4544.
Flat Lots & Hillside
ADUs, Both Handled
Sherman Oaks is one of the more rewarding — and more demanding — places to build an ADU in the Valley. The neighborhood spans two very different site types: the flatter, straightforward lots north of Ventura Boulevard, and the larger, more valuable, more complex hillside lots to the south. Both are excellent ADU opportunities; they just require different expertise.
An ADU is a complete small home — foundation, framing, a full kitchen and bath, its own systems and address — so the permitting and site work matter as much as the build. On a hillside lot that means grading, retaining, drainage, and access all designed correctly under the city's Hillside Ordinance. On a flat lot it can mean a fast track using LADBS pre-approved Standard Plans. We do both, as one contract with one point of contact.
Based just over the hill in Valley Glen, we're close enough to be on your Sherman Oaks site regularly. Whether you're adding rental income, housing family, or building a home office in the backyard, we'll tell you at the free feasibility visit exactly what your lot supports — before you spend on design.
Three Paths
to a Second Unit
Detached ADUs
A standalone backyard home up to 1,200 sq ft. Sherman Oaks' larger lots — especially south of Ventura — often support a full-size two-bedroom detached unit, designed to complement the main home's architecture.
Garage Conversions
Convert an existing detached or attached garage into a legal ADU — foundation and slab upgrades, framing, insulation, windows, a full kitchen and bath, and code systems. The most cost-effective path on many Sherman Oaks lots.
Junior ADUs (JADUs)
A JADU up to 500 sq ft carved from the existing house with an efficiency kitchen — the lowest-cost way to add a legal, rentable unit without new square footage.
Hillside Design & Site Work
For the hillside lots south of Ventura: grading, retaining walls, drainage, and access designed and permitted under the Hillside Ordinance — the specialized site work that makes a hillside ADU possible instead of stalled.
LADBS Standard Plans
On flatter north-of-Ventura lots, we use the City of LA's pre-approved ADU Standard Plan Program where it fits to shorten plan check and reduce design cost — a faster, more predictable route to permits.
Design, Permits & Build
One contract from concept to keys: design and engineering, LADBS submittal and corrections, utilities, construction, and final inspection — a single team accountable for the whole ADU.
The Lot Decides
the Strategy
In Sherman Oaks, ADU strategy comes down to which side of Ventura Boulevard you're on. North — Chandler Estates, Sherman Village, and the flats — the lots are level and predictable, which makes a detached ADU or garage conversion straightforward and a good candidate for LADBS Standard Plans.
South of Ventura, toward Longridge Estates and the hills, the lots are larger and more valuable but governed by the City of LA Hillside Ordinance — grading limits, retaining, drainage, haul routes, and access all have to be engineered and permitted correctly. Done right, a hillside ADU is a premium asset; done without that expertise, it's a stalled project. We design and permit for the slope from day one.
Everything is City of Los Angeles and permitted through LADBS. From our Valley Glen shop just over the hill, Sherman Oaks is home turf — close enough for a project lead to stay hands-on through grading, framing, and final inspection.
Sherman Oaks ADU
Cost Ranges
| ADU Type | Typical Range | What's Involved |
|---|---|---|
| JADU | $95K–$160K | Up to 500 sq ft carved from the existing home with an efficiency kitchen and bath. The lowest-cost legal unit. |
| Garage Conversion | $140K–$210K | Convert an existing garage to a full legal ADU — foundation/slab upgrades, framing, kitchen, bath, and code systems. |
| Detached ADU | $260K–$450K+ | Ground-up standalone unit; hillside lots south of Ventura add grading, retaining, and access costs. |
ADU costs vary widely with size, finishes, slope, and site work — hillside lots in particular. Ranges are for planning only; your fixed-price proposal follows the free feasibility visit.
Three Steps.
Zero Surprises.
Free Feasibility Visit
We visit your Sherman Oaks property, read the lot — flat or hillside — check transit-parking rules, and tell you honestly which path fits your goals, slope, and budget.
Design, Plans & Permits
We design the unit, use Standard Plans on flat lots or engineer for the Hillside Ordinance on slopes, and carry the LADBS submittal and corrections — with a fixed price set before construction.
Build & Deliver
One crew builds to final inspection sign-off, utilities connected and address issued. You get a rentable, legal second home — final payment only after your walkthrough approval.
Start Your Sherman Oaks
ADU
Tell us about your lot and your goals and we'll get back to you within 4 business hours. We'll confirm what your property allows — flat or hillside — before you spend anything on plans.
Prefer to talk it through?
(818) 210-4544Questions We
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Let's Build Your
Sherman Oaks ADU
Free feasibility visit. Fixed-price proposal. One local team from design and LADBS permits — flat lot or hillside — through to a finished, rentable unit.
(818) 210-4544