ADU Construction
Bay Area
Done Right.
LB Construction and Remodeling builds ADUs, garage conversions, and full home additions across Berkeley and the East Bay. Based in San Leandro, we know the permits, the soil, the housing stock.
Call us today. We return every inquiry the same day.
Learn more about bathroom remodel San Leandro in Foster City, CA →
Learn more about deck installation Bay Area in San Ramon, CA →
What We Build
in Berkeley, CA
Most Berkeley homes were built between the 1920s and 1960s. That means older foundations, narrow lots in neighborhoods like the Elmwood and Northside, and local permits that require more documentation than most Bay Area cities. We work with all of it.
ADU Construction
Detached ADUs, attached additions, and garage conversions. Berkeley's ADU permit process runs 3-6 months for most single-family lots. We prepare the drawings, manage City of Berkeley Planning, and handle inspections from foundation to final sign-off.
ADU Construction Services →Kitchen Remodeling
Galley kitchens in Berkeley bungalows often lack the ventilation and electrical capacity modern cooking demands. We handle the structural work, not just the cabinets and countertops. Typical kitchen remodels take 4-8 weeks depending on scope.
Berkeley Kitchen Services →Bathroom Remodeling
Old tile, galvanized pipes, and outdated ventilation are common in Berkeley homes. A bathroom remodel usually runs 2-4 weeks. We demo, retile, replumb, and refinish. No subcontracting multiple trades to different crews.
General Remodeling Contractor →Home Additions
Room additions are the most straightforward path to more square footage when your lot doesn't permit a detached ADU. We assess setback requirements, soil conditions, and foundation compatibility before drawing a single plan. See how home additions boost property value.
Garage Conversions
A garage conversion is usually the fastest ADU path in Berkeley, since the structure already exists. Conversion typically takes 8-14 weeks from permit approval to occupancy. We add insulation, electrical, plumbing, and finishes that meet Berkeley's residential code.
ADU Bay Area Complete Guide →Full Home Remodels
When one room turns into two rooms, then the whole floor plan, we manage the project from design through final inspection. One point of contact, one contract. Read our Bay Area full home remodel cost guide before you budget.
Based in San Leandro.
Building Across
the East Bay.
LB Construction and Remodeling provides full-service construction and remodeling in Berkeley, CA. We operate out of San Leandro, which puts us 15 minutes from most Berkeley job sites in the Elmwood, Rockridge, or Thousand Oaks neighborhoods.
Every project gets a clear scope of work before any contract is signed. You know exactly what's included, what the schedule looks like, and who to call if something needs to change. No surprise change orders for work that should have been in the original plan.
We handle the trades ourselves. That means framing, electrical, plumbing, tile, cabinetry, and finish work all coordinated by one project lead. When a problem shows up behind a wall, you hear about it the same day. We don't wait until the next site visit to report an issue.
start to finish
guarantee
The ADU Process in Berkeley, CA
Every ADU project moves through the same phases. The timeline varies by type and lot conditions. Here's what to expect.
Site Assessment and Feasibility
We visit the property and check setbacks, utility connections, existing foundation, and lot coverage limits. Berkeley limits ADU lot coverage to 50% on most residential parcels. Some hillside lots in the Berkeley Hills have additional slope and fire zone restrictions. This step takes 1-2 weeks and shapes everything after it.
Design and Plan Preparation
Architectural drawings, structural calculations, and Title 24 energy compliance documents. Berkeley requires stamped plans for any ADU over 120 square feet. We prepare everything the city needs for a complete submittal. Incomplete submittals add months to the process. We don't submit until the package is complete.
Permit Review and Approval
Berkeley's permit office processes ADU applications in roughly 3-6 months for over-the-counter submittals, longer for discretionary review. We track the status, respond to correction notices fast, and keep you updated every step. This is the phase where most ADU projects stall when homeowners go it alone.
Construction
Ground-up detached ADUs typically take 4-6 months to build once permits are in hand. Garage conversions run 8-14 weeks. We schedule inspections, manage subs when needed, and don't disappear between phases. Berkeley's inspection department requires framing, rough plumbing, rough electrical, insulation, and final inspections separately.
Final Inspection and Occupancy
You cannot legally rent an ADU until the city issues a Certificate of Occupancy. We schedule the final inspection, correct any punch-list items on the spot when possible, and walk you through the unit before we close out. Rental income potential in Berkeley is significant, with rates often making ADUs cash-flow positive within a few years.
most Berkeley parcels
detached ADUs in CA
requirements in CA since 2020
single-family lot in CA
Questions We Hear from Berkeley Homeowners
These are the real questions people ask before starting an ADU project in Berkeley. Short, direct answers based on what we actually see in the field.
Have a question not listed here? Call us. We return every call the same day, every time.
How much does an ADU cost to build in Berkeley?
Costs vary significantly depending on type. Garage conversions are the most affordable entry point since the shell already exists. Detached ground-up ADUs cost more per square foot because they require a new foundation, utility connections, and full framing. Construction costs in the Bay Area are higher than most of California, driven by labor rates and material costs. We provide detailed estimates after the site assessment, not before. Anyone giving you a firm number before seeing your property is guessing. Read our Bay Area remodel cost guide for context on what drives pricing.
Can I build an ADU on my Berkeley lot?
Most single-family lots in Berkeley can accommodate at least a Junior ADU or a garage conversion. Hillside lots above Grizzly Peak have additional fire zone and slope setback rules that can restrict detached units. Minimum lot size requirements were eliminated by California state law, so even smaller in-fill lots in areas like South Berkeley or Southside near UC Berkeley are often viable. We assess every property individually.
How long does the full ADU project take from start to finish?
For a detached ADU in Berkeley, plan on 12-18 months total, from the first site visit through the Certificate of Occupancy. That breaks down as roughly 6-10 weeks for design, 3-6 months for permit review, and 4-6 months for construction. Garage conversions are faster, typically 9-12 months total because permit review is simpler and construction is shorter. These are realistic ranges, not best-case scenarios.
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU?
No. California removed the owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs in 2020. Berkeley honors state law. You can rent both the primary residence and the ADU simultaneously. Some local programs offered reduced fees for owner-occupants, but building and renting is allowed regardless. Check current city fee schedules when you're ready to apply, as these details change.
What other remodeling services do you offer in Berkeley?
Beyond ADUs, we do full kitchen and bathroom remodels, home additions, deck construction, roofing, floor installation, and window replacement across Berkeley and the broader East Bay. Many Berkeley homeowners who start with a kitchen remodel come back for an ADU once they see how the process works. We also serve Hayward, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Danville, and San Ramon. Explore our custom home remodeling services or see our full service area coverage.
What's the difference between a Junior ADU and a regular ADU?
A Junior ADU (JADU) is built within the existing walls of your home, usually a converted bedroom or basement space, and maxes out at 500 square feet. It must include a separate entrance and a small kitchen. Permit review is faster and fees are lower. A standard ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet and can be detached. Which makes more sense depends on your lot, your budget, and what you're trying to accomplish. We can walk through both options with you before you commit. See our complete ADU guide for the Bay Area.
We Work Across the East Bay and Beyond
Berkeley is one of our most active markets, but we build ADUs and handle remodels throughout the Bay Area. Whether you're in Fremont, Walnut Creek, Danville, or San Ramon, the same approach applies: clear scope, one crew lead, regular updates.
Each city has its own permit office, its own review timelines, and its own quirks. We know them. Our design-build approach keeps everything in one place, which cuts the back-and-forth that slows most projects down.
Ready to Build Your ADU in Berkeley?
The sooner you start the permit process, the sooner the unit is generating rental income. A site visit costs nothing and tells you exactly what's possible on your lot.
Call us or fill out the contact form. We return every inquiry the same day. Multiple phone lines, one team.