Garage Conversions · Glendale
Garage Conversions in Glendale, CA
Convert a detached or attached Glendale garage into a permitted ADU or junior ADU with a sound floor, insulation, egress and new utilities, designed to suit the house it serves.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Glendale
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Glendale, CA
Garage Conversions for Glendale Homeowners
Garage conversions in Glendale make the most sense when the existing structure is sound and well placed on the lot, and many older neighborhoods have detached garages that fit that description. Simply Construction turns garages into permitted ADUs and junior ADUs, handling design coordination, permits and construction under one contract.
A garage becomes a home only when it is built like one. That means a proper floor system, insulation, egress windows, a real entry door and utilities sized for full-time living, and we price all of it before work begins.
Local Knowledge
Garage Conversions in Glendale's Older Neighborhoods
Glendale's 1920s and 1930s neighborhoods, including Rossmoyne and Adams Hill, were laid out when a detached garage at the back of the lot was standard. Those garages were often built lightly, on thin slabs with minimal footings, so an engineer and our team assess them before design. Some can be reinforced and reused, while others are better replaced with a new detached ADU on a similar footprint.
State law makes conversion attractive, because it bars replacement parking requirements when a garage becomes an ADU. Junior ADUs are another option for attached garages: they are capped at 500 square feet with at least an efficiency kitchen, and the owner has to live in either the main house or the JADU.
In historic districts, the garage door opening is often the most visible change. We look for ways to keep the original proportions or trim so the conversion stays quiet from the street, and on lots in fire hazard zones, new windows and vents meet ignition-resistant requirements.
What's Included
Inside a Glendale Garage Conversion
- Structural assessment of the slab, footings, walls and roof framing
- A recommendation on conversion versus rebuilding as a new detached ADU
- Permit drawings and submittal to the City of Glendale
- Garage door infill detailed to suit the house and street
- New floor system, insulation, drywall, egress windows and entry door
- Plumbing, sewer connection, electrical upgrades, kitchen and bathroom
For the full scope, process and options, see our main garage conversions page, or browse everything we build on our Glendale service area page.
Planning Considerations
Converting a Garage in Glendale: Key Choices
Convert or rebuild
A converted garage saves money when the structure is sound, but older Glendale garages sometimes need so much reinforcement that a new detached ADU costs little more and performs far better. Rebuilding also lets you adjust height and layout within the ADU rules. We compare both paths with real numbers after the structural review so you choose with the full picture.
Keeping the street view right
The garage door is usually the largest opening facing the driveway, and replacing it with a wall and a window changes how the property reads. We detail the infill with trim, siding or plaster that matches the house, and in historic districts we aim to keep the change modest, in character and easy to understand from the street.
Why Choose Us
Why Glendale Homeowners Choose Simply Construction
Contracts Written the Way California Law Requires
California caps a home improvement down payment at $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less, and after that a contractor may only bill for work completed or materials delivered. Our contracts follow that structure: a line-item scope, a payment schedule tied to finished milestones, and written change orders before any extra work begins. You always know what you are paying for and why.
One Team From Plans to Final Inspection
Design, engineering, permitting and construction sit under one contract and one project lead, so nobody points fingers between the designer, the engineer and the builder when a detail changes. You get one schedule, one point of contact and regular progress updates from the first site visit through the final inspection and sign-off on your Glendale project.
Built to Current California Energy Code
New homes and ADUs in California are built to the Title 24 energy code, which has required solar PV on most new single-family homes since 2020, and permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 fall under the 2025 Energy Code. We plan insulation, windows, mechanical systems and solar into the design from the start instead of treating compliance as a late fix.
More in Glendale
Other Services in Glendale
FAQ
Garage Conversions in Glendale: Common Questions
Will converting my Glendale garage mean adding a new parking space?
No, as long as the finished space is a permitted ADU. California's ADU law bars cities from requiring replacement parking when a garage is converted into an accessory dwelling unit. A garage turned into a non-dwelling room, such as a gym or office, is treated differently and may raise parking questions, which is one reason we usually permit conversions as ADUs.
Can an attached garage become a junior ADU?
Yes. An attached garage counts as part of the house for JADU purposes, and the unit can be up to 500 square feet with at least an efficiency kitchen. Either the main home or the JADU has to be the owner's residence. It is often simpler than a full ADU, but it stays tied to the house.
How long does a garage conversion take?
The schedule depends on the garage's condition, the scope of utility work and the permit review. A conversion that reuses a sound structure moves faster than one needing new foundations. We give you a schedule after the site visit and structural review, and we update it as plan check comments come back.
Start Your Project
Planning a Garage Conversion in Glendale?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything the City of Glendale will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]