ADU Builder & General Contractor in San Francisco

Detached ADUs are permitted up to 850 square feet for studios and 1-bedroom units, or 1,000 square feet for 2+ bedroom units. They must maintain 4-foot side and rear setbacks with maximum 18-foot height (plus 2 feet for roof pitch). Attached ADUs are capped at 50% of existing home size or the standard 850–1,000 square feet limits. Junior ADUs (JADUs) are capped at 500 square feet built entirely within your home's footprint.

Navigating the SF Planning Department and Department of Building Inspection (DBI) typically takes 2–4+ months due to plan check routing and potential historic/structural reviews. Active construction ranges from 10–14 weeks for garage conversions to 8–14 months for detached custom builds. Permit and impact fees run $15,000–$35,000, but ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from local development impact fees.

If your project expands your home's footprint or changes the exterior facade, San Francisco Planning Code requires a 30-day public notice to all neighbors within a 300-foot radius. This window can occasionally trigger "Discretionary Review" requests from neighbors, which may delay project timelines. Our experience navigating these reviews helps minimize unexpected delays.

Over-the-counter (OTC) permits are ideal for simple, in-kind kitchen and bathroom remodels with no structural changes. These are typically approved in 1–10 business days. In-house review permits are required for major renovations, structural additions, load-bearing wall removals, historic properties, or multi-unit buildings. This multi-department electronic review process typically takes 2–4+ months. We help you navigate which path your project requires.

If your home was constructed over 50 years ago, it may be designated a historic resource under CEQA. We strictly align our designs with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards—repairing historic features in-kind, using gentlest cleaning methods, and ensuring structural additions are architecturally compatible and reversible. This protects your home's integrity and ensures seamless city approvals.

Remodeling multi-family properties adds regulatory complexity. HOAs enforce strict guidelines regarding shared utility stacks, vertical penetrations, and structural load distributions. Our design-build approach ensures HOA parameters are integrated directly into our drawings before we submit to the city, preventing re-design delays and keeping projects on schedule.

Modern galley kitchens maximize narrow footprints with two parallel counters, vertical ceiling-height cabinets, counter-depth flush refrigerators, pocket-handle cabinetry to prevent snags, and over-the-range microwaves. Open-concept layouts seamlessly blend cooking, dining, and living zones, improving natural light and traffic flow. Multifunctional islands serve as prep stations, dining nooks, and social hubs—all optimized for tight spaces.

A mid-range kitchen remodel in San Francisco typically costs $80,000–$140,000, with active construction taking 8–12 weeks. This includes custom cabinetry, quartz or quartzite countertops, updated appliances, new flooring, and full Title 24-compliant electrical upgrades. Cosmetic refreshes (cabinet refacing, new counters, paint) run $50,000–$140,000+. Luxury gut remodels with premium marble or Dekton slabs and professional-grade appliances cost more and require longer timelines.

A mid-range full bathroom remodel in San Francisco runs $30,000–$60,000 with 6–10 weeks construction. Title 24 mandates GFCI protection on all outlets (no distance-from-water exceptions), dedicated 20-amp circuits, ENERGY STAR certified exhaust fans venting directly outside with humidity-sensor controls, and JA8 high-efficacy LED lighting. All outlets must be tamper-resistant. Failure to meet these standards will halt inspections.

San Francisco's tight lots, sloped properties, restricted site access, and high municipal fees make ADU construction more expensive than other Bay Area locations. A new detached ground-up ADU typically ranges $275,000–$500,000. Garage or basement conversions—highly popular and cost-effective—run $100,000–$200,000. Permit and impact fees total $15,000–$35,000, but ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from local development impact fees, helping offset costs.

San Francisco's coastal climate and damp conditions require high-performance moisture control. Title 24 mandates ENERGY STAR certified exhaust fans venting directly to exterior—window operation is not allowed as a substitute. Fans must be controlled by humidity-sensing switches or timers, not simple toggles. Premium waterproofing membranes, curbless walk-in showers with proper drainage, and proper grading prevent mold and structural damage. This investment protects your home long-term.

The most requested trend in 2026 is converting outdated tub-shower combos into curbless walk-in showers with frameless glass enclosures that open up tight spaces. Floating fixtures (vanities and wall-mounted toilets) save critical inches of legroom. Pocket doors reclaim 6–9 square feet of usable floor space. Kitchens favor warm organic textures—rift-cut white oak cabinetry with linear grain and hand-painted taupe or charcoal accents. These design choices maximize compact San Francisco spaces while delivering luxury aesthetics.