Converting an attached front-facing garage gave the homeowners an easy path to add a small, income-generating apartment without touching their backyard. The 20 × 20 ft space sat right off the driveway, so access, parking, and utilities were already close at hand. GatherADU turned this unused square footage into a bright one-bedroom, one-bath dwelling that now rents for about $2,000 a month.
Permitting ran a full four months. City reviewers focused on fire-separation details between the new unit and the main house, plus Title 24 energy notes. Two correction cycles later, the plans cleared. Because the ADU stayed under 750 sq ft, the owners avoided hefty impact fees, keeping soft costs in check.
Construction moved quickly—just over three months door-to-door. Crews first insulated the single-wall framing, then leveled and sealed the existing slab. An L-shaped kitchen went along the back wall to limit plumbing runs. Quartz counters, white shaker cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances give the small space a full-size feel. Luxury-vinyl-plank floors tie it all together and stand up to tenants. A mini-split unit heats and cools the flat efficiently, while new low-E windows bring in plenty of daylight and meet energy code.
All-in spending came in close to $110 k, covering design, permits, labor, and finishes. A post-completion appraisal estimated the ADU added about $150 k to the property’s value—an instant equity boost that outpaced the build cost. With steady rent now flowing, the owners expect the project to pay for itself in under five years.
This project shows how a front, attached garage can become a high-value living space with a clean design, modern finishes, and a tight construction schedule. For many Simi Valley homeowners, it’s a fast track to extra income and higher resale value without a major addition.
Explore your ADU possibilities with Gather. We provide ADU planning, design, permitting, and construction management services in California, Georgia, Washington, Oregon and beyond!
