A free site visit, a check of what your lot allows and a written, line-item price.
Get your free estimateADU Company in Emeryville, CA
Lodgewick ADU Builders is the ADU company of the Kingswell family, and we specialize in accessory dwelling units, garage conversions, and home additions in Emeryville, CA. Nearly 90% of Emeryville’s housing stock was built before 1980, and much of it dates to the 1920s through 1940s. That changes the work: old wood-frame garages without modern footings, compact post-war lots, and marine-layer moisture all shape how an Emeryville ADU gets built correctly. Call (707) 760-0502 to talk through what your lot can support.
Why Emeryville Homes Are Different
Emeryville’s housing stock leans heavily toward older multi-unit buildings and compact post-war single-family homes. Most garages in the city were built between the 1920s and 1940s, which means many sit on shallow or missing foundations. When we convert one of these into a dwelling unit, we almost always pour new footings and reinforce the walls before anything else. Owners who have priced a garage conversion elsewhere often don’t expect that line item until demolition starts, but in Emeryville it’s closer to the rule than the exception.
The climate also matters. Mild Mediterranean temperatures and the frequent marine layer reduce heating and cooling loads, but salt air and moisture push us toward corrosion-resistant hardware, proper ventilation, and siding that handles damp conditions. James Hardie products and Tuff Shed structures show up regularly in our Emeryville work for that reason. Wildfire smoke from distant fires occasionally raises indoor air quality questions for new ADUs, so we often discuss ventilation upgrades early in a project rather than after a build is framed.
Lot sizes run small here, and single-family parcels are limited. That means detached backyard cottages are common, but they require careful setback planning and creative use of narrow side yards. We plan for that from the first site visit, not as a surprise later.
Our Main Emeryville Services
Emeryville homeowners call us most often about three projects: adding square footage to an existing home, converting a detached garage into living space, and building a new ADU from the ground up. Each has its own Emeryville page with specific pricing and local details.
Home Addition Contractor in Emeryville
A home addition in Emeryville usually means expanding on a compact lot, often with a second-story bump or a rear extension that respects setback rules. Older wood-frame homes need structural review before the addition ties in, and we coordinate that before framing begins. For the full scope, local conditions, and pricing, see Home Addition Contractor in Emeryville.
Garage Conversion Contractor in Emeryville
Garage conversions are the most common ADU path in Emeryville, and the biggest variable is the garage itself. Pre-1950 garages frequently lack modern foundations and headers, so new footings and reinforcement are typical first steps. The payoff is a livable unit without giving up much yard space. For a complete breakdown, visit Garage Conversion Contractor in Emeryville.
ADU Builders in Emeryville
Detached ADUs on Emeryville’s small lots work best when designed around the specific parcel: narrow side yards, rear setbacks, and utility access all drive the layout. We match each build to the right materials and prefab system for the lot and budget, from panelized construction to factory-built units. Learn more on our ADU Builders in Emeryville page.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service in Emeryville
We work regularly with Abodu, Cover, and Boxabl prefab systems in Emeryville, and specify James Hardie and Tuff Shed where moisture resistance or quick framing matters. Local parts access and our familiarity with these systems keep change orders down. See our brands for the full list.
Pricing for ADU Company in Emeryville, CA
| Service | Typical range in Emeryville |
|---|---|
| ADU feasibility & site assessment | $450 – $1,200 |
| Pre-construction design & permit set | $4,000 – $9,500 |
| Detached ADU (400 – 800 sq ft) | $210,000 – $380,000 |
| Garage conversion (300 – 600 sq ft) | $95,000 – $180,000 |
| JADU conversion (attached, up to 500 sq ft) | $70,000 – $130,000 |
| Structural retrofit & new footings (pre-1950 garage) | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Utility upgrades (electrical panel, sewer lateral) | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| Corrosion-resistant siding & trim package | $8,000 – $22,000 |
| Home addition (200 – 500 sq ft) | $135,000 – $320,000 |
| Project management & site supervision | 8 – 12% of project cost |
Pre-1950 garages push the structural line up fast, and marine-layer conditions usually call for upgraded siding and ventilation. Either way, the price you see in writing before work starts is the price you pay, no change orders at the door.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Emeryville
We work across Emeryville from the warehouse-conversion lofts near Park Avenue to the older single-family pockets north of San Pablo Avenue. Our crews cover the entire city, with response times typically under two business days once a project is scheduled.
- Triangle Neighborhood
- Watergate
- Park Avenue District
- North Emeryville
- Shellmound
Service Area – Cities Near Emeryville
Beyond Emeryville, our crews serve Oakland, CA, Orinda, CA, Richmond, CA, and San Francisco, CA. Scheduling runs through our San Francisco Bay Area office, and our Emeryville work is handled by local crews who know the city’s building signals.
Serving Emeryville, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Emeryville area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About ADU Company in Emeryville
After the site assessment, we can typically begin design and permit work within two to three weeks. The full timeline to a finished ADU usually runs six to fourteen months depending on permit review, structural work, and utility upgrades. Call (707) 760-0502 to get a written quote for your specific situation.
Yes. Emeryville requires standard building permits for ADUs and garage conversions, and some multifamily properties or planned developments add HOA or condo-association review. We handle permit drawings and submissions as part of the pre-construction package, and we’ll flag any HOA step early. Call us for a free estimate.
Salt air and marine-layer moisture mean we specify corrosion-resistant fasteners, proper venting, and exterior materials built for damp conditions. Homes near the bay see more exterior wear, so we plan for that at material selection rather than after a season of fog. Call (707) 760-0502 to schedule your free estimate.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local adu pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Emeryville Customers Say
"The ADU came out beautiful and the permitting, which terrified me, was handled start to finish. They kept me updated every week so I was never wondering what was happening."
- Shauna Mills"Turned our detached garage into a little guest house. Clean crew, respectful of the neighbors, and no mystery charges at the end. Love how it turned out."
- Carmela Fontes"I was nervous about adding on but they walked me through every step and every cost before we started. No surprise change orders halfway through like I'd heard horror stories about."
- Eleanor Pratt
