FAQ

We provide ADU design and construction, garage conversions, additions, remodeling, building design, drafting and engineering coordination. We start with your property and goals, then define the services and deliverables in a written proposal.

We serve Los Angeles and surrounding cities, with offices in Diamond Bar, Los Angeles and Pomona. Nearby communities include Walnut, West Covina, Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Pasadena and Claremont. Contact us with your address to confirm the right local team.

Book a free 30-minute consultation or submit our contact form with your property address, project type and priorities. Existing drawings, site photos and a target budget help us prepare for the conversation.

Yes. We can discuss building design, drafting or engineering coordination as a separate scope. Your proposal should identify the drawings, revision allowances, consultant responsibilities and any construction services you want included.

CEO Min Kang leads Uni Construction. Uni Construction is a DBA of Orep Development Inc.

Start with a free 30-minute consultation. Share the property address, your preferred ADU type, approximate size and budget. We review the information with you and define the design and construction scope before preparing a proposal.

There is no single timeline for every property. Design revisions, agency review, utility work and construction each affect the schedule. Ask for a project-specific timeline with separate milestones for drawings, permits and building work rather than treating an online estimate as a completion promise.

Yes, share your ideas, drawings and any permit comments during the consultation. We can assess the work needed to develop or revise the design. The proposal will identify which existing documents can be used and which need further coordination.

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is an additional home on a residential property with its own living, sleeping, cooking and bathroom facilities. It can be a separate building, an attached addition or a conversion of suitable existing space.

Compare privacy, the existing structure's condition, utility access and the space you need. A conversion reuses an existing footprint but may still require substantial structural and building-system work. A detached home offers more layout flexibility.

Plan for the intended occupants first. Step-free access where feasible, useful storage, daylight and a practical bathroom can support changing needs. Discuss future uses during design rather than relying on changes after construction.

Start with the space you already have and how the home will be used. A detached ADU separates the homes; an attached ADU extends the main building; a garage or interior conversion reuses existing space. Compare access, privacy, construction work and utility connections before choosing.

An ADU is a separate dwelling with its own kitchen and bathroom. A junior ADU is a smaller unit, limited to 500 square feet, created within a single-family residence. It has distinct requirements, so it should be evaluated separately from a detached or attached ADU.

Either can be worth evaluating. The existing foundation, roof, walls, ceiling height and condition determine how much can be retained. A garage conversion also needs a workable residential layout and appropriate building systems; keeping the exterior does not mean the interior work is minor.

First, confirm the property's jurisdiction. A property within an incorporated city generally follows that city's process, while an unincorporated property follows the responsible planning agency’s process. A Los Angeles mailing address alone does not establish the permitting agency.

Each city has its own local process. We identify the local jurisdiction serving your address and review its current application information before preparing the project scope.

Review property boundaries, existing buildings, access, utilities, drainage and site conditions. Check the planning and building requirements for the actual address before assuming a design will fit.

No. Diamond Bar and Pomona are separate cities with their own review processes. We start by identifying the jurisdiction for your address. Likewise, Brea, Fullerton and other nearby cities have their own local application requirements.

Size depends on the ADU configuration, the approval pathway and the current standards for the property. An attached addition and a conversion do not necessarily follow the same rules as a detached building. Check the applicable city guidance before buying plans or committing to a footprint.

Parking depends on the proposal and applicable exemptions. Do not assume you need a new driveway, or that every property is exempt. Have the planning authority confirm the requirement for your address and proposed ADU before finalizing the site layout.

A hillside project needs an early review of access, slope, drainage and foundation design. Reports, retaining work and construction access may affect both feasibility and budget. Share available surveys and previous reports before developing a detailed layout.

A meaningful budget depends on the property, size, structure, finishes and utility work. Ask for an itemized scope that separates design, consultant work, permits, construction and allowances. A generic online estimate is not a project quote.

Our role is design and construction. Discuss loan eligibility, rates and terms directly with your chosen lender. We can discuss the project documentation and scope you may need for that conversation.

Allow for design and engineering, agency fees, surveys or reports where needed, utility connections, finish selections and a contingency. Confirm exclusions and responsibility for each cost in writing.

The fee depends on what the drawing package includes: layout development, existing-condition documentation, structural coordination, building systems and permit responses. Request a written proposal for your property so you can compare deliverables, revisions and exclusions fairly.

Ask your lender which products fit your circumstances, such as a home-equity line, refinance or construction financing. Compare total borrowing costs, repayment terms and draw requirements. Uni Construction does not approve loans or promise eligibility.

We offer design, drafting and engineering coordination. Your agreement should state who prepares and submits documents, coordinates consultants and responds to review comments. The permitting authority makes the approval decision.

No. Los Angeles explains that standard plans still require review of site-specific factors, including zoning and foundation requirements. Confirm whether the agency responsible for your property accepts the plan.

No. Review workloads, document completeness and requested corrections affect timing. Discuss design, agency review and construction as separate parts of your project timeline.

The responsible agency reviews submitted plans and supporting documents. If reviewers request corrections, the design team addresses them and resubmits the affected material. Construction should begin only after the required approvals and permits are in place.

Do not assume approval transfers between jurisdictions. Los Angeles pre-approved plans still need a site-specific review within that program. For a property in a nearby city, confirm acceptance and submission requirements with the local jurisdiction responsible for the address.

We discuss your project goals, review available property information, develop a layout and coordinate the drawing scope. We then work through the agreed revisions and construction planning. Each stage should have a clear deliverable before you commit to the next.

Share your drawings and any agency comments so we can review their stage and completeness. We will discuss what can be used, what needs revision and whether additional consultant input is required.

Discuss the effect on drawings, cost and schedule before authorizing a change. Keep approved changes and finish selections in writing so everyone works from the same scope.

Prioritize a practical layout before adding floor area. Useful storage, daylight, a straightforward kitchen and a bathroom that is easy to use matter more than decorative complexity. Consider furniture placement and privacy from the main home while the plan is still easy to change.

That depends on the work and its effect on access, utilities and safety. A detached build may allow more separation than an interior conversion. Discuss temporary interruptions and any relocation needs before construction is scheduled.

Review relevant work, genuine client reviews, license information and the written scope. Compare who is responsible for design coordination, permits, allowances and change orders. A clear agreement and realistic communication are more useful than an unsupported low headline price.

The route, capacity and condition of existing services affect the work required. Investigate connections early, including access for trenches and any work requested by the service provider.

Not necessarily. Foundation repairs, moisture issues, structural changes and new plumbing can affect the cost comparison. Evaluate the existing building before assuming its walls and slab can be reused.

Compare the same drawings, specifications, allowances and exclusions. Check who is responsible for demolition, waste removal, utility work, inspections, final cleanup and outstanding corrections.

Review water, sewer, electrical capacity, heating and cooling, and the routes needed for connections. Confirm service-provider requirements and whether upgrades are needed. Long runs or difficult access can materially change the work.

Yes, early selections help make the scope more predictable. Compare durable, readily available finishes and equipment against the allowances in the proposal. Late substitutions may affect drawings, lead times and installation costs.

Tell us the intended use during design. Before offering it for rent, confirm occupancy approval and the property's rental requirements with the relevant agencies and your advisers.

No. Rent, vacancy, maintenance and financing costs vary. Use current local comparables and realistic expenses to evaluate a potential rental. A design illustration is not an income forecast.

Consider privacy between homes, a clearly identifiable entry, storage, laundry, lighting and maintenance access. These choices make a small home easier to live in without requiring unnecessary floor area.

A rental in the City of Los Angeles may be subject to registration and housing requirements. LA Housing Department notes that an ADU or the existing home may be affected by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance depending on the property. Confirm the applicable rules before offering a tenancy.

An additional legal dwelling can be useful to future buyers, but a specific value increase is not guaranteed. Speak with a local appraiser or real-estate professional using comparable properties, and weigh the total project cost against your own long-term goals.