Garage-to-ADU, garage-to-JADU, home office and in-law suite conversions across San Jose and the South Bay — permitted, Title 24 compliant, and built around the space you already have.
One crew handling design, permitting and construction means your garage conversion doesn't stall waiting on a second contractor or a corrected plan set.
Convert your attached garage into a Junior ADU within your home's existing footprint — simpler permitting, shared utilities, up to 500 sq ft.
Learn More →A full accessory dwelling unit with independent utilities, its own entrance and a kitchen — built out from your existing garage structure.
Learn More →A quiet, code-compliant workspace or creative studio built into your garage, insulated and finished like the rest of your home.
Learn More →A comfortable, accessible living space for aging parents or extended family, designed for day-to-day independence under one roof.
Learn More →Standalone garages converted into a backyard ADU, studio or guest unit, with new utility runs sized for the finished space.
Learn More →Layout, egress and code review before permits are drawn, so your conversion is buildable and approvable the first time.
Learn More →Permit packages, Title 24 energy calculations and plan check coordination handled for you, city by city.
Learn More →New circuits, water lines, drain runs and heating/cooling sized and roughed-in to code for a fully habitable conversion.
Learn More →Four steps, no surprises. Click a stage, or let it play.
We evaluate your existing garage — slab, framing, ceiling height, egress — against what you want to build, then lay out a floor plan that actually fits your city's setback and lot-coverage rules.
San Jose Garage Conversions specializes in exactly what our name says — turning an underused garage into a JADU, ADU, home office, in-law suite or detached backyard unit. We're not a general remodeler who occasionally takes on a garage job; every plan set we draw, every permit we file and every crew we send out is built around converting an existing structure, not building from scratch. That focus means we know the difference between a JADU and an ADU cold, we know which cities require a separate utility meter and which don't, and we know how to get an existing garage slab, framing and roofline evaluated for reuse instead of assuming a teardown.
We carry a California contractor's license and full insurance, so your conversion — and your permit application — is backed by a real license number. Ask to see it.
A JADU (within your existing footprint, up to 500 sq ft, can share utilities with the main house) and an ADU (independent utilities, can be larger or detached) have different permit paths — we scope yours correctly before drawings start.
Setback requirements, second-unit ordinances and Title 24 energy standards vary city to city across the South Bay and Peninsula — we design to your specific jurisdiction, not a generic template.
Existing garage slabs, framing and rooflines aren't automatically reused or automatically torn out — we assess what's structurally sound and build the conversion around it.
Based in San Jose, working across Santa Clara, San Mateo and southern Alameda counties.
Not sure if we cover your address? Ask us — we'll confirm quickly.
Mini-split heat pump sizing tips for garage conversions—BTU calculator basics for perfect year-round comfort.
Tankless vs. mini-tank water heaters for garage ADU conversions in San Jose: compare cost, space, and efficiency to pick the right fit.
Flooring options for your garage-to-studio conversion, from epoxy to vinyl plank, to fit your budget and style.
A Junior ADU (JADU) is built within your home's existing footprint — typically the attached garage — capped at 500 square feet, and can share a bathroom or utility connections with the main house, which usually means a simpler permit process. An ADU can be larger, can be detached from the main house, and requires its own independent electrical, water and sewer connections. Which one fits your project depends on your goals and your lot — we'll walk you through both before you commit to either.
Yes. Any garage conversion into habitable space — a JADU, ADU, office or in-law suite — requires a building permit, and in almost every South Bay city that includes Title 24 energy compliance documentation, proper egress windows, and code-compliant ceiling height. Converting without permits can create major problems when you sell the home or if it's ever inspected.
Sometimes, with restrictions — HOA rules and state ADU/JADU law don't always agree, and some HOAs require replacement parking or architectural review even when the state pre-empts an outright ban. We'll help you figure out what applies to your specific property before we draw plans.
Under California's ADU and JADU laws, most garage conversions no longer require replacement parking to be added elsewhere on the lot — a change from older rules. Some cities still have local nuances, and lot-specific factors like street width or existing driveway configuration can matter, so we confirm your city's current requirement as part of design.
A garage-to-JADU conversion with shared utilities is often the fastest path — permits and construction can move in a matter of months. A detached garage-to-ADU with new utility connections and a larger scope takes longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline once we've reviewed your specific garage and goals.
Both. We handle space planning and design, prepare the permit package and Title 24 calculations, coordinate with your city's plan check process, and then build it — one point of contact from first sketch to final inspection.
Tell us what you're converting it into — a JADU, an ADU, an office — and we'll get back to you with next steps, usually within one business day.
(408) 442-9136