{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"I've overseen dozens of garage-to-studio ADU conversions. Here's the honest cost breakdown most contractors won't give you upfront."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Average Costs by Category"}]},{"type":"bulletList","content":[{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Permits & Plans:"},{"type":"text","text":" $2,500–$8,000 depending on your city. Some jurisdictions have streamlined ADU permits that cut this in half."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Structural & Framing:"},{"type":"text","text":" $5,000–$15,000. The biggest variable is whether your garage slab needs a moisture barrier retrofit and if you need to raise ceiling height."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Insulation:"},{"type":"text","text":" $1,500–$4,000. Spray foam costs more upfront but hits R-value targets in thinner walls — critical when you can't lose interior square footage."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Electrical:"},{"type":"text","text":" $3,000–$7,000. You'll almost certainly need a sub-panel. Budget for 60A minimum if adding a kitchenette."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Plumbing:"},{"type":"text","text":" $4,000–$12,000. Slab work for drain lines is the expensive part. A kitchenette-only build saves $3K–$5K vs. adding a full bath."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"HVAC:"},{"type":"text","text":" $2,500–$5,000. Mini-split systems are the standard for studio ADUs — efficient, no ductwork, zone-controlled."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Interior Finish:"},{"type":"text","text":" $5,000–$15,000. Drywall, flooring, paint, trim, fixtures. LVP flooring is the move — waterproof, durable, fast install."}]}]}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Total Range"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"DIY-heavy build: $25,000–$40,000"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Fully contracted: $50,000–$80,000+"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"The ROI? A permitted studio ADU in most California markets rents for $1,200–$2,000/month. That's a 2–4 year payback period, plus you've added $100K–$150K in property value."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The #1 Mistake That Kills Your Budget"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Starting construction before pulling permits. I've seen homeowners tear out a garage door, frame up a wall, then find out their city requires a 4-foot setback they didn't account for. Now they're ripping out work and paying twice. Always start with your local planning department."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"If you want the full playbook — permit templates, insulation specs by climate zone, contractor SOWs, and step-by-step SOPs — that's exactly what I built inside the ADU Blueprint Academy course."}]}]}