Budget Breakdown: An Architect Overhauls His Garage Into a Finely Tuned ADU for $75K
Valery Augustin rolls up his sleeves and converts his two-car structure into a long-term rental in Los Angeles.
Valery Augustin rolls up his sleeves and converts his two-car structure into a long-term rental in Los Angeles.
Architect Valery Augustin of DNA Architecture + Design and his wife, Kim, an art historian, had just 60 days to find another home when the owner of their beloved three-bedroom rental decided to sell. "We had this great deal on a house in West Los Angeles," Valery says. "We were paying something ridiculous—like $2,000 per month."
They considered trying to hold onto the home, but it wasn’t meant to be. "The asking price was so far above our max ceiling," Valery says. "We thought, okay—we’re not going to be able to stay here."
At first, the couple searched for other rentals—but after 20 days they changed course and set their sights on purchasing a home of their own. "The plan was to build an accessory dwelling unit, because it was a stretch for us to buy a house," Valery explains. An ADU would help offset the mortgage cost—so he says they "scraped all the pennies together" and started touring properties.
"I wanted something bold and fresh," architect Valery Augustin says about the hue of his ADU’s front door, painted Tangerine Dream by Dunn Edwards. The door is flanked by horizontal redwood slats and gray acrylic stucco.
Photo: Undine Pröhl
In the end, the pair fell for a 1940s bungalow with a detached garage in their preferred neighborhood, just 15 minutes from the beach. "Ladera Heights is a diverse community located in the heart of Los Angeles," Valery says. "The neighborhood reflects our multicultural family, and that mattered a lot to us." Young families, nearby parks, and walkability heightened its appeal. "We put in one offer, and we got lucky," Valery says excitedly.
| $5,100 HVAC | $1,450 Insulation | $5,825 Electrical |
| $1,800 Framing Lumber | $5,000 Site Work | $1,800 Landscaping |
| $1,200 Sewer Connection | $4,000 New Roof | $1,250 Redwood Fencing & Facade |
| $1,600 Custom Stainless Steel Awnings | $270 Exterior Lighting | $7,517 Finishes |
| $740 Windows | $6,200 Control Joints & Sealing | $1,400 Paint |
| $6,500 Interior Furnishings | $980 Doors | $900 Skylights |
| $6,034 Kitchen Appliances | $9,705 Cabinetry & Hardware | $349 Kitchen Sink & Faucet |
| $2,600 Kitchen Counters | $748 Bathroom Faucet & Vanity | $1,800 Shower Fittings, Tub, & Toilet |
| Grand Total: $74,768 | ||
Once they had keys in hand, the couple set about transforming the existing garage into the ADU of their dreams. From the start, Valery wanted abundant natural light and a fully featured kitchen outfitted with highly durable surfaces. "Stylistically, I always look at open space, natural light—the simple things," he says. "Daylight makes any space feel larger than it is, so I try to emphasize that in the design."
The couple also wanted to provide privacy for their family and renters. And since they were working with a tight budget, they needed to make cost-effective choices—Valery decided to serve as the project’s general contractor to help offset expenses.
The garage door became the new unit’s front entry. The new structure maintains the same square footage and features a private patio in the back.
Valery Augustin
Demolition debris accumulates in the driveway as the team prepares to pour a new concrete slab. The ADU needed a new roof, too, which ate up $4,000 of the budget.
Photo: Undine Pröhl
See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: An Architect Overhauls His Garage Into a Finely Tuned ADU for $75K
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