The best way to understand what working with APLA looks like is to walk through real projects from start to finish. Each case study below covers the homeowner goal, what was built, how long it took, what it cost, and what the outcome was. CA General Contractor License #1136359.
A couple in their early 60s owned a 3-bedroom home in Sherman Oaks with a detached 2-car garage accessed from the rear alley. Their adult children had moved out, the garage was used for storage, and they were looking for a way to generate income without selling their home of 22 years. They had heard about ADUs but were not sure if their property qualified or what it would actually cost.
Month 1 — Feasibility Assessment: APLA evaluated the lot. The garage was 480 sq ft and fully detached — ideal for conversion. Setbacks were compliant. Lot coverage had room for the conversion. The existing electrical panel (100A) needed an upgrade to support a new subpanel for the ADU.
Months 1-3 — Design and Engineering: APLA prepared architectural drawings for the ADU: open-plan living/kitchen area, one bedroom, full bathroom, in-unit washer/dryer hookup. The garage slab was evaluated and deemed adequate. New insulation, drywall, and a mini-split HVAC system were specified.
Month 3 — LADBS Permit Submission: Complete permit package submitted to LADBS. ADU-specific plan check.
Month 5 — Permit Issued: LADBS approved in 61 days. Construction started immediately.
Months 5-10 — Construction: Demo of garage finishes (drywall, concrete floor repair). Framing for bathroom, bedroom wall, and closet. Electrical: new 60A subpanel, circuits throughout. Plumbing: new supply and drain lines for kitchen and bathroom. Insulation (R-19 walls, R-38 ceiling). Drywall, tape, texture. Tile in bathroom. Kitchen: IKEA cabinet boxes with custom fronts, quartz countertop, LG appliance package. LVP flooring throughout. Exterior: stucco patch at old garage door opening, new front door and windows.
Month 11 — Final Inspection and C of O: All inspections passed. Certificate of Occupancy issued. ADU listed for rent.
The ADU was rented within 2 weeks of listing — to a young professional who works in the Valley. The owners now have a stable monthly income stream and their home is significantly more valuable. The ADU added an estimated $180,000–$220,000 in market value to the property.
A family of four in Encino had lived in their 2,400 sq ft home for 8 years. The kitchen — original to the 1974 build — was a closed galley with dark cabinets, laminate countertops, and a layout that kept the cook isolated from the family during meal times. The dining room adjacent to the kitchen felt cramped and disconnected. They wanted to open the layout and finally have a kitchen that matched the rest of their updated home.
Week 1 — Assessment: APLA evaluated the kitchen. The wall between the kitchen and dining room was load-bearing — it supported a beam above. Removing it would require engineering a new steel beam and post configuration.
Weeks 2-4 — Design: New open-plan kitchen designed around a large island (94 inches) that replaces the lost counter space from the removed wall. Custom cabinetry layout, appliance placement, lighting plan, and electrical circuit plan developed.
Week 4 — LADBS Permit Submission: Structural and kitchen permits submitted together.
Week 8 — Permit Issued: 4-week plan check. Structural approval received.
Weeks 8-24 — Construction: Temporary shoring of existing structure. Demo of old kitchen and wall. Steel beam installation (LVL engineered beam, 18 ft span). Post installation with hidden steel column. New subfloor, electrical (6 new circuits: island, refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave, under-cabinet lights). Plumbing: island sink relocated 11 ft from original position. New custom cabinetry installation. Quartz countertops and waterfall island. Tile backsplash. New LVP flooring (matched to existing in dining room). Appliances: Samsung 4-door refrigerator, 36-inch gas range, dishwasher, built-in microwave. Recessed lighting + 3 pendant lights over island.
The kitchen is now the centerpiece of the home. The family uses it daily — the open layout means parents can cook while watching the kids in the adjacent living room. The dining area doubled in effective size by eliminating the wall. Home was appraised $90,000 higher after completion.
A couple in Torrance had lived in a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home for 14 years. The home had no dedicated primary suite — all three bedrooms shared a single hall bathroom. With two teenagers in the house, the single bathroom was a daily logistical problem. They wanted to add a proper primary suite with its own bathroom and walk-in closet.
Month 1 — Site Evaluation: APLA assessed the rear yard. The lot had 38 feet of available rear setback — well above the 5-foot minimum required in Torrance. A 420 sq ft addition (240 sq ft bedroom + 80 sq ft closet + 100 sq ft bathroom) was feasible without triggering lot coverage issues.
Months 1-3 — Design and Engineering: Addition designed to match the existing home exterior (stucco, composition shingle roof, matching windows). Structural engineer designed the foundation and wall connections to the existing structure. Plumbing for the new en-suite bathroom designed with minimal disruption to existing lines.
Month 3 — City of Torrance Permit Submission.
Month 5 — Permit Issued: 7-week plan check at City of Torrance.
Months 5-11 — Construction: Foundation excavation and concrete pour (continuous perimeter footing). Framing of new addition walls and roof. Tie-in to existing roof structure. Window installation. Exterior stucco and paint (full exterior painted to match). MEP rough-in: new electrical circuits, plumbing for bathroom, HVAC extension. Insulation and drywall. Primary bath: heated tile floor, frameless glass shower, floating double vanity, soaking tub alcove. Walk-in closet with custom shelving system. New hardwood floor matching the rest of the home.
The family now has a functional home. The primary suite delivers privacy, a dedicated bathroom, and a walk-in closet that eliminated a chronic organization problem. At resale, a primary suite addition in Torrance adds significant value — a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home commands a dramatically different price point than a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom in the same neighborhood.
A growing production company in Burbank signed a lease on 2,200 sq ft of raw shell space. They needed a full build-out within 11 weeks to meet their lease commencement date: open-plan work area for 18 workstations, 4 private offices, a conference room, a server room with dedicated cooling, a kitchen, and two bathrooms.
APLA was engaged 2 weeks before lease signing — early enough to begin design and permit preparation immediately. Permits were submitted to the City of Burbank on day 1 of the lease. Construction began on the non-permitted work (framing layout, rough electrical conduit) while permits were pending, a legal approach that compresses timelines on commercial projects. Full permit was issued in 3 weeks.
Build-out completed 3 days ahead of schedule. Company moved in on target. The server room cooling system, custom acoustic panels, and flexible open-plan layout were all delivered on spec.
Every APLA project follows the same process: honest feasibility assessment, detailed written estimate, permit management, and construction delivered on contract. No surprises.
Call: (818) 818-4419
Email: info@aplaconstruction.com
CA General Contractor License #1136359