ADU BUILDER SAN DIEGO
Build your ADU in San Diego with one team for design, permits, and construction, from first idea to final walkthrough.
Get Free ConsultationSee what it feels like to work with IL Total.
Hear directly from San Diego homeowners about communication, design, construction, and seeing their project come together.
Nancy · San Diego ADU
A homeowner story about turning an ADU idea into a real family living space.
Ariella · Del Cerro Project
A homeowner story about communication, quality, and watching the plan come together.
“From design to permits to construction, everything was handled smoothly. The final result came out clean, functional, and way better than I expected.”
Jason Hefter Garage conversion ADU · North Park“Rummy worked magic with the design, taking a challenging lot and turning it into a beautiful, efficient space.”
Matan Vardi ADU project · Golden Hill“Her attention to detail and level of communication was second to none. The layout and design was perfect and maximized the space provided.”
Blair Schueler ADU design · San DiegoHelping Homeowners Build Smarter Living Space
If you are looking for an ADU builder in San Diego, IL Total Design and Build can help you plan, design, permit, and build your ADU from start to finish.
Start With a Property CheckSmarter Living Space
We help San Diego homeowners create custom accessory dwelling units that add living space, support family needs, and improve long-term property value. Whether you want a detached ADU, garage conversion, granny flat, guest house, backyard cottage, or backyard home, our team can guide your project from the first idea to final construction.
Design, Plans, and Permits
As an ADU contractor in San Diego County, we handle the full process under one roof. That includes ADU design, floor plans, permit support, city submittals, and construction. We help you understand what may be possible before you move forward.
Construction Direction
Building an ADU in San Diego takes more than basic construction knowledge. You need a team that understands design, property layout, local rules, permit requirements, and how to move the project forward without confusion.
Our Services
IL Total Design and Build works with homeowners across San Diego County who want to build an ADU, add an ADU, or turn unused space into functional living space. We help you understand what can fit on your property and what steps are needed before construction starts.
Attached ADU
Build an attached ADU, guest suite, rental unit, or private living space with one team handling plans, permits, and construction from start to finish.
Attached ADUDetached ADU
Build a private detached ADU for family, guests, rental income, or long-term flexibility, planned around your property and goals.
Detached ADUHome Addition
Add more space with a custom home addition designed around your property, your family, and the way you want to live.
Home AdditionsSecond Story Additions
Expand upward when you need more living space but want to keep your yard and outdoor area intact.
Second Story AdditionRoom Additions
Create a new space for family, work, guests, or daily living with a room addition designed to fit your current home.
Room AdditionsFull Home Remodeling
Rethink your home with layout changes, structural updates, and a full design-build remodeling process.
Home RemodelingGarage Conversion
Turn a garage into an ADU, bedroom, guest space, rental unit, home office, or extra living area with a permitted conversion.
Garage ConversionsTop ADU Builder in San Diego County
If you are comparing ADU builders in San Diego, our goal is simple: clear guidance, strong design, organized permit support, and quality construction from design to completion.
What Your ADU Project Needs
- Design, property layout, and local rules understood before construction.
- ADU regulations, permit requirements, and a clear path forward.
- One team helping the ADU move from first idea to final walkthrough.
The IL Total Path
- Clear guidance, strong design, and organized permit support.
- Quality construction from design to completion.
- San Diego ADU design-build planning under one roof.
Ready to Build Your ADU?
Tell us about your property and we’ll help you understand what may be possible.
Our ADU Building Process
One connected process helps keep the design, permit path, construction scope, and next steps clear.
Free Consultation
We assess your property, explain what may be built, and give you a real cost estimate with no obligation.
Most consultations take 30 to 45 minutes. You leave with a clearer picture of what may be possible on your lot.
Plan and Design
Our in-house architect designs your ADU within local rules, with permit-ready drawings prepared for review.
Design and permitting under one roof means fewer handoffs, clearer planning, and a smoother process.
Construct
Once permits are approved and the scope is clear, our crew starts construction with steady communication.
You receive a detailed scope of work, project updates, and a team focused on doing the work the right way.
Completion and ROI
Your ADU is ready for family, guests, rental income potential, or extra living space on your property.
A completed ADU can support flexible living, rental potential, and long-term property value.
Explore Recent Work
See detached ADUs, garage conversions, additions, and custom designs built around real San Diego properties.
980 Sq Ft Luxury ADU
A custom detached ADU with vaulted ceilings, premium finishes, and a full-home feel.
New ADU Build
A clean attached ADU designed to add useful independent living space.
ADU Over Garage
A second-story ADU with a loft, open living area, and coastal design.
JDU in Serra Mesa
A compact living unit planned around privacy, access, and everyday function.
ADU Expansion and Garage Conversion
A project combining an ADU expansion with a garage conversion in Normal Heights.
Build Up, Not Out
A second-story ADU designed to add space while preserving the yard below.
Watch ADU Projects Come Together
Three short project videos show the layout, build quality, and progress more clearly than photos alone.
Poway Detached ADU
A closer look at a completed detached ADU project.
Serra Mesa ADU
See how an ADU moves from planning into real construction.
Detached ADU and JDU
A walkthrough showing a larger ADU and JDU build path.
Build With a Local Team
Work with real people who understand San Diego design, permitting, construction, older homes, and the details that make an ADU feel finished.
Rummy Dechner
Rummy founded IL Total Design in 2000 and has spent more than two decades designing custom homes, ADUs, and additions across San Diego. CSLB License #1058676.
Greg Ricards
Greg helps connect the drawing board to the job site so practical build details stay part of the design conversation.
Daniel Dechner
Daniel helps homeowners understand the next step and keeps communication clear from the first consultation through the project path.
Areas We Serve
IL Total Design and Build helps homeowners across San Diego and nearby communities plan, permit, and build ADUs for family, rental income, and long-term property value.
Latest News
Important updates on California ADU laws, San Diego rules, property options, and decisions homeowners may face before building.
Coastal Zone ADUs in North County: 2026 Rule Changes
What new rules may mean for ADUs in Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and other coastal areas.
Read Article
Maxed-Out Lot? You Can Still Build an ADU in San Diego
See why a lot that appears maxed out may still have an ADU path worth reviewing.
Read Article
Can You Sell Your ADU Separately in San Diego?
Learn how AB 1033 changed the conversation around selling an ADU separately from the main home.
Read ArticleOur San Diego Location
IL Total Design and Build is located in San Diego and helps homeowners across San Diego County with ADU design, permit planning, garage conversions, detached ADUs, and construction.
- IL Total Design and Build
- 9655 Granite Ridge Dr #200, San Diego, CA 92123
- (619) 404-0125
- contact@iltotaldesign.com
ADU Questions From San Diego Homeowners
Simple answers about design, permits, construction, garage conversions, cost, timelines, and how IL Total Design and Build helps from start to finish.
What does IL Total Design and Build help with?
We help San Diego homeowners plan, design, permit, and build ADUs. Our team handles the project from the first property review to final construction, so you do not have to manage separate designers, permit help, and builders.
What types of ADUs do you build?
We help with detached ADUs, garage conversion ADUs, custom ADUs, granny flats, guest houses, backyard homes, and ADUs over garages. Every ADU is planned around your lot, goals, and how you want to use the space.
Can you help me know if my property can support an ADU?
Yes. We start by reviewing your property, existing structures, access, layout, and goals. This helps us explain what may be possible before you spend time and money moving deeper into the process.
Do you handle ADU permits in San Diego?
Yes. Permit support is part of our process. We help prepare the plans, coordinate the permit steps, and guide your project through required reviews before construction begins.
Can you convert my garage into an ADU?
Yes. A garage conversion can be a smart way to add living space using an existing structure. We can help turn a garage into an ADU, guest space, rental unit, home office, or bedroom layout when the property allows it.
Are your ADUs prebuilt or custom?
Our ADUs are custom planned for your property. The goal is to design and build an ADU that fits your lot, main home, and the way the space will be used.
How long does an ADU project take?
The timeline depends on the property, design, permit review, and construction scope. During your consultation, we can explain the main steps and give you a more realistic timeline based on your project.
How much does it cost to build an ADU in San Diego?
ADU cost depends on size, design, site conditions, utilities, finishes, and whether it is detached, attached, or a garage conversion. We start with a property review so you can understand the likely budget before moving forward.
What makes IL Total Design and Build different?
You work with one local team for design, permits, and construction. That means fewer handoffs, clearer communication, and one group responsible for helping your ADU move from first idea to final walkthrough.
See What Kind of ADU May Work on Your Property
Our design-build team helps you plan, permit, and build your ADU from start to finish. Send your project details and IL Total Design and Build will help you understand the next step.
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