Service area · East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto ADUs & Remodels Built for Your Family.
From University Village to Palo Alto Park and the Weeks neighborhood, East Palo Alto homeowners are adding ADUs, converting garages and updating homes to stay rooted in the community. True Builders designs, permits and builds them under one contract. Licensed (CSLB #1110631) and insured.
Local Knowledge, Local Results
Why East Palo Alto HomeownersChoose True Builders.
Many East Palo Alto homes sit on lots well suited to a backyard ADU or garage conversion — a practical way to house family or earn rental income. Parts of the city are in FEMA flood hazard areas near San Francisquito Creek and the bay, which can require raised floors for new construction. We check your parcel’s flood status and utilities early and guide you through the City of East Palo Alto’s permit process.
You’ll get a fixed construction price and one project manager.
Recent Work
Projects Like Yours.
East Palo Alto Permits & Rules
What to Know Before You Build in East Palo Alto.
We handle every permit. Here's the short version of what East Palo Alto typically requires for common projects:
- ADUs & JADUs — Approved ministerially under California ADU law; a single-family lot can have both an ADU and a Junior ADU.
- Flood zones — New ADUs and additions in FEMA flood hazard areas may need elevated floors and flood-resistant materials.
- Garage conversions — No replacement parking is required when a garage becomes an ADU.
- Legalizing existing units — California has made many older unpermitted ADUs easier to legalize; we can assess what an existing unit needs.
- Remodels — Permits are required for structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical changes.
SERVICES IN EAST PALO ALTO
Everything Your East Palo Alto Home Needs.
From ADUs and garage conversions to kitchens, bathrooms and additions, one licensed team handles design, permits and construction for East Palo Alto homeowners.
ADU Builder
Detached, attached and garage ADUs for rental income or extended family.
Garage Conversion
Turn an existing garage into a legal ADU, in-law suite or home office.
Junior ADU (JADU)
Add a private suite of up to 500 sq ft inside the home you already own.
Kitchen Remodeling
From quick refreshes to fully custom estate kitchens.
Bathroom Remodeling
Walk-in showers, primary suites and accessible bathrooms.
Room Additions
Bedrooms, primary suites and guest houses that match your home.
Full Home Remodeling
Whole-house renovations planned from 4–5 months to 12+ months.
Permits & Design-Build
One team for design, city approvals and construction.
Typical East Palo Alto Project Timelines
- Detached ADU: typically finished in 6–9 months
- Room addition: 3–4 months of construction for one room, 4–6 months for a primary suite
- Whole-home remodel: 4–5 months for select spaces up to 8–12+ months for a full redesign
Every project gets a fixed construction price after a free site visit.
How a East Palo Alto Project Works
- Free consultation & site visitWe review your goals, your lot and East Palo Alto zoning rules before anything is designed.
- Design & fixed pricePlans, engineering and a clear, fixed construction price before work begins.
- PermitsWe submit to the City of East Palo Alto and handle every plan-check comment for you.
- Build & final inspectionOne project manager from the first day on site through final sign-off.
Also Serving Homeowners Near East Palo Alto
EAST PALO ALTO FAQS
Local Questions, Answered.
The type of ADU matters most: converting a garage usually costs far less than building a new detached unit. After that, size, utility trenching and the sewer connection, foundation and soil conditions, and finish level drive the price. Flood-zone requirements can add foundation costs, and we design for them from the start. We give you a fixed price after a free site visit.
Often, yes. State law limits when cities can deny permits to legalize older unpermitted ADUs, except for health and safety issues. We inspect the unit and outline the upgrades needed.
Some neighborhoods are. If yours is, new construction may need to be built above the base flood elevation, and we design and price for that from the start.
A Junior ADU inside the home or a garage conversion is usually the lowest-cost option, often a fraction of the cost of a new detached ADU.
Scope is the biggest factor. A same-layout refresh, a signature remodel with semi-custom cabinetry and layout changes, and an estate-level custom kitchen are very different projects. Moving plumbing, gas lines or walls, cabinetry and countertop selections, appliances and city permit fees also play a role. We give you a fixed price after a free site visit.
Construction for a single-room addition typically takes 3–4 months, and a primary suite addition 4–6 months, plus time up front for design, engineering and permits.
Ready to Start?
Get Your East Palo AltoProject Quote.
Tell us about your East Palo Alto home and what you’d like to build. We’ll reach out within one business day.
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Let's Discuss
Your Project Goals.
Planning a project in East Palo Alto? Tell us about your property and choose your project type. We’ll review your ideas and follow up within one business day to schedule a free consultation.
