Permitting & Design Services project in Los Angeles completed by 1 Smart Build, a licensed design-build general contractor
Plans & Permits

PERMITTING & DESIGN SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES

Not every homeowner is ready to build tomorrow. Some need drawings to get a real price, some need plans to legalize work that was done without a permit, and some are stuck in plan check with corrections they don't understand. We do the design and permitting side of construction as its own service.

$3,500 – $40,000+ depending on scope and engineering 3–8 weeks for plans, plus 4–16 weeks of plan check

Short Answer

Plans for a kitchen or bathroom remodel typically run $3,500 to $8,000. Additions and ADUs with structural engineering usually land between $12,000 and $25,000, and custom homes or hillside projects run $40,000 and up, plus city fees.

Typical cost
$3,500 – $40,000+ depending on scope and engineering
Typical timeline
3–8 weeks for plans, plus 4–16 weeks of plan check
Permits
Permits and inspections handled by us through LADBS or your city building department.
Service area
All of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Westside, South Bay and foothill cities.
Credentials
Licensed, bonded and insured. CSLB #1076428. Owner-operated.

What We Prepare

Complete, permit-ready drawing sets coordinated with licensed architects and structural engineers, then walked through the city until the permit is issued.

  • Feasibility and zoning review for your parcel
  • Architectural plans for remodels, additions and ADUs
  • Structural engineering and calculations
  • Title 24 energy compliance
  • Site plans, surveys and soils coordination
  • LADBS or city submittal and correction handling

Legalizing Unpermitted Work

If you bought a house with an unpermitted garage conversion, addition or second unit, you can often bring it into compliance instead of tearing it out. We document the existing conditions, draw what's there, identify what has to change, and take it through the city.

  • As-built documentation of existing conditions
  • Code gap analysis and correction scope
  • Permit submittal for existing unpermitted work
  • Inspection coordination and final sign-off

Why a Builder Should Draw It

Plans drawn without a builder in the room tend to be beautiful and unbuildable at the budget. Because we build what we design, we price as we draw, flag structural and utility costs early, and give you a set the city approves and a crew can actually follow.

  • Budget check at every design milestone
  • Constructability review before submittal
  • Plan check corrections handled by us
  • The same team builds it if you go ahead with us
Who Does This Work
Isaac Sade, Project Manager at 1 Smart Build

Isaac Sade, Project Manager

Isaac runs permitting & design services projects at 1 Smart Build from the first site visit through final inspection: scope, plans, permit submittal, the crews on site, and the walkthrough at the end. You deal with one person who is accountable for the whole job.

Class B — General Building Contractor, CSLB #1076428. Bonded through and insured to $1,000,000 through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Rated 4.9 across 169 reviews.

More about Isaac

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much do architectural plans and permits cost in Los Angeles?

Plans for a kitchen or bathroom remodel typically run $3,500 to $8,000. Additions and ADUs with structural engineering usually land between $12,000 and $25,000, and custom homes or hillside projects run $40,000 and up, plus city fees.

How long does LADBS plan check take?

Simple over-the-counter permits can be same day. Standard plan check for additions and ADUs usually takes 4 to 16 weeks including one or two correction cycles, and hillside or discretionary projects take longer.

Can you legalize an unpermitted addition or garage conversion?

In most cases, yes. We document what exists, identify what has to be corrected to meet current code, and take it through permitting and inspection so it shows up as legal square footage.

Do I have to build with you if you draw my plans?

No. The plans are yours. Most clients do continue with us because the pricing is already built into the design, but you're free to bid the drawings out.

Areas We Serve

1 Smart Build provides permitting & design services services within a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and the surrounding region. Homeowners searching for a remodeling contractor near me regularly hire us in:

Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.

Free Consultation

DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD

Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.

1 (866) 419-8840
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