What a Garage Conversion ADU Costs and Involves in Hollywood
A garage conversion ADU in Hollywood typically runs $30,000-$80,000 and takes 8-14 weeks from permit to final inspection, depending on whether the existing slab, electrical, and roof structure need upgrading to meet Broward County’s HVHZ requirements. Most Hollywood homeowners we work with in 33022, 33023, and 33024 keep the existing footprint but replace everything above the slab, including windows, doors, and the roof-to-wall connection. Call (844) 665-0162 for a free on-site estimate with a written breakdown.
How We Convert a Hollywood Garage Into an ADU
We’ve done enough of these in Hollywood’s older neighborhoods to know where the surprises hide. Here’s the actual sequence, with the decisions you’ll need to make at each point.
Stage 1: Existing conditions survey and HVHZ compliance check (3-5 days)
We start by documenting what’s there, not what the plans assume. In Hollywood’s pre-1992 concrete block homes, especially east of I-95 around 33023, we regularly find original garage slabs poured without a vapor barrier, electrical panels that won’t handle an additional dwelling unit load, and roof trusses lacking the hurricane tie-downs required for any permitted conversion. You’ll decide here whether to bring the entire structure to current HVHZ standards or pursue a limited scope that may restrict the ADU’s legal use. We pull Broward County permits during this window.
Stage 2: Structural and MEP rough-in (2-3 weeks)
The garage door comes out, the opening gets framed for a rated entry door and impact windows with Miami-Dade NOA documentation. If the slab is cracked or uninsulated, we saw-cut and pour a new floating floor with proper moisture sealing, something we see in maybe 60% of Hollywood’s 1960s-1970s stock. Plumbing gets roughed to a kitchenette and full bath, electrical gets a dedicated sub-panel, and mini-split HVAC linesets go in. You’ll choose fixture locations now, before drywall closes everything in.
Stage 3: Insulation, drywall, and finishes (2-3 weeks)
We use closed-cell spray foam on the roof deck and exterior block walls for the thermal and moisture performance Hollywood’s humidity demands. Then drywall, flooring, cabinets, and paint. This is where most homeowners feel the project accelerate, since the visible progress comes fast.
Stage 4: Final MEP connections and fixtures (1 week)
Plumbing fixtures, electrical trim, HVAC commissioning, and appliance installation. We test everything under load before the inspector arrives.
Stage 5: Broward County final inspection and certificate of occupancy (1-2 weeks, mostly scheduling)
Broward’s inspectors will verify HVHZ-rated windows and doors, proper egress, smoke/CO detection, and that the ADU has independent utility metering or a legal sub-meter arrangement. We don’t call this complete until the C.O. is in your hand.
This sequence is part of a full Home Additions & ADU in Hollywood project, and our Home Additions & ADU crew coordinates every trade so you’re not managing separate contractors.
The Options You’ll Choose Between for Your Garage Conversion ADU
Every decision below moves your final number. We lay out the honest trade-offs we see Hollywood homeowners wrestle with:
- Foundation: existing slab vs. new floating floor. Keeping the slab saves $4,000-$7,000 but risks moisture wicking through in Hollywood’s wet season. A new 4-inch floating floor with vapor barrier and insulation adds cost but eliminates the musty smell we see in older 33022 conversions where owners tried to save here.
- Roof structure: preserve vs. reframe. Many Hollywood garages have low-slope roofs with inadequate insulation space. Preserving saves money upfront; reframing for a vaulted ceiling with proper insulation adds $3,500-$6,000 but creates usable headroom and better thermal performance.
- Kitchenette scope: wet bar vs. full cooking. A microwave, mini-fridge, and sink runs $2,500-$4,000 in cabinetry and fixtures. A full cooktop, oven, and standard refrigerator cabinet layout hits $6,000-$11,000. This choice often depends on whether the ADU is for rental income or family use.
- Bathroom: shower stall vs. tub. A 32-inch fiberglass shower stall is the practical minimum for most garage footprints. A tub cuts into living space but broadens rental appeal; expect a $1,200-$2,500 swing.
- HVAC: wall-mounted mini-split vs. extended central system. A dedicated mini-split ($2,800-$4,500 installed) is simpler and gives the ADU independent climate control. Tapping the main house’s central system rarely works well in Hollywood’s older homes where the original compressor is already undersized for our heat loads.
- Exterior finish: match existing stucco vs. contrasting siding. Matching the home’s original texture and color keeps HOA and historic district reviewers satisfied, especially in Hollywood’s eastern neighborhoods. James Hardie siding in a complementary color costs similar but reads as intentional addition.
Homeowners often pair this work with interior finishes from our Cabinets & Countertops in Hollywood team, or flooring upgrades through Backsplash, Tile & Flooring in Hollywood, to keep the whole project under one contractor.
What Garage Conversion ADU Costs in Hollywood, FL
| Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Basic garage conversion ADU (existing slab, mini-split, standard finishes) | $30,000-$48,000 |
| Mid-range conversion (new floor, vaulted ceiling, full kitchenette, upgraded windows) | $48,000-$65,000 |
| Full-gut conversion (structural reframe, impact rated everything, premium finishes) | $65,000-$80,000 |
Five variables push you up or down this range. First, the existing garage condition: a 1970s Hollywood home with original wiring, a cracked slab, and a low roofline starts higher than a 1995 build with updated electrical and decent headroom. Second, plumbing distance: if your main sewer line sits on the opposite side of the house, trenching and pumping add $3,000-$7,000. Third, electrical service: a 100-amp main panel requires upgrade to 200-amp for legal ADU metering, a $2,500-$5,000 line item. Fourth, window and door grade: HVHZ-rated impact products with Miami-Dade NOA documentation cost 30-50% more than standard Florida Product Approved units, but they’re non-negotiable in Hollywood. Fifth, interior finish level: LVP flooring and stock cabinets keep costs contained; tile, quartz, and custom millwork move the needle.
A written estimate from us includes demolition, rough and finish carpentry, plumbing and electrical rough-in and trim, HVAC, insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, permit fees, and final inspections. It does not include separate utility meter installation (if required by your HOA or lender), landscaping restoration, or appliance purchases beyond basic range and refrigerator where specified.
Call (844) 665-0162 for an exact quote on your specific garage, estimates are free.
What Hollywood Homes Specifically Do to This Job
Hollywood sits entirely within Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone, a designation shared only with Miami-Dade County. Every permitted garage conversion ADU here must use HVHZ-listed assemblies backed by Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance. Contractors coming from Palm Beach or Central Florida routinely get caught at the Broward permit desk when their window or roofing specs lack this specific documentation, something invisible on standard Florida Product Approval searches. We’ve seen projects stall three weeks while replacement materials get sourced.
The housing stock splits the job in two. East of I-95, in 33023 and the older 33020-33021 pockets, we’re working on 1950s-1970s CBS homes built for the Northeast snowbird market. These garages often carry original flat roofs, jalousie windows, and Federal Pacific or Zinsco electrical panels that must be fully replaced. The concrete block is durable, but the roof-to-wall connections lack the metal straps required post-Andrew, so we install continuous load path hardware as part of every conversion. West of the interstate, in 33024-33027, the 1980s-2000s tract homes have better bones but HOAs with strict design covenants that govern exterior appearance and setback rules.
For garages on Hollywood’s barrier island strip, the salt-air corrosion factor is real. We specify 316 stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners, aluminum frames with anodized finishes, and avoid bare steel hardware that we’d use inland. The Coastal Construction Control Line adds a DEP permit layer that mainland Broward projects never see, typically adding 2-3 weeks to pre-construction.
We cover all of Hollywood and the surrounding Broward corridor, from Andover and West Park up through Miramar and West Hollywood.
Serving Hollywood, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Hollywood area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked - Garage Conversion ADU in Hollywood
Most garage conversion ADU projects in Hollywood take 8-14 weeks from permit approval to certificate of occupancy, with 2-3 weeks of that typically spent in Broward County’s permit and inspection queue. Pre-1992 homes with electrical or structural upgrades tend toward the longer end. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific garage and neighborhood.
Yes, every garage conversion ADU in Hollywood requires a Broward County building permit, and the work must comply with HVHZ product-approval standards that exceed standard Florida code. Unpermitted conversions create title and insurance issues and cannot legally be rented. We handle the full permit package as part of our standard process.
You can avoid relocating plumbing if the existing drain line is within 10-15 feet of your planned kitchen and bath layout, which is often achievable in Hollywood’s typical 20×20 or 22×24 garage footprints. Electrical almost always requires at least a sub-panel addition, since a garage circuit was never designed to carry dwelling-unit loads. During our free estimate, we map your existing systems and show you the minimum viable scope.
A garage conversion ADU in Hollywood typically costs 40-60% less than a new detached ADU because you’re working within an existing foundation and roof footprint. Our detached ADU construction starts at $90,000, while garage conversions begin around $30,000. The trade-off is less design flexibility and the need to work around existing structural conditions.
We warranty our workmanship on garage conversion ADU projects for one year from certificate of occupancy, with manufacturer warranties passing through on windows, doors, HVAC equipment, and fixtures. Structural work carries a ten-year warranty. Everything is documented in your written contract, not promised verbally. Call (844) 665-0162 for the full warranty schedule.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Garage Conversion ADU in Hollywood
We’ll walk your garage, check your existing slab, electrical, and roof structure, and deliver a written estimate with real numbers for your specific Hollywood home. No deposit required to get started, and we’ll flag any HVHZ or HOA issues before you commit. Call (844) 665-0162 or request an appointment through our site.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Hollywood since our founding in South Florida.