ADU Before & After in Upland, CA
Photos don’t oversell. They show what a written price and a documented process actually deliver. Below are recent transformations we’ve completed in Upland and nearby San Bernardino County cities, each with the permit set, photo record, and final inspection to match.
Recent Transformations
Garage Conversion ADU: North Upland 2-Car to 480 Sq Ft Studio
The existing slab was 4 inches, within range for conversion but too thin for the kitchen island the owner wanted. We poured a 6-inch thickened edge slab extension, ran new electrical through the existing stucco via a surface raceway the city approved as “minimal visual impact,” and kept the original roofline to avoid triggering Upland’s hillside view-shed review. The client received the permit set, 47 dated photos, and a final inspection certificate. Garage conversion ADUs in Upland typically run $85,000-$140,000 all-in, drawings through final inspection, depending on utility tie-in distance and whether the existing foundation qualifies.
New Detached ADU: San Antonio Heights Backyard on Zero-Lot-Line
San Antonio Heights sits in unincorporated San Bernardino County but uses Upland’s sphere of influence for certain setback rules, which confused the first designer the owner hired. We re-drew the site plan to show the 4-foot side setback variance - the extra distance the city requires between your new ADU and the property line - as a measured existing condition, not a requested exception. The prefab unit from Abodu arrived in two modules; we craned it over the main house using the 10 a.m. county road-occupancy window. New detached ADUs in this part of Upland’s orbit typically run $160,000-$280,000 all-in, including the crane, foundation, and full utility trench to the street.
Junior ADU & Interior Conversion: Historic Downtown Upland Duplex
The owner needed to stay within Junior ADU rules: created within existing walls, no new square footage, and sharing utilities with the primary residence. We converted the rear bedroom and original bathroom into a self-contained unit, added a kitchenette with induction cooktop (no gas line extension needed), and routed a new 100-amp subpanel from the existing 200-amp service. Historic Downtown Upland’s design review required matching the original window style; we sourced reproduction wood-sash units from a supplier in Rancho Cucamonga. Junior ADUs and interior conversions in Upland typically run $45,000-$85,000 all-in, with the lower end applying when plumbing stays in existing locations.
ADU Site Prep & Utilities: Foothill Boulevard Sloped Lot
The owner wanted to phase the project: site prep and utilities now, ADU construction in 18 months. We pulled a grading permit and utility permit separately, installed a 75-foot sewer lateral with cleanout at the property line per Upland Municipal Code Chapter 13.16, and poured a 12-inch stem wall on spread footings designed for the eventual Dvele modular unit. The photo record shows each lift of compacted fill, the geotech sign-off, and the pressure-tested sewer line. Site prep and utility packages in Upland’s foothill zone typically run $35,000-$65,000 depending on slope, soil condition, and lateral distance to city connections.
Garage Conversion ADU: Upland Hills HOA with Design Committee
HOA design committees in Upland Hills can add 4-6 weeks if you don’t front-load the packet. We submitted our permit drawings simultaneously to Upland Building & Safety and the HOA architectural committee, including a 3D render showing the new entry door location and the exact stucco sample from Merlex’s Upland Hills approved list. The HOA approved in 11 days. We then matched the existing roof tile from Boral’s Fontana distribution yard. The owner received the full photo record, the HOA approval letter, and the certificate of occupancy. Under Clause 5 (No Surprises), the scope was locked at signing; no door-side upsells, no scope creep.
New Detached ADU: Modular Coordination with Mighty Buildings
The owner wanted speed and had seen Mighty Buildings’ polymer composite panels at a Bay Area open house. We specified the unit in our single contract - design, permitting, factory coordination, transport, crane, set, and finish - so neither the designer nor the builder could point at the other when the 15-foot oak protection zone complicated the crane placement. The factory built the unit in 8 weeks; we handled Upland’s fire-sprinkler waiver (under 500 sq ft, detached, with 10-foot setbacks) and the Foothill Fire Protection District coordination. Modular and prefab ADUs with full coordination typically run $180,000-$320,000 all-in, with factory lead times currently 10-14 weeks for most brands we specify, including Abodu, Cover, Dvele, Mighty Buildings, Boxabl, Plant Prefab, Tuff Shed, and James Hardie systems.
Want Results Like These?
Every project above started with a site walk and a written price before any work started, per Haven Standard Clause 1. If you already have an estimate in hand, we’ll give you a free second opinion. Call (840) 212-3065 to schedule yours. A live person answers, 24/7.
Written by Nadia Ellery, Owner at Ellery ADU Studio Upland, serving Upland since 2015.