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A Private Commission

One of one.

Most of our clients find the right fit in the Signature Home lineup — nine architect-designed plans, fixed pricing, proven floor plans. But occasionally, a lot, a vision, or a lifestyle calls for something entirely its own.

For a small number of clients each year, we design and build fully custom ADUs — the same team, the same standard of craft, shaped to your exact brief.

The process

From conversation to keys.

A custom ADU is a longer road — 11 to 16 months from first meeting to move-in. Here is exactly where that time goes.

01
2–4 weeks

Consultation & Feasibility

We assess your lot, local zoning, and setback requirements. You share the vision — who will live there, how it should feel, what matters most. If a Signature Home would serve you better, we will tell you. If custom is the right path, we scope it here.

02
2–3 months

Bespoke Design & Construction Documents

Our architecture team designs your ADU from scratch — floor plan, elevations, structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance, and full construction drawings. You review and refine until the design is exactly right. A design fee is due at this phase.

03
3–4 months

Plan Check & Permit Approval

We submit to your city's building department and manage the entire plan check process — corrections, resubmittals, and follow-ups. Custom plans take longer than our pre-approved Signature Home drawings, but we have 126 projects of LA County permit experience behind every submission.

04
6–9 months

Construction

Same crews, same project management, same quality standard as our Signature Homes. Daily on-site supervision. Progress draw payment schedule tied to construction milestones — you only pay for completed, inspected work. Final inspections and certificate of occupancy included.

Pricing

Transparent from day one.

Typical custom project
20–30% more than a comparable Signature Home — because bespoke design, custom engineering, and a longer plan check add real cost and time.
Timeline
11–16 months, start to finish. Compared to 6–9 months for a Signature Home.
Design fee
A design and engineering deposit is due at the start of the bespoke design phase. This covers architectural drawings, structural engineering, and permit-ready construction documents. Amount quoted after your consultation.
Construction payments
Progress draw schedule tied to milestones. You pay for completed work — never in advance.
Signature Home vs. Custom ADU

The honest comparison.

We offer both paths and we will tell you which one we think is the better fit for your project.

The Wilshire Signature Home — architect-designed ADU in a Los Angeles backyard

Signature Home

  • Starting at $219,000. Fixed price in writing.
  • 6–9 months start to finish. Construction timeline guaranteed.
  • Pre-designed and permit-ready — skip 2–3 months of custom drawings.
  • Nine architect-designed floor plans, 400–1,200 sqft.
  • 15,552 finish combinations per model through our à la carte configurator.
  • Delay penalty paid at your HELOC rate if we run late.
Woodland Hills custom ADU — modern ranch-style backyard home

Custom ADU

  • Typically 20–30% more than a comparable Signature Home.
  • 11–16 months start to finish.
  • Fully bespoke design from a blank page.
  • Unlimited floor plan, layout, and material choices.
  • Ideal for unusual lots, non-standard footprints, or one-of-a-kind visions.
  • Limited to 3–5 projects per year.

Not sure which path is right for you? That is exactly what the consultation is for. We will assess your lot, listen to your vision, and recommend the path that gives you the best outcome for your budget and timeline.

Is custom right for you?

Custom makes sense when…

Your lot demands it

Steep hillside, irregular shape, extreme setback constraints, or limited access that a standard footprint cannot accommodate.

Your vision requires it

A specific architectural style, an unconventional layout, or a program — like a home recording studio or artist's workshop — that no pre-designed plan covers.

You have the timeline

Custom takes 11 to 16 months. If you need a home in under a year, a Signature Home at 6 to 9 months is the faster and more certain path.

Next step

Start with a conversation.

Whether you end up choosing a Signature Home or commissioning a fully custom ADU, every project starts the same way — a free consultation where we assess your lot, listen to your vision, and recommend the best path forward.

Architect-designed · Fixed price · Timeline guaranteed in writing