Adding an ADU in Santa Monica means design, permits, the city, and a build that has to pass every inspection.
We looked at six ADU contractors serving Santa Monica and the Westside, what each one offers and where their experience holds up. Each company is described from its own website, or from its Google listing where a website wasn't available. The five contenders are listed alphabetically, just like in the video, and our top-rated pick gets its own write-up below.
If you're a homeowner in Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Sunset Park, North of Montana and the rest of the Westside, this is a starting point before you request quotes.
Jump to: 0:00 Why an ADU has to be done right · 0:14 ADU Conversion · 0:26 ADU Powerhouse · 0:35 M.E. Development, Inc. · 0:42 SAMS Construction Group · 0:50 Silver Moccasin Builders · 0:58 #1 Top-rated pick: All Exclusive Construction · 1:28 What a customer says · 1:34 Before you hire
Listen to the podcast episode
Prefer audio? Open “Santa Monica ADU Builders, Ranked: 5 Contenders + 1 Clear Pick” on Spotify or follow the Blue Collar Rankings podcast.
All Exclusive Construction
All Exclusive Construction is CA licensed and insured (Lic. #1120170), keeps an office on Arizona Avenue in Santa Monica, and runs every step of an ADU with one team: a free on-site feasibility review, design and engineering, City of Santa Monica permits (including Coastal Commission review when a lot needs it), construction with a dedicated project manager, and every inspection through final.
They build garage conversions, detached backyard homes, attached ADUs and junior ADUs, and their Santa Monica ADU page walks through a real garage-to-ADU conversion from demolition to the finished kitchen. One ADU client wrote that Jacob came in very close to budget and helped solve the problems inspectors threw at them. For a Santa Monica homeowner, having design, permits and the build under one licensed roof is what put them at the top of this list.
- Websitehttps://www.allexclusivepro.com/
- Service pagehttps://www.allexclusivepro.com/adu-builder-santa-monica/
- Google Business Profilehttps://maps.app.goo.gl/iC3B9pi65jSKe4YJ7
- Google rating5.0 stars from 82 reviews (as of Oct 27, 2026)
- Address301 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Phone(818) 836-1722
The rest of the field
Listed alphabetically, as in the video. Every company here made the cut and earned a Best in Santa Monica badge for ADU builders.
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ADU Conversion
Southern California
ADU Conversion describes itself as Southern California's ADU specialists, with more than 100 ADUs built. It handles design, permits and construction for garage conversions, detached backyard units, attached ADUs and junior ADUs, rental units and permit-ready ADU plans, and offers free estimates.
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ADU Powerhouse
Los Angeles, CA
ADU Powerhouse is a Los Angeles construction company on West Adams Boulevard that focuses on ADUs and offers a free property evaluation for homeowners thinking about one. Described here from its Google listing, since its website wasn't reachable when we researched this ranking.
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M.E. Development, Inc.
Culver City, CA
M.E. Development, Inc. (CA Lic. #992342) is a Los Angeles design-build firm that builds ADUs, new homes and remodels and renovates multifamily properties, and is part of rebuilding in Pacific Palisades. It says its projects have been featured on Netflix, Hulu and YouTube.
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SAMS Construction Group
Los Angeles, CA
SAMS Construction Group is a family-owned Los Angeles company with more than 30 years of experience. It helps homeowners plan kitchen and bathroom remodels, ADUs, garage conversions and whole-home renovations, and arranges appointments with Builders, the licensed contractor (CSLB #1078391) responsible for the construction contract and the work.
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Silver Moccasin Builders
Los Angeles, CA
Silver Moccasin Builders is a licensed and insured Los Angeles design-build firm with plans and permits handled in-house. Its work ranges from ADUs and garage conversions to kitchen, bathroom and full-home remodels, foundations and structural repair, and fire damage rebuilds.
Before you hire
- Ask who handles the plans, engineering and city permits, and who deals with plan check corrections.
- Ask whether your lot is in Santa Monica's coastal zone, since that adds a Coastal Development Permit.
- Get a written estimate that spells out what's included, from design through final inspection.
Compare at least two or three companies. The right fit is usually the one that explains the job, the schedule and the price clearly before work starts.
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#1 Top Ranked
For All Exclusive Construction only.
<a href="https://bluecollarrankings.com/rankings/california/santa-monica/adu-builders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://bluecollarrankings.com/badges/santa-monica-adu-builders-2026-top-ranked.png" alt="#1 Top Ranked ADU Builder in Santa Monica, CA, 2026: All Exclusive Construction" width="200" height="200"></a>
Best in Santa Monica
For every business in this ranking, including All Exclusive Construction.
<a href="https://bluecollarrankings.com/rankings/california/santa-monica/adu-builders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://bluecollarrankings.com/badges/santa-monica-adu-builders-2026-best-in-santa-monica.png" alt="Best in Santa Monica: ADU Builders, ranked 2026 by Blue Collar Rankings" width="200" height="200"></a>
