Answers
The questions people ask before they call us
Prospects rarely call with a blank slate. They want to know what it costs, how long approvals take, and whether their project is too small. Everything below is answered in the open, because a well-informed first conversation is a shorter, better one.
Not listed? Ask the project advisor
A trained assistant using how we actually scope Southern California projects. Ask about cost ranges, permits, code or sequencing and get a straight answer in seconds. For site-specific numbers we still recommend a feasibility review.
Working with Plantek West
Where does Plantek West work?
Southern California, with offices in Santa Monica and Fullerton. We regularly work across Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and we have delivered multi-site programs beyond the region for national brands.
What is a feasibility study and do I need one?
A feasibility study is a short, paid assessment that answers whether a project can be built, at what approximate cost, under what approvals, and in what timeframe. It is the cheapest way to avoid spending design fees on a project the code, the site or the budget will not support.
How do you charge?
Feasibility work is a fixed fee. Design and construction management are typically fee-based on project value or scope, and construction is contracted with a defined line-item budget. You will always see how the number is built before you sign.
Are you helping homeowners rebuilding after the Eaton and Palisades fires?
Yes. We support rebuild efforts with design and plan submittal help so owners can move through approvals faster. Rebuild projects are prioritized in our intake.
What happens after I submit the contact form?
Your enquiry reaches us immediately by email and is logged with your project type, budget range and timeline, so the first conversation starts with your specifics rather than a blank page. You will hear back within one business day.
ADUs and small residential
How much does an ADU cost in Southern California?
Most detached ADUs we scope land between roughly $250 and $450 per square foot of finished space, with garage conversions at the lower end and new detached structures with new utility runs at the higher end. The spread comes from three things: how far utilities have to travel, whether the site needs grading or retaining, and finish level. We price these three drivers first so you get a range you can trust before drawings begin.
Do I need to be wealthy to work with Plantek West?
No. Our portfolio shows large commercial and estate work because those projects photograph well, but a large share of our work is single ADUs, additions and remodels. Small projects use the same process, just scaled: a fee-based feasibility review, a clear budget range, permit management, then construction. We publish an ADU-specific starting point so you can see where you fit before you call.
How long does an ADU take from first call to move in?
Plan on 3 to 5 months for design and permitting and 4 to 7 months for construction, so roughly 9 to 12 months total for a detached unit. Garage conversions can be faster. State-mandated 60-day ADU permit review helps, but corrections, utility clearances and school or sewer fees are what usually add time.
Can I build an ADU and a junior ADU on the same lot?
In most single-family situations in California you can pair one ADU with one junior ADU, subject to your city's objective standards. The lot geometry, fire access and utility capacity decide whether it is practical. We test that in a feasibility review before you spend money on full drawings.
Will an ADU pencil out as a rental?
That depends on submarket rent, your financing cost and the all-in build number. Our ADU guide includes the same worksheet we use with clients: all-in cost, monthly carrying cost, market rent and the break-even point. If it does not pencil, we will tell you before design starts.
Do I need an architect, a contractor, or both?
You need both roles, but not necessarily two contracts. We hold design, permitting and construction management under one accountable team, which removes the gap where drawings do not match what can actually be built for the budget.
Commercial and tenant improvement
What size commercial projects do you take?
We regularly manage ground-up commercial buildings, multi-site rollouts and tenant improvements from a few thousand square feet upward. Clients have included national retail, restaurant, telecom, financial and hospitality brands across Southern California.
What is the difference between design-build and design-bid-build for my project?
Design-build puts design and construction under one accountable party, which usually compresses schedule and reduces change orders driven by drawing gaps. Design-bid-build can produce a sharper hard bid when scope is fully defined and time is not critical. We advise on the delivery method during feasibility rather than defaulting to one.
Can you handle entitlements and city approvals, not just construction?
Yes. Entitlements, conditional use permits, variances, plan check management and agency coordination are core services. Many clients hire us for entitlements first, then keep us through construction because the approval conditions carry directly into the build.
How do you control cost on occupied or operating sites?
Through phasing, off-hours work windows, early long-lead procurement and a line-item budget that separates landlord work from tenant work. We publish a weekly cost and schedule report so surprises surface while they are still small.
Do you work as an owner's representative or construction consultant?
Yes. When you already have a design team or general contractor, we can act as owner's representative or construction consultant: budget validation, schedule audits, submittal and change-order review, and site oversight.
Still have a question about your specific site?
Send it over. Answers to site-specific questions need an address, a rough scope and a timeline, and that is exactly what the form asks for.