“Lior is very personable and has many decades of construction experience. We appreciated his sincere evaluation of our project.”
Ann AnterasianHouzz · April 2019
ADU construction · Valley Village, CA
Valley Village ADUs for
Postwar Cottage Lots
Quiet streets of 1940s–'50s cottages on tidy lots between NoHo and Studio City — Valley Village is garage-conversion country, and we know it well. CSLB #972213.
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CSLB LicensedLicense #972213
5.0 on Houzz17 verified reviews
Family-OwnedLicensed since 2010
24-Hour ResponseFree in-home estimate
Valley Village PermitsLADBS · Valley branch · in-house
Why Hillstar
Why Valley Village Homeowners Pick Hillstar
Modest lots, charming housing stock, flat ground — the ADU playbook here is precision on small canvases.
Cottage-Lot Specialists
Postwar parcels reward tight, efficient design — units that add function without crowding the yard that makes these streets pleasant.
Conversion-First Analysis
Original detached garages convert inside their own footprint, no setback penalty — frequently the best value on Valley Village lots.
Flat and Predictable
No hillside review here; envelopes and schedules stay straightforward, and the LADBS permit is the gatekeeper.
Van Nuys Filing Routine
Valley-branch submittals, corrections, and inspections are our weekly work.
Postwar Utility Realism
Cottage-era panels and drains predate second dwellings; upgrades are calculated at design and priced in the quote.
One Team to the Keys
Feasibility, drawings, permit, build, and inspections — one accountable crew.
Our process
Four Steps in Valley Village
Small-lot projects still deserve full discipline.
1
Assess the Lot
Yard depth, garage structure, zoning, trees, and panel capacity checked at the property.
2
Draw & Submit
Efficient plans — or the Standard Plan set where it fits — filed with LADBS by us.
3
Build Precisely
Our crew works clean on tight lots, meeting every inspection on schedule.
4
Deliver
Certificate of occupancy, final walkthrough, and a written workmanship warranty.
Design examples
ADU Design Examples
Examples of ADU styles and layouts.
Reviews
Homeowners on Working With Hillstar
Verified Houzz reviews from Hillstar Construction clients.
“Lior is a fantastic general contractor. He has tremendous work ethic and strong attention to detail.”
J. GlaserHouzz · June 2017
“Hillstar's crew was courteous, prompt, and worked hard to make every detail exactly what we wanted.”
Hillstar ClientHouzz · Verified
5.0 · 17 verified reviews on Houzz
FAQ
Valley Village ADU — FAQ
Cottage lots, conversions, small-canvas design, utilities, and rentals.
Is a Valley Village lot big enough for an ADU?
Almost always for at least one of the four types. State law guarantees the right on single-family lots; the question is fit. Postwar rectangles here typically choose between converting the original detached garage — no setback penalty inside its footprint — and a compact detached unit where the rear yard runs deep enough at four-foot setbacks.
Why do garage conversions dominate here?
Because the housing stock came with them: 1940s–'50s cottages almost universally carry a detached garage at the rear, and those structures — when the foundation and framing check out — convert into legal dwellings at the friendliest cost per square foot. Feasibility verifies the structure before we commit.
What does a JADU offer on these lots?
The lightest touch: up to 500 square feet carved from the main cottage with its own entrance and efficiency kitchen. On lots where the yard matters more than maximum square footage, it adds a legal unit while leaving the outdoors untouched. Owner-occupancy of one unit remains a JADU condition.
Are the cottage utilities up to a second unit?
Rarely without help. Panels from the era run small, and original drains have decades on them. The design phase runs the load math, coordinates the LADWP service arrangement, and prices any panel or line work into the written quote up front.
What rental potential does Valley Village have?
Strong — quiet streets minutes from NoHo's rail and Studio City's corridors keep small units in demand. Detached and attached ADUs rent without owner-occupancy under state law, so a well-designed conversion doubles as long-term income or family space as life changes.
Also serving Valley Village
Nearby ADU neighborhoods
See What Your Cottage Lot Can Do
Free feasibility visit — garage check, yard measurements, and a written recommendation.