ADU Pricing · 2026
How Much Does an ADU Cost in Los Gatos? (2026)
In Los Gatos, a complete, move-in-ready ADU from Framework First costs between $199,000 and $599,000. That range builds in a permitting budget along with plans, foundation, the factory build, crane delivery, utility hookups, appliances, and final inspection, with your exact permit costs confirmed for your address in the feasibility study.
The short version: A detached ADU in Los Gatos typically lands between $199,000 (our 450 sq ft studio) and $599,000 (our largest 1,200 sq ft three-bedroom). Los Gatos is a premium market with high home values and strong rents, so a well-built backyard home tends to add meaningful, appraisable value and can carry a real share of its own financing through rent.
What “all-inclusive” actually means in Los Gatos
Most ADU quotes you find online are missing something. They cover the structure but leave out the foundation, the permit fees, the crane work, or the appliances. Then the real invoice shows up, and the project you thought you could afford suddenly costs a lot more.
We do it the opposite way. The price we quote already carries a permitting budget, not a placeholder that grows later. When we give you a number for your Los Gatos lot, it already includes:
- A permitting budget and permit coordination with the Town of Los Gatos (your exact permit costs are confirmed in the feasibility study)
- Architectural and engineering plans
- The foundation and site work
- The home itself, roughly 97% built in our Salinas factory
- Crane delivery and set on your lot
- Electrical, plumbing, and gas hookups to your home
- Appliances
- Final inspection and sign-off
We anchor on the honest, all-in total so you can plan with real numbers. For the wider statewide view, our guide on how much an ADU costs in California goes deeper.
Los Gatos ADU prices by model
We build 14 models from 405 to 1,200 square feet. Every one of them comes with the same all-inclusive promise, and every one can be finished to the higher standard Los Gatos homeowners tend to want. Here is the full lineup with real pricing.
| Model | Size | Beds / Baths | All-Inclusive Price* | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Fifty | 450 sq ft | Studio / 1 | $199,000 | ~4 months |
| The 405 | 405 sq ft | 1 / 1 | $239,000 | ~5 months |
| Five Five Five | 555 sq ft | 1 / 1 | $279,000 | ~5 months |
| Six Sixty | 660 sq ft | 1 / 1 | $309,000 | ~5 months |
| Six Sixty 2BR | 660 sq ft | 2 / 1 | $339,000 | ~5 months |
| Seven Forty-Nine | 749 sq ft | 2 / 2 | $369,000 | ~5-6 months |
| Eight Eighty-Five 2BR | 885 sq ft | 2 / 1 | $399,000 | ~6 months |
| Nine Forty-Five 2/1 | 945 sq ft | 2 / 1 | $419,000 | ~6 months |
| Nine Forty-Five 3/1 | 945 sq ft | 3 / 1 | $445,000 | ~6 months |
| Eight Eighty-Five 2/2 | 885 sq ft | 2 / 2 | $429,000 | ~6 months |
| Nine Forty-Five 2/2 | 945 sq ft | 2 / 2 | $449,000 | ~6 months |
| Nine Forty-Five 3/2 | 945 sq ft | 3 / 2 | $479,000 | ~6 months |
| Twelve Hundred | 1,200 sq ft | 3 / 2 | $549,000 | ~7-9 months |
| Twelve Hundred U | 1,200 sq ft | 3 / 2 | $599,000 | ~7-9 months |
*Includes a permitting budget, not final permit costs. Permits and property-specific site work (septic, retaining walls, etc.) vary by property and are confirmed in your feasibility study.
In a higher-value market like Los Gatos, families often look at the larger end of the lineup. The Nine Forty-Five 3/2 is a full three-bedroom, two-bath family home, and the Twelve Hundred U wraps 1,200 square feet around a private central courtyard for our most architectural design. You can browse all of them on our models page or get an instant estimate with the cost calculator.
Premium finishes and design in Los Gatos
Los Gatos homes set a high bar, and your ADU should match the property it sits behind. Every Framework First home comes in three architectural styles, so the look can complement your existing house rather than clash with it.
| Style | The feel | Common Los Gatos fit |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Craftsman | Warm, timeless, detailed (standard) | Older estates, tree-lined neighborhoods |
| Urban Farmhouse | Clean lines with cozy character | Updated homes, family compounds |
| Ultra Modern | Sleek, minimal, architectural | Contemporary builds, design-led lots |
Because the home is built in our own factory, the level of finish stays consistent and high. You are not at the mercy of whoever shows up to a job site on a given day. You can see all three styles side by side on our styles page and picture how each one would sit on your lot.
Why Los Gatos is a strong place to build an ADU
Los Gatos pairs some of the highest property values in Santa Clara County with steady, premium rental demand. That mix makes the math on a backyard home especially favorable here.
A new ADU in Los Gatos opens up a few clear paths:
- Rental income. A separate, legal one- or two-bedroom unit in Los Gatos commands strong monthly rent. Two bedrooms typically rent for considerably more than one, so income-focused owners often size up.
- Family housing. Many Los Gatos homeowners build to keep aging parents or adult children close, in a town where buying a separate home nearby is out of reach for most.
- Property value. A permitted, professionally built ADU adds real, appraisable square footage. In a premium market, that lift can be substantial.
State law backs you up too. Approval is ministerial, which means the Town must approve a complete, compliant application within 60 days, with no discretionary hearing and no neighbors voting on your project. Detached ADUs are allowed up to 1,200 square feet, and setbacks can be as little as 4 feet from the side and rear property lines. For the full rundown of your rights, see our guide to California ADU laws in 2026.
Estimating your Los Gatos ADU’s return
Every lot and every owner is different, so treat the following as a simple framework rather than a promise. The goal is to compare your monthly financing cost against realistic local rent.
| Factor | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Build cost | Your chosen model’s all-inclusive price, $199K to $599K |
| Financing | Many owners use a HELOC, cash-out refinance, or renovation loan |
| Monthly rent | Los Gatos one- and two-bedroom rents run well above the state average |
| Net cash flow | Monthly rent minus your monthly loan payment |
| Property value | Appraisable square footage added to a high-value home |
For most Los Gatos owners, the rent on a one- or two-bedroom ADU covers a substantial share of the financing payment, sometimes most of it. Over time, as rents rise and the loan is paid down, the unit moves from breaking even toward generating real income, on top of the equity you’ve added. We do not lend directly, so if you’re weighing how to pay for it, talk with a lender and read our guides on financing an ADU in California and financing without cash on hand.
To see real-world rent ranges and how they map to each model, read how much rent an ADU can earn in California.
What can change your final Los Gatos price
Our model prices are genuinely all-inclusive, but a few site-specific factors can nudge your total. We confirm every one of these for free in a feasibility study before you commit a dollar:
- Site access. Crane reach and a clear delivery path. Hillside and heavily landscaped Los Gatos lots may need extra planning.
- Utility distance. How far your existing electrical, water, sewer, and gas lines sit from the build location.
- Soil and grading. Some Los Gatos lots, especially in the hills, need additional site prep or specific foundation work.
- Local fees. Town permit and impact fees vary, and ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees under state law. We confirm the exact figures for your address in the study rather than guessing.
We’d rather give you the honest number up front than surprise you later. That is the entire point of the feasibility study.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an ADU cost in Los Gatos?
With Framework First, a complete ADU in Los Gatos costs between $199,000 and $599,000. That range builds in a permitting budget along with plans, foundation, the factory-built home, delivery, hookups, appliances, and inspection, with your exact permit costs confirmed for your address in the feasibility study. The price depends on which of our 14 models you choose, from a 450 sq ft studio to a 1,200 sq ft three-bedroom.
Is building an ADU in Los Gatos worth it?
For most owners, yes. Los Gatos pairs high property values with strong rents, so a one- or two-bedroom ADU can carry much of its financing cost while adding permanent, appraisable value to your home. The exact return depends on your model, your financing, and local rent, which is why we run the numbers with you before you commit.
How long does it take to build an ADU in Los Gatos?
Our homes take roughly 4 to 9 months depending on the model, since about 97% of the build happens in our Salinas factory while your site and permits are prepared in parallel. That is much faster than typical site-built construction. See how long it takes to build an ADU for the full breakdown.
Can I match my ADU to my existing Los Gatos home?
Yes. Every model comes in Classic Craftsman, Urban Farmhouse, or Ultra Modern, so the home can complement your existing house and neighborhood. Browse all three on our styles page, and we’ll help you choose during your feasibility study.
Do I need to live on the property to rent out my Los Gatos ADU?
No. Owner-occupancy is permanently removed for standard ADUs under California law, so you can rent out your ADU without living on-site. The one exception is a JADU (a junior ADU up to 500 sq ft within your home’s existing walls), which still requires owner-occupancy. Our JADU vs ADU guide explains the difference.
Ready to see your Los Gatos number?
The fastest way to know exactly what an ADU will cost on your lot is our feasibility study. Our family team confirms your setbacks, utility distances, local fees, and the right model and style for your goals, with no pressure and no obligation.
Start your feasibility study and we’ll give you a real, all-inclusive number for your Los Gatos property. You can also explore what’s possible nearby on our Los Gatos page or check current pricing across the full lineup.