The carriage house. From Fonzie on Happy Days to the Bravermans on Parenthood, the apartment over the garage has long been a favorite TV home — and with California’s ADU laws, it’s now easier than ever to build.

Converting a detached garage is a popular, cost-efficient way to add an ADU. But if you really want or need that garage, a carriage unit lets you have both.

Is it more expensive than converting your garage?

Short answer: yes. To build over a garage you need a good foundation, proper footings and a structure in good repair, and this route can mean replacing the existing garage altogether.

Even so, the potential rental income and added property value make this versatile unit very popular. Our carriage plans range from studios and one-bedrooms over a two-car garage to a two-bedroom over a three-car garage — see carriage unit configurations and ADU-over-garage floor plans.