“All-In” ADU Cost Exposed: Real Prefab Prices in California

What Does a “One-Stop Shop” Actually Mean in the Market for ADUs?

There’s a lot of loose talk and catchy marketing language in the construction world.

And prefab? No different.

Terms like “turnkey,” “all-in-one,” and “one-stop shop” get tossed around constantly — but what do they actually mean?

We’ll be honest: we use these terms too. Mostly because there isn’t a better alternative yet. But at LiveLarge, we take a lot of pride in offering what we believe is the most complete product and service suite in the industry.

And based on recent conversations with homeowners, it’s clear we need to explain exactly what we mean — and how that compares to the rest of the market.

Why Does Everyone Say “One-Stop Shop”?

Because it’s good marketing.

When you’re adding a home to your property, the #1 thing most people want is a simple, low-stress experience.

That means:

  • Clarity on scope
  • Clarity on pricing
  • Peace of mind that someone is handling the chaos

But at events and showroom tours, we still hear questions like:
        “Wait, so do you handle permitting?”
        “Do I need my own general contractor?”
        “What about installation?”

That tells us one thing: the phrase “one-stop shop” has lost its meaning.

So let’s get specific.

What We Mean by “Turnkey”

Here’s what’s actually included when you work with LiveLarge:

In short: we handle everything. Seriously.

We own our own factory. Contracting is in-house. Architecture and design? In-house. The only thing we don’t own is the crane — but we organize all craning and delivery, and we work with the best in the business.

Prebuild

  • Site feasibility review
  • Layout planning (trees, powerlines, slope, existing structures, etc.)
  • Finish selections: siding, flooring, decks, fixtures, and more

Site Work

  • Tree and concrete removal
  • Foundation
  • Trenching + utility hookups
  • Electrical panel upgrades
  • Full permitting — submission, revisions, and approvals included

Building + Delivery

  • Manufacturing at our own facility
  • Logistics and shipping coordination
  • Craning and unit placement

Finishing + Closeout

  • Appliance installation
  • Final detailing
  • Inspections + approvals
  • Touch-ups and warranty support

How We Price

We keep it simple and transparent:

  1. Unit Cost — listed on our site
  2. Site Work — typically $30k–$60k, depending on your property

No surprise fees. No mid-project change orders (unless you request one). Just clear pricing, from day one.

Where Other “One-Stop Shops” Fall Short

We’re not naming names — but we’ve seen this play out enough times to call it out.

Here’s what many so-called “turnkey” or “one-stop” builders don’t include:

  • ❌ Permitting
  • ❌ Site work
  • ❌ Foundation (you’ll need to hire your own GC)
  • ❌ Design (you’ll need to hire an architect first)
  • ❌ Consistent install crews — they often subcontract to GCs unfamiliar with prefab

Prefab requires precision. Craning, setting the foundation, securing the unit, connecting utilities — these aren’t jobs for first-timers. Repetition matters. Experience matters.

Thinking About Your Own Project?

Book a quick discovery call with our team. No pressure. Just straight answers.

Discover More

How One Bay Area Homeowner Used SB-9 and Modular Construction to Unlock Passive Income

Be Your Own Developer: How an Interwoven Home gives control back to homeowners.

Just Delivered: Our Flagship L-795 Prefab ADU in Santa Cruz