Custom ADU Contractor in Fullerton, CA

Fullerton properties often hide their potential, and the right ADU contractor knows how to uncover it.
Luxury bathroom inside a new ADU featuring a freestanding tub, modern vanity, and tile flooring

Why Cornejo's Builders Is the ADU Contractor Fullerton Homeowners Trust

Cornejo’s Builders has been working across Southern California long enough to know that every ADU project starts with a person, not a property. 

Some families need space for aging parents, close by but not underfoot. Others are thinking about what a rental income stream would do for their monthly budget. Whatever your reason, we listen before anything else. 

We’ve completed 24 ADU projects in four years, working across LA County and into Orange County, from communities like Woodland Hills and Pacific Palisades down to cities throughout the greater region. 

Fullerton has its own permit timeline and local regulations, and navigating those takes genuine familiarity. When a step in the process stalls a less experienced team, we’ve usually been through that exact situation on a prior project, and we plan around it.

The construction phase of a rectangular backyard guest house showing the exposed timber wall studs, plywood sheathing, and a finished grey shingle roof on a concrete foundation.
Alexsander Cornejo owner of Cornejo Builders California

Alexsander Cornejo – Owner of Cornejo Builders

Hi, I’m Alexsander Cornejo, the owner and founder of Cornejo’s Builders. I started working in the remodeling and construction industry right out of high school, in 2009.

With Cornejo’s Builders, the goal is to give back to the city I grew up in. I want to send a message of hope and inspiration: any dream can be achieved, no matter where you come from, if you put in enough work and dedication.

ADU Projects That Speak for Themselves

Browse the gallery below to see ADU builds we’ve completed across Southern California, from full two-story detached ADUs with custom finishes to garage conversions that became real homes.

60+ projects done

100+ of families helped

1:1 approach to your project

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Alexsander Cornejo owner of Cornejo Builders California
Unsure about choosing us? Request a quote to get to know us better! Let’s discuss your project. Or, call us at (562) 319-3178 now!

What Fullerton Homeowners Are Saying About Building Their ADU With Us

We can talk about the process all day, but the homeowners who’ve been through it with us will give you a more honest picture. Take a look at what some of our past clients have shared about working with the Cornejo’s Builders team.

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Marisabel Gomez

Rated 5 out of 5

There are always things you do not expect when building a home/ADU, but Alex and his team worked fast and assisted with city permit issues. He worked with me on unforeseen costs too . I’m very happy with the work !

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Walter Salcedo

Rated 5 out of 5

Working with Cornejo’s Builders was an excellent experience! They specialize in ADU projects and truly know their craft—from planning to final inspection. 

Professional, responsive, and detail-oriented throughout the entire process. Highly recommend them for anyone looking to build an ADU the right way!

What Does an ADU Actually Cost in Fullerton, CA?

ADUs range from around $80,000 on the lower end to $250,000 or more for a larger, fully custom two-story build. That gap exists because ADU construction is unique from property to property. 

To give you a real sense of what these projects look like in practice, here are three actual builds from our portfolio:

Five Things That Shape the Final Price

More square footage means more materials, more labor, and more time on site. A compact junior ADU and a full two-story detached ADU are in completely different price brackets.
A garage conversion ADU carries a different price than a new detached build starting from the foundation. Knowing which type fits your property gets us to a realistic number faster.
Custom kitchen cabinets, premium tile, smart home systems, and high-end flooring choices can add tens of thousands to the total. Homeowners who plan their finishes early tend to be happier with the final number.
Not every Fullerton property is a clean, straightforward build. Sloped lots, older soil conditions, and tight yard space all add complexity and cost. A site visit early in the process lets us flag those variables.
Plan check fees, architectural drawings, and inspection sign-offs are legitimate line items. We include them into the budget from day one.

Keeping Your ADU on Budget and on Schedule

We’ve had enough conversations with Fullerton homeowners to know the two things that come up every single time: how much is this actually going to cost, and how long is it going to take?
A well-built ADU earns its cost back. If you build a 535 sq. ft. rental unit and bring in $1,800 a month, you recover a $150,000 build in under seven years, and that’s without accounting for the property value increase it brings. We work with clear pricing, so no hidden fees and no line items that appear after you’ve signed off.
Construction has earned its reputation for delays, and some contractors deserve that. We’ve worked hard not to be those contractors. Our team respects your home, your yard, and the disruption a construction project brings to daily life. We show up when we’re supposed to, clean up at the end of each day, and hold to the timeline we set at the start.

How a Cornejo's Builders ADU Comes Together

From the first walk of your property to the final inspection, we’re present throughout the entire construction process, and you’ll always know where things stand.

1

Collaborate

We meet, walk your property, and design an ADU plan around your goals.

2

Build

We handle permits, construction, and inspections from start to finish.

3

Enjoy

Your new ADU is complete and ready to start working for you.
Custom ADU Contractor in Fullerton, CA

Questions Fullerton Homeowners Ask Before Starting an ADU Project

It depends on the type of ADU and how complex the project is. A garage conversion wraps up faster than a new detached build starting from the foundation. Most projects run somewhere between four and twelve months from permit approval to final inspection. We give you a clear timeline before work starts and keep you updated throughout the entire process.

Yes, permits are required for all ADU construction in Fullerton. The City of Fullerton Building and Safety Division manages the permit process, which includes plan check review, structural inspections, and final sign-off. We handle the entire permitting process for you from the first submission through final approval. You won’t be navigating city requirements on your own.

Garage conversion ADUs are one of the most common projects we build across Southern California, and Fullerton is no exception. The city’s ADU regulations have made garage conversions more accessible than before, and Fullerton has a solid stock of older homes with garages that convert well. We’ll come take a look and give you an honest read on what your garage can become and what it would realistically cost.

Adding an accessory dwelling unit increases livable square footage on your property, which translates to a higher appraised value. A rental unit generating steady income also makes the property more attractive to future buyers. The exact figure depends on your market and the quality of the build, but across Southern California, ADU development has consistently shown strong returns.

Ready to See What Your Fullerton Property Can Do?

Alexsander Cornejo owner of Cornejo Builders California

Alexsander Cornejos

When you’re ready to talk specifics, call us at (562) 319-3178 or reach out through our contact page

We’ll come out to your Fullerton property, walk the lot with you, and give you a straight answer on what a successful ADU project could look like there. 

If you want to get a clearer sense of everything we build before that conversation, take a look at our ADU contractor services page.

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Fullerton is home to California State University Fullerton, a genuine downtown arts and music scene, and a housing market that rewards smart property decisions. The Fullerton Arboretum draws visitors year-round with more than 4,000 plant species across a beautifully landscaped setting. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center has become a beloved city landmark and gathering place for art, music, and community events. For homeowners looking to add an ADU contractor in Fullerton, CA, to their plans, it’s a city where investing in your property tends to pay off.