Garage Conversion in San Marino
Serving 91108 and Pasadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra
Many San Marino garages are detached, set well back, and larger than a modern garage needs to be — a combination that makes them the most interesting under-used building on the property. Converting one is usually cheaper per square foot than building new, and in a city with design review it is also the option that changes least about how the property looks from the street.
Real projects. Real prices.
73 finished remodels published with their final price — nothing hidden.
What our finished LA work actually cost: 27 kitchens ran $23k–$84k, median $50k; 28 bathrooms $28k–$105k, median $38k; 17 whole-home remodels $36k–$440k, median $150k. Real final prices from our own job records, not estimates.
$30,000 A full-length double vanity under twin lit mirrors, with herringbone mosaic shower niches.
$34,800 White uppers over warm grey shaker lowers, white quartz, and a stainless chimney hood.
$45,000 Rust and blue slate-tone tile over a pebble mosaic shower floor, with bronze fittings.
$72,000 White shaker cabinetry against a deep teal backsplash, with an island under a stainless hood.
$238,000 A walnut-fronted quartz island, arched openings, and sage-green stacked tile baths.
$275,000 A broad quartz island, a curved staircase with iron balusters, marble-look baths.
The garage at the back of the lot
Why converting often beats building
The slab, the walls and the roof already exist and already sit where the planning would have put them. What you are buying is a new room inside an old shell, which is a smaller project than a new shell containing the same room.
What an old garage lacks
Insulation, vapour control, a proper floor assembly, adequate power, and often a footing at the old door opening. All of it is ordinary work; none of it is optional; a quote that omits it is not describing a habitable room.
Keeping the street elevation unchanged
Where the garage is set back and screened, a conversion can be almost invisible from the street — which is the easiest possible conversation to have with a design review process, and a genuine reason to prefer it.
Then the Building Division does its part
Whatever the design outcome, the converted structure is plan-checked as habitable space: egress, light, ventilation, energy performance and fire separation from anything still used for parking. We carry that end of it.
Written by Onn Cohen-Meguri, founder and designer at Design Onn Point — 12+ years in business, 1,200+ finished Los Angeles projects. CSLB #1133368.
Pricing in San Marino
Market estimate, not our own project data.
Talk to Onn about your San Marino garage conversion.
Free consult, no obligation. Onn reads every inquiry personally — and aims to reply within one business day.
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