ADU Before & After in San Antonio, TX
We could tell you about our garage conversions and backyard ADUs all day, but seeing the transformation is what actually matters. A bare side yard becomes a rent-ready cottage. A cluttered garage becomes a bright one-bedroom with its own kitchen. The photos below show the scope of work we take on across San Antonio, from Alamo Heights to Helotes to Stone Oak. Each project tells its own story.
Recent Transformations
Detached Garage Conversion in Alamo Heights
The problem: a 1930s single-car garage with a failing slab and no insulation to speak of. What we did: poured a new foundation section, framed out the interior for a one-bedroom layout, and ran new electrical and plumbing separate from the main house meter. The result is a 420-square-foot rental unit that stays comfortable in August and rents quickly because it actually looks like a home, not a converted box.
Backyard ADU Build on a Narrow Lot in Jefferson
The problem: a 38-foot-wide lot where the owners assumed an ADU was out of the question. What we did: surveyed the setback requirements, worked with Abodu to spec a narrow-lot plan, and positioned the unit to preserve a 60-year-old live oak without cutting a single root. The result is a two-bedroom prefab unit with a front porch that faces the main house, so the yard still feels like one property instead of two.
Attached Garage Conversion for Aging Parents in Stone Oak
The problem: an aging parent moving in with a family in Stone Oak, and a two-car garage full of boxes serving no one. What we did: converted the garage into a fully permitted one-bedroom suite with a curbless shower, grab bars, and its own mini-split for independent temperature control. We also relocated the water heater and added sound isolation so the suite stays quiet when the household wakes up for school. The result is a dignified, private space that lets three generations live under one roof without living on top of each other.
Home Addition for a Growing Family in Terrell Hills
The problem: a three-bedroom house with two kids sharing a room and parents working from a kitchen table. What we did: extended the rear of the home to add a primary suite with an office nook, tied the roofline into the existing structure, and matched the original brick so closely you can’t spot the seam from the street. The result is a house that finally fits the family living in it, without the cost and upheaval of moving.
Prefab ADU Placement with James Hardie Siding in Helotes
The problem: a rural-lot owner in Helotes wanted rental income but didn’t want a construction crew on the property for six months. What we did: coordinated a Plant Prefab unit delivery, managed the site prep and utility trenching, and finished the exterior with James Hardie siding so the unit matches the main house. We also pulled every permit and handled the inspections so the owner never had to chase paperwork. The result is a turnkey rental producing income within the same season construction started.
Carport-to-Studio Conversion in King William
The problem: a historic-district home in King William with a carport that added zero usable square footage and violated the neighborhood’s character. What we did: worked through the historic review process, enclosed the carport into a studio ADU with period-appropriate windows, and added a mini-split so it heats and cools independently. The result is a 320-square-foot studio that respects the district’s guidelines and gives the owner a flexible guest space or short-term rental option.
Want Results Like These?
Every project above started with a phone call and a free estimate. We’ll walk your lot, talk through what fits, and hand you a written price before any work starts. No surprises, no pressure. Call Ben and the team at (210) 981-6358 to schedule yours. We’re ready when you are.
Written by Ben Ortega, Owner at Seedling ADU San Antonio.
