guest houses casitas
Make Your Property Work for You
Are you thinking about building a guest house or casita on your property?
It’s no secret, the Scottsdale and Phoenix population is growing rapidly, and the housing market is getting crazier by the day. With this said, many of your neighbors and community members are building guest houses and casitas as rental properties or multigenerational housing. Why not get in on the action?
Ardan Construction Scottsdale casita builders
Guest Houses | Casitas | Accessort Dwelling Units | Vacation Rentals
The Power of Putting a Home in Your Backyard
Guest Houses That Add Flexibility And Value
Guest houses can pull double duty. They create comfortable space for family and, at the same time, can support rental income when allowed. If you have a backyard, a side yard, or room above a garage, a compact casita may be the missing piece your property needs.
Start With Local Rules For Guest Houses
Before you sketch a plan, check your city and HOA guidelines. Zoning can limit size, height, and placement. Some areas require a set distance from the main home or a neighbor’s fence. Others may ask for approvals before you build. Call the planning office, read the posted standards, and save notes for your builder. This quick step prevents costly redesigns later.
Budgeting Your Guest House
Next, review your numbers. The construction cost of a guest house often ranges from about $300 to $500 or more per square foot, depending on scope and finishes. Site work, utilities, and permits add to the total. Create a simple list that includes foundation, framing, roofing, windows, doors, mechanicals, interior finishes, and landscaping. Then add a small contingency. This gives you a clear picture and helps you make smart tradeoffs.
Plan For How You Will Use The Space
Think about who will live there and for how long. If you will host a parent, design wide passages, lever handles, and a curbless shower. If you plan short stays, keep storage simple and durable. Add a compact kitchen with a cooktop, a convection microwave, and a quiet vent. Also consider a small patio or shade structure so the space feels complete and connected to the yard.
Match The Main Home
Guest houses look best when they echo the style of the primary residence. Repeat roof pitches, align window proportions, and choose related colors. These decisions make the new structure feel original to the site, not tacked on. As a result, curb appeal improves, and the property reads as one well-planned home.
Build With A Trusted Team
ArDan Construction guides homeowners through each step, from pre-construction planning to the final walk-through. We coordinate drawings, permits, schedules, and trades so the process stays clear and predictable. If you are ready to explore guest houses on your lot, reach out and tell us how you want the space to be used. We will help you turn a smart idea into a comfortable, lasting addition to your property.
Casitas, or backyard homes, are housing units that exist on a lot with another house. They can be detached or attached. The benefits to this type of build are that they are treated as a completely custom build.
If the conditions are right, converting your garage into a guest house can be the easiest and most cost-effective way to create an additional dwelling unit on your property.
This option is perfect for carless, eco-friendly individuals looking to transform an existing space into a cozy vacation rental.
In-Law Suites (or granny flats as many call them) take a special attention to detail in terms of creating a safe, accessible, functional, and beautiful space for your senior loved ones that are looking to “age-in-place”.
I would recommend them to my friends...and to anyone else who needed an excellent general contractor. I really enjoyed my experience with ArDan from the start till completion. They always explained if there was a delay for any reason, and they always showed up on time. And if I wanted a change — Danny always came by and we went through it together.
ArDan is extremely professional, organized and friendly. I knew day-by-day what work was being done at my home. I was updated constantly and my questions were answered immediately. The salespeople are very easy to get ahold of to answer all your questions. Lastly, the work was perfect. Very well constructed and beautiful.
Ready to take the first step toward your new home construction?
Get started with a complimentary design consultation.
