Casita Builders & Guest House Remodelers in Scottsdale, AZ
Your property has more potential than the square footage of your main house. A luxury casita or guest house adds private space for family, guests, or rental income, without asking anyone to give up their own room in the process.
ArDan Construction designs and builds custom casitas and guest houses throughout Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, and Fountain Hills, matched to your main home’s style from the ground up.
License ROC
#319307 KB-2
NARI Gold
Award Winner
Established
2007
100+ 5-Star
Google Reviews
BBB
Accredited
Why Your Property Needs More Than One House Can Give
Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area keep growing, and housing keeps getting more expensive. A lot of your neighbors have already noticed: the backyard, side yard, or space above the garage they’ve never used is worth more as living space than as unused land.
Maybe you need a private space for aging parents. Maybe your adult kids need somewhere to land for a while. Maybe you just want rental income from a property you already own. Whatever the reason, building it wrong creates its own set of problems: a structure that doesn’t match your main home, permits that get mishandled, or a space that doesn’t actually suit how it’ll be used day to day.
A luxury casita or guest house solves this the right way: designed to match your home’s architecture, planned around who’ll actually live there, and built with the same design-build process as everything else we do.
What We Build
Guest House & Casita Services in Scottsdale
Whether you need a fully independent guest house or a smaller detached space, our design-build team plans it around your property, your goals, and your main home’s existing style.
Guest Houses & Casitas
Fully custom builds, attached or detached, designed for versatile living or rental income depending on your needs. Every casita is treated as its own build, not an afterthought bolted onto your property.
Garage Conversions
If the layout allows, converting an existing garage can be one of the most cost-effective ways to add a second dwelling unit, ideal for a vacation rental or private guest space without new construction from the ground up.
In-Law Suites
A private, accessible retreat for aging parents or loved ones, sometimes called a granny flat, designed with safety, accessibility, and comfort in mind for anyone looking to age in place.
Pool Houses & Cabanas
A dedicated space for entertaining or relaxing poolside, customized with whatever you need: a bathroom, a kitchenette, storage, or simply a shaded retreat that blends with your home’s aesthetic
Home Gyms
A private, fully custom fitness space, built as a detached guest house so your workout routine has its own dedicated room instead of competing with the rest of your home.
Detached Home Offices
A quiet, private workspace separate from the main house, designed for focus and productivity while still matching your property’s overall look.
How It Works
Our Design-Build Process for Casitas & Guest Houses
Step 1: In-Home Consultation
We review your property, local zoning and HOA guidelines, and talk through how the space will actually be used, then give you an honest read on scope and budget.
Step 2: Feasibility and Design
Our in-house design team matches your casita’s roofline, materials, and finishes to your main home, so it reads as one property, not two. You’ll see the final result in VR before construction begins.
Step 3: Build & Warranty
Our team manages the entire build, from engineered plans through permitting and inspections, and backs the finished structure with a two-year warranty.
Planning Your Casita or Guest House
What to Know Before You Build
Check local rules first.
Zoning can limit size, height, and placement, and some areas require a minimum distance from your main home or a neighbor's fence line. We handle the research and paperwork, but it helps to know upfront that these rules exist.
Budget realistically.
Construction costs for a guest house typically run $550 to $750 or more per square foot, depending on scope and finishes, with site work, utilities, and permits adding to the total. We'll build a real number with you during your feasibility consultation.
Plan around actual use.
A space for an aging parent needs wide passages and a curbless shower. A short-term rental needs simple, durable storage and a compact kitchen. We design around who will actually use the space, not a generic layout.
Match your main home.
A guest house should echo your main home's roofline, window proportions, and material palette, so it feels like it was always part of the property instead of tacked on.
What A Casita Guest House Remodel Costs In Scottsdale
What to Expect on Budget and Timeline
Guest house and casita construction typically runs $550 to $750 or more per square foot, depending on scope, finishes, and site conditions. We provide transparent budgeting upfront and help you make smart tradeoffs to maximize value within your goals.
Design and construction generally take 8 to 12 months from start to finish, depending on project complexity and permitting timelines specific to your property.
See The Difference
Master Suites Built to Feel Like a True Retreat
What Our Client Say
“ArDan is extremely professional, organized and friendly. I knew day-by-day what work was being done at my home… Lastly, the work was perfect. Very well constructed and beautiful.”
– Kelly D.
“I really enjoyed my experience with ArDan from the start till completion… I would recommend them to my friends and to anyone else who needed an excellent general contractor.”
– Iduna H.
Fantastic attention to detail, considerate of budget and timing, quality work and contractors, regular project manager on site. Family owned, honesty and integrity are evident. Our remodel has gone amazingly smooth both with the budget and our timing.
- Doreen H.
Where We Build
Serving Scottsdale's Most Established Neighborhoods
ArDan builds luxury casitas and guest houses throughout North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, and Fountain Hills.
- Scottsdale
- Phoenix
- Paradise Valley
- Cave Creek
- Carefree
- Fountain hills
Ready To Put Your Property to Work?
Let's Talk About Your Casita or Guest House
Let’s design a casita or guest house that adds real value and feels like it was always part of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a casita or guest house in Scottsdale, AZ?
Construction typically runs $550 to $750 or more per square foot, depending on scope, finishes, and site conditions. Site work, utilities, and permits add to the total. We provide transparent, real budgeting during your feasibility consultation rather than a generic per-square-foot guess.
How long does it take to build a guest house or casita?
Design and construction generally take 8 to 12 months from start to finish, depending on project complexity and permitting timelines. We’ll walk through a realistic timeline specific to your property before you commit to anything.
What permits and approvals do I need for a casita in Scottsdale?
Most casitas and guest houses require zoning review, engineered plans, grading and drainage plans, and approval from the City of Scottsdale’s planning office, along with HOA approval if applicable. ArDan manages the entire permitting process, from preparing plans through inspections, so it’s handled for you.
Can a casita be used as a rental property?
In many cases, yes, depending on your property’s zoning and any HOA restrictions. We’ll help you understand what’s allowed on your specific lot during your feasibility consultation, before you invest in design.
What's the difference between a casita, a guest house, and an in-law suite?
These terms overlap depending on use. A casita or guest house is generally a separate, detached structure that can serve multiple purposes, from rental income to guest space. An in-law suite is typically designed specifically for a family member, often with accessibility features for aging in place. The construction approach is similar; the design details change based on who will actually live there.
