Serving the Valley
ADU Contractor in Cave Creek, Arizona
We build permitted accessory dwelling units on Cave Creek properties, handling design, county approvals, and construction so you get a finished unit you can rent, house family in, or sell with.
adu project · Cave CreekThe Real Problem With Adding an ADU in Cave Creek
Cave Creek is not a dense urban grid. That is part of its appeal. But it also means ADU projects here run into complications that a cookie-cutter Phoenix contractor will not see coming.
What you are living with
Lots on private well and septic require county health department review and possibly a septic system upgrade before an ADU can get a certificate of occupancy. Maricopa County setback rules on larger rural parcels differ from city codes. Gravel roads and longer utility runs can add cost. Homeowners who skip the planning work upfront end up with a project that stalls mid-construction or a bid that doubles once the real site conditions surface.
What you get instead
We do a site assessment before we give you a number. We look at your septic capacity, your setbacks, your lot coverage, and your utility situation. Then we give you a realistic budget, a real timeline, and a contract that covers the full scope. No low-ball estimate that grows after demo. Turnkey ADU construction in the Phoenix region starts around $155,000 for smaller units and rises from there depending on size, finishes, and site conditions. We will tell you where your project lands before you commit.
Our Recent Work
Accessory Dwelling Units Built to Code, Built to Last
An ADU adds a fully independent living space to your property. We handle design, permits, and construction as a single team, so nothing falls through the cracks between a designer and a separate builder.
Site and Zoning Review
Before any design work starts, we review your lot size, setbacks, utility access, and local zoning rules to confirm what you can actually build. No surprises at permit submission.
Custom Architectural Plans
We produce permit-ready drawings tailored to your lot and goals, whether that is a detached garage conversion, a new stand-alone structure, or an attached addition with a private entrance.
Full Permit Management
We submit to the building department, respond to plan-check comments, and schedule all required inspections. You do not have to chase city offices or decode permit portals.
Complete Structural Build
Foundation, framing, roofing, windows, and exterior finish are all completed by our licensed crews. Work is inspected at each required stage so the structure meets code from the ground up.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
We rough in and finish all MEP systems, including a dedicated electrical panel, water supply, sewer tie-in, and HVAC sized for the unit. All work is permitted and inspected separately from the main house.
Interior Finish and Final Walkthrough
Insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and appliances are installed and finished to match the scope we agreed on. We walk the completed unit with you before closing out the permit.
Why Homeowners Choose Bayside for Their ADU
A lot of contractors say they build ADUs. Fewer have handled the full cycle from zoning review through final inspection as a single accountable team. Here is what actually sets us apart.
One License, One Contract, One Point of Contact
As a licensed design-build contractor, AZ ROC 353387, we own every phase. You are not coordinating between an architect, a general contractor, and a separate permit expediter. One contract covers design through construction, and one person answers your calls.
We Tell You What Will Not Work Before We Start
Setback conflicts, utility capacity limits, HOA restrictions, and deed conditions can kill an ADU project mid-build. We do a thorough feasibility check upfront so you know exactly what is buildable on your lot before any money changes hands.
Family-Owned, Not a Volume Production Shop
We are a family-owned contractor, not a franchise turning over projects as fast as possible. The same people who sell the job manage the build. If something comes up in the field, a decision-maker is reachable the same day.
Permit History With Local Building Departments
We have submitted and closed ADU permits with multiple jurisdictions across the Valley. We know common plan-check sticking points before they delay your project, and we write our drawings to address them from the start.
What our clients say
Today we finished my kitchen and bath remodel. I worked with Paul who was nothing short of excellent. Not only did he design the kitchen and bath but he cared enough to order and oversee everything down to the tiniest detail. He suggested patterns…
We had an amazing experience with a whole house remodel with Bayside. Yarden was there for us throughout the entire process through design, picking materials and the construction. I have to admit I was a little nervous because of friends that have…
How an ADU Project Works With Us
Four straightforward phases from first conversation to move-in ready. We set expectations at each stage so you know what is happening and what comes next.
Feasibility and Scope Meeting
We meet at your property, walk the lot, review setbacks and utility locations, and discuss what you want the unit to accomplish, rental income, family housing, or a home office. We leave with enough information to tell you what is buildable and give you a realistic budget range.
Design and Permit Submission
Our team produces the architectural and engineering drawings, coordinates with structural and MEP engineers as required, and submits a complete permit package to the building department. We track the application, respond to plan-check comments, and notify you when permits are approved.
Construction
Work begins with site prep and foundation and proceeds through framing, roofing, exterior finish, and all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins. Our project manager schedules required inspections at each phase and keeps you updated on progress and timeline weekly.
Final Inspections and Handoff
Once interior finishes are complete, we schedule the final building inspection and any utility sign-offs. After the permit is closed, we do a full walkthrough with you, deliver all warranty documents, and make sure any punch-list items are resolved before we consider the job done.
ADU Builders Serving Cave Creek, Arizona
Cave Creek sits on larger lots with more flexibility than most Valley cities, which makes it a strong candidate for a detached ADU or casita. We handle permits, design, and construction from one contract.
Permits & review
Cave Creek falls under Maricopa County jurisdiction for many properties, though incorporated areas go through the Town of Cave Creek. Either way, your ADU needs to meet setback, lot coverage, and utility connection requirements before a shovel goes in the ground. We pull the permits and manage the review process so you are not guessing at what the county or town requires.
Housing stock
Cave Creek properties tend to run larger and more rural than the urban core, with many lots on well and septic. That changes the cost equation. A septic expansion or new connection adds to your budget and timeline, and we factor that in before you sign anything. Desert-style and ranch homes here also present specific tie-in considerations for matching exterior materials and rooflines.
Areas we serve
We serve Cave Creek and the surrounding north Valley, including Carefree, Scottsdale, Anthem, and New River. If you are within reasonable distance of Cave Creek, call us and we will tell you straight whether the project pencils out.
Common questions
Are ADUs allowed in Cave Creek, Arizona?
Yes. Cave Creek is an incorporated town in Maricopa County, and ADUs are permitted on single-family residential lots. The specific rules around setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, and unit size depend on your zoning designation. Cave Creek has its own development standards separate from Phoenix or Scottsdale, so we pull your parcel information and confirm what is allowed before any design work begins. If your property falls in an HOA, those CC&Rs can add restrictions on top of town code.
What does an ADU cost to build in Cave Creek?
A detached ADU in the Cave Creek area runs roughly $180,000 to $380,000 for a turnkey finished unit, depending on size, site conditions, and finishes. Smaller detached casitas in the 400 to 600 square foot range land toward the lower end. Units over 900 square feet with full kitchens, HVAC, and separate utilities push toward the higher end. Site costs matter here too. Cave Creek lots often have rocky soil, septic systems instead of sewer, and long utility runs, all of which add cost that a flat-number estimate on a website will not capture. We do a site visit before we quote.
What is one real drawback of building an ADU?
The honest answer is carrying cost and timeline. A permitted, site-built ADU in Cave Creek takes 10 to 18 months from design through certificate of occupancy in most cases, sometimes longer if there are permitting backlogs or utility extension delays. You are paying construction loan interest or tying up cash the whole time before the unit generates any rent. If your plan depends on rental income to cover the build cost quickly, model conservative numbers and a longer timeline than you expect.
Does Cave Creek require a separate meter and utility hookup for an ADU?
It depends on how you want to use it. Cave Creek properties are frequently on well and septic rather than city water and sewer. If your lot uses septic, your existing system has to be evaluated for capacity before adding a second dwelling unit. The county may require a perk test or system upgrade. For electric, you can share a meter with the main house or add a separate one. Separate meters cost more upfront but make renting or selling easier. We walk through the utility situation for your specific parcel during our initial site review.
Can I rent out my ADU in Cave Creek?
Yes, Cave Creek does not prohibit long-term rental of a permitted ADU. Short-term rentals, meaning stays under 30 days, are governed by Arizona state law and require a transaction privilege tax license. There is no Arizona grant program equivalent to California's ADU assistance programs, so do not expect state subsidy. If you are building specifically to generate rental income, we can discuss what unit size and layout gets you the best rent-to-cost ratio for the Cave Creek rental market.
What is the size limit for an ADU in Cave Creek?
Cave Creek's town code sets size limits based on your lot size and zoning district. On most residential lots, the ADU cannot exceed 50 percent of the primary home's floor area, with an absolute cap that varies by zone. Many Cave Creek lots are large, which gives more flexibility than infill lots in Phoenix. We check your exact parcel before designing anything. Building beyond the allowed envelope means the permit gets rejected and redesign eats time and money.
Do I need an architect, or can Bayside handle design and permits?
We are a design-build contractor, meaning we handle the design drawings, engineering when required, and permit submittals in-house. You do not need to hire a separate architect and then shop that to a builder. One point of contact from first meeting through final inspection. For Cave Creek submittals we work with Maricopa County permitting where applicable and the town's own building department depending on the scope. We have pulled permits in the area and know what each reviewer typically flags.
Keep exploring
Other services in Cave Creek
Bathroom Remodeling→Kitchen Remodeling→Home Renovation→Home Addition→Home Builder→
Planning your remodel?
Bayside gives free, itemized estimates with no pressure to sign.