One crew, start to finish.
Our in-house crew and the same vetted trade partners, from groundbreaking to final walkthrough.
CA Lic. #1145786 · Coachella Valley & High Desert
Custom Guest Houses & ADUs
For properties that already have a home. A guest house or ADU built to the standard of the house beside it, by one crew, planned and priced before we start.
A guest house should look like it was always there.
The difference between a guest house that belongs on the property and one that looks added on is planning: siting, utilities, permits, and matching the main home's materials. That's the part most builders skip.
Our free planning guide shows you what to get right before you break ground.
Planned and priced before we start
Before construction begins, every material, finish, and utility connection is priced against your budget, with the same discipline we bring to a full custom home. Built to the same standard as our custom homes.
How it works
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01
Phone consultation
We talk through your vision, property, timeline, and budget. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you.
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02
Site visit
We walk the lot or the home with you: access, utilities, setbacks, and anything that will drive cost.
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03
Design & Pre-Construction Agreement
A paid planning phase before any construction contract. Our architects and engineers develop the design while we analyze the site and price every major decision against your budget. This is where the Alturas and Cubero savings came from.
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04
Your proposal
One overall price to build, with separate allowances for the materials you select.
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05
Build
Our in-house crew and the same vetted trade partners on every job, with real-time photo updates through your client portal and bi-weekly field reports.
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06
Keys and after
Punch list, final clean, warranties, manuals, and documentation handed over together.
Recent custom builds
Built by the same team.
Why homeowners trust us with their guest house
One price, not a maze of line items.
One overall price to build, with separate allowances for your material selections.
Direct access to leadership.
Same-day responses from Nick or your dedicated project manager.
Third-generation craftsmanship.
18 years in the desert and 100+ years of combined experience, applied to your guest house the same way we apply it to a $5M home.
What clients and partners say
“Nick and team went above and beyond! Great attention to detail and excellent communication.”
Jessica & Laura Myers
Guest house and ADU questions
Timelines vary by size and scope, but our pre-construction process is designed to protect your timeline from the delays that derail most ADU projects.
Yes. Real-time photo updates through your client portal, bi-weekly reports, and scheduled video calls keep you informed throughout.
Yes, the full process, from plan approval through certificate of occupancy, including utility connections.
Yes, we carry general liability and workers' comp insurance. Distinct Designs Construction is a licensed California contractor, CA Lic. #1145786.
Payments are tied to milestones, with full documentation and no requests beyond the current scope. Every decision is planned and priced before we start.
Where we build guest houses and ADUs
And across the Coachella Valley and High Desert.
Plan your guest house the right way
Talk to Nick directly about a guest house or ADU for the home you already love.
Not ready to talk yet? Get the free Ultimate Planning Guide below.