Advantages to Building Basements in Arizona

Fratantoni Luxury Estates • June 20, 2016

There are many advantages to building basements in Arizona. Though basements are not a common feature we see here in Arizona, a basement can be the key to unlocking potential and getting the most out of your lot. Despite the additional time and cost it takes to build a basement-more and more homeowners are electing to have basements as part of there home design.

Basements tend to be the coolest area of the house, and in Arizona you can’t put a price on a cool spot in the summer months! As everyone knows, heat rises, so by eliminating the second story and opting for a basement instead, ones electricity bill would be substantially lower. In addition, another advantages to building basements in Arizona is that basements offer built-in privacy that second-story homes lack. Here in the valley most second story homes have a nice view of their neighbors yard and that is less than ideal. With choosing a basement over a second story your family will have the beautiful view of your own yard and a space below with the utmost privacy.

When a client is interested in having us design a basement we get so excited! Though it may seem restricted, the possibilities are endless for the use of this type of space. Some popular Basement ideas include: Home Theatre, Play Room, Man Cave, Craft Room, Guest Suite, or an Office/Study.

These clients, however, are using this space as the ultimate Man Cave. There will be an office/study with a Wine Room both with their own bathrooms. In addition there will be a full bar with a lounge area to enjoy such cocktails either with company or by ones self in the luxurious solitude. A unique feature we are incorporating is a small courtyard. We, of course, have to make sure there is proper draining for the couple of days a year it rains but that is a piece of cake for us!

A common misconception is that building a basement is too costly here due to the presence of rock and caliche in our soil which involves additional expense to dig through. But the truth of the matter is, this type of “hard dig” is requires only about 3% of the time.

Where the extra cost comes from is due to builders only have to dig 18 inches to pour the foundation, where in northern states they are already having to go deeper to avoid the frost line. As a result a substantial cost and time element would have to be added to add a basement here. A typical basement dig will add about 30 days to a new home construction but the advantages to building basements in Arizona is worth the extra time.

Follow our blog to recieve more updates of this one of a kind project as well as tips and tricks to building the ultimate Custom Luxury Home and get ideas for basement design phoenix!! We’re a custom home builder in Phoenix that can help!

To see what Basements inspire us check out our Pinterest Board dedicated to Basement Inspirations or to see more examples of our basement design phoenix work click HERE !

The post Advantages to Building Basements in Arizona appeared first on Fratantoni Luxury Estates.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Why Working With a Design-Build Firm Elevates Your Project

By Vince Fratantoni • August 5, 2025

Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we believe building a home should be as inspiring and enjoyable as the final result. For more than four decades, our family-owned firm has been at the forefront of luxury custom home construction, delivering exceptional residences across Arizona and nationwide. What sets us apart is our true design-build approach, uniting our world-class build firm, Fratantoni Luxury Estates, with our award-winning architectural division, Fratantoni Design. This partnership eliminates the disconnect between architect and builder, allowing for a seamless process where every detail is considered from the start. From breathtaking Scottsdale hillside estates to expansive coastal retreats, our portfolio spans a diverse range of styles like Contemporary, Spanish, Tuscan, Modern Desert, and more, each brought to life with precision, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Whether you’re dreaming of a sprawling luxury estate or an intimate architectural masterpiece, our integrated team ensures your vision is executed flawlessly from concept to completion.

The Rise of Sustainable Luxury Home Building: Eco-Friendly Elegance Without Compromise

By Angelo Fratantoni • July 29, 2025

Fratantoni Luxury Estates stands as Arizona’s premier custom home builder, renowned for its rich legacy of crafting exquisite luxury residences. With an impressive portfolio of custom homes in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and beyond, we are synonymous with superior design and construction in the state’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Specializing in state-of-the-art luxury homes, Fratantoni Luxury Estates combines meticulous craftsmanship with the expertise to create any architectural style, from Contemporary to Spanish and more. Our in-house team of custom home builders ensures that every detail is executed to perfection, whether you’re building a new luxury estate or renovating an existing one. At Fratantoni, we don’t just meet design needs; we bring your vision to life. Our portfolio includes distinguished homes designed for notable athletes, NBA team owners, and Fortune 500 executives. Our ideal client is affluent, educated, and looking to build or renovate a high-end luxury home with a budget over $1 million.

Experience the Advantages of Custom Home Building with Fratantoni Luxury Estates

By Vince Fratantoni • July 22, 2025

At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we know that building a custom home isn’t just about creating a place to live, it’s about designing a legacy. As Arizona’s premier custom home builder with projects spanning the nation, our team has spent over 35 years bringing luxury dream homes to life with an unmatched attention to detail, style, and sophistication. Whether you're planning your forever home, a vacation estate, or a luxury investment property, new construction offers distinct benefits that go far beyond aesthetics. From personalized floor plans and energy efficient systems to smart technology integration and seamless construction management, building a new luxury home provides both freedom and peace of mind. In this post, we’ll explore the compelling reasons why building a new custom home with Fratantoni Luxury Estates is the best decision you can make.

Integrating Natural Stone in Your Custom Home: From Exterior to Interior

By Vince Fratantoni • July 9, 2025

Natural stone isn’t just a building material, it’s a design statement that instantly communicates elegance, longevity, and refined craftsmanship. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we view stone as one of the most essential and versatile, elements in luxury home construction. Whether used on the grand exterior of a French-inspired estate or as a refined fireplace surround in a modern great room, natural stone adds texture, strength, and timelessness to any space. From limestone to travertine, Cantera to marble, each type of stone has its own personality. The right stone can tie your custom home together, creating harmony between the architecture, landscaping, and interior finishes. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to strategically incorporate natural stone across your entire custom home—starting with curb appeal and flowing all the way to your private suite.

How to Personalize Your Custom Home: From Ceiling Details to Hidden Rooms

By Angelo Fratantoni • July 3, 2025

When you're building a multimillion-dollar estate, you're not just constructing walls, you’re crafting a lifestyle. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates , we believe your custom home should reflect you at every turn, from the grandeur of the entryway to the quiet luxury of a secret reading nook behind a bookcase. Personalization is more than picking finishes, it’s designing a home that lives and breathes your taste, priorities, and way of life. Whether you’re drawn to ornate ceiling medallions or dream of a hidden home theater behind a paneled wall, we make sure no detail is too bold, no idea too ambitious. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the what, how, and why of custom home personalization, including real project highlights, trending ideas, and timeless touches that elevate your estate from custom to completely yours.

Bespoke Wine Sanctuaries: Cellars, Glass Towers & Tasting Lounges Under One Roof

By Vince Fratantoni • June 4, 2025

Visualize welcoming friends into a softly lit lounge where a 600-bottle, climate-controlled cellar glows behind ultra-clear glass. A single tap on your phone lowers the temperature two degrees, LED ribbons spotlight a 1990 Château Latour, and the conversation shifts from market headlines to terroir. That experience, part theater, part craftsmanship, part investment vault, is driving the latest boom in luxury home wine sanctuaries. In 2025, serious collectors no longer hide vintages in a dusty basement; they showcase them at the very heart of the estate, turning storage into social space. Recent design reports even call the modern wine cellar a “jewel box” for the ultra-affluent, thanks to glass enclosures, app-controlled thermostats, and gallery-style lighting. But what transforms a mere storage room into a sanctuary worthy of your first-growth Bordeaux? Let’s uncork the essentials, backed by real Fratantoni projects and the latest industry data.

Indoor-Outdoor Living: Blending the Lines Between Home and Nature

By Angelo Fratantoni • May 21, 2025

Visualize stepping from your gourmet kitchen directly onto a shaded veranda, where a crackling fireplace, designer seating, and a resort-style pool await. The walls between indoors and outdoors vanish (literally), thanks to expansive glass sliders and seamless architectural transitions. This is the new standard in luxury living: a harmonious blend of interior elegance and the natural world beyond. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we’ve mastered the art of indoor-outdoor living for Arizona’s most exclusive communities. As Arizona’s premier custom home builder, our work in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and beyond proves that true luxury isn’t just about what’s inside your home, it’s about how your entire estate flows.

5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing a Design/Build Firm (And Why Discerning Homeowners Choose Fratantoni Luxury Estates)

By Vince Fratantoni • May 7, 2025

Building a custom home should be an experience marked by excitement, creativity, and complete trust in the team guiding you through it. But as we’ve seen time and again, placing your dream in the wrong hands can lead to disappointment, delays, and costly mistakes. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we’ve earned a reputation for building exceptional homes for discerning families across the nation. Many of our clients come to us after working with firms that didn’t meet their standards—and they’re often relieved to find the level of service, detail, and sophistication they expected from the start. Before you commit to a design/build firm, watch for these five red flags that could derail your custom home experience and discover how we intentionally do things differently. 1. Vague Proposals and Unrealistic Estimates If a proposal lacks clarity, feels overly “cookie-cutter,” or seems too low for the level of finishes you expect, take pause. Bespoke homes require bespoke planning. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, our proposals are precise, detailed, and tailored to the scale and style of your estate. You’ll know exactly what’s include and what to expect so there are no surprises down the road. 2. Disconnected Teams and Outsourced Design When architecture, design, and construction are handled by different firms, communication gaps are inevitable—and those gaps show up in your finished home. Our in-house team of architects, designers, and builders work seamlessly together, ensuring a unified vision and flawless execution. This full-service model is how we create homes with harmony, balance, and timeless design integrity.

courtyard with luxury outdoor furniture and fireplace

How to Create a Private Courtyard Oasis for Your Luxury Home

By Angelo Fratantoni • April 18, 2025

Discover how to design a luxury courtyard oasis that offers privacy, tranquility, and year-round indoor-outdoor living. From elegant materials to expert architectural tips, this guide covers everything you need to know about creating the perfect private retreat.

The Homeowner's Role in a Custom Home Build

By Vince Fratantoni • April 8, 2025

Discover the vital role clients play in the custom home building process. From timely decisions to active collaboration, learn how your involvement helps bring your dream luxury home to life.