Demand for Luxury Renovations Climbs as Scottsdale-Based Cullum Homes Unveils Three Multimillion-Dollar Transformations

Scottsdale and Paradise Valley’s Premier Luxury Custom Builder Expands Renovations Division as More High-End Homeowners Choose to Revamp Existing Estates

High-end homeowners across the Valley are rethinking their next move and, in many cases, deciding not to make one at all. Between limited inventory in desirable neighborhoods and the complexities that come with relocating, more luxury homeowners are choosing to renovate, rather than relocate.

Arizona’s leading luxury custom home builder, Cullum Homes, has seen this play out firsthand since launching its Renovations Division in 2010, with more clients opting to reinvest in their existing homes rather than starting from scratch.

Known for building residences in some of the Valley’s most desirable neighborhoods of Scottdale and Paradise Valley, family-owned Cullum Homes is seeing a sharp uptick in interest from homeowners looking for full-scale home transformations that go far beyond cosmetic updates.

A far cry from cabinet swaps or quick refreshes, Cullum Homes’ Renovations Division has the ability to completely renovate and reconfigure existing homes, whether that means opening up floor plans, reimagining layouts or rebuilding them from the ground up with new architecture, features and finishes.

What initially launched as a small subset of the Cullum Homes brand has since grown into a major part of the business, driven in part by repeat clients who trust the team and want to reinvest in the homes and neighborhoods where they already reside.

“A lot of our clients truly love where they live and just want their homes to work better for them now than they did 10 or 15 years ago,” said Cullum Homes Co-President Lindsay Cullum-Colwell. “With land becoming scarcer in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale, renovating is often the best way for homeowners to get everything they want.”

Cullum-Colwell noted that while, occasionally, the Renovations Division handles smaller projects, like an upgraded kitchen or bath, most of its business comes from clients looking to completely overhaul their existing homes, including their kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and paint. The average project the division handles runs from about $1.5 – $3 million.

Cullum’s Renovations Division recently completed three such projects, with each major renovation reworking the home from the ground up to better fit modern living.

The Playground Estate Renovation

The Playground Estate Renovation brought a highly detailed vision to life in one of Paradise Valley’s most sought-after settings. Situated in a desirable neighborhood with sweeping views of Camelback Mountain, the home featured complex architectural elements that demanded careful attention and coordination throughout construction.

Designed for a young family, the newly renovated home has a guitar lounge, yoga space, fully equipped exercise room and a guest house for visitors. An indoor rock-climbing wall and an outdoor playground complete with a track for ride-on cars round out the home set to keep pace with an active, growing family.

The Family Circle Renovation

The Family Circle Renovation highlighted the Renovations Division’s ability to adapt and deliver as plans evolve. Started in 2022 for homeowners seeking a company that could handle design, construction and furnishings together, Cullum opened up the structure to find that its existing framing would force too many compromises, transforming something that started as a remodel into a full ground-up rebuild.

The homeowners considered partnering with several other builders before choosing Cullum Homes, entrusting the Cullum team to carry the project from conception through completion.

The Heirloom Renovation

The Heirloom Renovation breathed new life into a home that had stayed in the same family since the 1980s. Cullum’s Renovations Division spent about six months planning the extensive renovation before reworking the layout while making a point to preserve the character that drew the residents to the home in the first place.

The updates involved virtually every part of the house. The great room and guest bath gained more space, the back patio now drains properly (solving a 40-year problem) and the kitchen has plenty of space to accommodate large family gatherings with ease. The Renovations team also reworked the home’s primary suite, trading an underutilized sitting area for a larger closet and more functional bath.

Even with added scope, this project stayed on schedule, giving the residents a comfortable and well-organized home without extending their time outside of it.

The owners of each home had specific ideas in mind for their renovations, but all three shared a common goal: Make an older home feel current without sacrificing its location.

“Each of these three projects looked different on paper. Different scopes, different collaborators, different starting points. What they shared was a client who loved their home, their street, their proximity to the people and places that shape their daily life, and wanted the home itself to finally match the way they live in it,” said Cullum Homes’ Vice President of Renovations Derrick Willett.

“Our job was to make that happen with the level of craft and coordination our team brings to every renovation, whether we are leading the full design or working alongside a designer the client already trusts. That combination of lifestyle understanding and execution flexibility is why this side of the business continues to grow. Clients know they can come to Cullum Homes with whatever they have, and we will meet them there to deliver the home they want to live in for the next chapter.”

The success of Cullum’s growing Renovations Division stems from the same degree of attention and knowledge the company devotes to its new builds. The company relies on long-standing relationships with local industry partners to deliver exceptional craftsmanship and luxury-caliber renovations. It also maintains a comprehensive project management system that keeps timelines and client communications clear and on track.

The end result is an upscale, well-appointed and expertly designed residence that feels entirely new – but doesn’t involve leaving the neighborhood residents selected in the first place.

For more about Cullum Homes and its Renovation Division, visit CullumHomes.com.