Pools and spas are some of the most popular features to add to new home builds in St. George. With hot, dry summers and mild, temperate winters, St. George is the perfect place to build a new pool and spa with your custom home.
But if you're building a custom home, don't settle for just any pool design. Create a custom pool to match the beauty of your new custom home's unique architecture. At Dennis Miller Homes, we create custom homes with pools and spas that you can enjoy year-round. Whether you're building a family home in St. George or a vacation home in Southern Utah, we'll help you design something you love.
Did you know that adding a custom swimming pool increases your property's value and boosts luxury appeal? Adding a pool to your home can increase the property's value by up to seven percent. Homes with pools in St. George also have higher resale value because of the ability to enjoy the pool throughout the year.
St. George has many stunning landscapes, from seemingly endless black lava fields to red rocks and desert cliffs. When you create a custom home spa and pool with Dennis Miller Homes, you can incorporate beautiful desert aesthetics and functionality, such as red rock waterfalls or lazy rivers. It will be your own piece of desert paradise.
While custom home pools are a popular addition to vacation homes, they can also be added to your home to provide a resort-like atmosphere. Your home will become a popular neighborhood gathering spot for barbecues, dinner parties, and more. If you’d like to create a place where visitors can be wowed, a custom pool is the obvious choice.
Luxury custom pools are works of art. By incorporating a custom in-ground pool into your home's landscape, you can create a custom design that flows seamlessly with the beautiful natural surroundings of St. George. Design a freeform pool that complements your natural backyard environment or a stunning modern pool with infinity edges and desert landscaping.
Outdoor living spaces have many benefits, including increased home value and even improved health. The desire for a connection with the outdoors has gained popularity in recent years and is expected to impact home design significantly in the years to come. Custom home pools add an area for extra entertainment space, providing a unique versatility to any property. Additional spaces such as pool houses with extra entertainment space, guest accommodations, and changing rooms enhance the overall functionality, comfort, and overall appeal of the property.
Integrating a spa into your pool design provides a unique luxury and comfort experience. By having a spa connected to your pool, you can transition between the spa's warmth and the refreshing coolness of the pool. Integrating a spa into pool design can be accomplished in many ways, such as creating an infinity edge spa or a waterfall where the water flows over from the spa into the pool. Some spas are even incorporated into the pool access stairs so the users can sit and enjoy the jets without leaving the pool.
By integrating some luxury pool features into your home's pool design, you'll have an incredible vacation-worthy hangout you'll never want to leave. Custom luxury pool features such as waterfalls, underwater lighting, fire features, and Baja shelves can make your pool more attuned to your aesthetic preferences.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we recognize that every home embodies a distinct taste, reflecting the individuality of each client. By collaborating with our clients, we can create new homes with pools or spa designs tailored to your home and landscape. As a St. George custom home builder, we strive to design breathtaking custom pools that perfectly blend both aesthetics and function.
Smart home technology is becoming increasingly popular, and the integration of pool technology is no exception. Popular upgrades such as automated pool maintenance systems, smart pool lighting, and real-time water quality monitoring offer many benefits, including energy efficiency and water conservation. Add some of these smart features for a pool that provides convenience and modern innovation.
Everyone loves pools, but not everyone loves maintaining them. Because pools are becoming more popular, the demand for maintenance and cleaning services has also become popular. In addition to smart pool monitoring systems, automated pool cleaners, ultraviolet (UV-C) water treatment technology, and chemical dosing systems make pool maintenance a breeze.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we know what it takes to design and build luxury custom homes in St. George. Whether you're building a family home or a vacation home, we collaborate with you while paying attention to every detail. As Southern Utah vacation home builders, we craft a truly customized experience by getting to know you and your lifestyle, allowing us to create the perfect pool and spa you've always envisioned. Come build your dream home with a custom pool and spa with us. Contact Dennis Miller Homes today.
St. George, Utah is known for its stunning, sprawling desert landscape. It’s characterized by red cliffs, black volcanic rock, and green sagebrush stretching for miles. With warm sunshine and an arid climate that hardly ever drops to below-freezing temperatures, it’s easy to understand why Southern Utah has become a worldwide destination for outdoor enthusiasts and retirees.
The natural landscape has had a large influence on desert homes both structurally and aesthetically. In the past, it has been a challenge for architects to create modern desert architecture that combines the natural surroundings of the desert with contemporary architectural elements. With ingenuity and experience, architects at Dennis Miller Homes have perfected the modern desert house that unites modern architecture with desert aesthetics-- a true high desert custom home.
What constitutes a modern home design? Modern homes are characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, minimalist interiors, natural materials, neutral colors, and the integration of sustainable materials like glass, wood, cement, and rock. Modern homes are constructed to feel open and breathable and often utilize windows and skylights for natural lighting.
Sustainability has become increasingly popular and more affordable in recent years. It’s especially critical in Southern Utah because, as a desert, the area is prone to droughts and water restrictions. Dennis Miller Homes’s integration of smart resource usage will ensure your home is visually stunning and environmentally responsible. It will also help your utility bill to stay low amid rising utility costs.
Other popular design elements found in custom homes in Southern Utah include large windows and expanded indoor-outdoor living spaces. Since St. George gets little rain and lots of sunlight, large windows make natural lighting a clear choice. Indoor-outdoor living spaces can combine a comfortable atmosphere with the fun of a pool or patio that can be used year-round. At Dennis Miller Homes, anything is possible.
So how do you achieve a custom desert home look? It largely comes with integrating elements from the natural environment. Architects and builders will use materials like stone, wood, and adobe to reflect the southwest region. Popular stones like sandstone and basalt are used because they are native to the Southern Utah area. Adobe characteristics might also be implemented because they reference the homes of the Pueblo people who lived here before Latter-Day Saint pioneers settled in the area.
With all these materials and elements, you’ll find common colors of red, tan, white, grey, and green. At Dennis Miller Homes, we can take an artful mix of these colors and materials to create a villa to be proud of. We can also include responsible, low-maintenance xeriscaping utilizing native desert plants that add beauty and variety to your property while preserving water and lowering maintenance.
St. George's deserts can be harsh and unforgiving. For this reason, a home must be constructed that’s prepared to handle the demanding climate. Materials must be selected for their durability and blended with a state-of-the-art HVAC to ensure your home stays cool and comfortable during St. George’s hot summer months.
With Dennis Miller Home’s network of trusted subcontractors and HVAC specialists, we’ll ensure that your custom home is built to be an oasis from St. George’s harsh climate. We’ll construct your home with premium materials to reduce utility costs and increase comfort so you can enjoy the beautiful desert landscape in peace for years to come.
Dennis Miller Homes has extensive experience building luxury custom homes in Southern Utah. We’ve worked with satisfied clients worldwide who come to settle in this beautiful desert valley. Whether you’d like a modern desert house or a custom home with other influences, we have the expertise and established network of contractors to make your dream a reality.
We meet with you to understand your vision and goals, then work for you to solidify land and service approval, create design and development plans, review bidding and budget, and build your custom home promptly. Explore our gallery of luxurious custom homes for examples from previous custom home projects.
Building a custom home in St. George, Utah, provides so many benefits. You get to live in one of the most beautiful, fastest-growing communities in the United States. You’re close to fabulous Las Vegas, world-famous hiking spots like Snow Canyon and Zion National Park, professional stage plays at Tuachan Amphitheater, multiple golf courses, world-class mountain biking, and so much more. With so much to do in Southern Utah, it’s easy to see why people rush to live here.
If you’re looking into St. George custom homes built to your vision, contact our talented team of custom home designers at Dennis Miller Homes. Let us create the custom luxury home design you dream of and outfit it with the desert style, modern architecture, and amenities to make it your veritable desert oasis. Contact us today to see what we can build for you.
Few things are more idyllic than golfing on a perfectly manicured golf course while enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air. For many people, St. George, Utah, is a golfer’s paradise. Stunning golf courses are nestled in a world-famous desert landscape just two hours from Las Vegas. When you’re golfing in St. George, you’re surrounded by breathtaking lava rock fields, majestic red rocks, and expansive fields dotted by sagebrush and Freemont cottonwood trees.
With the PGA Tour announcing the Black Desert Championship in Fall 2024 at Black Desert Golf Course, there can’t be a better time to get out and enjoy a round on one of St. George’s scenic golf courses. If you’re considering moving or building a new home in St. George, it’s time to maximize the opportunity of creating the golf paradise of your dreams in this beautiful city.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we’re the experts at incorporating any element you want in your dream home. We can include many golf-centric features that will extend your home to your relaxing lifestyle in St. George.
St. George is ideal for the PGA tour for various reasons. Located in the southwestern corner of Utah, St. George is surrounded by national parks, state parks, bike trails, and more. With warm summers and mild winters, many golfers have loved spending their time on the many available golf courses in the area. Thanks to the desert climate, it’s common to see golfers hitting courses even during winter.
St. George is easily accessible, too. As just a short drive from Vegas, it’s easy to enjoy big-city attractions like football games, hockey games, luxury shopping, gambling, international travel, and more. St. George boasts a regional airport with frequent flights to Los Angeles, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, and other major cities.
While it was recently announced that St. George will host a new PGA Tour tournament at Black Desert Golf Course, it isn’t Utah’s first time hosting such an event. St. George hosts an annual Iron Man competition every May, along with the famous St. George Marathon every October. Both competitions bring in athletes from around the world to compete.
After all these years, Utah is excited to host the 2024 Black Desert Championship with the support of all those who love golf in St. George.
Residents in St. George enjoy access to plenty of golfing amenities, such as local clubs, tournaments, and events for any level of golfer. At each golf club, golfers have access to pro shops, golf instruction by PGA professionals, practice facilities, and a wide range of luxury dining options. Golf courses and clubs are known for maintaining high standards and exceptional customer service, ensuring you’re taken care of.
Golfers in the community enjoy a strong sense of social interaction and camaraderie, with plenty of group outings, leagues, and social events organized by enthusiasts. In addition, when you become a member of one of the local clubs, you’ll enjoy access to exclusive events, special discounts, and many privileges that you’ll love.
You won’t be bored when you golf in St. George and the surrounding areas. With plenty of stunning and well-maintained courses to choose from, you’ll experience the best the state has to offer. Some of the most prominent courses include:
St. George is home to some of the most sought-after golf communities in the state. These communities offer a unique blend of luxurious living with access to top-tier golf courses. They also provide many incredible amenities and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Some of the most well-known golf course communities include Entrada at Snow Canyon, Stone Cliff, The Ledges of St. George, and Sand Hollow Resort. While each community is different, many offer superior amenities. Convenient tee times, stunning views, and seclusion draw many residents to these communities.
Many housing communities also offer community events to get people involved, exclusive memberships to golf practice facilities and special events, and luxury living. They’re ideal for a unique blend of outdoor recreation, luxury living, and a thriving social environment. Each community features welcoming and exclusive golf course homes for the ultimate experience.
If you’re a fan of outdoor recreation, St. George is a tremendous place to live. In Washington County, you’ll find hiking opportunities at Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs Recreation Area. You’ll also enjoy visiting Sand Hallow Reservoir and Quail Creek Reservoir if you own a boat or canoe. And there are loads of bike trails that connect all across the St. George Valley.
As a famous retirement community, St. George has no shortage of fine dining. Indulge on a luxurious meal with a view at the Cliffside Restaurant, or enjoy the heart of St. George’s historic downtown district at the Painted Pony. You’ll find cuisines spanning a variety of preferences, from Italian to Mexican and Mediterranean.
St. George has multiple malls and boutiques so you can find whatever you’re looking for. Whether you prefer big box stores or locally crafted goods, St. George has reputable brands to make desert living a paradise. And if you can’t find it in St. George, the expansive shopping centers of Las Vegas are only a couple of hours away.
Tuachan Amphitheater is called Broadway in the Desert for a reason. This world-class theater venue brings talent from around the globe to put on dazzling performances every year. If musical theater isn’t quite for you, St. George still has no shortage of movie theaters and art galleries to explore.
UTU is a rapidly growing university that always has something going on! Enjoy supporting their division one football, basketball, volleyball, and other teams at their state-of-the-art sporting facilities. Utah Tech University also provides facilities to the public for swimming, weightlifting, and more for a fee.
St. George, Utah has a rich American pioneer heritage. If you’d like to learn more about the pioneers who settled the St. George Valley, visit areas like The Jacob Hamblin Home, the St. George LDS Temple, the St. George Tabernacle, or The Brigham Young Winter Home. Fans of early American history and religious history will find much to enjoy there.
If you’re considering a move to beautiful St. George, Utah, we can’t recommend it enough. As a family with deep roots in the St. George community, Dennis Miller Homes has been building stunning custom homes in Southern Utah for years. Explore some of our work to see how we can elevate desert living into a veritable paradise.
"What a great company! I worked mainly with Jared and he really put a lot of effort into helping us to pick the right lot. He met with our realtor and looked at multiple sites and gave his honest assessment of the pros and cons of each lot. It is rare to find a builder that will be this honest with you and not just tell you what you want to hear. We can’t wait to have our home built by Dennis Miller Homes."
- K. Shake"Our family is enjoying our “Dennis Miller Homes,” home so much. We are thrilled! We started with a lot and a site plan and Jared designed a well-thought-through home. He planned every window to showcase our amazing views. Everything is functioning, design-wise, as we had hoped! Our home is functional, practical, AND stunningly beautiful! We are able to host family and friends now and share in the beauty of our new home and surroundings. The Millers are highly skilled craftsmen and men of integrity. We lived out of state during the build. They communicated with us regularly and met with us when we could come to town. Everything was explained well. Subs were very good. Timelines were met. We are very happy that we built our dream home with Dennis Miller Homes and highly recommend them."
- Wendy K.
Creating your golf paradise in St. George is easy—just contact Dennis Miller Homes. No matter what customization you prefer or need, our team can complete it. From putting greens in your backyard to golf simulators in your basement, we’re here to build it as you dream it. We’re creating custom homes in St. George that are not only memorable but fit into your lifestyle. Explore all of our custom home options and contact us today for a free consultation for your home.
Welcome to Dennis Miller Homes! As a leading new home builder in St. George, Utah, we know St. George is a place unlike any other. With its stunning red rock landscapes, warm climate, and abundance of outdoor recreation, it’s no wonder why people seek homes for sale in St. George, Utah.
Today, we want to share four of our favorite new homes in the beautiful city of St. George: an ultimate desert oasis retreat, a red rock dream come true, a fantastic family home, and a model of modern elegance.
As new home builders, we take great pride in creating unique homes tailored to the dreams of their owners. When you choose Dennis Miller Homes, your home will be built to the highest standards possible, using the best materials and superior craftsmanship. We believe a home should function to inspire and rejuvenate its occupants, so with innovative design elements and luxurious finishes, our homes accomplish just that and more.
Escape to the serene heart of the desert in The Ultimate Desert Oasis Retreat. Embracing the natural beauty of St. George, Utah, this home offers a luxurious sanctuary to relax and unwind.
A spacious open floor plan that maximizes natural light and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Desert-inspired architecture that seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings while creating spacious interior and outdoor entertainment areas.
Individuals or families seeking a peaceful retreat away from busy city life and want to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the St. George desert landscape.
Red Rock Dreams Come True perfectly captures the essence of St. George's stunning red rock formations and awe-inspiring landscapes. This home uniquely blends modern design and natural beauty, creating a harmonious living space.
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the breathtaking views of the surrounding red rocks and allow natural light to flow in.
Architectural features such as angular rooflines and stone accents pay homage to the unique rock formations native to the area.
Outdoor enthusiasts who want to be surrounded by the beauty of nature offered by the red rock landscape.
Family-Friendly Living caters to the needs of growing families, offering a perfect balance between functionality and style. This home provides a warm and inviting atmosphere where memories can be shared.
Thoughtfully designed spaces that provide comfort, entertainment, and privacy for every family member.
Incorporation of child-friendly materials like durable flooring and easy-to-clean surfaces to withstand the demands of a busy household.
Individuals who value a sense of community and desire proximity to schools, parks, and other amenities.
Modern Elegance in the Desert showcases contemporary design and luxurious living. With its sleek lines, high-end finishes, and innovative features, this home offers a modern oasis in the heart of the desert.
Private outdoor living space with a pool, spa, and fire pit, perfect for enjoying the warm desert evenings and hosting gatherings.
The Integration of cutting-edge smart home technology allows homeowners to control lighting, temperature, and security systems with ease.
Individuals or couples who enjoy having company and entertaining guests in a luxurious and stylish desert environment.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we make your dream home a reality. Our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and personalization ensures bringing your vision to reality. When you choose us as your custom home builders, you can trust that we’ll exceed your expectations.
Take the first step toward your St. George dream home. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and tour. Our team of experts will guide you through the process and help bring your vision to life.
St. George, Utah, offers a truly unique and captivating lifestyle. As a leading new home builder in the area, Dennis Miller Homes crafts dream homes that reach the pinnacle of style and comfort. Take the first step toward your St. George dream home today and experience the Dennis Miller Homes difference.
Amidst the striking landscape of desert vistas and red rock canyons, more and more people are building new homes in Southern Utah with the help of custom home builders like Dennis Miller Homes.
Custom home builders in St. George, Utah (and surrounding areas) can help you incorporate local materials, colors, and designs to create a home that embodies the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape while meeting your budgetary and lifestyle needs.
On top of that, a home construction company local to the area will also know how best to build in the fickle desert conditions and what common building mistakes to avoid. If you plan to build a home in southern Utah, avoid this article's top five home-building pitfalls!
After all, this is your chance to build your dream home in a dreamy environment. The journey ahead can feel long, costly, and sometimes overwhelming. But if you can work with a trusted home builder and avoid these common construction mistakes, you’ll end up with the home of your dreams in a vivid landscape of sunshine and natural beauty.
When it comes to building new homes, there’s no such thing as doing too much research and planning.
Don’t rush the planning phase. Your first step should be to write down a clear vision and goals for your custom home. What is important to you? What are some of your must-haves? Envision your future home and everything it needs to accommodate your family’s lifestyle.
The last thing you want is for an inspection to end in fines and disappointment. Research the area’s residential building codes and regulations before any serious planning.
Choosing a custom home builder in Southern Utah is the most critical decision you will make, as it will directly affect every step of the process -- for better or for worse. Research and compare custom home builders and custom home construction services. Scour review boards and portfolios until you’ve found a trustworthy builder to actualize your vision.
It is highly likely that, in the end, your dream home will cost more than you originally planned. One of the most common errors in building a custom home is failing to prepare for the following:
Expect unexpected expenses. Period. Many unforeseen costs can arise, from clearing trees to needing special permits or structural changes. Leave room in the budget for unforeseen costs (we typically advise between 10-20% of your overall budget) to not hinder construction or scramble to make up for a stressful lack of funds.
You may think you want a custom home fully loaded with all the bells and whistles but don’t underestimate the long-term costs of your decisions. Consider consequential expenses, such as electricity bills, maintenance fees, and other costs required to power and maintain your new living space.
When building a custom house, a critical mistake is managing all the financial aspects by yourself. Working with a trusted advisor and credible mortgage lenders can make a massive difference in the overall cost of building a new home.
A widespread construction mistake is to prioritize form over function. An experienced St. George home builder, like Dennis Miller Homes, can help you avoid these common pitfalls.
Failure to clearly and frequently communicate with builders and contractors can result in costly mistakes. Establish clear lines of communication with all parties involved in your new build. Keep their contact information organized and set clear expectations about your goals and priorities.
There are so many decisions that go into building a new home. It can be overwhelming sometimes, but if you don’t stay active in making decisions, you could delay construction or contribute to some costly misunderstandings. Any site builder worth their salt will invite you to participate in regular site visits and inspections. Attend whenever possible to ensure you are always updated on the process and any unforeseen issues.
We said it once, and we’ll say it again: plan for your future. As you build your brand-new home from the ground up, you have the opportunity to make wise decisions that will benefit you in the long run. Energy efficiency is one such example.
Don’t make the mistake of mindlessly following dated home-building traditions that incur hefty long-term expenses month after month. Take advantage of emerging breakthroughs to make your home energy efficient and sustainable! Spring for solar panels or geothermal energy systems to power your home, add skylights wherever possible, and choose water-wise landscaping designs.
Building a custom home in Southern Utah allows you to design your dream home from the ground up in a beautiful setting. Avoid these new home construction mistakes to save yourself a great deal of time, money, and a whole lot of stress. As long as you research, plan, and communicate, you can establish a powerful relationship with your custom home builder, resulting in a home as beautiful as it is functional and sustainable.
If you’re looking for a custom home builder in St. George, Utah, look no further than Dennis Miller Homes. We have the experience, expertise, and resources necessary to actualize your vision while avoiding all the common home-building mistakes. Contact us today to get started.
Are you in the market to buy a new home? One of the first decisions you will face is whether to build a custom home or buy an existing one. It can seem impossible to find your 'dream home' when looking for a house, especially if you have a specific location and budget.
Consider various factors before deciding whether building a home is better than buying one. From price differences to customization, the advantages and disadvantages of building versus buying can help you determine which is right for you.
If you are on the fence, continue reading to simplify the home-buying decision.
Building a custom home makes you a member of the design and construction team. You will work with your custom home builder to make your home exactly how you want it to be. Because you're constructing the home from the ground up, you decide everything from the floor plan and features to flooring and colors.
On the other hand, the advantages of buying an existing home include:
Along with these benefits, let's discuss other factors that could affect your final decision.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average cost of a 2,600 sq. ft. custom home in 2019 was $485,128, while the median cost of an existing home was $309,800.
At first glance, it is easy to see the significant differences between each. However, building a custom home provides more price flexibility than most buyers realize. While the final cost per square foot depends on various factors like location, size, and custom features, you will have control to choose where you want to spend or save. Dennis Miller Homes, a custom home builder in St. George, Utah, provides you with a long-hand bid so you make design choices that fit your budget.
Another factor that will impact your budget is maintenance. Choosing to build a home is the best option for homeowners uninterested in DIY projects, hiring a contractor, or making frequent repairs. If you buy an existing home, try to factor in additional costs you will need to make after purchasing the home. Some of these might include installing a driveway, new roof or garage, landscaping, new appliances, and connecting utilities such as water or power.
There could also be hidden repair costs that you didn't catch before signing your contract. One way to avoid massive maintenance bills is to build a new home that uses the latest construction standards. Your Southern Utah custom home builder could also offer quality warranties to ensure your house has everything you need to feel 'at home.'
Buyers who purchase an existing home already have landscaping when they move in. If you don't have a specific look in mind, pre-existing landscaping is a bonus. However, new home buyers who prefer modern landscapes will need to do a lot of work to ensure their landscape is updated.
Buyers interested in building new homes in St. George, Utah, rely on Dennis Miller Homes. Our team will commit to capturing your vision and perfecting the homebuilding process along the way. We believe in honesty, communication, and caring about your experience. Having maintained the integrity of a family name for more than 35 years, we take the stress and frustration out of building custom homes. As the leading St. George custom home builder, Dennis Miller Homes is dedicated to you and your home every step of the way!
Schedule a consultation to start building your new home.
When you first start looking for a home, you will have a lot of questions to consider. What type of house would work best for my family? Where should we live? Is there a certain homebuilder that I should talk to before starting to look for a lot? Before long, you will have a million questions to answer and might become overwhelmed. Instead of adding more questions to a seemingly endless list, let's start with the most important—where should you build?
Settling on one location will help you not only answer where your family will live but other questions on your list, as well. In fact, all your long nights and time spent working on your new home could be for nothing if you don't choose the right place to buy your new home.
Fortunately, working with the custom home builders of St. George, Utah, you can discover why the city is one of the fastest-growing places in the country. The city boasts a whole lot more than what meets the eye. From its rich pioneer history, booming economy and being surrounded by many of the state's most beautiful trails and parks, St. George is the place to be.
Still don't believe us? Just ask any of the approximately 10,000 people who moved there over the last year.
St. George's massive increase of new residents took the city from 138,115 recorded residents in 2010 to 177,556 in 2020. But what is drawing all these homebuyers in southern Utah? Is it the booming economy, natural beauty, job opportunities, or growing infrastructure?
CNN awarded St. George among the top 100 Best Places to Live, praising its contrast of quiet seclusion and action sports against a backdrop of red canyon walls and Zion National Park's majestic mountains.
As positive reports flood in, new families continue to make their move to southern Utah. To ensure you make the right choice for your family, our St. George custom home builder reflects on all the many reasons why you should consider making the city your next stop on your home-buying journey.
Let's explore why St. George is the best place to buy a custom home.
Any of the country's top realtors can outline the criteria for selecting the ideal location for your new house. The main four factors to consider usually include:
Along with those factors, you should think about schooling options, job opportunities, and market value. St. George ticks all the right boxes and then some. Here are a few more reasons why this southern Utah town is one of the best places to build your new home in Utah.
St. George is a hot spot for action sports. Whether you enjoy boating on the weekends at Sand Hallow, rock climbing in Snow Canyon, or mountain biking, the growing city has all you need and more. Other sports are also available for you to enjoy, including golf, pickleball, swimming, hiking, running, soccer, and more.
Along with boasting beautiful locations for various sports, the town is also known for its local events. Tuacahn Amphitheater offers various productions throughout the year, including local arts and theater events.
On the weekends, many St. George homeowners drive a short distance to explore nearby national parks, like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and more. National monuments like the Grand Staircase in Escalante or Snow Canyon state park to enjoy when you are up for an adventure.
If that wasn't enough, you could visit the weekend art markets in the summer, as well as various retail shops throughout the city. Retailers range from thrift shops and local Native American goods to boutiques and popular brands.
Once you shop to your heart's content, head on over to one of St. George's many restaurants for a bite to eat, you can find any type of dining experience you want, from fast food to fine dining. Whatever you need—St. George has it.
If you want to live in an area that incorporates a healthy work-life balance, then St. George is for you. Many employers find unique ways of accommodating the city's laid-back lifestyle in the workplace. On the other hand, many homeowners work remotely, especially as businesses continue to follow the growing demands of the digital marketplace.
If you want to bring your dream business to life, St. George is also a great place to live. WalletHub released a report in 2021 ranking the small city among the best places to start a business in Utah.
The combination of affordable housing, low unemployment, and increased job opportunities. make this southern Utah city a top choice for young families and professionals who want to invest in the St. George real estate market.
Along with a healthy work-life balance and high employment, St. George is also extremely family-friendly. Many young families flock to this suburb thanks to high-rated public schools and nearby colleges. St. George is in the top half of places with the best public schools.
Along with several public schools, you can also find private and charter schools, depending on your educational needs. Once your child graduates, they won't need to move far to continue their education.
Located in the city's heart, Dixie State University offers six academic colleges, including Business, Education, the Arts, Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Science, Engineering, and Technology. Students can also explore Dixie Technological College or Southern Utah University, located 40 minutes north of St. George.
The future of St. George looks bright, as well. As the city continues to grow, you can expect the state to put additional resources into St. George's schools and educational programs.
With year-round sunny weather, healthy cost of living, and welcoming culture, St. George is one of the best places to relocate when retiring. Retirees can slow down with the small-town feeling of security and comfort while still enjoying the attractions of a larger city.
The dry climate, blue skies, and about 300 days of warm weather also provide older generations with the sunny weather they enjoy in their twilight years.
Nature enthusiasts rejoice— St. George continues Utah's tradition of beautiful outdoor scenery and natural amenities. Washington county homeowners are within driving distance of top-rated golf resorts, lakes, trails, and plenty of places to enjoy activities while in the great outdoors. Not to mention St. George's near-perfect climate and temperature that allows homeowners to enjoy outdoor activities year-round.
Whether you are a mountain biker, runner, hiker, golfer, swimmer, or enjoy looking out your window to a beautiful view, St. George has it all. If that wasn't enough, waking up to the city's desert view won't hurt, either.
Every year the U.S. Census Bureau compiles data to show where people are moving to and away from understanding the latest nationwide trends. In 2020, the Bureau found that St. George, Utah, was the country's fifth fastest-growing metro region.
From 2010 to 2019, the metro region expanded by 29 percent, growing from 138,115 to 177,556 recorded residents.
This isn't the first time the city has been lauded for its explosive expansion. Between 2016 and 2017, St. George, Utah, was the country's fastest-growing metro region when its population climbed by 4% in a single year.
If you are interested in discovering what St. George has in store for your family, this growing city is a great choice. Our custom home builder has the tools, techniques, and one-on-one customization process you need to build your dream home.
Let our St. George builders guide you through every step of the home-building process, from lot selection to design and construction, to guarantee that every square foot looks how you envision.
Working with our team will ensure a beautiful, finished product and a memorable home construction experience. Together, we will handpick every aspect of your new home, assembling the puzzle pieces to create an environment that is uniquely yours.
See the services we offer at Dennis Miller Homes.
If you are ready to build a home in your dream neighborhood, let the custom home builders at Dennis Miller Homes take care of the home building process. Our team has over 35 years of experience building homes in southern Utah, including St. George, Washington City, Santa Clara, and more.
Call us old-fashioned, but we still believe in the core values of any successful business: honesty, communication, and genuine care. We take the stress and anxiety out of house construction by maintaining the integrity of a family name for over 35 years. Dennis Miller Homes, the #1 custom house builder in St. George, is committed to you and your home every step of the way!
Allow us to put our experience and knowledge to the test as we design and build your dream custom home in the best location—St. George, Utah! Every customer has unique needs, and we have the experience and skills to meet yours.
The St. George real estate market is booming with no signs of slowing down any time soon, thanks to historically low mortgage rates, a strong economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased remote work opportunities.
As of July 2021, the Utah housing market is the top housing market in the nation. With rising numbers throughout the state's job sector, low unemployment, low mortgage rates, few mortgage delinquencies, and low state and local taxes, it is no surprise why many now call Utah 'home'.
The job landscape in Utah is also one of the best in the country. Over the last decade, the state has held the top spot for the fastest-growing job market in the country. While the employment sector surged, it brought new residents with it.
During that same time period, Utah's population increased by 18.4%, making it the fastest-growing state in the US. One look at southern Utah's beautiful desert landscape, natural amenities, and growing infrastructure, and you will quickly understand why so many people are making a move.
As many families choose southern Utah to lay down their roots, Dennis Miller Homes, a leading home builder in southern Utah, is here to not only find you a house but a place that you can call home.
Our team offers a custom home-building process that ensures you build a home with all of the functions and features you need to know that you made the right choice. To help you get a jump start on building your dream home, we compiled a list of five must-haves that every southern Utah home needs. Here is what you should know:
We all know the saying, "Location, location, location." But how does that apply to you? Location will determine not only where you live, but how you live, from your kid's new school to commute to nearby amenities and more.
As a southern Utah custom home builder, we know a thing or two about how a location can affect your home-building experience. We believe that choosing the right place to build is just as important as what you choose to build. Many homebuyers who work with a custom builder already have a site where they plan to build their new place. However, other buyers would prefer an expert to guide them through the site selection process.
Whichever category you fall into, Dennis Miller Homes can help. We can partner with you wherever you are in the home-building process.
If you haven't found a home lot for sale in St. George yet, here are a few things to consider when selecting the best location to build your new home in St. George, Utah.
No matter where you build, your home needs a solid foundation. Look for properties with sturdy soil that you won't need to spend a fortune to make structurally sound.
It might be as simple as pulling up the site's address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website to find out about topography and other crucial information at FEMA.gov. You can also send a sample of the soil to an expert for a soil test or ask the seller to provide the information.
Another consideration you will need to make when selecting a site to build your home is installing utilities, plumbing, electrical wiring, and other crucial home systems. If you are looking at land for sale in Hurricane or other locations throughout southern Utah, you might want to consider the location of a septic tank. If you need to install a septic tank, the property must pass a perc test (or perk, short for "percolation") to ensure that the soil is suitable.
How you plan to orient your home also matters. As you explore different properties, imagine how you will design your home to capture the best views. Familiarize yourself with the entire property before making your final agreement to purchase. Many new home buyers don't take enough time to tour the entire property before buying. Don't make this mistake. Instead, do the work ahead of time to ensure that you buy a piece of land that you love and where you can capture southern Utah's amazing vistas and red rock views.
Along with touring the property and knowing the land, you should consider how the neighborhood will look five or ten years later. St George is growing rapidly, and many locations don't look like they did a year ago. You may love a rural property today without realizing that a developer is building a new commercial complex down the road. While you can't know exactly what will happen in the future, if you get as much city planning information upfront, you can create a custom home that will still be your dream home in 15 years.
It is no surprise that where you choose to build will impact your kids. Costs of homes aside—do everything you can to make that impact positive by looking for properties in locations that boast a family-friendly environment. Consider school zones, parks, hiking and biking trails, libraries, and other important environments. You can spend your time looking online for information about the area or walk the neighborhood, asking people for insider information, like religious communities, number of kids in the area, school districts, sports, and more. This first-hand information will provide great insights into how people live in that area and whether it would be a good choice for your family.
Along with talking to people within the community, ask your custom home builder where people want to live in southern Utah. Our team has years of experience building homes in various areas throughout St. George. From Bloomington Hills to Washington City, we know who is moving and whether you would be a good fit. Together, we can find a site that would be the perfect spot to build your custom home.
Home-building isn't about keeping up with the Joneses anymore. Now, buyers want to create spaces where their families can thrive. Leave behind the extravagance of the 1990s and early 2000s. Instead, design a home with enough space to be comfortable, rather than enormous, extravagant rooms that you will leave empty.
To implement functionality into your custom home-building process, design a practical home that matches your lifestyle. Your home should work for your family, not against it. Consider what everyone in your family needs on a day-to-day basis. How many family members will be living in your new home? Do they work, go to school, or have extracurricular activities or hobbies? How many bedrooms will you need? Bathrooms? Does your family spend much time in the kitchen, watching television together, or outside?
Assessing all of your basic needs first will ensure you build to scale rather than building a home that has too much space for your family to use. However, it is important to include a few 'dream' items where possible. What are the key features that you always wished you had in your home? A butler's pantry? Five-car garage? Theater room?
Once you design a home based on your basic needs, then you should incorporate these big-ticket items. Plus, you will know upfront which features will fit your budget or if you should focus on the areas your family needs to function. If you have to leave some of the fun features off your dream home blueprint, talk with our custom home builders. We have a knack for finding a way of making it work, whether that is opting for a big flat-screen television instead of a dedicated home theater or scaling down to four bedrooms instead of five.
Our St. George custom home builders are committed to providing our clients with full transparency throughout design and construction. We also care about helping you stay on budget, so we bid our projects "long-hand." To help you navigate your budget, we will present you with several options in your price range. Then, you will know whether the choice you are making is within your budget or if you will splurge to get the exact home feature you want.
Whichever option you choose, we will offer our honest advice, letting you know which is best for your budget and lifestyle. It is your home. Let us give you the tools you need to design a home that makes your life easier, and more comfortable, and has everything you want and more.
Southern Utah is known for its unique weather patterns and desert climate. You don't want to build a home that removes you entirely from the beautiful outdoors. Instead, find a way to make the outdoors part of your indoor living space.
There are a few different design tricks that you can implement to accomplish indoor/outdoor living—for example, large pocket doors. These massive doors sneakily slide into the wall, eliminating the wall standing between you and your backyard. It takes open-concept living to the next level. Once you want to make your home itself again, simply pull the pocket doors back to their original position.
Another option for maximizing indoor-outdoor living is installing large windows throughout your home. These windows will allow expansive views of the outdoors and let in floods of natural light. Windows also reduces your need for artificial lighting and makes the room appear bigger. It is a win-win for everyone living in your home.
Plus, your indoor house plants will thrive in a sunny environment, improving your indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
As you build your new custom home, you should also implement a few flexible spaces into your new design. Today's homeowners prefer spaces that function in multiple ways rather than dedicated rooms that only work for one use.
On the other hand, flexible spaces give you the room you need to transform the space depending on your family's current and future needs. For example, a space that you can use as a guest room, a home office, a playroom, or a craft area. These flexible spaces work well in the current remote work environment. As you work from home, you can convert your extra room into a home office during the day, a gym in the morning, and a playroom at night. And as a bonus, your home office can potentially provide extra tax credits, depending on your situation.
Whatever you need, a custom home design will ensure you have the space you need to build a home where your family can grow and thrive.
One of the main features St. George homebuyers look for in a new home is a mother-in-law apartment or casita. Casitas or mother-in-law apartments, also known as guest houses, are separate dwelling units (ADUs) from the main house. These separate living areas work well in southern Utah because it is a prime vacation spot for many northern Utah residents. Such a feature can be useful if you have an older parent who comes to live with you, an adult child who needs to move back home, or simply if you want to provide comfort and privacy to out-of-town visitors.
In the meantime, you can also use this dwelling as a separate home office, studio, or pool house. Another option that many St. George homeowners with casitas enjoy is listing the guest house on Airbnb to earn extra income during peak vacation seasons.
While this feature isn't always a top priority for many new homebuyers, it quickly becomes a favorite once they understand its versatility. If you want to include an ADU in your custom home design, speak with our southern Utah home builder. We will provide you with valuable insights, including how much it costs to build a casita.
Together, we can make the best choice for your new St. George home.
Whatever feature you choose to include in your home, partner with Southern Utah custom home builder Dennis Miller Homes. We take the stress and anxiety out of house construction by maintaining the integrity of a family name for over 35 years. Call us old-fashioned, but we still believe in the core values of every successful business: honesty, openness, and real concern. As one of the top custom house builders in St. George, we commit to you and your home every step of the way!
Allow us to put our experience and knowledge to the test as we design and build a custom home in a prime location that matches your lifestyle, maximizes indoor-outdoor living, has flexible space, and has a separate guest house. However, we understand that while these features are key for many southern Utah buyers, every customer has unique requirements. No matter your needs, we are prepared to satisfy them by customizing a home just for you.
Schedule a free consultation today to get started building your new custom home.
Buyers looking for a new home often ask, "How much does it cost to build a custom home?" The cost to build a custom home depends on a range of variables, including the specified location, size of the home, and more. Although many people confuse custom homes with multi-million dollar McMansions, building a custom home means choosing your price.
HomeAdvisor estimates that a custom home can cost anywhere between $350,000 to over $1 million. At Dennis Miller Homes, we tell our clients there is no firm price on building a custom home in St. George, Utah. Instead, our custom home building process allows you to customize your home and budget.
Because you decide which style, features, and amenities you want in your home design the total cost of those will depend upon your selections.
When you work with us, our home builder in St. George, Utah will work with you to set a comfortable budget, whether $400,000 or $2 million.
Our team will present you with a proposal at the beginning of the building process that includes a long-hand bid. This bid will have several different allowances to give you an idea of how much money you will pay depending on your home design.
For example, the long-hand bid often includes an appliance allowance. If you don't use your kitchen as often as other areas of your home, you might decide to install appliances that aren't as high-grade as we included in the bid. On the other hand, buyers who enjoy cooking might want to upgrade their kitchen appliances.
Based on your decision, you can update your budget to reflect how much money you spent on that allowance. Then, you can decide to allocate money from a different allowance or adjust your final budget.
No matter which option you choose, our team will be by your side to regularly update you on where your money is going. We want you to stay informed throughout the process to make design choices to help you reach your end goal.
Unlike quick builds, prefabs, or used homes in St. George, custom homes are original designs informed by our clients.
Dennis Miller Homes's custom home-building services will help you build a home that reflects your lifestyle and budget. Working with our St. George custom home builder, you will be guided through every step of the design and construction process.
You will select everything about your new home, from the location to the floor plan to the finishing touches by collaborating with our design + build team. Before you begin the custom home building process, to ensure you understand the cost of building your St. George custom home, our team has outlined a few variables that may affect the final price.
Let's discuss.
The current real estate market can dramatically affect the cost of your new home. If homes are selling at a higher price, you can expect to pay more to build a custom home. If the market is low, you might pay steady or, even, discounted prices.
Other market factors that come into play when building a custom home are lumber or other material costs. The laws of supply and demand means that prices sometimes fluctuate.
It is up to you to decide when it’s the right time to build a custom home.Some homebuyers have a flexible timeline while others must begin the building process immediately. Our team will work hard to meet your timelines and ensure you get the best price for your custom home. We are on your side.
Custom homes come with a custom price tag. No matter the current standing of the Utah real estate market, there are always benefits to building a custom home, including:
Although the estimate for construction in the United States is $150 per square foot, that cost fluctuates depending on where you build. For instance, the construction costs for building a custom home in St. George, Utah, are vastly different than they are in Los Angeles, California, or even Salt Lake City, Utah.
The price discrepancy is due to changes of the price of materials, building permits, labor, and other fees by location. No matter where you build, there is always a potential for unforeseen costs. For example, rocky surfaces require special machinery to remove, which may affect your budget.
Our team will analyze potential build sites to provide you with an estimate and alert you to any factors that may increase your costs.
Another location factor that impacts price is the project scope. The size of your custom home will directly impact the cost to build it. Generally speaking, increasing the size of your home or the amount of work that it will take to build your home will increase the total project cost.
If you choose to build your custom home on a lot with sloping, you will pay more for grading, foundation work, and retaining walls. If you select a large lot, you may spend more money on landscaping. Other factors may include adjustments for water table levels, reclamation needs, and tree removal.
When you choose the right custom home builder, you can collaborate and agree on a project scope that fits your budget.
How much design work your custom home requires will affect the final cost of your project. For example, if you need a fully customized home plan drawn up by our team, it will cost you more than if you were to alter a replicated design. At Dennis Miller Homes, we offer it all.
Our three-tier design model ensures that you have the home-building services you need to fit your budget.
The major advantage of building a custom home is customizing your design. As discussed earlier, your specifications determine the cost of your new home. You will spend more money on larger homes with luxury finishes than mid-grade finishes in a mid-size home. The cost is up to you.
Installing optional features in your custom home will also drive up the cost. One feature that many St. George homeowners love to install in their custom home is an outdoor pool.
While swimming pools are fantastic in a hot location like southern Utah, installing a pool will cost you more money. The variations on swimming pools range from custom designed pools vs. prefabricated liners, hot tubs, fountains, stone and concrete work, slides, or diving boards.
Our design + build construction team can estimate the cost of your planned outdoor swimming pool in the original bid for your custom home. Together, we can determine how to design a custom home that includes all of your wishes for the right price.
Along with the typical construction costs, there are a few more factors that will affect the final cost of living in your custom home. Some overlooked items are landscaping, fencing, and furnishings.
In addition, a custom home requires having some maintenance items on hand. For many first-time homebuyers, these can be a surprise. Ladders, garden hoses, lawnmowers, and other tools for your home’s daily maintenance and upkeep come with a price tag.
Once you’ve built your beautiful new dream home, you’ll want to decorate it with furnishings that compliment the space and match the finishing touches in your home. Furniture and other home decor can be an added expense.
Landscaping around your custom home may also cost more money than you might expect. Many buyers have an idea of what the exterior of their home will look like but forget to budget for a sprinkler system, sod, plants, trees, and bushes, and outdoor furniture.
Our Dennis Miller Homes design team can work with you to create an allowance for every aspect of your new home, including interior design and landscaping.
Although building a custom home doesn't include a straightforward price tag, working with the right builder will allow you to comfortably stay within your predetermined budget. Let Dennis Miller Homes be your constant throughout the custom home building process.
At Dennis Miller Homes we offer complete cost clarity to our clients. In the beginning stages of building your custom home, we will draft a long-hand bid that includes approximate project costs.
Then, you can shop around using the allowances that we decided on together. We will provide complete transparency, so you know where every penny is going towards your new custom home's cost.
Trust our home builders to ensure your dream home fits your budget.
Build your dream home in St. George, Utah, by contacting Dennis Miller Homes today.
Building a dream home takes a lot of work. Building one in St. George, Utah, requires the expert hands of a custom home builder. Right now, southern Utah is one of the leading places to build a new home.
The current housing market is expanding at an alarming rate, with buyers coming to St. George from all over the country. If you are looking into what is available, now is a great time to make your dreams come true with a custom home builder.
Custom homes are exactly what the name implies— custom. Custom home builders bring your dream home to life. Unlike tract or spec builders, who only have the capacity to allow a few personalized touches in a home's design, custom builders have the experience and options available to fulfill your every wish.
Everything from the location of your new home to the type of floor plan you use is up to you. Your southern Utah builder will work closely with you to take the vision you have in your head and translate it into a real-life masterpiece.
You can partner with a builder at any time during the beginning stages of the process before selecting a lot or after you hired an architect or designer. Then, once you purchase a lot, your builder and designer can work together to design plans that fit the lot and achieve your project goals.
While choosing the right custom home builder is an important step in the home building process, it can also feel like a daunting one. The experienced team at Dennis Miller Homes put together a guide to ensure that whichever decision you make is the right one.
Follow these steps to choose your St. George custom home builder confidently.
The first step to finding a home builder is by creating a list of potential builders. You can start your search by...
Once you have a list of prospective home builders, you can start narrowing down your options by reading client testimonials and reviews posted online. Reviews can give you a clearer understanding of how a home builder operates.
As you read, assess every review, whether it is good or bad. You can also contact any reviewers who left their information. Ask them about their experience and whether they would use the builder again.
Working off of your previous list, begin to reach out to custom home builders. You can start by submitting forms on the builder's website, contact page or placing a phone call directly.
In your first initial conversation, test the waters. Begin to understand how the builder communicates with their clients. Do they seem friendly? Do they have experience constructing the type of home you envision building?
It would help if you also asked about their current availability. Do they have a schedule opening that fits your timeline? How long does their typical home-building process take? If your timelines don't align, ask them for outside references that might. Or, if the builder seems to fit your criteria, arrange a time to meet face-to-face. We recommend meeting with two or three builders before settling on your top choice.
The first meeting with your future custom home builder in St. George is crucial. It will set the tone for your entire experience. Since the custom home building is a more intimate process, it will require extensive collaboration between you and your builder. You need to assess your compatibility with each candidate to determine which option is your best choice.
Remember— you can never ask a home builder too many questions. Communicate what you need and ask them for thorough answers. Get as many specifics as possible. Never hesitate to ask for further clarification. What seems insignificant might end up being an important detail to inform your final decision.
You can also ask prospective builders about their experience, whether by looking at their luxury home project gallery or visiting their recently built homes in person. As you look at previous builds, look at the quality of the work. Inspect the trim, carpeting, architectural features, and more.
Then, ask the builder for additional references and contact information. These references will provide honest insights to help you make your final choice.
In our How to Choose a Custom Home Builder blog post, we highlighted a few other questions you can ask previous clients when you contact them, including:
The most successful course for a St. George buyer building a custom home is to choose the builder you will be working with and work closely with them to acquire a lot and create a design to build their dream home. Luckily, after following all these steps, your final choice should have the experience, references, and compatibility you need to move forward with confidence.
Dennis Miller Homes is a premier home builder in St. George, Utah, with over 35 years of experience. We offer buyers the red carpet experience, from architectural design to the final walk-through. Our team is committed to quality work and an exceptional home-building process. Together, we can create a southern Utah home that is functional, affordable, and luxurious.
As a family-owned and business, we care about our clients. We are passionate and dedicated to creating amazing experiences. When you move in, you can expect to be excited about your home yet sad that the home-building experience is over.
Choose Dennis Miller Homes to ensure that you and your custom home matter. Trust us to deliver home-building services designed to meet your needs. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
