Investing in energy-efficient homes is a no-brainer. Not only are energy-efficient homes more comfortable and durable, but they'll also help you save energy and money. Homes built with energy efficiency in mind also help reduce your environmental impact by lessening emissions of greenhouse gases and conserving water usage. Energy-efficient homes, also known as green homes, are quickly becoming a standard for many homeowners.
If you're interested in energy-efficient homes in Utah, you'll want to find a reputable green home builder to ensure the job is done correctly. Not only is Dennis Miller, an excellent home builder, but we're the leading green home builders in Southern Utah.
Let's discuss the benefits of energy-efficient homes and how Dennis Miller Homes can build the energy-efficient home you've always wanted.
While we've introduced a few benefits of energy-efficient homes, let's cover more of what they entail and what they can do for you.
Working with energy-efficient home builders to design your next house means you'll have a home requiring fewer utilities to heat, cool, and light. As you can imagine, this means you'll benefit from cheaper utility bills.
Using less power and gas to make your home comfortable reduces its environmental impact. In addition, green homes use recycled and environmentally-friendly products when possible, contributing to an overall reduced environmental impact.
Drafty homes can be an uncomfortable way to rack up an expensive energy bill. Energy-efficient homes deliver improved insulation, ventilation, and smart thermostats that help control temperatures, making your home more comfortable and cost-effective.
When you build with green home builders like Dennis Miller Homes, you can incorporate as many energy-efficient features as possible. Here are some common and optional eco-friendly features we provide for our clients.
High-Quality Insulation Insulation is one of the most critical elements in a home. Not only does it keep your house warm, but it also helps to keep out the excessive heat we're known for in Southern Utah. We use only the highest-quality insulation to ensure your home is as efficient as possible. You'll also have the option of insulating specific parts of your home to increase energy efficiency and improve sound control.
The hot summers and cold winters in St. George require efficient heating, ventilating, and cooling solutions that run efficiently and don't drain your paycheck. Each home is designed to maximize utilities with energy-efficient HVAC systems and smart thermostats that give you the ultimate control over the temperature in your home.
Refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, ceiling fans, and lighting have evolved into efficient machines that can save you hundreds on utility bills annually. When you build a home with Dennis Miller Homes, you can choose the specific appliances you want. Look for appliances with an Energy Star tag, and aim for LED lighting that can last for years without changing a bulb.
Renewable energy options like solar panels are always available when building energy-efficient homes in Utah with Dennis Miller Homes. Solar panels can help you save money on your monthly electricity bills and allow you to generate electricity if the power goes out.
What's the benefit of building a custom energy-efficient home with Dennis Miller Homes? We allow you to customize everything about your home, including the energy-efficient features you'd like. We'll help you tailor your home's features to fit your individual preferences, allowing you to save as much money and be as comfortable as you'd like.
If you're not aiming for a completely customized home but would still like to build with us, we'll help you select the most energy-efficient home plans and features that suit your lifestyle and budget.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we recognize our responsibility to build energy-efficient homes. As the leading green home builders in Southern Utah, we remain committed to giving our customers the best building experience and providing them with a new home they'll love for years–one that's energy-efficient, comfortable, and beautiful.
Trusting Dennis Miller Homes to be your energy-efficient custom home builder in Southern Utah will benefit you in many ways. And when it's all said and done, you'll receive a green-home dream home to enjoy for years and years.
We take pride in providing you with a red-carpet experience from beginning to end, and we apply the same process no matter what type of home you build with us. To build a new energy-efficient home in Southern Utah, contact us today.
If you are ready to design a new custom home but feel overwhelmed by the almost limitless ideas for building a house, take a deep breath and start with the basics. Consider making a list of your new home must-haves, and try not to get immediately sucked into tiny details and all the personalized home finishes. Instead, think about your new custom home as a whole and visualize your space's big picture and overall look and feel. Focusing on the following eight essential custom home features will help when building a new house near St. George, UT, and provide new home construction ideas.
Designing a custom home is a significant investment and often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so it is crucial to incorporate custom home features and enhance functionality and personalization when creating a unique home. Custom home planning pays off in the long run, particularly in Southern Utah, where you can incorporate striking natural scenery and beautiful weather for much of the year into your everyday living space. Whether you are looking for cool house features or new house must-haves, here are eight essential features to consider as you build your custom home.
Energy efficiency is one of the top modern home-building trends that will only grow in popularity as we look to preserve our earth and mitigate our environmental impact. When compiling your ideas for new home construction, energy-efficiency products, appliances, and systems should be considered. Energy-efficient design incorporates sustainable, eco-friendly building materials and energy-efficient construction techniques. Some of the most popular sustainable features for custom homes also save you money in the long run by reducing energy costs and lasting longer. They include:
Open floor plans continue to be one of the most popular choices for customized living spaces and allow you to create a beautiful area that is both inviting and multi-functional.
Of all the trending custom home design ideas, open layouts or floor plans are very popular for various reasons. They allow for more natural light, making your home feel more extensive and inviting. This feeling is enhanced when you have vaulted ceilings. Open floor plans of luxury custom homes also create a seamless flow between different living areas, which allows for better traffic flow, better space for entertaining, and increased interaction with other family members.
The best part about personalized home design is that you can customize anything, ensuring your "must haves for home" wants list is integrated into your new home's design including your custom floor plan, making it work perfectly for you. Everyone's needs, desires, and hobbies are different, and you can have functional home elements with rooms that suit your needs, whether it is a home office, a cozy library, or an indoor rock climbing wall. With Dennis Miller Homes you are not constrained by pre-made floor plans and cookie-cutter designs, instead, we can create a custom home that is truly unique and made just for you.
Integrating smart devices and automation systems into your home is another popular trend for new home design. Smart home technology can control lighting, security, temperature, entertainment systems, garage doors, and more, all from your phone or designated device, enhancing your home's convenience, comfort, and energy efficiency. Smart devices also allow you to control remotely, so when you are away from home, you can check to ensure you turned off the lights and lowered the temperature on your AC before leaving. Innovative home technology is a customizable feature that makes life easier and more enjoyable.
If your must-have home features an open concept, you do not have to sacrifice storage. Your custom home builder can design closets, cabinets, and shelving to maximize storage space and tailor custom storage solutions to your needs and preferences. Whether it is sports equipment, garage organization, cold storage, or closet space, you can find classy and innovative ways to organize and store your life. Your home builder can help with ideas to incorporate built-in features and organizers throughout your home.
Outdoor living space is a must-have for new custom homes in Southern Utah. It is a fantastic way to increase your living space and enjoy the surrounding views and mild climate. Design functional and inviting outdoor areas that create a place for relaxation, entertainment, and recreation. Unique to custom homes include incorporating features like patios, decks, pools, and landscaping. Your ideas for home building extend to your lot and incorporate outdoor living and landscaping.
One of the most exciting things to consider when building a house of your dreams is customizing your kitchen and bathrooms. You can create an exquisite entertaining and cooking area by selecting high-quality fixtures and appliances and customizing layouts to optimize functionality and style. Bathrooms can have a relaxing spa feel by incorporating modern design trends and materials.
Installing robust security systems and surveillance cameras and implementing smart locks, alarms, and access control is an extension of smart home technology that can make your designed custom home safe and secure. Prioritize safety and peace of mind for your custom home by including advanced security systems in your new house's design.
Most house-building ideas focus on finishes and details because this is the most visual aspect of your home. With quality custom homes, you can customize architectural elements and design features like archways, double doors, stairways, and more. You also have a first-hand say in choosing unique finishes, materials, and colors, incorporating your personal touches to reflect your style and personality.
To make the most when building your dream home, remember to explore and incorporate these eight essential features:
Consider these features during the planning process, and communicate with your builder your priorities and vision for your build. Doing so will produce lasting benefits and the satisfaction of a well-designed and personalized home. Get started planning your custom home in St. George, Ivins, or Hurricane today with Dennis Miller Homes, one of the top home builders in St. George, Utah, and the surrounding areas. Contact Dennis Miller Homes to learn more.
Dennis Miller Homes, the best home builder in St. George, Utah, is teaming up with St. George's most talented interior designers to offer exceptional design services for our clients. Throughout the years, we have remained committed to providing homes that reflect each customer's lifestyle. Whether your goal is to build the ultimate luxury home of your dreams or just a cozy place to call your own, we believe each home should be beautiful, unique, and reflect the homeowner's style. Offering our clients interior design services through our comprehensive homebuilding process is the best way to achieve this goal.
Everyone deserves a home that perfectly fits their lifestyle, which doesn’t end with four walls and a roof. When you build a luxury custom home with us, interior design is included so you can customize the living spaces to be exactly what you want.
Just a few of the benefits of working with Dennis Miller Homes include:
From floorplan down to minor details like hardware, our interior designers can guide you through creating a home designed based on your personality. We take the time to get to know your likes, dislikes, preferences, and more. Has your dream always been to have a beautiful, sunny kitchen with a large island perfect for entertaining? Or perhaps you've always wanted an indoor area that easily transitions to an outdoor living room by the pool. No matter what you want, let the team at Dennis Miller Homes design and build it for you.
Our St. George interior design team takes pride in craftsmanship that goes above and beyond the other guys. We pay attention to details and only hire subcontractors who put quality first. We believe in transparency and integrity through every step of the process, and the result is a house that you'll love to call home for many years. Building a home with quality craftsmanship is the Dennis Miller Homes advantage.
When you create a new home with Dennis Miller Homes, you aren't limited to the products in a builder's showroom. Our customization options are nearly endless, and we go above and beyond to ensure you get just the right finishes you love for your home. If you can dream it, our St. George home designers can make it happen.
We believe that a home doesn't start with a floorplan; it first begins with the people who will live inside. Throughout our interior design process, we take the time to create a space that is the perfect combination of personal needs, proven design principles, and respect for the home’s surrounding Utah environment.
The first step in any Dennis Miller Homes project is a consultation. This is where we get to know you and your vision for the home. We'll take time to get to know you personally, including learning more about your hopes and dreams for the space.
After the consultation, we get to work creating a home design that you'll love. Your project will be planned down to the smallest detail, including new home decorations such as interior and exterior materials and finishes, lighting designs, custom cabinetry plans, mechanical systems, space planning, and more. We'll go over every detail, from flooring installation, wallpaper installation, and even custom furniture. Throughout this stage, you'll have chances to meet with us and review plans several times.
The consultation and design development stages eventually lead to the final project review and execution stage, where you'll see precisely how your home will look. You'll be able to review and approve every detail while making any additional last-minute changes, if necessary. After approval begins the exciting part–building your dream home.
One look through our gallery and you'll see plenty of new home decoration and design ideas created by our talented team. We love this modern, sleek, and minimal kitchen that perfectly overlooks the beauty of St. George's red rocks. The contrasting wood tones and statement lighting in this contemporary kitchen are some of our favorites. This light and airy master bedroom, with oversized windows, is incredibly dreamy. No matter the home you want to build, Dennis Miller Homes are the St. George home builders you can trust to build it right.
When it comes to residential construction projects, there are many different contractors and professionals involved, from architects to engineers to general contractors. However, there is a type of contractor that can simplify the process for you: design-build contractors.
Design build construction, also referred to as design & build, is a different, more streamlined approach to residential construction projects. Design build projects bring the architectural designer and the general contractor together as a team from the start, and they work as a team for the duration of the project's design and construction phases. The design build process creates better communication throughout the project, leading to turnkey project delivery, cost-saving decisions, and faster completion of construction. Design build construction is fast becoming the preferred method for homebuilders in Southern Utah because it allows us to build a robust and communicative relationship with our clients and saves both parties time and money.
When you work with a residential design build firm to build your home, you work with a team of designers, architects, and a general contractor to make your dreams a reality. From the beginning, the designer, architects, and general contractor work together to understand your vision and point out challenges, cost-saving measures, and more feasible alternatives to ensure that your home plans are the best they can be.
The design build process also produces one contract and a single point of responsibility. Homeowners work with one team throughout the design and building process, creating a more collaborative and transparent process that benefits all parties.
In the past, design-bid-build has been the construction delivery standard. In this model, you work with a design team to create plans for a home. After your plans have been designed and completed, you put your project out for a bid and decide on a general contractor to construct them. You hire a contractor based on their proposal. Your contractor was not involved before submitting their bid, and they did not participate in the planning and thus have little say on any changes, even if they would be improvements or save money and time.
Building your dream home can be a stressful experience and can be exacerbated when you need to work with a separate design team and general contractor. Design build construction ensures that you work with one team throughout your entire home-building process, and you don't sacrifice or lose your priorities and needs. You need only be concerned about one contract and a single point of contact throughout your experience - your design build team.
Our residential design build team works together to ensure planning and building meet your goals, whether architecture, energy efficiency, building materials, or home automation. Regardless of your dreams, the design-build delivery method saves money, time, and headache.
Home design build projects establish a total budget based on your initial budget. Setting the budget upfront lets each party know the maximum amount to spend and removes last-minute or added surprises and cost estimating. The initial project may seem more expensive upfront, but there is more flexibility throughout the project for cost-saving methods and decisions. Research shows that design-build projects are better able to stay within budget than the traditional design-bid-build.
Because you eliminate the bidding process and the creation and management of multiple contracts, design build homes are finished faster than their traditional counterparts without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship. Additionally, when the design team and contractor work together, the design and building process is smoother, project scheduling is simplified, and construction can begin sooner.
Design build firms have fantastic client reviews and successful projects because everyone is on the same team working for the same project goal. Design build projects are more conducive to communication, collaboration, and teamwork, which improves the overall project experience and leads to less risk and fewer mistakes. For clients, having a single point of contact for the entire project is helpful and reassuring. It allows clients and contractors to create a relationship of trust and increased accountability.
Finding a design build contractor with an experienced and collaborative team that is organized, prepared, and ready to answer your questions and begin your project is crucial. Successful design build firms are good communicators and listen and clearly explain methods and procedures. When you choose a design-build contractor, make sure there is potential for a strong working relationship.
Take the time to look through the design build company's portfolio, including photos and descriptions. If possible, tour their recent builds or visit their showroom. Take the time to read reviews and feedback from other clients. If they were referred to you by a friend, ask specific questions about their likes and dislikes about their experience, and seek out opinions and recommendations from others you trust.
As you build the home of your dreams, you will want to get quotes from a few different contractors. Each quote should generally break down as follows:
When you compare quotes, make sure that each section includes all costs. Remember that if you compare design-build quotes to design-bid-build quotes, the latter may have many hidden costs and a longer timeline.
Design build homes can help your dreams become a reality. You are not confined to a design-bidding process that may force you to cut elements that are important to you. Instead, your design build team works with you from the outset to incorporate what you want into your dream home.
In this unique, custom build, the homeowners wanted to incorporate a climbing wall in their main living area. This rock wall became a focus for the home's design and blended into other design elements inside and outside. The design build process allowed homeowners to integrate their dreams of a rock wall, swimming pool, and open concept without sacrificing style or functionality.
This custom build focused on the lot's beautiful views and surrounding scenery. The design build process meant that the homeowners worked closely with the designers and contractors to ensure that windows and view lines were not compromised during the design and construction process and a sustainable design was created.
This home design-build project allowed homeowners to request and receive quality interior design and exterior finishes without sacrificing their budget. Superior home design construction is internal and external, and the design build team incorporated stunning landscape design.
For homeowners looking to build a new home, you can save time, money, and hassle when you choose design-build for your next home construction project. Choose a design build company you can trust. For over 35 years, Dennis Miller Homes have placed honesty, communication, and genuine care into their outstanding design-build construction company in Southern Utah. Dennis Miller Homes are one of the best design build companies in Southern Utah. Offering custom home plans and an exceptional home-building experience in St. George, UT, Ivins, UT, and Hurricane, UT. Contact us today to learn more about our design-build services.
Design build contractors offer many benefits for clients looking for a one-stop solution for their construction projects. From streamlined communication to cost savings and improved quality control, design build contractors can simplify the construction process and deliver a high-quality end product.
Has Southern Utah stolen your heart? Or are you a long-time resident looking to build your dream home finally? This part of the state is truly a magical place to call home. That’s why it’s only fitting to have a home that matches the beauty and awe of Southern Utah’s natural surroundings.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we design and build custom homes across Southern Utah and know the towns that make up our corner of the state very well. If you’re still deciding where to build your custom Utah home, we can help! Below, we introduce five of the communities we build in most frequently, to help you decide which may be right for you.
St. George is the county seat of Washington County and the largest city in Southern Utah. At just over 90,000 residents, it’s a city that offers plenty of amenities while maintaining a smaller, local vibe. Close to Zion National Park, several state parks, and just 118 miles northeast of Las Vegas, St. George is a city that offers plenty to do on weekends. Traditionally, many northern Utahns escape to St. George in the winter months, but the city has recently seen rapid growth in the number of full-time residents moving from both in and out of state.
If you’re looking to build a custom home in Southern Utah, it’s hard to beat St. George as the ideal location. With new housing developments popping up in every direction — including St. George golf communities and St. George gated communities — it’s easy to find the type of neighborhood you’re looking for.
Cedar City is just north of St. George on Interstate 15 and is the largest city in Iron County, Utah with just over 28,000 residents. While significantly smaller than St. George, Cedar City still has a lot to offer; it’s home to Southern Utah University and the Utah Shakespeare Festival and is close to state parks, national forests, and the Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Cedar City's small-town size is ideal for those wanting a slower pace of life. Whether you’re looking to retire or work from home, building a custom home in Cedar City can be a great way to put down roots in a community where it’s easier to get to know your neighbors. While Cedar City is relatively small, it hasn’t been immune to Utah’s rapid population growth; Cedar City grew by over 5% since the most recent census, and continues to be a location more Utahns are adding to their list when considering a move to Southern Utah.
18 miles northeast of St. George you’ll find Hurricane, Utah. Moments from multiple golf courses, trailheads, and Sand Hollow State Park — and the closest city on our list to Zion National Park — Hurricane is perfect for active homeowners who want to embrace all the recreation opportunities Southern Utah has to offer. Hurricane is a small town of just 20,000 residents, many of whom are part-time.
For those interested in building a custom home in Hurricane, the sky is the limit. Plenty of new housing developments are underway in this area of Southern Utah, including communities with amenities such as golf access, outdoor pools, walking trails, and more.
Washington is a true suburb community of St. George; it lies just five miles northeast of Interstate 15. Many people searching for new home developments in St. George continue their search in Washington, as the two communities are closely connected. With plenty of shops and restaurants, Washington offers convenient living that makes everyday life easy. Boasting a population of over 31,000 residents, Washington is the second-largest city on our list.
Building a home in Washington, Utah is an excellent investment, as this community continues to grow alongside St. George. With plenty of golf courses and new shopping developments, a custom home in Washington can be close to whatever matters most to you.
20 minutes northwest of St. George lies Ivins, Utah. Home to beautiful resorts, moments from Snow Canyon State Park, and home to the Tuacahan Center for the Arts, Ivins is a town that offers true resort-style living. Ivins is a great place for those interested in outdoor activities and cultural or art events. Ivins is also the city closest to Las Vegas, offering an even faster route for a quick weekend getaway. At 9,500 residents, Ivins is the smallest city on our list, making it easier to find a quiet lot.
Custom homes in Ivins are large, beautiful, and relatively common. If a larger and fully custom home is what you’re hoping for, Ivins can be a great setting for it.
Suppose Southern Utah is where you’d like to put down roots, hopefully, one or more of these locations resonated with you and your lifestyle. If you’re looking for more restaurants, shops, and neighbors, choose bustling St. George. Washington is perfect for you if you’re looking for proximity to St. George but want a bit more space. If quick access to outdoor recreation is your top priority, choose Ivins or Hurricane. And if you’d like to be just a bit further north and away from seasonal visitors, Cedar City could be the best option.
We are more than a construction company; we’re a partner in your home-building journey. Our team is proud to call Southern Utah home and we enjoy helping our clients do the same! Contact us early in your homebuilding journey; we can help you learn more about the housing communities and new housing developments in some of Southern Utah’s most popular cities, connect you with trusted real estate professionals and start designing your home with our in-house architects and designers. Learn more about our unique homebuilding process or connect with our team today.
We're a leading Southern Utah custom home builder for a reason; we believe that every client matters. No matter the size of the home or the budget, every client is equally important to us. We believe in constant, clear communication, exceptional building standards, and giving you the most home value for your money. Over the years, we've carried on the old-fashioned business values--integrity, honesty, and expert building. We're proud of our commitment to our values and our exceptional work. For more than 30 years, we've led the way for custom homes, and our goal is to turn your dreams into a reality. To get started building your home with one of the top home builders in St. George, contact Dennis Miller Homes today.
Get to know Dennis Miller Homes in our latest video. Meet the team, see a few of the spaces we’ve built, and get to know what drives our St. George home builders to continue building the best custom homes in Utah.
Your home isn't just a place to retreat to at night; it's an extension of your lifestyle. It's where you live, rest, connect, entertain, and much more. At Dennis Miller Homes, we believe your home should be a reflection of how you live life.
We firmly believe that our job as homebuilders is learning about you. When you choose a builder who cares about you, that’s when you can get something truly special. From large details such as the floorplan to even the smallest details, we spend the time to get to know you so we know how to plan your house.
Here is a little more about our design process and how we help you build the home of your dreams.
As we meet with you during the design phase, we focus on how you will be living in the home. We ask questions about your lifestyle, from your goals to how many children you have. How do you want to use this space, and how would you like the rooms laid out? What interactions will you have in the home? Will it be a vacation home or a primary residence? We ask plenty of questions so we know exactly what you want from your house. Functionality and efficiency are at the forefront of our design process, all while planning for the luxuries and incorporating a stunning design that will set your home apart from the rest.
Once we have finalized the design, we start the building process. As a premier home builder in St. George, Utah, we set only the highest expectations for ourselves. Someone is at the job site each day, checking on every detail and ensuring that the process meets our standards. We are fully involved in the building process from beginning to end, ensuring we get it right.
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 no matter where 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 touring 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 in the future. 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 end up leaving 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, have extracurricular activities or hobbies? How many bedrooms will you need? Bathrooms? Does your family spend a lot of 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 you can. 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, which is why 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, 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 to 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 reduce your need for artificial lighting and make 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, which will improve 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, gym in the morning, and 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 not only grow but 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 are interested in including 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, 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.
Right now, people are moving to St. George and surrounding areas at a rapid pace. The current real estate market is booming with many buyers and a low inventory of homes. Many buyers place bids on homes that aren’t quite what they had in mind but make plans to renovate. Others bid on their dream home, only to lose out to a more qualified buyer. Although the current housing market conditions can be frustrating, they can also motivate you to consider purchasing a lot and hiring a custom home builder to create the home that fits your lifestyle.
Building your dream home in St. George, Utah is an exciting prospect. Before building a custom home, you might curate inspiration boards, drive through neighborhoods to find potential lots, and daydream about open floor plans and beautiful interiors that cater to the lifestyle you want to live.
Working with a custom home builder not only ensures a beautiful end product but a memorable home building experience. You will handpick every detail of your new home, putting together the pieces of the puzzle that creates a space that is entirely your own.
Selecting the right custom home builder is an essential step in the home-building process. Custom home builders provide the tools, techniques, and experience that a home buyer needs to build their dream home. From lot selection to design to construction, custom home builders are involved in every phase of the home building process. To ensure that every square foot looks like you envision, you and your selected custom home builder must communicate effectively, share budget restrictions, and set realistic deadlines. An experienced custom home builder will be proactive and reactive to your needs throughout the home build.
To help you decide whether building a custom home is the right choice for you, Dennis Miller Homes curated the top benefits of working with our St. George home builders.
Unlike buying a pre-built home or working with other home builders that have little leeway in design styles, custom home builders offer total customization. Your options are endless and restricted only by your budget, your vision, building codes, and the lot’s parameters.
Your custom home builder in St. George will help you design a home down to the last nail. Do you like marble countertops or granite? Would you prefer a two-story home or a rambler? Will you build a casita on the side of your home for added square footage or keep everything connected in one space?
Together, you and your St. George home builder will choose the layout, exterior features, flooring, window treatments, lighting, and more. You can draw upon your builder’s experience in interior design and architecture to create a cohesive and pleasing layout that matches your aesthetic.
As Southern Utah's premier home builder for over 35 years, Dennis Miller Homes offers southern Utah homeowners a unique and personal experience with endless options and opportunities. Our team understands that the difference is in the details. It's our promise and commitment to deliver an exceptional custom home with an exceptional customer experience.
Since you have endless options when working with a custom home builder, you also get to choose where you build. You can select a lot from the curated list provided by your custom home builder, one you already own, or a lot that you find with your real estate agent.
Part of the Dennis Miller Homes process includes planning your land purchase and applying for required permits. Early on in the process, we will analyze your lot (or a future lot) and present you with the opportunities available.
As we go over your lot options, we will discuss your wants, needs, and dislikes as well as the square footage it will take for your family to live comfortably.
When you build a custom home, you are involved in all aspects of decision-making. Instead of buying a home with an old layout or a prefab home with a semi-custom design, a custom home gives you the control you need to maximize the functionality of your new space.
From open-concept living to individualized details, whichever home plan you design will focus on features that best fit your lifestyle and needs. It is your home-- why not be in charge of what you create?
As your St. George home builder, we will listen to your goals, hopes, and dreams while ensuring functionality. Do you need a large living room for entertaining but don't want to lose out in other areas? Let's design it. Our team will get creative to give you the dream home you want while ensuring the design works perfectly for you and your family. Whatever choices you make, Dennis Miller Homes will be on your side to make it happen.
Many people believe that building a custom home will drain their budget, which isn't necessarily true. Unlike other home types with fixed price tags, custom builds come with a custom budget. You decide what you spend your money on and how much is spent.
Fortunately, the home building market offers various products with a wide price range to select from. Communicate with your custom home builder to discuss where you want to spend your money and where you want to save. For example, you can minimize spending on lighting and window treatments to cover the costs of a luxury kitchen.
Dennis Miller Homes is committed to full transparency and doing our part to help you stay on budget. We bid your project "long-hand" so there are no surprises during construction. We help you navigate your budget by presenting you with several options in your price range and keep you in line when you choose to splurge to help you stay aware of how much you are spending.
When selecting a home builder, it's vital not only to find one that can capture your vision and execute it with exceptional craftsmanship but to provide the ultimate building experience. The home building process can be challenging, but having a builder that cares will go a long way. Choose a custom home builder that cares about building relationships.
Your custom home builder is there to help you create your dream home. If you feel that you are compromising on anything, work with your builder to get it right. Having open communication will ensure that every stage of the home building process goes flawlessly.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we keep our lines of communication open and honest. Doing so will build trust between our team and you. Together, we can create a rewarding home building experience.
Call us old-fashioned, but we still believe in the fundamental qualities of any good business: honesty, communication, and genuine care. Having maintained the integrity of a family name for more than 35 years, we take the stress and frustration out of the home building equation. As the leading St. George custom home builder, Dennis Miller Homes is dedicated to you and your home every step of the way!
Let us put our experience and knowledge to the test as we bring your dream home to life! Every client has different needs, and we are equipped and ready to meet yours by creating a home designed just for you.
Schedule a consultation to get started building your new home.
