Building a custom home in St. George, Utah, is an exciting opportunity to bring your dream home to life. However, choosing the right custom home builder is the most critical step in this journey. With the housing market booming and many home buyers looking to settle in Southern Utah, selecting a builder who aligns with your vision, budget, and expectations is essential.
This guide will help you navigate the process of selecting the perfect builder for your custom home in St. George. Follow these steps to ensure you make the best decision with confidence.
A custom home builder offers complete control over your home’s design, layout, and features, unlike production builders who offer limited customization. With a custom builder, you can:
Begin by creating a list of potential builders. Use these strategies to find the best options:
Once you have a list of potential builders, read client testimonials and reviews online. Reviews provide insight into a builder’s reputation and quality of work. If possible, contact past clients to ask about their experiences.
After compiling your list, narrow it down based on factors such as:
Your first meeting with a builder sets the tone for the entire process. Since custom home building requires close collaboration, you must feel comfortable working with your builder. During this meeting:
Since building a custom home is a significant investment, never hesitate to ask detailed questions. Some important questions to consider include:
If possible, contact previous clients and subcontractors to gain further insights into your builder’s reputation. Some key questions to ask include:
Custom homes come with flexible budgeting options. A good builder will help you allocate funds efficiently while maintaining transparency. Before signing a contract:
Your builder should not only be experienced but also be able to bring your unique vision to life. Look for:
Dennis Miller Homes is a trusted custom home builder in St. George, Utah, with over 35 years of experience. We specialize in creating fully customized, high-quality homes tailored to each client’s unique needs. Our process includes:
At Dennis Miller Homes, we believe in honesty, communication, and genuine care. When you move into your dream home, we want you to be thrilled with the final product yet sad that the home-building journey has ended.
Choosing the right custom home builder in St. George is essential to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable home-building experience. By following this guide, you’ll be equipped to select a custom home builder who aligns with your vision, communicates transparently, and delivers quality craftsmanship throughout the custom home building process.
If you’re ready to turn your dream into reality, Dennis Miller Homes is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward building the perfect home in Southern Utah for you and your family.
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.
When considering the importance of stairs in home design, they're more than just a function in the room. Not only do they have a purpose, but they can be one of the most prominent design elements in a space. These centralized features can often be a beautiful focal point of the home, helping to make a statement and setting the tone for the rest of the house.
Stairs usually function as the home's backbone, allowing designers to create an eye-catching feature. At Dennis Miller Homes, we incorporate custom staircase design that perfectly blends functionality with a modern design and complements your home's aesthetic.
The best staircases know how to balance the art of design and functionality. They know how to make a statement while ensuring safety and allowing for the movement of people and materials. Instead of putting stairs wherever they're the most convenient, we believe they should play a critical role in home design and function.
All staircase designs must adhere to strict guidelines and building regulations, including straight-to-winder and spiral stairs. They should also be constructed of sustainable building materials that will endure longevity and enhance stability. At Dennis Miller Homes, we prioritize safety in our staircase designs, ensuring that they are beautiful and provide a secure environment for your home.
Poorly designed stairs have a poor impact and can be a safety hazard. When designing stairs, it's important to consider safety regulations and building codes. Stairs should be designed with handrails, sufficient lighting, level surfaces, tight carpeting, and sufficient carrying capacity.
Most building codes around the country are based on the International Residential Code, a nonprofit standards organization that has established minimum regulations for one- and two-family houses. A summary of Utah Code 15A-3-202 concludes the following regulations for staircases:
When designed correctly, stairs can maximize space efficiency and traffic flow. New homeowners don't always consider the placement of stairs and how it impacts the flow of your home. Properly placed stairs improve the circulation, or flow of people, around your home.
Moving the stairs to a corner of the house sometimes allows specific rooms to expand and create centralized traffic patterns. While maximizing space efficiency in the room varies based on the design, stairs should be placed on one side of the home, often near the garage, for maximum efficiency.
It seems like anything is possible in modern custom staircase design. From floating stairs to smart stairs, designers are embracing cutting-edge aesthetics and new functionality. Many innovative trends redefine how we move from one floor to another. Some popular stairwell design trends are floating staircases, incorporating nature-inspired elements, and sculptural staircases. In-home design, modern staircases enhance overall home aesthetics and are sculptural masterpieces.
Incorporating a custom staircase design into your home can have many benefits. Custom stairs are designed to fit any space, including tight areas. They can also be designed to blend in with landings, curves, and mezzanines. Custom staircase design also allows for the ability to match specific themes or lifestyles.
Designing custom stairs also allows you to choose the material they're made from. We recommend choosing high-quality, long-lasting materials such as concrete, metal, wood, stone, or glass.
When planning a staircase for your home, you can choose from many styles: straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, winder, spiral, curved, cantilever, and split. While settling on one style is difficult, several factors help you choose. First, consider the amount of space you have available. For example, straight or L-shaped stairs work because for smaller homes. Larger homes can accommodate a more decorative or curved staircase. Don't hesitate to ask us for ideas and our opinion in choosing the right staircase.
These high-end design elements are often the focal point in many larger homes and commercial spaces. While adding a touch of sophistication and elegance, they are designed to make a statement and are commonly made from stone, glass, and wood. In some cases, they feature intricate detailing and finishes, such as ornate railings, carved balusters, and inlaid stone.
The biggest advantage of designing a spiral staircase is saving space. Compared with other staircases, a spiral staircase occupies a very small area. Spiral staircases are also incredibly durable, often made from hard materials such as metal or timber. Modern spiral staircases are usually made with a combination of steel and have simple, clean lines.
Often known as open riser staircases or floating staircases, these types have gaps between the treads inside risers to bridge the gap. Open stairs have a light look and have minimal visual obstruction, making the space feel bright and spacious. They're a great alternative to traditional staircases. Open staircases look great, whether up against a wall or in the middle of a room.
When you sit down with us to design the stairs in your home, we'll consider several things. First, we'll review your floor plan and determine where a staircase might be best. Keep in mind that stairs can be moved in most cases. We'll review the type of staircase you'd like, reviewing any inspirational photos you may have. Next, we'll discuss design, style, and materials. In some cases, budget is also a consideration. If this is the case, we'll discuss how to design a stunning staircase that fits within your budget.
The best staircases perfectly balance the combination of functionality and style. At Dennis Miller Homes, we're here to help you plan your ideal staircase, the one you've always wanted. We understand the importance of fine-tuning these elements in your house. After all, this is the home you'll live in and experience life for years to come. Contact Dennis Miller Homes today!
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.
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.
The timeline for building a custom home typically takes longer than other home types. While the exact length depends on location and size, you can expect to wait an average of 12-18 months before moving into your dream home.
Another variable that many new homebuyers should account for is the current construction market. For instance, many areas are recently experiencing a construction material shortage.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index, 71 percent of general contractors are recently facing a shortage in at least one type of material. The most common is lumber, while also shortages in steel, electrical, and lighting supplies
While the current market is putting more pressure on homebuilders, there are still many reasons to be optimistic:
As you consider relocating to a new home, one of the questions you might ask is whether to buy or build.
The answer? Build a custom home.
Custom home builders team up with you to customize every inch of your new home.
Dennis Miller Homes, a St. George custom home builder, gives Southern Utah homebuyers the tools and services needed to bring their vision to life. As your custom home building partner, we will work with you to select the perfect lot, design the perfect plans, and build the perfect home.
Our unique home-building process also ensures an efficient custom home-building timeline. The process includes:
Along with a proven construction process, Dennis Miller Homes dedicates our custom home building services to providing experiences that will last a lifetime.
As you count on us to bring your dream home to life, we will give you complete control over every aspect of the building process. From selecting the materials to designing the floor plan, you have the final say in what stays and what goes.
Although the custom home building process isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, most custom home builders follow a similar timeline.
In short, the total construction of a custom home ranges from about 12-18 months. Along with building time, your will also need to account for design and plan approval time.
Typically, design takes an average of 2-3 months, while city/county approval can take 4-8 weeks.
After these steps, your custom home builder will begin the actual construction process, which can take about a year to 18 months.
To help you fully understand the average time to build a house, our team takes an in-depth look at the custom home building timeline step-by-step.
Before building a custom home, you must undergo the planning and design stage. You will need to select a lot to build your home. You will also need to find an architect, interior designer, and partner with a custom home builder, either simultaneously or after finding a lot.
After acquiring a place to build your custom home, you will work closely with your design team to develop a series of plans detailing the scope of your project.
Your architect and builder will work together to create a preliminary design that is both functional and beautiful. The builder then builds an estimate that is based on your budget and fits your needs.
While you and your interior designer make the first phase of design selections, your custom builder will provide a few different things. These include:
During this time, your builder or general contractor will also sign on subcontractors to install the major systems required in your new home plan.
The new construction phase will also include finalizing all remaining design decisions. Together, you will determine your flooring, cabinetry, lighting, and bathroom fixtures. It might be overwhelming, but your team will be by your side to help guide you to the best choice.
In total, the items finalized in the new home construction step includes developing:
Along with designing the home, your custom home building team will help you acquire all required approvals and permits. These will include:
Overall, this phase of the custom home build timeline will take 4-6 months.
Now that the design team completed your custom home plans, it will be time to pour the foundation. After preparing the site, your builder will begin to lay the foundation. Usually, site preparation only takes a few weeks.
Once the site is ready, your builder will pour concrete footers. Then, the next step will depend on whether your house calls for a basic slab foundation or a full basement layout.
The timeline for the foundation can range from 2-4 weeks, starting from the beginning of site prep to when the foundation fully cures.
Once your custom home has a strong foundation, it is ready for the frame. This is where the floor plans you spent weeks drawing with your architect and design team are put to the test.
Your builder will take those designs and erect the basic framework of the home, including the roof structure, internal walls, staircases, and more.
Throughout this phase of the process, you can rely on your builder and construction manager to oversee the project. They will work carefully to ensure that all the work goes smoothly and that there are no mistakes or rework required.
This stage is usually quick, but your custom home builder will keep you updated with a realistic timeline to keep your entire project on schedule and budget.
After the contracting team nails down the skeleton of the home to the foundation, it is time to install the major systems of your new home.
Most custom home builders hire subcontractors to complete the plumbing and electrical work on a custom home. These teams provide niche services that require extensive knowledge and skill to install.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we have a relationship with some of the top subcontractors in the southern Utah area. These long-standing relationships give our clients the utmost confidence that all the major systems in their new homes will run in tip-top shape for years to come.
The timeline you can expect for these different systems include:
Another factor you might want to consider when building a custom home is increasing system efficiency with energy-efficient construction. If you require such an elaborate system, your timeline may slightly increase.
Other variables in plumbing and electrical work that might affect your timeline include installing:
Altogether, this step in the custom home building process usually takes about four months to complete.
After your builder or subcontracting team finishes installing the wiring and plumbing throughout your new home, it is time to complete the design.
This next step in the custom home building process is all about finishes. From the drywall and interior finishes to the roofing and exterior finishes, your home building team will work hard to make your dream come to fruition.
During this phase, you can expect your building team to install several items, including:
Since the quality and complexity of a custom home design require a higher level of craftsmanship and materials than other home types, this phase of the process may take longer than usual.
An average custom home building timeline for these materials may look like this:
During this time, your custom home builder will keep you updated on your exact timeline, so you know what to expect.
The length of time it takes to build a new custom home usually takes less than two years, depending on various factors. Some of these variables include:
Contractor Recommendation: Make all your decisions ahead of time and stick to them to shorten the custom home building timeline.
If you are considering working with a St. George custom home builder, you may be asking, "What's the busy season?" Fortunately, St. George is one of the few places in Utah that doesn't experience any serious construction delays related to weather or season changes.
Southern Utah homebuyers aren't constricted to a certain building schedule. Unlike Utah homebuyers in the northern part of the state who experience frequent construction delays due to snow and rain, St. George's warm climate keeps things rolling year-round. In fact, our custom home builders work with ideal circumstances when building new homes.
So, whenever you want to build your new custom home in St George, Utah, Dennis Miller Homes will be ready to make it happen.
How to Build A Custom Home...Now
Begin the custom home building timeline by contacting Dennis Miller Homes today. Call us old-timers, but our custom home builders still believe in the fundamental qualities of any good business— honesty, communication, and genuine care. As the leading custom home building team in St. George, we know what it takes to build a southern Utah dream home.
Whether you are looking for a second home for vacations or a new family home for day-to-day living, Dennis Miller Homes is dedicated to making your home-building experience as stress-free as possible. Together, we will create a home that grows with you.
We offer custom home building services throughout southern Utah, including:
We understand that while every client has different needs, we can do our part to make our services equipped and ready to bring your dream home to life. Count on our 35 years of experience building custom homes in St. George to make your home building timeline quick, efficient, and fun.
My wife and I are getting ready to move. When we try to formulate a strategy or even think about where to start, we feel overwhelmed. We have reached out to many friends and family to get their advice on the best way to approach the process. We received really good and practical advice that we are excited to implement. Because moving into a custom home in St. George home can sometimes be the hardest step in the entire process, I thought it would be a good idea to share the things we have learned.
The first piece of advice we received was to stick to small and medium-sized boxes. Intuitively, it would make sense to fit as many things in large-sized boxes as possible to be efficient in the number of boxes used and the number of trips from the trailer into the house. However, for those doing the hauling, it’s much easier to move more small boxes with fewer things in them than fewer heavy boxes, even if it means more trips. Plus, when you organize the trailer, it’s much more convenient to have smaller boxes that you can twist and turn more than large boxes that take up a bunch of space.
This leads to our next point.
For the sake of organization, it is wise to keep your brand of boxes uniform. Whether you get boxes from Home Depot, Lowe’s, or somewhere else, do your best to have them all be from the same place. The different brands have slightly different sizing, making staking and organizing tricky. Keeping the boxes uniform will make stacking much more simple and sturdy.
It’s easy to underestimate the amount of items that you have stuffed in the nooks and crannies of your home. When you go to move into your new custom home, you’ll be amazed how quickly the trailer or moving truck will fill up. Whether you rent a moving vehicle, borrow from a friend, or use your own, make sure you play it safe and overestimate the capacity you’ll need to get all of your belongings from one destination to the other.
One of the hardest parts about moving is keeping all of your boxes straight and making sure they are put in the right rooms at your custom home. In the chaos of moving, and with many people asking, “Where does this one go?” it is easy to get flustered. Having a labeling strategy makes all of the difference
We recommend writing on the top of the boxes for your own personal reference. For example, “Sally’s Shoes” or “Billy’s Books”. However, don’t stop the labeling there. Those labels alone will surely have people asking you the question we mentioned above. Instead, we recommend getting colored tape that you slap on the sides of your boxes, which is coordinated with each room in the house. Red goes in the kitchen, green goes in the master bedroom, and so forth. That way, you tell people the color code once, and everyone can help each other remember what color goes where.
Furthermore, putting the tape on the sides of the boxes will make them more visible to individuals who are taking the stacked boxes from the moving trailers.
In the moving process, it is easy for fragile items to be damaged or even destroyed. No one wants that to happen. Protective moving materials become essential. Plan a few weeks ahead by getting free newspapers from grocery stores every time you go. Newspaper is great for protecting dishes and stuffing in glasses. Price shop for bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is great for wrapping family portraits and timeless keepsakes. Also, make sure you have plenty of moving blankets to protect furniture from getting scuffs and scratches.
By Far, the best advice we received was to warm up by playing the classic game of Tetris. After all, getting all of those odd shapes to fit snugly into a moving truck is a talent in and of itself. What better way to practice packing than playing Tetris with family and friends?
As always, it’s important to remember to have fun. As stressful as moving can be, remember that the moving process is the culmination of your dreams of having a custom home coming to reality. Order some pizza, make up different contests for the movers, and create a memory. There is no better time to start making memories in your new home than move-in day.
When people set out to build a custom dream home, one area of the home that gets a lot of thought and attention is the master suite. Most, if not all, want to ensure that their master suite looks luxurious, feels elegant, and is completely functional. Unfortunately, one of the many flaws that we see with new home builders and their contractors is that they either give up functionality for aesthetics or visa versa. Eventually, what is left is a homeowner who is overall displeased with what was supposed to be the nicest part of their home.
With over 30 years of experience, we’ve found that one of the main drivers of this displeasure is the master shower. People envision a master shower with all of the bells and whistles: spacious, multiple shower heads, a seat, visual appeal. However, going back to the problem described above, they tend to overemphasize either aesthetics or functionality.
In an attempt to make the master bathroom look luxurious some interior designers will tell their clients to create their master shower out of glass so that the bathroom feels more open. However, who really wants to clean all that glass every time they shower? Others will try and make a big open shower that has plenty of space only to find that the dreaded cold breeze that everyone hates to feel in the middle of the shower becomes a constant. Others will build their new shower emphasizing functionality only to be left wanting when it comes to feeling like they have something elegant and unique.
So is it possible to have it all? Here at Dennis Miller Homes, we want to make sure we build something for you that is both functional and eye-popping. Jared, one of our team members, thought about this conundrum when designing the master suite for one of our clients in Sand Hollow. He wanted to give our client something unique, and also make sure they were happy with the product for years to come.
Masterfully utilizing space, this featured master shower was thoughtfully placed behind the jacuzzi tub to make sure the entire bathroom had an open feel. To give the owners something they felt was unique, we designed the shower with two entrances, one near the bathroom entrance, and one near the master closet. With the two entrances, we worried about the dreaded cool breeze plaguing anyone who used the shower.
To combat this problem, we staggered the walls of either entrance in a way that would block any type of airflow. As an added measure of precaution, we also placed heat lamps above either entrance ensuring that anyone taking a shower would stay nice and warm. Finished off with beautiful modern finishes we were more than pleased with how it turned out; and the owners were too.
When building a new house, it’s easy to design a floor plan that has all the necessary components and call it good. At Dennis Miller Homes we make sure that not only do you have all the necessary components, but that those components are built in a way that is visually appealing and practical to use. When you choose us as your home builder, we won’t be satisfied with the finished product unless you love every component of your home long into the future.
What are you waiting for? Let’s start building!
