Build new instead of buying used. Discover the advantages of new home construction in Southern Utah and why building from the ground up delivers superior value, modern efficiency, and homes designed for how you actually live.
When searching for a home in St. George, you face a fundamental choice: buy an existing home or build new. While existing homes offer immediate availability, new home construction provides advantages that resale properties simply cannot match — modern design tailored to your needs, energy-efficient systems that reduce utility costs, warranty protection for peace of mind, and the satisfaction of being the first to live in your home.
St. George’s rapid growth has created strong demand for housing, driving prices for existing homes to all-time highs. Meanwhile, new home construction offers an increasingly compelling value proposition. Instead of paying premium prices for someone else’s design choices, older systems requiring replacement, and deferred maintenance you’ll inherit, building new gives you a home designed around your lifestyle with everything brand new and warrantied.
At OPD Construction, we specialize in new home construction throughout St. George and Washington County. Whether you’re relocating from another state, retiring to Southern Utah, or upgrading from your current home, we guide you through the entire new construction process with expertise, transparency, and commitment to delivering a home you’ll love.
New home construction isn’t just for buyers with unlimited budgets. Today’s building methods, materials, and technologies make new construction accessible across various price points. The question isn’t whether you can afford to build new — it’s whether you can afford not to, given the long-term value advantages.
Let’s explore why new home construction makes sense in St. George’s current market, what the process involves, and how to determine if building new is the right choice for your situation.
Building new instead of buying existing offers significant benefits that become more valuable over time:
New home construction means floor plans designed around how you actually live, not adapting to someone else's choices. Want an open kitchen perfect for entertaining? A home office with built-in storage? A primary suite on the main level? New construction makes it possible. You're not limited to what's available on the resale market — you create exactly what you need.
New home construction incorporates modern energy codes requiring extensive insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, energy-efficient windows and doors, LED lighting throughout, and advanced building science. The result? Dramatically lower utility costs compared to older homes. Many owners of new construction report 30-50% lower energy bills than similarly-sized resale homes.
New home construction allows planning for today's technology from the beginning. Structured wiring for whole-home networks, pre-wiring for smart home systems, adequate electrical capacity for modern demands, USB outlets and charging stations, and infrastructure for solar and EV charging. Retrofitting these features into existing homes costs significantly more.
New home construction opportunities exist throughout St. George and Washington County:
St. George’s premier community offers exceptional new home construction opportunities on lots ranging from 0.25 to 2+ acres. With the Johnny Miller Signature golf course, comprehensive spa and fitness amenities, and dramatic red rock views, Entrada attracts buyers seeking luxury new construction.
Available building sites in various neighborhoods including Anasazi Ridge, Kachina Springs, and The Cliffs each offer distinct characteristics and view corridors. Architectural review ensures all new construction meets high design standards.
Southern Utah’s newest luxury community centers around a unique crystal lagoon system creating unprecedented amenities. New home construction here emphasizes contemporary design, indoor-outdoor living, and integration with resort-style recreational facilities.
Available lots offer lagoon views, mountain backdrops, or both. New construction in Desert Color attracts active families and individuals seeking modern architecture and lifestyle amenities previously unavailable in Southern Utah.
Kayenta offers distinctive new home construction opportunities emphasizing environmental harmony and artistic architecture. This 2,000-acre community features protected landscape where new homes integrate seamlessly with natural terrain.
New construction here incorporates earth-sheltered elements, native materials, and sustainable design principles. Building sites are generously spaced, offering privacy and tranquility. Kayenta attracts buyers seeking contemplative desert living and architectural uniqueness.
Beyond master-planned communities, exceptional new home construction opportunities exist on acreage and custom sites throughout Washington County. Options include 1-5 acre properties in Ivins with red rock views, larger parcels in Santa Clara and Dammeron Valley, hillside sites overlooking St. George valley, and estate properties offering complete privacy.
Building new on acreage provides maximum freedom while maintaining proximity to St. George amenities.
Understanding the new construction process helps set realistic expectations:
New home construction begins with securing the right building site. Options include purchasing lots in master-planned communities like Entrada or Desert Color, finding acreage in Washington County for privacy and views, identifying infill lots in established neighborhoods, or working with your builder to find suitable land.
Design phase varies significantly based on construction type: Production/Semi-Custom: Select from available floor plans, choose finish packages, make limited modifications within builder's options. Custom Construction: Work with architects to create unique designs, develop detailed floor plans and elevations, select all materials and finishes, engineer systems for optimal performance.
Once design is approved, you'll finalize construction contracts specifying exact scope of work, detailed pricing with allowances, payment schedules tied to milestones, warranty terms and coverage. For buyers requiring financing, this phase includes securing construction loans or construction-to-permanent financing, finalizing terms and rates, and preparing for funding.
Before construction begins, your builder handles all permit applications with local building departments, engineering reviews and approvals, HOA architectural review (if applicable), and utility connection arrangements. Site preparation begins once permits are issued: clearing and grading, establishing construction access, installing temporary utilities, and preparing for foundation work.
We’ve completed new home construction projects across all types — from production-style homes in established subdivisions to fully custom estates on challenging acreage sites. Our portfolio demonstrates versatility, quality, and successful delivery across diverse price points and architectural styles.
New home construction involves hundreds of decisions and significant investment. We maintain complete transparency about costs, timelines, processes, and options throughout. Detailed budgets show exactly where money goes, regular updates keep you informed about progress, accessible project managers answer questions promptly, and clear contracts protect your interests.
New construction should mean everything is perfect, not just new. We maintain rigorous quality control throughout construction, hire skilled tradespeople based on quality (not lowest bid), conduct thorough inspections at every phase, and correct any issues immediately before moving forward.
Years of new home construction exclusively in Washington County taught us about local soil conditions requiring specific foundation techniques, climate considerations affecting material performance and longevity, permitting processes in every local jurisdiction, and community-specific building requirements and restrictions.
Building new offers advantages that buying existing simply cannot match — modern efficiency, personalized design, warranty protection, and the satisfaction of being first to live in your home.
Whether you’re ready to begin immediately or still exploring whether new construction makes sense for your situation, we’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs and show you why building new in St. George delivers exceptional long-term value.
Upfront costs for new construction often exceed existing home purchases in similar condition. However, new construction eliminates repair costs for years, delivers 30-50% lower utility bills, and requires no immediate updates or replacements. Over 5-10 years, new construction typically costs less than existing homes when all expenses are considered.
Production/semi-custom homes typically require 8-12 months from contract to completion. Custom new construction requires 14-20 months including design and permitting. Timeline varies based on home size, complexity, finishes, and site conditions. We provide realistic schedules during planning.
Yes, though changes impact costs and timelines. Early changes (during framing) are easier than late changes (after finishes are installed). We handle changes through written change orders documenting modifications, cost impacts, and timeline effects before proceeding. Clear planning minimizes need for changes.
New construction includes builder workmanship warranty (typically 1-2 years), manufacturer warranties on all systems and appliances (5-10 years typical), roofing warranties (often 20-30 years), and structural warranties. Specific coverage should be detailed in your construction contract.
No. Many buyers engage builders before securing land. Builders can help evaluate potential properties for buildability, costs, and suitability for your vision. However, finalizing construction contracts requires controlling the building site through ownership or purchase agreement.
