General Contracting – New Construction

Built From
The Ground Up

A new building is the most complex project most people will ever undertake — and the one where the quality of the general contractor determines everything. RainFire Builders manages every phase of new construction from pre-design through certificate of occupancy: budgeting, permitting, trade coordination, quality control, and schedule accountability across every discipline. Homes and commercial buildings. Residential and commercial. One team, one standard.

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EXPLORE OUR SERVICES

OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

  • Custom Home Construction

  • Spec & Production Homes

  • Home Additions & Expansions

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

  • Office & Commercial Buildings

  • Design-Build Delivery

  • Pre-Construction Services

  • Green & High Performance

  • Mountain & Resort Builds

  • Multi-Family & Mixed-Use

100%

Licensed & Insured

7+

Counties Served

15+

Years in Utah

500+

Projects Delivered

THE ROLE OF THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR

One Contract
Total Accountability

When you hire RainFire Builders as your general contractor, you are not hiring a coordinator. You are hiring an organization that takes ownership of the outcome — the finished building, the final cost, and the date it’s complete. Everything that happens between breaking ground and handing over keys is our responsibility, not a series of finger-pointing exercises between independent contractors.

The general contractor holds every trade license, pulls every permit, manages every inspection, writes every subcontract, approves every payment, and stands behind every decision made during construction. When something goes wrong — and in construction, something always does — the GC absorbs the problem and resolves it. The client’s only job is to make decisions when decisions need to be made.

RainFire Builders self-performs all ten interior trades in-house — meaning the structural, envelope, and interior finish work is all delivered by our own trained crews. That eliminates the most common source of schedule delays, quality inconsistency, and budget overruns in residential and commercial construction: fragmented subcontracting with no one managing the seams.

Pre-Construction

Budget development, design coordination, permit application, constructability review, trade bidding, and project scheduling — everything that happens before a shovel touches the ground.

Site Work & Foundation

Grading, excavation, underground utilities, concrete forming and pouring, foundation waterproofing, and backfill — the base everything else depends on.

Structural Framing & Envelope

Structural framing, roof system, exterior sheathing, windows and doors, roofing, and exterior cladding — the weathertight shell of the building.

MEP Rough-In

Mechanical (HVAC), electrical, and plumbing rough-in through framing — installed, inspected, and approved before walls close. The systems that make the building functional.

Interior Finish-Out

Insulation, drywall, flooring, painting, trim, cabinetry, and all finish trades — the visible quality of the building, executed by RainFire Builders’ own crews.

Commissioning & Closeout

MEP system commissioning, punch list completion, final inspections, certificate of occupancy, owner training, and warranty documentation — the complete handover.

OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

TEN SERVICES –
ONE GENERAL CONTRACTOR

From a 1,200 sq ft ADU in Sandy to a 50,000 sq ft commercial office building in Lehi — RainFire Builders brings the same disciplined project management, licensed trades, and Utah-specific expertise to every new construction scope.

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A custom home is the most personal project most people will undertake — and the one where the gap between a great general contractor and an average one is most visible. RainFire Builders manages every phase of the custom home build: pre-construction budgeting, permit coordination, trade sequencing, quality inspections, and client communication — delivering a home where every decision was made intentionally and every system was installed correctly.

  • Pre-construction budgeting and cost transparency
  • Architectural coordination and design review
  • Full permit management — all trades, all inspections
  • All ten interior trades are self-performed in-house
  • Structural, envelope, and site work coordinated
  • Dedicated project manager, weekly client updates

How long does it take to build a custom home in Utah?”

A typical custom home in Utah takes 10–16 months from groundbreaking to certificate of occupancy. Pre-construction — design completion, permit issuance, and trade mobilization — adds 2–6 months before construction begins. RainFire Builders provides a detailed project schedule at pre-construction kickoff so clients have a realistic timeline from day one, not a moving target.

Spec and production home building demands a different kind of excellence — process efficiency, tight schedule control, and finish quality that sells. RainFire Builders works with Utah developers and investors to deliver spec homes that are competitive in price, finished to a standard that appraises and sells, and completed on schedules that protect return on investment.

  • Standardized plan development and value engineering
  • Material procurement and supplier negotiation
  • Phased construction scheduling for multiple lots
  • Design package development for market-appropriate finishes
  • Investor-grade cost reporting and draw schedule
  • Multi-home volume pricing across all trade scopes

What is the difference between a spec home and a custom home in Utah?”

A spec home is built on a developer’s lot with pre-selected finishes targeting the market — no committed buyer is required before construction begins. A custom home is designed for a specific buyer who participates in all finish and layout decisions. Spec homes are typically faster to build and lower cost per square foot than fully custom homes, but offer less buyer flexibility.

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A home addition is one of the most complex projects in residential construction — it requires building new while protecting existing, matching existing finishes while meeting current code, and integrating new structural systems with what’s already standing. RainFire Builders manages the complete addition scope: structural engineering coordination, permit submission, foundation and framing, and finish-out that matches the existing home inside and out.

  • First-floor room additions and sunroom expansions
  • Second-story additions over existing foundations
  • Garage conversions and structural modifications
  • Basement finish and walk-out additions
  • Structural beam and load-bearing wall modification
  • Finish matching to the existing interior and exterior

What permits are required for a home addition in Utah?”

Room additions in Utah require a building permit with engineered drawings, plus mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits for any new systems. Additions to homes in flood zones, on slopes, or with expansive soils require additional engineering reports. RainFire Builders manages the full permit process on every addition project — homeowners never have to navigate building departments alone.

Utah’s 2023 ADU legislation significantly expanded homeowner rights to build accessory dwelling units statewide — making ADUs one of the most in-demand build types on the Wasatch Front. RainFire Builders builds detached, attached, and garage-conversion ADUs that maximize permitted square footage, meet current energy code, and are finished to a standard that commands strong rental rates in Utah’s competitive housing market.

  • Detached backyard ADUs — up to municipality maximums
  • Attached ADUs — basement and above-garage conversions
  • Garage-to-ADU conversions with proper egress
  • Separate utilities and independent entrances
  • Utah ADU law compliance and permit coordination
  • Rental-optimized layouts and finish specifications

How much does it cost to build an ADU in Utah?”

ADU construction costs in Utah range from $120,000–$200,000 for a well-finished 600–800 sq ft detached ADU, depending on lot conditions, utility connection complexity, and finish level. Garage-conversion ADUs typically run $80,000–$150,000. At current Wasatch Front rental rates, a well-located ADU can generate $1,400–$2,200/month — with payback periods of 7–12 years on the construction investment.

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Commercial new construction demands everything residential construction requires — and then adds IBC code compliance, ADA accessibility, commercial mechanical and electrical systems, fire suppression, and the timeline pressure of a business that can’t delay its opening. RainFire Builders manages full commercial office building construction and tenant improvement build-outs across Utah’s growing commercial real estate market.

  • Tilt-up, steel frame, and wood-frame commercial buildings
  • Office build-outs and tenant improvements (TI)
  • IBC and ADA code compliance management
  • Commercial MEP systems — oversized for flexibility
  • Fire suppression and life safety system coordination
  • Phased occupancy to minimize business interruption

What is a tenant improvement (TI) build-out in commercial construction?”

A tenant improvement (TI) is the interior build-out of a commercial space within a shell building — typically funded in whole or in part by the landlord as a tenant allowance. TI scopes include framing interior offices, installing commercial HVAC and electrical, building restrooms, and finishing to the tenant’s specifications. RainFire Builders manages TI projects from permit through occupancy certificate on schedule with active businesses on adjacent floors.

Design-build integrates architectural design and construction under a single contract with RainFire Builders — eliminating the traditional handoff between designer and builder that creates gaps in responsibility, budget surprises at bid time, and drawn-out coordination delays. Clients work with one team from concept sketch to certificate of occupancy, with cost feedback built into the design process rather than discovered after the drawings are complete.

  • Integrated design and construction under one contract
  • Real-time cost feedback during design development
  • Faster project delivery — design and permit overlap
  • Single point of accountability for design and budget
  • Residential and commercial design-build services
  • Architect and design partner coordination included

What is the design-build delivery method, and how is it different from traditional design-bid-build?”

In traditional design-bid-build, an owner hires an architect to complete full drawings, then separately bids those drawings to contractors. The gap between the designer’s intent and the builder’s execution — and the budget surprise when bids come in over the estimate — is a chronic problem. Design-build puts design and construction under a single contract, so RainFire Builders provides real cost feedback during design, eliminates the bid-day budget shock, and accelerates overall project delivery by 15–25%.

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Pre-construction is where projects succeed or fail — before a single foundation form is set. RainFire Builders engages clients at the earliest planning stage to develop realistic budgets, identify permit requirements, review designs for constructability, and schedule the project for successful execution. Every dollar spent on pre-construction planning saves three to ten dollars in construction-phase problem resolution.

  • Conceptual and detailed cost estimating
  • Constructability and design review
  • Permit strategy and application preparation
  • Trade bidding and subcontractor procurement
  • Project schedule development (CPM scheduling)
  • Value engineering — quality preservation, cost reduction

When should I hire a general contractor for a new home build in Utah?”

As early as possible — ideally before the architectural design is finalized. Engaging RainFire Builders during design development allows us to provide real cost feedback on design decisions before they’re locked in, identify permit requirements specific to your lot and municipality, and build a realistic schedule that aligns with your move-in goals. Many budget surprises in new construction result from a contractor seeing a completed design for the first time at bid — pre-construction engagement eliminates that problem entirely.

High-performance construction is not a niche anymore — it is where the Wasatch Front’s most forward-thinking homeowners and developers are investing. RainFire Builders designs and builds homes that meet or exceed net-zero energy standards, LEED certification requirements, and ENERGY STAR certification thresholds — delivering dramatically lower operating costs and verifiably better indoor environments for the people who live and work in them.

  • Net-zero energy-ready construction and design
  • LEED for Homes and LEED BD+C certification support
  • ENERGY STAR Certified Homes program
  • Advanced envelope — continuous insulation, triple glazing
  • Passive solar design and orientation optimization
  • Solar PV, battery storage, and EV charger integration

How much extra does it cost to build a net-zero home in Utah?”

A net-zero-ready home in Utah typically costs 8–15% more than a code-minimum build — roughly $25,000–$60,000 on a typical custom home. The premium covers continuous insulation, high-performance windows, a tighter building envelope, an ERV ventilation system, and solar PV rough-in or installation. With Rocky Mountain Power’s net metering program and Utah’s strong solar resource, operating cost reductions typically pay back that premium in 7–12 years — and the home commands a meaningful premium at resale.

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Building in Utah’s mountain communities requires a contractor who understands the specific challenges of high-altitude, high-snowload, seismically active terrain — and the design review processes, HOA restrictions, and municipal building departments that govern Wasatch Back and mountain community construction. RainFire Builders has extensive experience building luxury custom homes and high-performance mountain retreats in Park City, Heber City, Midway, and Deer Valley.

  • High-altitude construction — Climate Zone 6 envelope design
  • Snow load engineering — 100+ psf ground snow in mountain communities
  • Park City, Heber, and Midway design review navigation
  • Mountain modern and mountain traditional architecture
  • Short construction season management and scheduling
  • Luxury finish-out at altitude — same trade standards as valley builds

What makes building in Park City different from building in Salt Lake County?”

Park City and Summit County builds involve more restrictive design review processes (often requiring Historic District or Design Review Board approval), higher snow load engineering requirements (ground snow loads of 80–120+ psf vs. 40–50 psf in Salt Lake Valley), Climate Zone 6 energy code compliance, more challenging site access, and a shorter construction season due to winter weather. RainFire Builders has established relationships with Park City and Summit County building departments and design review bodies, making the approval process significantly smoother than for a contractor encountering these jurisdictions for the first time.

Utah’s housing market needs more units — and RainFire Builders is equipped to deliver them. From two-unit duplexes on infill lots to small three- and four-story mixed-use buildings combining retail or office with residential above, RainFire Builders brings the same general contracting discipline that delivers single-family homes to the more complex world of multi-family and mixed-use development.

  • Duplex, triplex, and fourplex new construction
  • Small apartment building construction (5–24 units)
  • Mixed-use development — ground-floor commercial with residential above
  • IBC Type V and Type III construction systems
  • Party wall fire-resistance assemblies — IBC compliant
  • Investor and developer reporting, draw schedule management

What building code applies to multi-family construction in Utah?”

Multi-family residential construction in Utah is governed by the International Building Code (IBC) rather than the International Residential Code (IRC) which applies to single-family and two-family dwellings. Buildings with three or more dwelling units fall under IBC — which requires fire-resistance-rated assemblies between units, specific egress requirements, ADA accessibility provisions, and Type of Construction designations that govern allowable height and area. RainFire Builders designs multi-family projects to IBC compliance from the first conceptual plan, eliminating costly redesigns late in the permit process.

Pre-Construction Excellence

We engage before design is complete — so budget surprises are found on paper, not in the field.

10+ Trades, One Team

Self-performing all interior trades eliminates the most common source of schedule delays and quality failures in new construction.

the facts are the facts

why utah chooses rainfire builders as their general contractor

There are hundreds of licensed general contractors in Utah. What there are far fewer of is contractors who self-perform ten interior trades, bring building science expertise to every HVAC and envelope decision, and have the track record across residential and commercial new construction to navigate any project type from permit to occupancy.

RainFire Builders was built on the belief that general contracting done correctly means eliminating fragmentation — in trade coordination, in accountability, and in the information flow between the job site and the client. Our clients aren’t managing contractors. They’re making decisions — and we’re executing them.

  • Licensed Utah General Contractor — residential and commercial

  • All ten interior trades self-performed by our own trained crews

  • Full liability insurance and workers’ compensation on all projects

  • Detailed, open-book cost estimating at pre-construction

  • Dedicated project manager on every project — one point of contact

  • Written workmanship warranty on all scopes of work

  • Serving All the Major Towns, Cities & Counties of Utah

Utah Expertise

Seismic zones, snow loads, altitude deration, Climate Zones 5 and 6 — we build for Utah’s conditions specifically.

Transparent Reporting

Weekly progress reports, open-book cost tracking, and a project manager who answers the phone. You always know where your project stands.

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

MARKETS WE BUILD ACROSS UTAH

RainFire Builders operates across every major Utah market — from the urban Wasatch Front to resort mountain communities — with the local permit knowledge and trade relationships each market demands.

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Wasatch Front Valleys

Salt Lake City, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, West Jordan, Murray, Midvale, Taylorsville, Herriman, just to name a few — the core of Utah’s residential and commercial development market. IECC Climate Zone 5 construction standards. Seismic Design Category D per the Wasatch Fault.

Salt Lake County  |  Utah County  |  Davis County  | Weber County  |  Tooele County
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Mountain & Resort Areas

Park City, Heber City, Midway, Kamas, Deer Valley, and more!— Utah’s resort communities with complex design review processes, Climate Zone 6 energy requirements, high snow load engineering, and a short construction season that rewards experienced scheduling.

Summit County  |  Wasatch County  |  Cache County  | Washington County  |  Grand County
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Emerging Growth Corridors

Lehi, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Vineyard, and the Silicon Slopes technology corridor — Utah’s fastest-growing residential and commercial market, demanding both rapid residential construction capacity and commercial office and mixed-use development experience.

Lehi/Silicon Slopes |  Saratoga Springs  |  Eagle Mountain  | Elk Ridge  |  Stansbury Park

Detailed – Dedicated – Professional

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Your Next Build Starts with the Right Conversation

Whether you’re planning a custom home on a Draper lot, an ADU in your Sandy backyard, an office building in Lehi’s Silicon Slopes, or a luxury mountain retreat in Park City — the most important decision you’ll make is who manages the build. RainFire Builders brings the pre-construction discipline, in-house trade capacity, and Utah-specific expertise to deliver your project on time, on budget, and to a standard worth building.

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