Outdoor Structures, Greenhouses & Garden Builds in Washington County

Outdoor Builds in Southern Utah

This page covers the outdoor structures and garden builds we take on as a custom contractor. Most of these projects are smaller in scope than our main building work, which means we focus on quality details and personalized design rather than volume. We currently take outdoor structure projects in Washington County and the Kanab area only. For full home builds and major additions, our service area extends further (see our contact page).

Outdoor Living: Patios, Pergolas, Decks, and Outdoor Kitchens

• Patios in concrete, pavers, or natural stone
• Pergolas and shade structures (a pergola often avoids the permitting complexity of an attached covered structure)
• Decks in composite, wood, or hybrid materials
• Outdoor kitchens from simple grill stations to fully built-in kitchens with sinks, refrigeration, and lighting

Shade and heat management: Southern Utah outdoor spaces need shade to be usable in July. We design with shade sails, pergola coverings, retractable awnings, and strategic landscape placement.

Outdoor kitchen plumbing: Outdoor kitchen sinks can drain to a French drain (gray-water style) rather than the main sewer line, which simplifies the build. If you want full sewer hookup, we can do that too, but the cost difference is meaningful.

Greenhouses

We build greenhouses in several styles:

• Lean-to (attached to a house or outbuilding)
• Freestanding (standalone in the yard or garden)
• Pole-barn or hoop-style frames for larger growing operations

Glazing options: For Southern Utah's wind and UV exposure, we typically recommend polycarbonate panels. They handle wind better than UV plastic (which tends to break down in roughly seven years here) and offer better insulation than single-pane glass. We can also build with UV-rated film, twin-wall polycarbonate, or glass depending on your priorities.

Foundations: For most greenhouses in Southern Utah, we recommend a spot-footing foundation with gravel drainage rather than a full concrete slab. It's less expensive, handles ground movement better, and drains well.

Cooling and ventilation: Southern Utah summers will cook anything inside a sealed greenhouse. We design with significant ventilation, with fans pulling air through low intakes and exhausting through high vents. Shade cloth (30% or 70%) can drop interior temperatures meaningfully without sacrificing all light transmission.

Winter heating: Small thermostat-controlled propane or natural gas furnaces can keep a greenhouse above 40°F through most Southern Utah winters.

Permits: Movable greenhouses generally don't require permits in this area, though specifics vary by county and structure size. We confirm permitting requirements before we start any build.

Garden Boxes and Raised Beds

We build raised beds and garden boxes in:

• Cedar and redwood (rot-resistant but will eventually decay)
• Composite lumber (longer life, higher cost)
• Galvanized or Corten steel (very long life, modern look)
• Masonry block or stone (permanent, premium look, requires footings and compaction)
• Concrete (permanent, can be poured to match landscape)

Recommended height: For comfortable use, we recommend raised beds at 24 to 26 inches minimum. That's the height of a typical chair, which lets you sit on the edge to weed and plant. Taller is fine, especially if you want to garden without bending. Up to about 30 to 40 inches is typical for the highest beds.

Drip irrigation: We install drip systems with the beds. Worth noting: Southern Utah's hard water tends to clog standard drip emitters within a year or two. We can install systems with better filtration, or recommend irrigation styles that handle the water chemistry better.

Custom features: Trellises, integrated benches, hoop covers for season extension, deer fencing, and built-in irrigation controllers can all be added.

What We Build vs. What We Don't

We take on custom outdoor projects where the homeowner wants the work done right and is willing to invest in quality materials and proper installation. We're not the right contractor for the cheapest possible garden box or the lowest-bid pergola. If you want lasting work, we're a good fit.

Service Area for Outdoor Structures

These smaller projects are Washington County primary, with Kanab area as a secondary service area. For larger projects (custom homes, additions, pole-barn homes), we serve a wider region. See our contact page for details.