After some time spent learning the trade and honing his skills, Garrett launched Tall Pines Construction in 2004.

“We started small and continue to [grow] grassroots here in Park City,” Garrett says. But what set them apart early on was their role in leading industry green building practices.

In 2010, Tall Pines Construction collaborated with Kevin and Svetlana O’Meara on the Sungazing House, which was the first LEED-certified home west of the Mississippi. For Garrett, it was a project that really resonated.

“I believed in it … I also recognized that we needed something additional to set us apart from other companies,” he states.

Building the Sungazing House opened Tall Pines Construction to a world of sustainable building tools that the company continues to use when building homes. “One of the things that you find from building energy-efficient homes is that it’s not just about saving money on utilities. A green, energy-efficient home is also more comfortable.”

Tall Pines Construction’s green building techniques encompass a variety of energy-saving methods. “We like to think out of the box,” Garrett says. “When building a home with quad or triple pane windows, it becomes more energy efficient. We’ve done a lot of homes in the last few years that utilize geothermal heating and cooling and solar panels.”

Garrett explains that these practices are more important now than ever. Energy standards are becoming more stringent because building more efficient homes is possible. “Today, more than ever, we can have a more comfortable home. We can have lower utility costs and a better understanding of how we’re using energy.”

Creating a comfortable home that reflects the homeowner’s spirit is the epitome of custom building. It’s crafting a wish into reality.

“The thing I love about doing custom homes is that our goal is to bring the client’s vision to fruition,” he says.

It takes the whole Tall Pines team to deliver on this goal. “I take pride and enjoy the client relationships. If we have people who are happy, who know what they’re doing, and are working hard, then they have that ability to give to the client.”

Garrett offers a nugget of advice for people considering building or remodeling: “Find someone who you trust, who has good processes. Look at what they’re doing and the transparency of what they’re doing, and talk to other clients about their experience.”