SANDY, UTAH – Elevation Construction is quietly leading a housing revolution in Utah, deploying modular construction, innovative foundations, and flexible designs to tackle one of the state’s most urgent problems: housing affordability.

As Utah was once again ranked the #1 state in the U.S. for economy, opportunity, and family life, another reality looms—many Utah residents can’t afford a home. Brody Lambert, co-founder and CEO of Elevation Construction, is determined to change that narrative.

“We’re not trying to get rich in 12 months. We’re playing the long game,” Lambert explained. “We’re building homes that people can actually afford—and grow into.”

Lambert, a former public-sector building inspector, brings more than 25 years of experience in fabrication, framing, infrastructure, and mechanical systems. A graduate of Utah State’s Huntsman School of Business, he holds multiple state licenses and 16 certifications from the International Code Council.

‘Dirt Isn’t Cheap’: The Root of Utah’s Housing Crisis

Utah’s geography limits available land to valleys surrounded by mountains and lakes, making land expensive and scarce. “You’re not building on endless Kansas plains here,” Lambert said. “And sellers know they can get top dollar from out-of-state buyers with cash. That alone prices out the majority of Utahns.”

Lambert also points to outdated zoning codes requiring large frontages and lot sizes, rules that prohibit the kinds of small, dense neighborhoods that once flourished in places like Sugar House and The Avenues.

A Tech-Enabled Approach to Affordable Housing

Rather than wait for zoning reform, Elevation Construction is leveraging new building technologies. Their test site: a small development in Ephraim, Utah.

At the center of the approach is modular construction. Panels arrive prefabricated from California-based Livio, complete with wiring, plumbing, and sheathing. “We put one up in 12.5 hours,” Lambert said. “From foundation to roof, you’re walking through the house the next morning.”

Supporting the structure is an innovative foam-insulated foundation from Provo’s SimplyBilt that requires only 12 inches of excavation. The result? Faster construction, reduced labor costs, and better energy efficiency.

For interiors, Elevation uses HydroBlok, a mold-resistant, lightweight alternative to drywall. “It’s safer for laborers, especially women and older workers,” Lambert noted. Together, these methods cut build times from 100 days to just 45 while slashing construction waste.

A Home Designed to Grow With Families

Elevation’s starter model is a 1,250-square-foot, three-bedroom, 1.5-bath home priced at $299,000. But it’s more than a starter—it’s designed for expansion.

“We build the foundation up front to allow for additions—a garage, a master suite, an ADU,” Lambert said. “As owners build equity or get a better job, they can grow the home.”

New lending rules mean rental income from an ADU can count toward mortgage qualification, opening doors for households earning $70,000–$120,000 annually.

A Tough Sell in a High-Margin Industry

Elevation’s model—intentionally leaving $30–$40 per square foot of equity with the buyer—has raised eyebrows in the industry. “We’re leaving $30 to $40 a square foot of equity on the table—for the buyer,” Lambert said. “The traditional homebuilding model doesn’t support that.”

Major builders have walked away from the model, but Elevation is finding partners elsewhere: landowners willing to defer lot payments, builders willing to trim margins, and cities willing to allow smaller lots. Ephraim became the first city to approve the concept.

Scaling Up Across Utah

With projects expanding into Grantsville, Nephi, Helper, and Hurricane, Elevation is gaining momentum. The company is also in discussions with state officials about developing on Utah Trust Lands to broaden access to affordable homes.

For Lambert, it’s about restoring the American Dream. “You don’t fix this problem doing what everyone else is doing,” he said. “You’ve got to be willing to do something different—and leave a little on the table for someone else.”

For more information about Elevation Construction, visit their website.

Originally reported by Utah Tech Buzz News.