By Sarah Ericson
Park City residents Dennis and Lisa Loomis have been building custom high end homes in Park City and the Wasatch Back for almost 30 years, and over three decades, everything and nothing has changed. From global material sourcing to design tool software, the industry has evolved from its early pencil sketching and handshake contracts days. But one thing that will never change at Loomis Construction is the small family owned and operated commitment to quality. Today, Parker Loomis is the new lead general contractor at Loomis Construction. With the backing and continued involvement of Dennis and Lisa, Loomis has only gotten stronger.
“We never split vectors or tried to build in Salt Lake. We always wanted our expertise in building mountain homes to be part of the value we provide to our clients.”
–Dennis Loomis, Loomis Construction
WASATCH BACK CONSTRUCTION EXPERTS
Park City has been home since the mid 1990s, but Dennis and Lisa came from opposite coasts. Dennis grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York but found his calling in the building industry early, owning and operating building companies in Virginia and California. Lisa was born and raised in California, and she earned a degree in finance with a background in interior design. Together, they chose Utah for their next adventure, the perfect place to pursue their passions and grow their own family in an up and coming community.
“So many people of my generation have moved away from the trades as a viable career. The (PCAHBA ) board recognizes the void that has been created in the workforce, and we’re committed to solutions for the future. We focus on providing education and scholarships for young people interested in the building trades.”
–Parker Loomis, Loomis Construction
From the beginning, Loomis Construction has maintained one goal: to stay small and deliver hands on expertise to its clients. With Dennis’ mastery of the construction trade and Lisa’s crucial insight into design, real estate, and the mortgage market, Loomis Construction grew steadily and solidly. They acquired new skills and knowledge about the rugged terrain, became experts in building methods suited for the environment, and selected materials that could endure the rough Utah climate.
Loomis Construction has maintained a narrow focus on building mountain homes in the Wasatch Back. “We never split vectors or tried to build in Salt Lake. We always wanted our expertise in building mountain homes to be part of the value we provide to our clients,” notes Dennis.
FAMILY OWNED SINCE THE BEGINNING | PARKER’S JOURNEY
Over the years, Dennis and Lisa raised two kids and encouraged them to spread their wings and pursue their passions. Parker Loomis will tell you plainly that his parents did not encourage him to seek a career in construction. “I grew up around the industry, but it’s only natural that my dad wanted me to chart my own course. When I enrolled at the University of Utah, I took some architecture classes and ultimately earned a degree in communications. I got involved in the student media organization and coordinated the digital operations for the school’s paper and radio station. Initially, I was energized by a new industry, and I expanded my skill set,” says Parker.
Like many people of his generation, Parker sought out new opportunities and followed an academic path to achieve new goals. After graduating, he took a position at a boutique marketing firm in Park City, but his new pursuit lost its luster. “I felt like just another cog in the machine. After all the work I put in to get there, I found that I didn’t fit into that space. I bought a one way ticket to do some soul searching travel, and I had no idea that the path would lead me right back where I started,” remembers Parker.
Parker returned to Park City to officially join Loomis Construction. After two years of working as a Project Coordinator, he obtained his general contractor license, bringing a third set of talents to the Loomis Team. Complementing his dad’s trade skills and his mom’s command of building administration and finance, Parker’s communications background helped reinforce an already iconic duo. “I didn’t reinvent anything. My mom and dad had already honed the craft of building high end homes. But I did bring a new perspective, an eye for design, and I instilled the importance of streamlining our processes. I was able to bring us up to speed with our branding, website, and social media presence,” he says.
YOUNGEST HBA PRESIDENT IN PARK CITY’S HISTORY
Parker now has the honor of serving as the President of the Park City Area Home Builders Association (PCAHBA), following in his father’s footsteps. He is the second generation of Loomis builders to serve in this role, as Dennis served as president from 2007 to 2008.
In addition to injecting new energy into Loomis’ operations, Parker has a strong interest in contributing to community efforts. Loomis Construction has been a long standing member of the PCAHBA, a nonprofit organization committed to providing resources, education, and outreach to those in the building industry. “Being members of the PCAHBA helps us stay in touch with trends and new legislation while networking with others in the industry,” he says.
Parker was nominated by his peers to serve as vice president of the board, a role that had him overseeing the prestigious Park City Area Showcase of Homes during his two year term. After that term ended, Parker transitioned to his new role of president, becoming the youngest president in the organization’s history. “I’m so honored to be serving in this role, and I take the responsibility seriously. As a second generation president of this board, I’m aware of the history and impact tied to our work. Great ideas come from collective conversations, and the PCAHBA is where that important work is happening,” says Parker.
The PCAHBA has long been committed to upholding professional and ethical industry standards while contributing through lobbying efforts, community service, and supporting the local building economy. And there is one area of impact that is especially important to Parker. “So many people of my generation have moved away from the trades as a viable career. The board recognizes the void that has been created in the workforce, and we’re committed to solutions for the future. We focus on providing education and scholarships for young people interested in the building trades. We need to engage with the next generation to ensure we continue to grow all industries associated with home building,” he says.
“I didn’t reinvent anything. My mom and dad had already honed the craft of building high end homes. But I did bring a new perspective, an eye for design, and I instilled the importance of streamlining our processes.”
–Parker Loomis, Loomis Construction
Loomis Construction | Honored To Serve Our Mountain Home Clients
Parker’s unique skill set has strengthened the processes at Loomis on multiple levels. Loomis has integrated streamlined systems within their own organization; they’ve reinforced their relationships with subcontractors and they’ve prioritized collaborative relationships with area architects and realtors. “By focusing on these relationships, we experience mutual benefits. We’ve learned a lot about the changing market, and we’re more educated on building needs and realistic expectations for raw land, home design, and pricing. Whether clients contact their agent, their architect, or their general contractor first, we all benefit from a shared starting point, and we’re better equipped to accomplish the client’s goals when we agree on the property’s realistic possibilities as a team,” Parker explains.
Today, Loomis Construction is doing the same thing it has been doing for 29 years: delivering high end Wasatch Back homes to its clients with two generations of local building expertise. After three decades of that commitment, driving around Park City shows the fruits of their labor. “My dad often remarks about the cumulative sense of accomplishment. We can see 40 to 50 houses that we’ve built in this town and surrounding areas. I love to see his sense of pride in witnessing that. It’s rewarding to see real people living out their dreams in the houses we have built. Nine of those houses have also been featured in the Park City Area Showcase of Homes,” says Parker.
“My dad often remarks about the cumulative sense of accomplishment. We can see 40 to 50 houses that we’ve built in this town and surrounding areas. I love to see his sense of pride in witnessing that. It’s rewarding to see real people living out their dreams in the houses we have built.”
–Dennis Loomis, Loomis Construction
And the team at Loomis Construction is in it for the long haul. “My parents don’t plan on retiring anytime soon; that’s not why I joined the team. They do what they love every day, so they don’t see any reason to change that. I feel so grateful and fortunate to be part of this effort. Loomis prides itself on 29 years of proven success, and I intend to spend at least another 29 years focusing on clients and building the best homes possible. It’s a privilege to help our clients dream their new homes into existence. I can’t think of a more important or rewarding way I could make a living,” says Parker.
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