The Mount Rushmore monument in South Dakota

Are you a resident of South Dakota looking for a sustainable green home builder? Due to the state’s sparsely-populated nature, finding a reliable green home builder can be challenging. This is where knowing the top sustainable green home builders in South Dakota comes in handy.

Unlike conventional homes, green homes are designed and built to be energy and resource-efficient. Also, these homes must adhere to building code standards and maintain the indoor comfort and safety of the occupants. Only an experienced and certified green builder can help you achieve these requirements.

In this article, we discuss a list of the top sustainable green home builders in South Dakota based on the above requirements. These builders have what it takes to build a sustainable home with guaranteed durability. Keep reading!

So, without further ado, let’s look at the specifics of what each of these esteemed builders has to offer prospective homeowners.

1. Brookings Built Green 

Specializing in green building and custom homes, Brookings Built Green has made a name for itself in the South Dakota region. 

Interior view of a Brookings Built Green home
Do you see those large storage spaces in the kitchen? Courtesy of Brookings Built Green

Founded in 2011 by Dusten Hendrickson, this company has built a base of loyal clients through a firm adherence to the principles of building homes that complement the particular lifestyle of homeowners.

Brookings Built Green has been featured in publications like 605 Magazine for its achievements.

The company creates sustainable, energy-efficient homes while keeping contemporary design elements into consideration.

The layout and styling of most Brookings Built Green houses are paired with highly personalized home systems and a set of storage spaces to optimize the building for its occupants.  

Why Choose Brookings Built Green? 

  • Voted one of the best green home builders in South Dakota by Home Digest 
  • Builds affordable homes and is happy to offer financial solutions for certain construction projects
  • Holds valuable affiliations with essential industry players like the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and adheres to green building regulations outlined by establishments like Energy Star
  • Commitment to delivering the highest quality of craftsmanship, with personalized project management tailored to the unique needs of every client

2. River Bluff Homes

Founded by Susan and Jerry Vogeler, this company has helped countless families accomplish their dreams of owning a sustainable green home.

Houses built by River Bluff Homes not only meet environmentally friendly standards but also remain standing for years.

Interior view of a River Bluff Homes green home
If you don’t love this company yet, have we told you that the sidings for this model have a lifetime warranty? Courtesy of River Bluff Homes

Additionally, all River Bluff homes lie on the affordable side of the scale, primarily due to their energy efficiency.

Each house comes equipped with AC, a furnace, insulation, water heaters, gutters, and a deck.

So, you can move into your new house as soon as it’s built. The company also offers financing options to clients to help them build their dream homes in a way that makes the most sense to them. 

Why Choose River Bluff Homes?

  • The go-to place in South Dakota for eco-friendly, high quality, and highly customized green homes.
  • Retail partner with Dynamic Homes, Champion Homes of York, BonnaVilla Homes, Heritage Homes, and Family Built Homes
  • Gives virtual home tours using cutting-edge 3D technology 
  • Offers several innovative floorplans so that you can easily personalize your home and get the layout of your preference

3. Deltec Homes

Founded in 1968 and revamped in 1995, more than 85 percent of the homes Deltec Homes builds are known for being environmentally friendly and highly resilient.

a circular-shaped two story home with solar panels on the roof
Round homes with energy-saving features are Deltec Homes’ signature. Courtesy of Deltec Homes

The company offers an array of ready-made floor plans to families unsure of how their new home should look. Professionals vet all Deltec Homes designs to make sure clients have no regrets, regardless of their model.

Additionally, the company’s commitment to excellence saw it receive a “B Corporation Certification” in 2016.

So, rest assured, you’ll get a bang for your buck when you work with Deltec Homes. 

an interior of a circular-shaped home with an open living room, peach colored walls, and a loft on the second story
Custom floor plans come with unique spaces you can decorate to your heart’s desire. Courtesy of Deltec Homes

Why Choose Deltec Homes?

  • Deltec Homes are, on average, three to five times more air-insulated than standard homes, owing to super-insulated walls and truss options
  • Awarded “Zero Energy Ready Home” designation in 2019 and 2021 by the US Department of Energy
  • All Deltec green homes use passive solar heating and cooling principles to reduce reliance on harmful comfort systems
  • Deltec houses are not simply green by design; they’re constructed based on sustainable building practices and verified by third-party experts, including LEED, Energy Star, EPD Indoor, etc. 
  • Provides rebates to clients who utilize third-party certifications on their projects

4. Centennial Homes

Centennial Homes has been helping homeowners all over the Great Plains fulfill their dream of owning affordable and environmentally friendly homes for years.

Interior view of a Centennial Homes modular green home.
The kitchen of the Blue Ridge Modular model home. Courtesy of Centennial Homes

With locations in Dickinson, Bismarck, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Billings, Aberdeen, and Williston, this home builder serves clients in the Dakotas and even Montana.

Presently, the company has more than thirty new and used display homes across multiple locations and has a myriad of custom-built floorplans available to meet the unique needs of different homeowners.

The experienced staff at Centennial Homes goes out of their way to help clients pick the perfect design customizations, along with warranty and aftercare service, even long after the client has paid. 

Why Choose Centennial Homes?

  • With seven retail center locations, endless customization options, and a massive range of models on display, Centennial Homes can help you find the perfect factory-built home at an affordable price
  • Offers a wide array of homes, including green modular, single-section, and multi-section
  • Serves homeowners in several Montana and Dakota areas, including Dickinson, Bismarck, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Billings, Aberdeen, and Williston
  • Offers the option to build from scratch or to select from the company’s innovative floor plans
  • Displays 30+ new and used houses across multiple locations and has various custom-built floorplans available for order

5. Riverbend Builders

Riverbend Builders was established in 2001 as one of the Bozeman region’s first sustainable housing companies. Matt, the founder, wanted to adopt a scientific approach to construction.

Exterior view of a Riverbend Builders green home
The unique hillside location of the Elliot House makes the warm wood and concrete elements stand out. Courtesy of Riverbend Builders

Currently, the company is among the top builders in Gallatin Valley, striving every day to create a sustainable and healthier neighborhood.

The owner believes that designing is the foremost essential part of building a home.

The location and orientation of the structure help enhance homes’ sustainability. Having a single house that offers multiple functionalities is critical and innovative, and even the choice of materials, such as longevity and maintenance requirements, has a vital role.

Riverbend Builders can help you conserve resources by building a durable, green, and sustainable house.

Why Choose Riverbend Builders?

  • Floorplans are designed based on each client’s lifestyle to ensure maximum comfort and safety
  • Focuses on three core elements of sustainable home building: energy-efficient systems, smart design, and use of recycled materials
  • Uses passive solar energy and durable construction material for longevity and near-zero maintenance
  • Riverbend Builders’ sustainable green building procedures entail site design and lot development, energy efficiency, building durability, and resource/water conservation.
  • Uses low-cost, high-quality renewable materials to design and build homes with unmatched quality and attention to detail

6. Scull Construction 

Founded in 1985, Scull Construction  is a regional construction company specializing in residential, commercial, health care, and educational construction in South and North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Modern timber home with floor to ceiling glass windows and a deck with lounge chairs all surrounded by ponderosa pines by Scull Construction
Nestled between ponderosa pines, 7 Peaks is a home that emphasizes the beauty of the elements. Courtesy of Scull Construction

The company strives to deliver quality on every project, including detailed planning, multiple layers of inspections, continuous communication, and efficient work ethics while keeping the following elements in view:

  • Sustainability
  • Quality
  • Community
  • Communication

Scull Construction helps clients save on energy and water bills and reduce greenhouse emissions, mold, and indoor toxins.

It has a team certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to cater to and develop sustainable projects responsibly.

Why Choose Scull Construction?

  • Extensive knowledge and experience in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) practices
  • Specialized in residential construction, commercial construction, health care construction, and educational construction in South and North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming
  • Holds more than 35 years of construction experience

7. Johnson Environmental

Founded in 2008 in Sioux Falls, Johnson Environmental is a company that provides services for building green homes with Energy-Star certification ratings. These homes save more energy, reducing utility bills for their owners.

Johnson Environmental targets builders, homeowners, non-profits, design professionals, and building authorities across South Dakota.

A screenshot of Johnson Environmental's website showing the services they offer.
A screenshot of the Johnson Environmental website. Courtesy of Johnson Environmental

You can hire this company for consulting, affordable construction, modeling, building performance, rating, and testing.

The company’s goal is to help its customers reduce their environmental impact while promoting cost-effective, energy-saving solutions for homes. Accordingly, this is a solution that will work for your pocketbook and the environment.

What sets Johnson Environmental apart is its commitment to quality. The company utilizes environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials to create long-lasting value for its clients.

Why Choose Johnson Environmental?

  • An Energy Star-certified company
  • Installation of high-efficiency HVAC systems to conserve energy
  • Comprehensive energy efficiency and analysis
  • A RESNET-accredited HERS Raters in South Dakota
  • Quality engineering services
  • Accurate plan analysis using the rate software

8. Henry Carlson Construction

Located in Sioux Falls, Henry Carlson Construction is among the top sustainable green home builders in South Dakota.

Having been in the industry for over three generations, Henry Carlson Construction has what it takes to build high-quality green homes that meet building code standards.

It offers full pre-construction, construction, and post-construction services.

The facade of the Sioux Falls City Center by Henry Carlson Construction
Sioux Falls City Center is a LEED-certified project by Henry Carlson Construction. Courtesy of Henry Carlson Construction

We love this company for the fact that it works closely with its customers to understand their needs and create a green home that addresses those needs. Its advanced management and technology have been the cornerstone of its success.

The company is highly committed to green building technologies and LEED certification. Building a LEED-certified home means a reduction in your energy bills.

The best part is that the company has a LEED-accredited project team that analyzes each project to ensure it meets the specified LEED categories. These categories include:

  • Water efficiency
  • Sustainable sites
  • Energy and atmosphere
  • Indoor environmental quality
  • Material and resources
  • Innovative design

Why Choose Henry Carlson Construction?

  • Energy-efficient green homes
  • LEED-accredited project team
  • Highly flexible and dependable
  • Fast track construction  

Conclusion – Selecting the Ideal Green Builder in South Dakota

Choosing to build an eco-friendly and sustainable home is equivalent to creating a safe and comfortable space for you and your family. 

So, when it comes to building a green home in South Dakota – or any state – we strongly suggest you first speak to past clients, scrutinize each homebuilder’s license with the local licensing board, and use an online bidding system to get competitive quotes.

But, with that said, if you’re searching for a new home or wish to invest in an eco-friendly construction project to promote environmental well-being, don’t think twice about picking any green company mentioned in this list.

These sustainable builders will help you build a safe and unique space that provides unmatched comfort, satisfaction, and joy. Additionally, by promoting green practices, you can play your part in lowering the use of dangerous pollutants that harm our environment.

Remember, eco-friendly structures can collectively bring us one step closer to a greener and healthier planet—a place where our future generations will be safe and happy. 

We hope our list of best green home builders in South Dakota makes it easier for you to pick a company, and we wish you all the luck in this pursuit of building the house of your dreams!

Also, be sure to check out our list of green home builders in neighboring states like North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, as well as our top choices of modular builders in South Dakota, as several of the companies featured may be able to deliver a green home to your area of the state.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *