Pristine Custom Homes: A Family Legacy of Home Building

Founded 25 years ago by husband-and-wife duo Mike and Kris Pahl, Pristine Custom Homes is a family-owned builder based in Minnetrista, MN. Known for its custom homes and close client relationships, the company primarily serves the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs, with select projects in western Wisconsin and Arizona. 

Their journey began shortly after their marriage, when Mike and Kris found themselves taking on small remodeling projects together. As their passion for home design deepened, they realized they didn’t want to just improve existing spaces—they wanted to be part of the entire process, from the ground up. That realization marked the beginning of Pristine Custom Homes.

A Family Affair

The Pahls’ three sons grew up immersed in the home-building world, watching the business take shape from the ground up. While all three remain involved in the home industry in different ways, Garrett Pahl officially joined Pristine Custom Homes seven years ago. Like his parents, Garrett began with remodeling projects, but eventually found himself drawn to the full scope of home building. 

Now, as a second-generation owner, Garrett works alongside his wife, Abby, and his parents, forming a close-knit, multigenerational team grounded in collaboration, craftsmanship, and care.

Staying Small by Design

Pristine Custom Homes focuses on a select number of projects each year, allowing the team to stay closely involved from concept to completion. This philosophy allows for deeper relationships with clients and trade partners, and ensures that craftsmanship and communication remain at the heart of the process. “We’ve always been small, and we like being small,” Garrett says.

A Local Connection

As lifelong Minnesotans, the Pahls had long admired Cambria quartz surfaces for their beauty, durability, and design range—and more recently began incorporating Cambria into their homes. “We’ve always admired Cambria for its superior quality and exceptional design—and the fact that it’s made right here in Minnesota makes it an even more natural fit for us,” Garrett says.

That local connection goes beyond pride: working with Cambria’s in-state fabricators and support team—including Select Surfaces, a Cambria Installation Associate—allows Pristine Custom Homes to achieve precise detailing and dependable turnaround.

A Showcase of Craftsmanship

Pristine Custom Homes participated in the Spring 2025 Artisan Home Tour by Parade of Homes with a standout 9,300-square-foot residence on Prior Lake that highlights its craftsmanship and design expertise. Cambria surfaces were used throughout to balance function and statement-making style.

The kitchen features Macbeth in Polished finish on both the perimeter countertops and a dramatic oversized island with an extended 6cm edge profile. The design is also featured in a half-bath with a custom fluted backsplash, demonstrating the creative possibilities of Cambria when paired with skilled fabrication.

In the lower level, Inverness Stonestreet™ makes a bold statement on the bar’s full-height backsplash, flowing from the countertop edge to the ceiling. “The bar, clad in Inverness Stonestreet, was one of the most striking features in the home. The rich color, the texture, the dimension—it stood out to everyone who saw it and quickly became the most talked about feature in the show home,” Garrett says.

Advice for Homebuyers

For those beginning a custom home or renovation, Garrett emphasizes starting early. “As soon as the blueprints are done, start working with a designer and a builder you trust. You want to be confident in the people recommending what goes into your home—and avoid scrambling to pull things together at the last minute,” he says. 

With the right builder in place, the experience can be as rewarding as the result—and with Pristine Custom Homes, every detail is designed with that in mind.

Building Beyond

Looking ahead, the Pristine Custom Homes team is excited to explore new fabrication innovations—particularly Cambria’s 1cm slab products for shower walls and vertical applications—to further elevate their design capabilities.

While most of their work remains in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin, they’ve recently expanded into Arizona to meet demand from snowbird clients seeking second homes in warmer climates. As the business grows, their focus remains unchanged: partnering closely with homeowners and trade professionals to bring thoughtful, high-quality homes to life.