Unsurprisingly, Florida remains one of the hottest states to live in, and for good reason with the warm weather, beautiful beaches and rave real estate market. Whether you are moving to sunny Florida for work, retirement, or a new beginning, designing your perfect home in the Sunshine State can be an exciting endeavor. But the question you really want to know the answer to is this: How do I find the best custom home builders near me?
In our guide to finding the best home builder in Florida, we’ll cover how to find a home builder, what to look for when reading home builder reviews, how VA Loans can save you thousands of dollars on your new home, and why so many new homeowners in Florida are deciding on affordable luxury homes instead of typical options.
Why it’s Important to Choose the right and best home builder in Florida
Choose a Home Builder That You Can Work With When it comes to building homes, who the builder is can make a significant difference in your experience. A professional, reputable builder guarantees that your home will be delivered on time, on budget, and to a high-quality level. On the other hand, if they’re not managed properly, the project can be a big cause of stress, and budget-busting and regret in the long run.
That’s why researching heavily before even signing on the dotted line is important. Search for experience, communication ability, transparency and a robust portfolio of previous work.
How Can I Find the Best Custom Home Builders Near Me?
It begins with location-specific research. I didn’t just Google “how do I find the best custom home builders near me?” is a fine first step, but don’t stop there. Here are five ways to delve further:
Search Online Directories
Leverage sites such as Houzz, HomeAdvisor, and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to help narrow down builders in your area and price range.
Check State Licensing Boards
Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) allows you to confirm licenses and search for complaints or legal problems.
Ask for Recommendations
Local professional’s real estate agents, lenders and even people who live nearby can offer solid referrals from their own experiences.
Read Home Builder Reviews
Testimonials on sites such as Google, Yelp, and BBB (Better Business Bureau) can give you genuine perspective on customer satisfaction.
Visit Model Homes
Seeing, feeling and touring homes that builders have built is the easiest way to witness quality and workmanship.
Top Custom Home Builders in Florida
These are some of the names you will find at the top of home builder reviews:
Avant Construction
Service Area: Naples, Tampa, Florida
Avant Construction is a Jacksonville-based construction firm which specializes in high-quality commercial and residential renovation. With a solid history established since 1997, their focus is smart design, quality craftsmanship, and cost containment through in-house production. A reliable partner to both neighborhood businesses and national brands alike, Avant is a coveted choice for retail, restaurant, multi-family and hospitality construction. They are especially great for those owners and developers that are looking for quality consulting, fine craftsmanship and a team builder.
Jason Noble – VA home loan Expert
My experience with Avant Construction has been great from beginning to end. I have worked with Frinee and Team as a lender for the last few years, she is a caring, thoughtful person, who really cares about the customers wants and needs. She is also very diligent, she does not rush which insures details are not missed and customers have a great experience. Avant’s finished product has never disappointed, you can see their work and immediately see that this is a builder who knows what they are doing and cares. Avant is also a Veteran Friendly company helping Veterans who are using VA Construction Financing. I highly recommend them.
ICI Homes
Growing roots in Daytona Beach, ICI Homes is recognized for its sustainable designs and customizable floor plans. They have more than 40 years of experience and work in a number of locations throughout Florida, such as Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa.
Arthur Rutenberg Homes
Arthur Rutenberg customizable homes: If you are in the market for cheap luxury homes in Florida then the custom options are sure to provide you with the luxury you crave, while giving you the value you desire in new custom homes. Custom designs and an itemized budget can be done through them.
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers is a national name and has a significant Florida footprint. They have contemporary and high-end designed homes typically in the best communities.
Maronda Homes
This neighborhood is ideal for the first time home buyer looking for a starter home along with the perfect location for second home buyers to be within 2 miles of I-95. They are known for being VA Loan friendly builders.
What to Consider in Home Builder Reviews
Online reviews are invaluable when comparing potential builders, though not all reviews are created equal. Here’s how to interpret them:
- Volume of Reviews: A contractor with hundreds of reviews generally means that they have more experience than a contractor with only a dozen.
- Consistency: If you see repeated mentions of delays, bad communication or budget problems this should be a red flag.
- Photos and Updates: Reviews with before-and-after photos or updates/reviews that include a timeline are more credible.
- Builder Feedback: Professional feedback to negative reviews reveals that the builder cares about each and every customer.
Why Affordable Luxury Homes in Florida are Becoming More and More Popular
“Luxury,” after all, need not mean “expensive.” With modern building practices and competitive markets, Florida has affordable luxury homes with features such as:
- Smart home technology
- Quartz countertops and custom cabinetry
- Energy-efficient windows and appliances
- Outdoor kitchens and resort-style pools
This level of functionality has been a hit, particularly in cities such as Tampa, Orlando and Naples, where homeowners are mixing function and flash.
In Conclusion: You’re Dream House on the Florida Coast
Building a home in Florida is a dream attainable if you select the right builder. From reading home builder reviews to learning how VA Loans in Florida can manage to finance your build, research is everything.
Whether you’re seeking the Gulf Coast, central Florida or the Atlantic side, there is a trusted builder eager to help you realize your vision. And as affordable luxury homes are on the rise in Florida, you can be comfortable and stylish without breaking the bank.