Building your first custom home is an exciting undertaking. Unlike purchasing an existing home, building a house allows you to include the functional features, practical layout, and aesthetic design important to you and your family. Working with professional custom builders may be a new experience, but it is exceptionally gratifying – you can finally have the custom Florida home you’ve envisioned! 

Remember: Every builder may handle the process and contractual obligations differently. Be sure to clarify the exact process and expectations with your builder. 

Let’s Get Started: The Design Process

You can discuss your basic needs, requirements, and dreams with as many architects or builders as you like. However, once you have decided on the professional designer you would like to work with, you will sign a contract confirming that you agree to hire them for the project design. Even if you decide to hire someone else to build the home, you will be contractually obligated to pay for the designer’s work.

Once the builder, designer, and buyer agree on layouts and design, the engineering and structural plans will be drafted. After those plans are completed, the interior design process can begin.

Expert Tip: At this point in the process, you may be feeling a bit of “decision fatigue,” as every detail is accounted for. However, do not rush this process. Thoughtful decision-making at every stage helps to limit miscommunication and regret down the line when changes can be much more costly and delay the process. 

Up Next: Pre-construction and Site Excavation

Many activities happen behind the scenes during the pre-construction phase to ensure a more streamlined construction process. The team will pull permits and obtain necessary HOA approvals while you may be securing a construction loan and putting the finishing touches on your budget.

Once everything is in place, site excavation can begin – and you can finally begin to see the progress on your new custom home. Building a house in Florida involves preparing the building pad and beginning plumbing and electrical work.

Framing, Mechanical, Insulation and Drywall

The framing stage is when the structure of the home becomes evident—after all, there is something about seeing the floor plan, doors, and windows of your home finally become a tangible reality.

Once the house is framed, the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems can be installed. These activities typically occur simultaneously, and you will see a flurry of activity around the homesite. Once the mechanical systems are installed, insulation and drywall go up, and your custom home is ready for finishing.

Finishes: Interior and Exterior

All the time and effort you put into decision-making in the design phase pays off now – countertops, flooring, and cabinetry begin to pull your design together. Simultaneously, exterior finishes, such as stonework, railings, gutters, shutters, and other custom details are installed.

The last things to be installed are light fixtures, carpets, glass and mirrors, appliances, window screens, and the final coat of paint.

Almost There: Clean-Up and Walk-through

Once the construction crew is done, the site will be professionally cleared and cleaned up, and your house will be ready for inspection. You will have the opportunity to walk through the home with the construction manager to ensure everything was completed according to the contract and expectations. At this stage, you will likely create a punch list of necessary touchups or minor changes before closing day.

Bruce Williams Homes: Start to Finish

Bruce Williams Homes has a longstanding reputation in the Sarasota and Manatee communities for designing and building exceptional custom homes.

If you are considering the new construction of a custom Florida home, you don’t need to assemble a team of professionals on your own. You can trust us to manage every stage of the process. We are accountable, from design to permitting to final walk-through.

A call to Bruce Williams Homes is the only call you need to make when building a new custom home —and we prove it to our customers every day. We invite you to browse our gallery, learn more about our process, and call today for an initial consultation.