Faced with a tight housing market, more people than ever are choosing to build their own homes. Building a Sarasota custom home is exciting in so many ways – not only can you design the home of your dreams, but you are doing so in one of the most coveted destinations in the country.

Constructing a house from start to finish, however, can cause anxiety and stress. There are hundreds of decisions involved that will impact the final product – and depending on your budget, there may not be too much room for error. We recommend always involving a professional and experienced architect in any new home construction project, but no matter how you approach it, there are basic steps that will be followed. Understanding the process can help to bring peace of mind and more confidently move forward.

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9 Essential Steps to Building a Home

  1. Pick Your Location: You know the famous real estate adage – location, location, location! While Sarasota itself is an excellent choice, there are diverse choices of lifestyle. Whether you want to live downtown, need a dock for your boat, or dream of looking at the Gulf, finding the right lot may prove to be the most difficult part of the process. While it may take time, it is likely to be worth the wait. Expert Tip: Look for older homes for sale in premium locations – you may be able to tear down the old property and build your dream home.
  2. Decide Who Will Help You: Unless you are a general contractor yourself, you’ll need the assistance of a professional to help build your Sarasota custom home. There are many builders in Florida, but not all of them will build a custom design. For many people, hiring a residential architect is the best choice, as they can design a home based on desired features and style, the available lot, and any local laws or codes. Once the ground is broken, the architect will work closely with the builder to ensure everything goes according to the drawn plans.
  3. Prepare the Site:  Before any building can take place, the lot must be properly prepared. An architect can help you to identify power and sewer lines and gas pipes, as well as properly grade the lot for drainage, clear away any trees or brush necessary, and plan for the driveway and landscaping.
  4. Prepare the Foundation: The initial phase of building a home is constructing the foundation. The foundation for your custom home must be put together in such a way as to guarantee that the home will be level, stable, and resistant to flooding.
  5. Frame Out the Walls: After the foundation is completed, the builder will frame the walls to create a “shell” for the home.
  6. Ductwork Installation: After the frame of the home is completed – but before walls are added – it is time to install the ductwork. Pipes, electrical wiring, and phone lines will be installed in a way that provides easy access before the wall is erected.
  7. Wall Insulation: Insulation is essential in a Sarasota home, as it maintains cool interior air in the summer – and keeps the chill out during cooler months. Insulation is installed inside the walls and then covered with drywall and paint. Insulation in the attic is also a vital part of regulating your home’s temperature.
  8. Install Permanent Fixtures: After the walls have gone up, the floor coverings will be installed., followed by permanent fixtures such as sinks and outlets.
  9. Add the Exterior Details: While your builder is finishing the home’s structure, your landscape architect can get to work on driveways, lanais, and sidewalks.

JTL Studios Can Design Your Sarasota Custom Home

If you are looking for a creative, professional, and experienced team to design and build your home, call JTL Studios. We can deliver the home you’ve always envisioned and will work with you from the initial idea to the final coat of paint.

Click here to view our recent projects – then call us today to learn more.