Custom Home Builder FAQs: Southwest Florida & Lee County

Who is Lauren Homes?

Lauren Homes is a family-owned custom home builder based in Cape Coral, Florida, that builds custom homes on clients’ lots throughout Lee County and parts of Charlotte County. The company is led by Fred Price, a Florida Certified Residential Contractor (license CRC1331621), and has been building in Southwest Florida since 2013. Our office is at 1425 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33990.

Learn more about our team or see Lauren Homes at a glance.

Where does Lauren Homes build?

We build throughout Lee County, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Alva and Buckingham, and in parts of Charlotte County. Cape Coral is home base, and most of our builds are on lots our clients already own or buy with our help.

A Fort Myers mailing address doesn’t always mean the City of Fort Myers issues your permit. Many of those parcels are in unincorporated Lee County. See building on your lot in Fort Myers.

Who is a good fit to build with Lauren Homes?

Our clients are people building a home they plan to live in: families moving up, retirees and pre-retirees, people relocating to Southwest Florida, and anyone who owns a lot or plans to buy one. They tend to value clear communication, honest numbers early, and a fixed price before construction starts.

Do you build spec homes or work with investors?

We build primarily for end users, the people who will live in the home. We respect investors, but we won’t recommend a speculative build unless the property, the budget and the likely resale clearly support it. If you’re weighing a build as an investment, we’ll give you a straight answer about whether the numbers work.

Can I work with Lauren Homes in Spanish?

Sí. Spanish-speaking clients can work with our team in Spanish. Visit our Recursos en español page to get started.

Do you work with Realtors?

Yes. Many of our clients come through Realtors whose buyers own a lot or want to build instead of buying a resale. We help evaluate the lot, price the home, and keep the agent informed through the build.

How do I choose a custom home builder in Southwest Florida?

Start with five checks: a current Florida contractor license, proof of insurance, local experience on lots like yours, a fixed-price contract (not cost-plus), and references from recent clients. You can verify any Florida contractor license on the state’s DBPR license lookup at MyFloridaLicense.com. Then pay attention to how the builder communicates before you sign. It rarely gets better after.

See the questions to ask a Florida home builder first.

How can I tell if a builder is financially sound?

Watch for money warning signs: pressure for large deposits before plans and pricing are settled, vague contracts, reluctance to give references, and subcontractors or suppliers who say they’re being paid late. With a construction loan, the lender releases money in draws as work is completed and inspected, which protects you. Ask any builder how draws and lien releases are handled.

What makes a home truly custom?

A custom home is designed around your lot and the way you live, not chosen from a fixed menu. Production builders sell set plans on lots they own. We start from your lot’s width, setbacks, orientation and elevation, and from how you’ll use the home, then adapt a plan or design one.

Who actually builds the home?

Lauren Homes is the licensed general contractor and manages every phase. We use long-term subcontractor and vendor relationships rather than always taking the lowest bid, because consistent trades produce consistent quality. Read why the right subcontractors matter.

Can Lauren Homes build on a lot I already own?

Yes. Building on your lot is our specialty. The first step is a survey and a review of the lot, so the design and the price are based on the parcel you actually have. See our build on your lot guide.

How do you evaluate a lot before building?

We check ownership and boundaries, who has permitting jurisdiction, zoning and setbacks, flood zone and required floor elevation, water and sewer availability, trees and protected species, and how much site work the lot needs. Those answers decide what the home can be before anyone draws it. More on lot acquisition and evaluation.

What if I don’t own a lot yet?

We can help you find one and review it before you buy. A review before closing is the least expensive time to learn about fill, utilities, flood elevation or restrictions, while you can still negotiate or walk away.

What should I check before buying a lot in Cape Coral?

Check utilities (whether water and sewer are in, coming, or tied to assessments), the flood zone, lot size and setbacks, the seawall if it’s waterfront, and whether burrowing owls are present. Ask for a survey and a builder’s review before you close.

How big a home can I build on a standard Cape Coral lot?

It depends on the lot’s dimensions, the setbacks for its zoning, and how much room the pool and lanai need. We lay the setbacks over your survey to show what footprint fits before you choose a plan.

What kind of survey do I need, and what does it cost?

Most lots need a boundary survey (property lines, easements, encroachments) and an elevation or topographic survey (existing grades). A boundary and elevation survey on a typical quarter-acre lot runs about $500–$700. When we order it, we also visit the site to flag anything that could affect cost.

What does site preparation involve?

Site prep can include clearing, removing trees or an old structure, bringing in fill, compacting the pad, and setting drainage. How much fill you need depends on the gap between today’s grade and the required finished-floor elevation.

What should I know before building on a waterfront lot in Cape Coral?

Have the seawall inspected, know whether the canal is Gulf-access or freshwater, and confirm the flood zone and required elevation. A failing seawall can be a major expense, so price it before you buy or build.

What if my lot needs a well and septic?

Then we confirm both are feasible before design. Septic systems need a permit from the Florida Department of Health, and wells need a well construction permit. Wells in parts of Cape Coral are often drilled roughly 300–360 feet deep. Compare septic vs. sewer.

What happens if there are burrowing owls on my lot?

Burrowing owls are a protected species, and an active burrow on or near your lot affects permitting and where you can work. We check for them during the lot review and plan around the requirements.

Can I sell my lot to Lauren Homes?

Yes, we buy lots in Southwest Florida. See how to sell your lot directly to Lauren Homes.

How much does it cost to build a custom home on your lot in Southwest Florida?

Most Lauren Homes builds fall roughly between $450,000 and $1,000,000, land not included. Pool homes commonly land in the mid-$500s to $800s. The biggest drivers are size, finishes, site work, flood elevation, utilities and the pool. See build on your lot costs in Southwest Florida and cost to build a home.

What is the price per square foot to build in Cape Coral?

Price per square foot depends on the builder, the style, the products and the quality of materials, and on whether it’s measured under air or under roof. Comparing builders by that number alone can mislead you. Try our free instant home price calculator for a number based on your plan.

What does a $450,000 custom home look like?

Our Lourdes plan is an example: about 1,621 sq ft under air, built from about $450,000 on your lot, lot not included. Take the $450,000 custom home tour.

What costs do people forget to budget for?

The usual surprises are site work, fill, utility connections and impact fees, permits, surveys, driveways, landscaping, pool cages and window treatments. We put site costs next to the home price so you compare real numbers. See what an impact fee is.

Is the price fixed, or can it go up during construction?

Lauren Homes builds on a fixed-price construction contract, not cost-plus. Once the contract is signed, the price changes only for changes you request or allowance selections above budget. Before a contract, prices can move with materials and labor, which is why we give realistic preliminary numbers, even slightly high, rather than a low number that rises later.

What does preconstruction cost?

Preconstruction typically runs about $8,000–$11,000 for a one-story home of about 3,300 total square feet. It takes about 45 days and covers design and getting the home ready to price, finance and permit.

How much does a pool add to the cost?

It depends on the size, features, screen enclosure and how the pool sits relative to the home’s elevation. We price the pool and outdoor living with the home so the full number is clear up front.

Can I get a quick estimate online?

Yes. Our free instant home price calculator gives you a starting estimate in minutes.

How does a construction loan work?

A construction loan pays the builder in draws as work is completed and inspected. Some lenders offer a one-time close that converts to a permanent mortgage when the home is finished. If you already own your lot, ask your lender how its value will be counted in the loan. Our sister company, Fairview Lending, offers construction financing. See financing.

Should I pay cash or use a construction loan?

Both work. Cash keeps things simple. A loan keeps your money liquid and adds a lender’s draw inspections. Talk with a lender before you commit to either.

Can I customize a Lauren Homes floor plan?

Yes. Our floor plans are starting points. We adjust them to your lot’s width, setbacks, orientation and elevation, and to how you live.

What floor plans work best for retirees and aging in place?

Single-story plans with step-free entries, wide hallways, a walk-in shower and room for a caregiver or guests work best. Every Lauren Homes home includes a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Read aging-in-place homes in Southwest Florida and accessible custom homes.

Can I build a home with an in-law suite?

Yes. Multigenerational plans with an in-law suite, a second living area or a two-kitchen layout are common requests. Rules for second kitchens vary by jurisdiction, so we confirm them for your lot.

What comes standard in a Lauren Homes custom home?

Our homes are typically built with concrete block construction, a 5V crimp metal roof, impact-rated Low-E windows and hurricane-rated doors, spray-foam insulation, quartz or level 2 granite countertops, tile flooring, a paver driveway, an epoxy garage floor and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Your fixed-price proposal lists exactly what’s in yours. See all standard features.

How do design selections work?

You make selections with our team for finishes like cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures and lighting. Your contract sets an allowance for each category, so you know your budget before you choose.

Are your homes built for hurricanes?

Yes. Concrete block walls, impact-rated windows and doors, a metal roof and engineered roof-to-wall connections are built to Florida’s wind and hurricane code requirements.

How do flood zones affect building a home in Southwest Florida?

Your parcel’s flood zone and Base Flood Elevation set how high the finished floor must be, which drives fill, foundation and driveway design. Zones are parcel-specific, so two lots on one street can differ. See our flood zones and requirements guide.

How high does my house need to be built?

The required finished-floor elevation comes from the Base Flood Elevation plus any extra height local rules require. An elevation survey of your lot tells us how far the floor must rise above today’s grade.

Should my home have a stem wall or a monolithic slab?

A stem wall foundation is common when the floor needs to be raised for flood elevation, because it holds compacted fill under the slab. A monolithic slab can work on lots that are already near the required height.

How long does it take to build a custom home in Southwest Florida?

Plan on about 10 to 13 months from contract to keys. Preconstruction takes about 45 days, permitting about 45 days, and construction 7 to 10 months for homes under 4,000 total square feet with a pool. Larger homes take longer. See how long it takes to build a home.

What are the steps to building a custom home?

Lot review, plan and site layout, estimate, preconstruction, fixed-price contract, permitting, construction, then final walkthrough and move-in. See the full custom home process.

Who handles permits, HOA approvals and inspections?

Lauren Homes does. We submit permit applications to the correct city or county office, handle HOA or architectural approvals where they apply, and schedule every inspection.

How will I know what’s happening during my build?

Every client gets an online building schedule showing where the project is and what’s coming in the next few weeks, plus regular updates and walkthroughs. That matters most for clients building from out of town.

What causes delays in new construction?

The usual causes are weather, inspection scheduling, material lead times and labor availability. Your schedule shows changes as they happen, so there are no surprises at the end.

How do you check quality during the build?

Beyond the required city or county inspections, we run our own checks at key stages, including before the slab pour, after framing and before drywall.

What warranty comes with a Lauren Homes custom home?

Every home comes with a written builder warranty, and your contract spells out what it covers and for how long. Watch the video for an overview.

What do past clients say about building with Lauren Homes?

Hear it from them. You can also follow our builds from design to move-in on our custom home projects pages.