Our Journey Building a Home in Florida: An Insider’s Diary & Guide
Building a home in Florida is the dream for many, but it’s an adventure with unique challenges and a lots of permits. In this complete construction diary, we document our entire journey – from buying the land in Cape Coral to navigating the permit process and finishing our custom home. If you’re planning your own build, our real-world experiences will prepare you for what’s ahead.
Building report: Experiences from Cape Coral
A modern detached house is being built in Cape Coral that meets the special requirements of building in Florida. The report documents the individual construction phases – from planning and approval procedures to completion. Particular attention is paid to the construction methods in the individual trades, which differ from those in Germany.
Land purchase & construction planning
This is where the dream of building a home in Florida truly begins. Before any ground is broken, the critical work of finding the perfect lot, navigating the complex permit process in Cape Coral, and designing a custom floor plan takes center stage. In these posts, we share our detailed experience in selecting a trustworthy builder and finalizing the architectural plans that would become our future home.
The long road to a property in Florida
Title company in the USA is the same as a notary’s office in Germany
Construction company wanted Part 1: Property seeks builder
Construction company wanted Part 2: Builder change
Construction company wanted part 3: I easily can do that
The architect and our floor plan
The building permit: 31 permits to go before moving in
Anyone can do a normal color session Part 1: Just not earth-colored
Anyone can do a normal color session Part 2: Window & door sampling
Anyone can do a normal color session Part 3: Assembling the kitchen
The Shell is Built: A Key Phase in Building our Home
Witnessing the shell rise from the ground is one of the most rewarding phases of any Florida construction project. This section covers the essential structural work, from pouring the concrete foundation and erecting the block walls to installing the intricate roof truss. We document the specific techniques used to meet Florida’s stringent hurricane standards, a key difference in building a home here compared to Europe.
Start of the foundation work: It’s finally starting
Erection of a double-row foundation wall
Pay attention to the gradient when laying water pipes
Backfilling, compacting and pouring the floor slab
Building the shell: brick on brick – it will be a house
Ring beam: shuttering and casting of the tie beam
Erect a roof truss: Wooden puzzle game
Install the roof boarding: Cover the roof with plywood
Building envelope & exterior work
Creating a watertight and resilient building envelope is a critical milestone. This part of our journey focuses on the installation of impact-resistant windows and exterior doors, as well as the application of the exterior stucco and its color. Follow along as the house gets its protective ‘skin’ and begins to look like a finished home from the outside.
Installation of windows and exterior doors: the building is slowly becoming watertight
Exterior plastering: a house is getting dressed up
The Interior Fittings: Making a House a Home in Florida
This was one of the most detailed phases of building our home in Florida. From choosing the right drywall and insulation for the climate to the complex electrical and plumbing installations, every decision impacts the final comfort. We also cover our journey of sourcing and installing a German-style toilet, a true challenge in the US market. These articles document the critical steps that turn a structural shell into a real living space.
USA-style walls in timber frame construction
Electrical installation timber-frame construction: It’s so easy
Two-zone air conditioning: some like it cooler
Sanitary Installation: German Toilet not so easy
Interior insulation: insulating walls at the last minute
Drywall construction & plastering walls on stilts
Painting work: Color in and around the house
Wallpaper on the wall brings beautiful living to life
Outdoor facilities & garden design
A beautiful home deserves equally beautiful surroundings. Our focus then shifted to the outdoor facilities, a crucial part of the Florida lifestyle. This includes essential infrastructure like drilling a well and installing the septic system, as well as the creative process of designing the garden and landscaping with native plants. See how we shaped the property around our newly built home.
Drilling wells & septic systems for domestic water supply
Building a pool: with Infinity Edge & Spa
Building a seawall: Building a seawall on the canal
Coming Soon
Pool & Terrace
Coming Soon
Boat dock & garden
Coming Soon
Final Thoughts on Our Florida Home Building Journey
We hope this detailed diary provides valuable insights for anyone considering building a home in Florida. The journey was challenging, but ultimately incredibly rewarding. By sharing our honest experiences, from the initial planning to the final touches, we aim to give you a realistic roadmap for your own project. Our key takeaway is that with careful planning and the right partners, building a home in Florida can be a dream come true.