Heritage Builders: The WATERFRONT Experts

The professionals from Heritage Builders are your waterfront design and construction experts. Below are some frequently asked questions about building on the water in Sarasota and on its barrier islands.

What kind of home can I fit on my waterfront lot?

A number of factors influence the size home you can build on your waterfront lot. Municipalities restrict how much of your lot you can cover with your home (all roofed areas, not just air-conditioned area). They also have property line setbacks and height restrictions that can influence the size of your home. We have a large portfolio of floor plans that can be adapted to most waterfront lots. We can also help program and design spaces that take advantage of unique qualities of your property like view corridors, trees and neighboring homes.

Am I in a flood zone and how high do I need to build?

Municipalities have adopted federally mandated flood zone elevations for flood prone areas. Waterfront homes typically have to be built up to survive storm events. There are County tools for looking up the flood zone in which you are located. We can also help determine how high you can realistically build non-living areas such as garages and pool decks and minimize stairs.

Are waterfront homes safe?

Waterfront homes are built to exacting standards and wind codes that provide very structurally sound homes. Generally, newer homes fared quite well during the unprecedented storm season in 2025. Elements like generators and elevated equipment were spared and functioned during and after the storms. Homes built to current flood elevations generally did not have water flood any living areas.

Is it expensive to build on the water?

Generally, it is more expensive to build on a waterfront lot because it is in a flood zone. There are additional costs for foundation, fill, flood vents, stairs and railings that are often required in waterfront locations. With our extensive experience designing, pricing and building waterfront residences, we can help design your new home to limit these additional costs and meet any reasonable budget.

How long does it take to build a home on the water?

Generally, waterfront homes take a couple months longer to build than an equivalent home outside of a flood zone. The size of the home and design complexity can also influence the build times. Our waterfront homes typically take 12 – 18 months to complete.

Can Heritage Builder help evaluate my lot?

Yes! Heritage Builders can provide a complimentary property assessment report that evaluates numerous factors about your lot or a prospective lot. We evaluate factors such as lot coverage, special zoning considerations, building height, flood zones, view considerations and trees. Our in-house architect will drop one of our floor plans on your lot and provide design recommendations and considerations for your home.

To receive a property assessment, please call us today at 941-328-3272 or email us at info@heritagebuilderswfl.com.