Looking for Builders in Fort Myers

[Pasquale Zingarella]

Hi! I am looking for a builder in the Fort Myers area. Looking to build on a plot of land already owned in Northeast Fort Myers.

This will be a simple entry home 3/2 1400-1600 sq ft to flip or rent out. 

Please let me know of any recommendations! Thanks!

@Jordan Williamson @Brit Foshee @Gabriel F. @Kevin Dong @Brad Ruttenberg @Mike Terry @Peter Davis

[Al Fernandez]

Originally posted by @Pasquale Zingarella:

Hi! I am looking for a builder in the Fort Myers area. Looking to build on a plot of land already owned in Northeast Fort Myers.

This will be a simple entry home 3/2 1400-1600 sq ft to flip or rent out. 

Please let me know of any recommendations! Thanks!

@Jordan Williamson @Brit Foshee @Gabriel F. @Kevin Dong @Brad Ruttenberg @Mike Terry @Peter Davis

 You are pretty brave to build down here in southwest Florida. We did it once about 15 years ago and had friends that also experienced nothing but bad things. The best comment I have heard was it was not as miserable as we thought it was going to be. This was in a wide range of price homes including 2M+

We decided not to build after doing some research and noticing the industry hadn't gotten any better, even though we felt we could get more bang for our buck. Just wasnt worth the headache.

However if you decide to build then I would suggest.

1. look at their license status and any complaints filed against them. Also search under the name of the business AND under the name of the owners. 

We found some that their current business was clean , but after searching under the owners name found that they had previously owned other constructions companies and after negative reviews with them they would start new companies.

https://www.myfloridalicense.c...

2. Ask for 5 references

3. Ask for permission to Look at their current jobsites.

4. Talk to the subcontractors about the builder

5. Talk to friends and such that have build

6. Talk to a real estate attorney that specialized in construction before deciding what builder to use and signing any paperwork.

7. Ask for a copy of their contract to review at home and with your attorney. We weeded out a few builders immediately that were hesitant to give a copy of their contracts.

8. Ask for everything including the sales pitch to be in writing either-wise its not going to happen.

9. review the contract with fine tooth comb. We found the contract to be VERY one sided in favor of the builder. For example one of the contracts stated that the home owner would be responsible for change order.

Sure no problem, if I change my mind or make changes after the fact I should pay and be penalized. However, the contract also  was written where change orders due to the builder fault would also negatively impact the homeowner. So if you and the builder decided on appliances, tile, etc and they could no longer get those appliances or tile, etc the home owner would have to pay for the change order and be penalized for it. When I questioned them on that there response was " dont worry about it, will make it right" . Yeah right these were the same people that had another previous construction company that went belly up due to complaints and lawsuits.

So take nothing at their words.

10. look online for reviews and BBB and years in service.

Good luck especially right now when the construction down here is booming and most reputable  builders can pick an choose what jobs they take. Down here their is big buck and they good ones are rightfully going for the jobs that start at 1M+ . The others have an attitude where they think you are lucky to throw your money at them and beg for their services.