For more than 30 years, Covenant Homes has been building homes in St. Petersburg, FL. Our design flexibility and personal touch makes us unique from other home builders in St. Petersburg, because we listen to your ideas and ensure your home is just the right fit for you.
Build a Custom Home in St. Pete
St. Petersburg is a city on Florida’s gulf coast, part of the Tampa Bay area. It’s known for its pleasant weather, making it popular for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing. Its waterfront parks host the Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Mahaffey Theater.
Having designed and built dozens of custom coastal homes in the past 30+ years, we would recommend one of the following floor plans for the St. Petersburg area. Any of our floor plans can be customized to fit your needs. Whether you have beachfront or waterfront property, or you would like a coastal charm design, one of our custom coastal floor plans will work for St. Pete.
Covenant Homes offers 27 coastal-style floor plans with more coming soon. Take a look at a few of our customer favorites below or click on the link to browse all of the coastal floor plans we offer.
Key Considerations for a Coastal Home
When evaluating a site for your custom coastal home, there are some key factors to consider to make sure you’re choosing the perfect spot for your dream home.
Understanding Flood Zones
Coastal Zones Explained
- AE Zone: The AE zone is typically found in areas that are subject to flooding during a 100-year flood event, which has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Buildings in this zone are required to have their lowest floor elevated to at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This helps minimize flood damage while ensuring compliance with local building codes and insurance requirements. Sometimes flood compensation requirements are involved so a civil engineer should be consulted to determine the feasibility of these requirements.
- V Zone: The V zone, or Velocity zone, is located in areas where wave action can cause significant flooding and erosion during storms. Structures in this zone must be elevated to a height that is at least one foot above the BFE, and they must be supported by pilings, columns, oversized footers, and breakaway walls. This design is crucial to withstand the forces of moving water and reduce the risk of structural damage.
- Coastal A Zone: The Coastal A zone is an intermediate area between the AE and V zones, where wave action is less severe but still poses a flood risk. Structures in this zone are also required to be elevated above the BFE, though the exact height requirements can vary based on local regulations. The building requirements for Coastal A zones are very similar to those required in VE zones.
- Conclusion: Understanding these zones is essential for coastal home building. At Covenant Homes, we are committed to guiding our clients through the complexities of coastal construction to ensure that their homes are safe, resilient, and tailored to their needs.
Soil Composition
Water-adjacent properties often have varying soil compositions, such as sand, silt, clay, and organic material, which can significantly impact the stability and suitability for construction. A geotechnical report provides a detailed analysis of the soil composition. This report is required when the property is in a coastal flood zone as it has an effect on the design and cost to build.
Environmental Considerations
Assess any environmental restrictions or protected areas, such as wetlands, that may impact construction.
Custom Foundation Solutions
Building near or on the water may require specialized foundation techniques like pilings, piers, or deep foundations. The geotechnical report provides essential data to design these foundations correctly.
See the coastal home builder page for all of the details. Browse through our gallery of custom coastal homes to see the homes our design team has built.
St. Pete Custom Home Building Process
When you’re ready to build your custom home, Covenant Homes will be with you every step of the way. Our proven design-build process creates a clear and organized experience, giving you confidence and transparency from start to finish. Together, we’ll transform your ideas into a thoughtfully designed home that reflects your lifestyle, priorities, and vision while staying aligned with your timeline and goals.
Step 1: Get Pre-Approved
Before building begins, it’s important to get pre-approved for a construction loan. We work with a wide range of lenders, but our preferred lending partners have extensive experience with new home construction. You can reach out to them directly or contact our team for a personalized introduction.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Lot
Once your property contract is signed, Covenant Homes conducts a detailed lot assessment. This includes evaluating site conditions, estimating site work, identifying potential well or septic needs, and calculating impact fees. We’ll set a clear allowance for these costs upfront, and if your project comes in under budget, we credit the savings back to you.
Step 3: Choose Your Floor Plan
Whether you select one of our popular custom home plans or bring your own vision, we’re here to make it work. The easiest and most affordable option is to choose an existing floor plan and tailor it to your needs. If you’re dreaming bigger, we also offer full custom home options, even beyond what’s shown online. Share your ideas with us and we’ll show you hidden gems from our private plan collection.
Step 4: Kickoff + Design Meeting
Once financing is in place and your lot is assessed, it’s time to meet. We’ll walk you through the full home building process and discuss your design preferences – everything from flooring and cabinetry to paint, hardware, and more. Meetings can be in person or virtual.
Step 5: Budget + Contract Signing
We’ll finalize your selections, define your scope, and lock in your pricing with a detailed contract. You’ll know exactly what to expect with no surprises down the road.
Step 6: Build Begins
With the contract signed, construction gets underway. On average, our build timeline is approximately 12 months from groundbreaking—though homes requiring pilings or specialty foundations may take longer. Throughout the process, we keep you updated at every stage.
View Our Floor Plans
Benefits of Building a Custom Home in St. Petersburg
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your next home in St. Petersburg is whether to purchase an existing property or build a fully custom home. While resale homes can offer convenience, they can also require compromises in layout, storage, efficiency, design, and functionality. Working with an experienced St. Petersburg custom home builder gives you the freedom to create a home that’s thoughtfully designed around your property, lifestyle, personal preferences, and long-term goals.
Building custom can be especially appealing in St. Petersburg, where established neighborhoods, older homes, coastal communities, and unique homesites create opportunities to build something new while enjoying the character and lifestyle of the area. Whether you’re building on a vacant lot, replacing an existing home, or developing a property closer to the water, a custom approach allows the home’s design to respond to the individual characteristics of your homesite.
Instead of adapting your lifestyle to someone else’s floor plan, you can determine how your home looks and functions from the beginning. Personalize the number and size of rooms, architectural style, kitchen layout, garage, storage, finishes, and outdoor living areas. You can also incorporate today’s energy-efficient systems, smart home technology, and modern construction materials into the original design rather than trying to add them to an older home later.
Top Benefits of Building a Custom Home in St. Petersburg
- Personalized Design: Create a floor plan and living spaces tailored to your lifestyle, personal style, and plans for the future.
- Modern Features and Efficiency: Incorporate energy-efficient systems, smart home technology, updated building materials, and modern conveniences from the start.
- Fewer Maintenance Concerns: New construction can help reduce many of the immediate repairs and maintenance issues that may come with purchasing an older St. Petersburg home.
- Better Use of Space: Design every square foot with purpose, including home offices, flexible living areas, additional storage, guest spaces, and rooms for entertaining.
- Designed for Your Homesite: Position and personalize your home around your property’s dimensions, natural light, views, privacy, and other unique characteristics.
- Florida Outdoor Living: Create covered lanais, outdoor kitchens, pools, large sliding doors, and other spaces that make it easier to enjoy St. Petersburg’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
- Coastal Considerations: For properties in coastal or flood-prone areas, your home’s design can account for site-specific elevation, foundation, and construction requirements from the beginning.
- Long-Term Flexibility: Build a home that works for your needs today while creating spaces that can adapt as your family and lifestyle evolve.
Building a custom home in St. Petersburg gives you the opportunity to design with intention rather than making your needs fit an existing property. From the way your home sits on the lot to the layout, architectural details, finishes, and outdoor spaces, every decision can contribute to a home that feels distinctly yours.
With more than 30 years of Florida custom home building experience, Covenant Homes can help you create a home that combines personalized design, modern functionality, quality craftsmanship, and the features that make living in St. Petersburg special.
Already Own a Lot?
Partner with our team to create a custom home that perfectly fits your vision and land.
Need a Lot?
We have select lots available for your new home, or if you don’t see the perfect fit, we’re happy to help you find the ideal property to build on.
Why Choose Covenant Homes
If you’re looking for a trusted St. Petersburg custom home builder, Covenant Homes brings more than 30 years of Florida home building experience, personalized service, and true custom design capabilities to every project. We take the time to understand your vision, priorities, and property so we can create a home that’s thoughtfully designed around the way you want to live.
Whether you already own land in St. Petersburg or are still searching for the right land, our team can help you take the next step. We can connect you with trusted Realtor partners to assist with your property search or evaluate a lot you already own. From established residential neighborhoods to coastal and waterfront properties, we’ll consider your homesite’s size, location, views, natural features, and site-specific requirements as we plan your new home.
As a true custom home builder, Covenant Homes gives you the flexibility to create a home that’s distinctly yours. Start with one of our existing floor plans and personalize it or work with our team to develop a completely custom design based on your needs and ideas. you can adjust bedrooms and bathrooms, expand your kitchen or living areas, customize the garage, create flexible spaces, and select architectural details and finishes that reflect your personal style.
Building custom in St. Petersburg also gives you the opportunity to design around the Florida lifestyle. Depending on your property and preferences, your home might include a covered lanai, outdoor kitchen, pool, expansive windows, large sliding doors, or elevated outdoor living areas. For properties in coastal or flood-prone locations, we can also account for site-specific considerations as part of the planning and design process.
Covenant Homes is a faith-based, family-owned business with roots in Florida spanning five generations. Our connection to the communities we serve, combined with decades of custom home building experience, allows us to provide the personal attention, knowledgeable guidance, and quality craftsmanship homeowners deserve from the first conversation through the completion of their home.
If you’re ready to build a custom home in St. Petersburg, Florida, contact Covenant Homes to schedule a consultation. Whether you already have a homesite and a vision or are just beginning to explore your options, we’ll help you discover what’s possible and create a home designed specifically for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we get during the home build process. If you have more questions, reach out to the Covenant Homes team.
Can I design a custom home?
Yes. If your project requires a fully custom design, we can connect you with our designer to develop the preliminary floor plan and elevation. You would work with and pay the designer directly for this service. Once the preliminary plans are completed, Covenant can provide a price for your design.
Do you build in flood zones?
Yes, we have extensive experience building in flood zones. Additional requirements may apply depending on the property, and these will be evaluated during the lot assessment phase.
Check out our coastal homes page here: https://mycovenanthomes.com/coastal-home-builder/
Can you help me find a lot?
Yes, once you have been pre-approved for a construction loan, we can assist with the lot-hunting process. Learn more here!
Can you build my plan on my lot?
Yes, if you have a set of architectural drawings, we can provide a bid and build your plan on your lot. Learn more here!
What is your process?
Our home-building process is simple.
Step 1: Book an initial consultation with our custom building experts
Step 2: Select your base
Step 3: Work with your home consultant to customize the design
Step 4: Select your finishes and fixtures
Step 5: Build your custom home
Can I make changes to your floor plans?
Yes. You may make changes to any of the floor plans shown on our website. We recommend starting with the floor plan that best fits your needs and marking any changes you’d like to make. Focus first on the layout rather than the exterior, as elevations and architectural styles can typically be customized. Depending on the extent of your modifications, pricing may change, and larger structural revisions may require a fully custom home design process.