Latest article
Browse By Categories
Contact Us
Is your coastal home in Sarasota still a folder of saved photos and a someday plan?
Fall is a smart time to start. The peak of hurricane season is behind you, seasonal owners are back in town, and the design and permit work ahead can run through winter. Starting now means you’re ready to build when the plans are.
Here’s why the timing works, what to bring to a first meeting, and how long design takes before anyone breaks ground.
Why is fall the right time to start planning a coastal home in Sarasota?
Fall gives you a clean runway. NOAA explains that hurricane season peaks from mid-August through mid-October, so by late October the busiest stretch is usually over. Storms can still happen. But the planning season and the storm season start to pull apart.
Planning isn’t building. Most of the early work is talking, measuring, and drawing. You walk the lot. You set a budget. You sort out what the home needs to do for your family. None of that waits on the weather.
Fall also brings people back. Many owners who spend summers up north return to Sarasota in October and November. That makes it easier to walk lots, meet in person, and review early ideas face to face before the holidays.
Coastal lots add steps that take time. A lot near the Gulf may sit in a flood zone, which shapes how high the home sits and how it’s built. You can look up your parcel on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. Some beachfront parcels also sit seaward of the state’s Coastal Construction Control Line, where the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires its own permit.
Those reviews don’t move faster because you’re eager. Starting in fall lets them run while you’re still making design choices, not after. Think of it like booking a table before the restaurant fills up. You aren’t eating yet. You’re just making sure the seat’s there when you’re ready.
What should you have in place before your first meeting with a builder?
You don’t need a finished plan. You need a few honest answers.
Start with the property. If you own a lot, bring the address and a survey if one’s on hand. If you’re still shopping, bring the listings you’re weighing. Talon offers lot consultations, including for lots you haven’t bought yet. If an older house sits on the lot, Talon can demolish it as part of the process.
Next, think about budget. A range is fine. What matters is a number you’re comfortable with, including design, permits, and finishes. Talon reviews cost information and the financial impact of key decisions before design starts. That way the plan grows inside the budget, not past it.
Then think about how you live. Who’s in the house most of the year? Who visits? Do you host, work from home, or keep a boat? A short list beats a thick binder.
Photos help too. Save a handful of rooms and exteriors you like, and note what you like about each one. “I love the light in this room” says more than a pile of pins.
Finally, ask who you’ll be working with. At Talon, it’s the same two people from start to finish. Tom is on every job site weekly, and Jennie oversees budgets and spending every day. You can read more about Tom and Jennie. It’s also smart to verify any contractor’s license with the state before you sign anything.
How long does the design phase take before construction begins?
It depends on the lot, the size of the home, and how quickly decisions get made. For most custom homes, design and permitting take several months. Coastal sites can take longer because of flood rules and extra reviews.
It helps to know what happens in that time. Talon’s process has four phases. First, you get to know each other, the property, and your goals. Second, you define the vision and the budget. Third, the design comes together, with Talon coordinating the outside design, drafting, and engineering professionals. Fourth, construction starts once plans are complete and permits are in place.
Permits come from the local building department. Depending on where your lot sits, that could be Sarasota County’s Building Division, Manatee County’s Building Division, or a city or town office. Each one reviews plans on its own schedule.
What slows design down? Late changes. Unclear budgets. Waiting on a survey that should’ve been ordered weeks ago. What speeds it up? Clear goals and decisions made once.
Everyone wants a date. A good builder gives you a realistic window, explains what drives it, and tells you when something shifts. That’s more useful than a promise nobody can keep. It also lets you plan your move, your lease, or the sale of your current home with fewer surprises.
Talon will walk through the timing for your lot and your plans during a consultation. You’ll know what to expect before design begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own a lot before I talk to a custom home builder?
No, you don’t need to own a lot first. In fact, it’s often smarter to talk before you buy. A builder can look at a lot and flag issues like the flood zone, setbacks (how far a home must sit from property lines), or an older house that needs to come down. Talon offers lot consultations, including for lots you haven’t purchased yet. That way you buy with clear eyes, not just a good feeling about the view.
Can I start the design process while I’m living out of state?
Yes, you can start design while you’re living out of state. Many early meetings can happen by phone or video, and drawings can be reviewed on screen. You’ll still want a few trips, especially to walk the lot and choose finishes in person. Plan those visits around key decisions. With Talon, you get a direct line to the owners, so questions don’t sit in an inbox while you’re up north. We’ll help you plan a schedule that fits your travel.
Which coastal areas does Talon build in?
Talon builds across Sarasota and Manatee counties, including the barrier islands. That covers Siesta Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, St. Armands, Longboat Key, Casey Key, Anna Maria Island, and Holmes Beach. On the mainland, Talon works in Osprey, Nokomis, Venice, West of the Trail, Palma Sola, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Parrish. You can see the neighborhoods on our communities page. If your lot is nearby, it’s worth asking. We’ll tell you plainly whether it’s a fit.
Your Build Starts With One Conversation
Every custom home starts the same way. A few people sit down, look at a lot, and talk about what’s possible.
That first talk doesn’t commit you to anything. It gives you a clearer picture of what your lot allows, what your budget covers, and what the next few months look like. You leave with answers, not a sales pitch.
At Talon, that conversation is with the owners. Tom founded the company in 2015 and is a licensed general contractor. He started his career as a custom home building superintendent, and he’s still on every job site weekly. Jennie was born and raised in Sarasota. She sets budgets, negotiates on your behalf, and watches spending every day. There’s no handoff to another department after you sign. The people you meet first are the people who see it through.
Talon builds only custom homes, major remodels, and additions, and takes on a small number of projects each year. That focus is the point. It keeps the owners close to every decision. If you’d like to see the finished side of that, browse our recent work.
Fall is a good season to begin. Starting the design and permit work now puts you closer to breaking ground on your timeline, not the calendar’s.
Ready to talk? Reach out to Talon Home Builders and schedule a consultation with Tom and Jennie. You can also call (941) 320-8485.
