If you want more room and a slower pace while staying close to Orlando, look at Eustis, Geneva, Sanford, Wedgefield and Mims. We have built homes in all five. Our homes in Eustis and Wedgefield sit on lots of about one acre, our Geneva home is on about half an acre, and our Sanford home is on a little over a third of an acre. Below is what each town offers, the homes we have built there, and what to check before you buy land.

What to look for in a small town before you build

A small town can give you a bigger lot, more privacy and less traffic on your street. Before you choose one, check these things about the land itself:

• Lot size and setbacks. Setbacks are the distances a house must stay from the property lines. They decide how much of the lot you can build on.
• Water and sewer. Some lots connect to city or county water and sewer. Others need a well and a septic system.
• Flood zone. You can look up any address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.
• Who issues the permit. If the lot is inside city limits, the city handles building permits. If it is in an unincorporated area, the county does.
• Your daily drive. Time the trip to work, school and the grocery store at the hours you would make it.

We check the lot details for free when you send us an address. There is more on that near the end of this post.

Eustis: a lakeside city with one-acre lots nearby

Eustis is a city in Lake County on the eastern shore of Lake Eustis, one of the Harris Chain of Lakes. About 23,000 people lived there in 2020, and the city’s motto is “America’s Hometown.” Eustis, Tavares and Mount Dora form the area locals call the Golden Triangle. Eustis City Hall and the Alice McClelland Memorial Bandshell are both on the National Register of Historic Places.

We built two homes in Royal Trails, a neighborhood with Eustis addresses. Each one sits on a one-acre lot:

• 30369 Apricot Ave: our Royal plan, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,234 sq ft. It sold in October 2025 for $505,000, above its list price.
• 30340 W Bluebell Ave: our Canary plan, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,300 sq ft, with a 34 by 10 foot lanai. It sold in June 2025 for $515,000, above its list price.

Both listings noted deeded access to Lake Norris. The Bluebell listing also noted that two horses per acre are allowed on that lot. If you are looking at land in the area, ask about deed access and animal rules for that specific lot, since they can differ from one lot to the next.

Geneva: a rural community between two lakes

Geneva is an unincorporated community in Seminole County. It sits on State Road 46 between Lake Harney and Lake Jesup, and the Little-Big Econ State Forest is in the Geneva area. About 2,900 people lived there in 2020, and the U.S. Census counted every one of them as a rural resident. Because Geneva is unincorporated, Seminole County handles building permits there.

We built our Royal plan at 304 N Jungle Rd in Geneva. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and 2,234 sq ft on 0.53 acres, a little over half an acre. It sold in July 2026 for $570,000.

Sanford: a historic lakefront city with room to build

Sanford is the largest town on this list, with about 61,000 people in 2020. It is the county seat of Seminole County and sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe, on the St. Johns River. Downtown has shops, restaurants, a marina and the Sanford Riverwalk along the lake. Sanford also has a SunRail commuter rail station and Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Our Sanford homes are on Miller Road in Eureka Hammock. The home at 354 Miller Rd has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1,771 sq ft on 0.39 acres. It sold in June 2026 for $414,000. On the same road, a home on our Royal plan at 335 Miller Rd is in pre-construction. You can see it on our Available Homes page, and read more about building in this area on our Sanford page.

Wedgefield: one-acre lots in east Orange County

Wedgefield is an unincorporated community in Orange County, between State Road 520 and State Road 528, the Beachline Expressway. Most of the land in Wedgefield is divided into lots of one acre or larger. About 8,000 people lived there in 2020.

We built the home at 18743 Overton St in Wedgefield. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and an office, with 2,297 sq ft on 1.03 acres, and it sold in early 2026 for $640,000. A new 4-bedroom, 3-bath home on Robertson St in Wedgefield is coming soon. You can ask for early details on our Available Homes page. Our Orlando area page covers building in Orange County.

Mims: a Brevard County community on I-95

Mims is an unincorporated community in Brevard County, next to the city of Titusville. State Road 46 ends at Interstate 95 in Mims, at exit 223. About 7,300 people lived there in 2020.

We have built a home in Mims. It belongs to a private owner, so we do not share its address or photos.

State Road 46 connects three of the towns on this list. It runs through Geneva and ends at I-95 in Mims, and Sanford’s SunRail station is off State Road 46 as well.

How we help you build in a small town

Every lot is different, so we start with a free lot evaluation. We look at minimum living area, setbacks, impervious coverage (how much of the lot can be covered by roof and pavement), easements, flood zone, and whether the lot is on utilities or needs a well and septic. If your lot needs a well and septic, we install them.

Next, we help you pick one of our fifteen single-story floor plans that fits the lot, and we price the house and the site work for your lot. Permitting typically takes about three months and the build about six months, so plan on roughly nine months from contract to keys.

We build in ten counties across Central and Southwest Florida. You can see them all on our Areas We Build page.

Common questions about building in a small Central Florida town

Which small towns in Central Florida has Eastern Homes built in?

We have built in Eustis, Geneva, Sanford, Wedgefield and Mims. We have also built in Cocoa, Fort Pierce and North Port.

How big are the lots you have built on in these towns?

Our two Eustis homes are on one-acre lots, and 18743 Overton St in Wedgefield is on 1.03 acres. Our Geneva home is on 0.53 acres, and 354 Miller Rd in Sanford is on 0.39 acres. Lot sizes vary within every town, so check the size of any lot you are considering.

Do rural lots need a well and septic system?

Some do and some do not. It depends on whether city or county water and sewer reach the lot. We check this in our free lot evaluation, and if your lot needs a well and septic, we install them.

Can I build on land I already own?

Yes. Send us the address and we will evaluate the lot for free. Then we price the house and the site work for that lot. Our Build On Your Lot page walks through each step.

How long does it take to build a home?

Permitting typically takes about three months and building takes about six months. Plan on roughly nine months from contract to keys.

Granite is natural stone cut from a quarry. Quartz is engineered stone, made mostly from ground quartz bound together with resin and pigment. Both make hard, long-lasting kitchen counters. Granite handles heat well and every slab looks a little different, but it is porous, so a sealer helps it resist spills. Quartz never needs sealing and has a more even look, but it needs a trivet under hot pans, and standard quartz is made for indoor use. National cost averages are fairly close. The right pick comes down to how you cook, how much care you want to give your counters, and the look you like best.

This guide walks through each material side by side, then shows the granite kitchens in two homes we built in Eustis.

Quartz and granite at a glance

What granite is and how it holds up

Granite is a natural stone. Slabs are cut from the earth, then polished and shaped to fit your cabinets. Because it is natural, no two slabs match. The color depends on where the stone was quarried, and the flecks and veins are part of the stone itself. Many people like that their kitchen has a pattern no one else has.

Granite is hard to scratch and holds up well to hot pans. It is a natural material, so it can chip along a natural seam in the stone if something heavy hits an edge.

Granite is porous, which means liquid can soak in over time. That is where sealing comes in. The Natural Stone Institute says most granite counters do not need a sealer, but many benefit from one because it cuts down on moisture getting into the stone. It also notes that a quality sealer can last 10 to 15 years. Some retailers suggest resealing every year. Advice varies from slab to slab, so ask your fabricator what yours needs. Wiping up spills after meals goes a long way either way.

What quartz is and how it holds up

Quartz counters are engineered. Makers grind natural quartz and mix it with resin and pigment, then press it into slabs. Because it is made in a factory, the color and pattern are consistent from one slab to the next. That makes quartz a good fit if you want a clean solid white, a soft gray, or a marble look with a set pattern.

Quartz is non-porous, so it does not need sealing and resists stains. Daily care is a mild cleaner and a soft cloth. Skip steel wool and other scouring pads.

The main thing to watch is heat. Caesarstone, a quartz maker, says quartz resists heat but high heat can still damage it and cause discoloration or cloudy spots. Set hot pots and pans on a trivet. Home Depot also notes quartz can discolor over time.

Heat, sunlight and moisture in a Florida kitchen

A few everyday Florida details can help you choose.

• Outdoor kitchens and lanais. Most quartz is made for indoor use, and Caesarstone says outdoor UV light can make standard quartz fade and weaken over time. If you plan a counter on a covered lanai or outdoor kitchen, ask for a material rated for outdoor use.
• Sunny windows. Kitchens with big windows or sliders get plenty of light. If a counter sits in strong direct sun, ask your supplier how the quartz you like holds up to sunlight.
• Spills and moisture. Quartz does not absorb liquid. Granite can, so a sealer and quick cleanups keep it looking its best.
• Cooking style. If you often set pans straight down from the stove, granite is more forgiving. If you already use trivets, quartz works well.

What quartz and granite cost

Prices for the two overlap a lot. Angi’s 2026 granite cost guide puts most granite counter projects between $2,000 and $4,000, with an average of about $3,250. Angi’s quartz guide gives an average of about $4,500, with projects ranging from $1,000 to $12,000. Home Depot notes the price gap is often small, and that some granite colors cost more because they are harder to find.

These are national estimates for countertop projects. In a new home, the counters are one part of the full kitchen and home price. What moves the number most is the slab or color you pick, how many square feet of counter you have, the edge style, and cutouts for sinks and cooktops. For a wider look at what goes into the price of a new home, see our guide to the cost to build a house in Florida.

Which one fits your kitchen

Both are great choices. Here is a simple way to think about it.

• Granite may fit you best if you want a natural stone with a one-of-a-kind pattern, you cook a lot and like setting hot pans down, and you are fine wiping up spills and sealing when needed.
• Quartz may fit you best if you want an even color or a set pattern, you want counters that never need sealing, and you are happy using trivets.
• Either one works if you mostly care about a hard, long-lasting surface for a busy family kitchen.

It helps to see full slabs in person before you choose. With granite, every slab is different, so seeing the slab you will get helps you know how your island will look.

Countertops in the homes we build

Two homes we built in the Royal Trails community in Eustis were both listed with granite counters, real wood cabinets, soft-close drawers and a large center island. The Royal at 30369 Apricot Ave also has granite counters on the dual-sink vanity in the primary bath. The Canary at 30340 W Bluebell Ave pairs its granite island with an open family room.

If you are building a custom home, the finishes are yours to choose, and the kitchen can be laid out around how you cook. You can also browse our fifteen floor plans to see kitchen and island layouts before you pick a counter.

Common questions about quartz and granite countertops

Is quartz or granite better quality?

Both are high-quality, durable counters. Granite is natural stone that handles heat well. Quartz is engineered stone that resists stains and never needs sealing. The better one is the one that matches how you use your kitchen.

What is the downside of quartz countertops?

Quartz needs a trivet under hot pots and pans, since high heat can discolor it. Standard quartz is also made for indoor use, so it is not the right pick for a sunny outdoor kitchen unless the product is rated for outdoor use.

Do quartz countertops cost more than granite?

Often a little. Angi’s national averages are about $3,250 for a granite project and about $4,500 for quartz, but the ranges overlap and some granite colors cost more. Your slab, counter size and edge style all affect the price.

Does granite need to be sealed?

Many granite counters benefit from a sealer, which helps the stone resist moisture and everyday spills. The Natural Stone Institute says most granite does not strictly need it and that a quality sealer can last 10 to 15 years. Ask your fabricator what your slab needs.

Can you put a hot pan on granite or quartz?

Granite handles high heat well. For quartz, use a trivet or hot pad every time.

A hurricane-resistant home in Florida is one built to hold together in high wind and to keep wind-blown debris out of the house. In practice that means a strong connection from the roof down to the foundation, a well-attached roof deck, a second layer of protection under the roof covering, and windows and doors rated for the wind where the home sits. Every new home in Florida has to meet the Florida Building Code, which sets these rules. Here is what goes into a home built for storms, how the rules change by location, and what we have used on homes we have built.

Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1 to November 30, so fall is a good time to think about this while plans are still on paper.

What the Florida Building Code requires for wind

Florida has one statewide building code, and the current version is the 2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition. Your county or city enforces it through the building permit and a series of inspections while the home is built.

For wind, the residential code starts with a simple idea called a complete load path. The wind pushes and pulls on the roof and walls, and the house has to carry those forces all the way down into the foundation. Each connection along the way, from the roof framing to the walls and from the walls to the slab, has to be designed and built to handle it.

The code also requires exterior windows and doors to be designed for the wind loads in your area. How strong they need to be depends on the design wind speed for your location, which is set by a statewide wind map.

Wind-borne debris regions and impact protection

In a storm, flying debris can break a window or door. Once wind gets inside, it pushes on the roof from below as well as pulling on it from above. That is why the code adds extra rules in areas called wind-borne debris regions.

Under the Florida Building Code, a location is in a wind-borne debris region if either of these is true:

• The design wind speed is 140 mph or higher.
• The design wind speed is 130 mph or higher and the home is within one mile of the coast, where open water faces the shore.

In these areas, glass windows and doors have to be protected from wind-borne debris. Builders can meet this with impact-rated windows and doors, or with approved shutters or storm panels. Some homes may use precut wood panels that meet specific code limits.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties have an even stricter set of rules called the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Products used there must pass testing to Miami-Dade standards.

Many windows, doors, roofing products and shutters used in Florida have a Florida Product Approval number. You can look one up on the Florida Building Commission website at floridabuilding.org.

The parts of a home that matter most in a storm

The state program My Safe Florida Home focuses on four improvements that help a home hold up in high wind. They are a useful checklist for a new home too:

• Roof-to-wall connections. Connectors, often metal straps or clips, tie the roof framing to the walls so wind cannot lift the roof off.
• Roof deck attachment. The plywood or OSB sheets under the roof covering are nailed to the framing on a set pattern so they stay in place under uplift.
• Secondary water resistance. A sealed layer under the shingles or other roof covering helps keep water out if some of the roof covering blows off.
• Opening protection. Impact-rated windows and doors, or shutters, keep debris and wind from getting inside.

Wall construction matters too. Many Florida homes are built with concrete block walls finished in stucco, while others use wood framing. Both can meet the code when they are designed and built for the local wind speed.

Water is part of a storm as well. Before you build, check the flood zone for your lot on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. A flood zone can change how high the home has to sit and what your flood insurance costs.

What we have used on homes we have built

Every home we build is permitted and inspected under the Florida Building Code for its location. Here are hurricane-related features from homes we have finished:

• Hurricane impact windows at 4570 Oakley Rd in North Port, a Foxtail we finished in 2026.
• Concrete block and stucco walls at 1835 Wheeling Ave in North Port, a Coconut I we finished in 2026.

Features can differ from home to home and lot to lot. The wind speed, the debris region and the flood zone at your address all shape what the code requires. When you talk with us about a plan, ask which storm features come with it at your location, and we will walk you through them. You can compare all fifteen of our plans on our floor plans page, and see how a build moves from permit to closing on our process page.

Hurricane features and your home insurance

Florida law requires home insurance companies to offer discounts or credits for construction features that reduce wind damage. Insurers usually ask for a wind mitigation inspection report to show which features a home has, such as the roof-to-wall connections, roof deck attachment and opening protection.

Ask your insurance agent which features count for your policy and what paperwork they need. It helps to ask before you build, so you know which documents to keep after closing.

You may hear about My Safe Florida Home grants. Those grants are for existing homes built before January 1, 2008, so a new home does not qualify. The program can still be a helpful guide to which features matter.

Questions to ask before you build

• What is the design wind speed at my address, and is the lot in a wind-borne debris region?
• Will the windows and doors be impact-rated, or will the home use shutters or panels?
• Are the walls concrete block or wood frame?
• What flood zone is the lot in, and how high will the floor need to be?
• Which documents will I get at closing for my insurance company?

We are happy to answer these for any lot you own or are thinking about buying.

Common questions about hurricane-resistant homes in Florida

Are new homes in Florida built to withstand hurricanes?

New homes in Florida must meet the Florida Building Code, which sets wind design rules based on the wind speed at each location. Homes in wind-borne debris regions also need protected windows and doors. No home is storm-proof, but the code is written to help homes hold up in high wind.

Do all new Florida homes need impact windows?

No. Protection for glass windows and doors is required in wind-borne debris regions. There, builders can use impact-rated windows and doors or approved shutters or panels. Outside those regions, windows still have to be designed for the local wind load.

Is a concrete block house better in a hurricane?

Concrete block and wood frame homes can both meet the Florida Building Code when they are designed for the local wind speed. An important part is the full load path, from the roof connections down to the foundation, plus protection for the windows and doors.

Can hurricane features lower my insurance?

Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts or credits for features that reduce wind damage. Your insurer will tell you which features count and what inspection report they need.

Where can I see what is required for my lot?

Your county or city building department can tell you the design wind speed and whether your lot is in a wind-borne debris region. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center shows the flood zone. We check the flood zone as part of our free lot evaluation.

The short answer: To build a house on your own land in Florida, you find out what the lot allows, choose a floor plan that fits, price the site work, line up a construction loan, get your permits, and then build. With Eastern Homes, permitting typically takes about three months and the build takes about six, so plan on about nine months from contract to keys. Permit timing depends on your county.

Below is each step in plain English, with what you can do now and how we can help. We build in ten Florida counties, from Orange and Seminole in Central Florida to St. Lucie on the Treasure Coast and Lee on the Gulf Coast.

Step 1: Find out what your land allows

Every lot comes with its own rules. Before you pick a plan, it helps to know what can go on the land. These are the main things to check:

• Zoning. The county or city decides what can be built on each parcel, such as a single-family home.
• Setbacks. These are the distances the house has to keep from the front, back and side property lines. Setbacks and lot width set the space you can build on.
• Deed restrictions. Some neighborhoods set a minimum home size or other rules for new homes.
• Flood zone. You can look up any address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. In a flood zone, the home may need to sit higher off the ground to meet local floodplain rules, which can mean bringing in fill dirt.
• Water and sewer. If city water and sewer are not available at the road, the home will need a well and a septic system.
• Easements and wetlands. A utility easement or a wetland area on the lot can shrink the space you can build on.

You do not need to sort through all of this on your own. Send us your address or parcel number, and we will check these items as part of a free lot evaluation.

Step 2: Choose a floor plan that fits your lot

Once you know the space you can build on, you can match a plan to it. Eastern Homes offers fifteen single-story floor plans from 1,198 to 2,518 square feet, with two to four bedrooms. Nine of the fifteen are split-bedroom plans, with the primary suite on one side of the home and the other bedrooms on the other side.

A wide lot gives you more plans to choose from. A narrow lot or large setbacks may point you toward a plan with a smaller footprint. You can see every plan with its drawing on our floor plans page.

Step 3: Plan for site work

Site work is everything it takes to get the land ready for the house. It is different on every lot, so it is priced separately from the house. Common site work items include:

• Clearing trees and stumps, grading the land, and bringing in fill dirt to raise the building pad
• A driveway, plus a culvert if the lot needs one
• A well and septic system when city water and sewer are not available
• Bringing power to the home from the nearest utility pole
• A survey, engineering, and county impact fees

In Orange County and most other Florida counties, the septic permit comes from the county health department. The application includes a site plan and a floor plan. A few counties, mostly in the Panhandle, apply through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

When we price a home on your lot, the house and the site work are separate lines, so you can see what each part costs. Our guide to how much it costs to build a house in Florida goes into costs in more detail.

Step 4: Line up your financing

A common way to pay for a home on your own land is a construction-to-permanent loan. This is one loan that pays for the build and then turns into a regular mortgage when the home is finished. While the house is being built, the lender pays the builder in stages, called draws, as the work reaches set points.

If you already own your land, ask your lender how it counts toward your down payment. Loan terms, rates and requirements vary from lender to lender, so it helps to talk with one early. Our financing page explains your options.

Step 5: Get your permits

Florida uses one statewide building code, the Florida Building Code. Your county or city building department reviews the plans and issues the building permit. If the lot needs a septic system, that permit is separate and goes through the health department.

With Eastern Homes, permitting typically takes about three months. The exact time depends on your county.

Before any digging starts, Florida law requires a call to Sunshine 811 at least two full business days ahead, so underground utility lines can be marked.

Step 6: Build your home

Once the permits are in hand, construction begins. Building typically takes about six months. The work moves from site work and the slab to the walls and roof, then plumbing and electrical, and then the finishes inside the home.

Every Eastern Homes house includes a 2-10 Warranty. You can see how a build works with us from start to finish on our process page.

Common questions about building on your own land

Can I build a house on any land I own?

Not always. The land has to be zoned for a home, and the house has to fit within the setbacks, flood rules and any deed restrictions. A lot evaluation tells you what your land can hold before you spend money on plans.

Is it cheaper to build on land you already own?

Owning the land means a lot is not part of your purchase price. You still pay for the house and the site work, and site work costs change from lot to lot. A lot with city water and sewer at the road and few trees usually costs less to prepare than a wooded lot that needs a well and septic system.

How long does it take to build a house on your own land?

With Eastern Homes, permitting takes about three months and building takes about six months, so plan on about nine months from contract to keys. Permit timing depends on your county.

Do I need to own land before I talk to a builder?

No. If you are still looking at lots, send us the ones you are considering and we will check what each one can hold.

Does Eastern Homes sell lots?

No. We build homes, and we do not sell land on its own. If you are still searching for land, our Finding a Lot page is a good place to start.

Which counties do you build in?

We build in Orange, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee counties.

The short answer: the nine homes we sold in Florida between March 2025 and July 2026 sold for $299,000 to $640,000. That works out to about $217 to $279 per square foot of living area, with a middle value of $231. Those prices include the land and the site work. What you will pay depends on the size of the home, the lot, the site work, local fees and the finishes you choose. This guide walks through each one using our own numbers and official sources.

What our recent Florida homes sold for

These are the final sale prices for homes we built and sold, from the public listing records. Price per square foot is the sale price divided by the air-conditioned living area. The garage, lanai and covered entry are not counted in the square footage.

Two things stand out. First, the size of the home drives the total price. The 1,300 to 1,335 square foot homes sold near $300,000, and the homes over 2,200 square feet sold from $485,500 to $640,000. Second, location matters. We built the same Royal plan in three places, and it sold for $485,500 in Fort Pierce, $505,000 in Eustis and $570,000 in Geneva.

Cost per square foot to build a house in Florida

Price per square foot is a quick way to compare homes. Take the price and divide it by the heated and cooled living area. Across our nine sales, that number ran from $217 to $279.

Use it as a starting point, not a final number. A per square foot figure does not tell you what the lot cost, how much fill the site needed, or what the county charged in fees. Two homes with the same per square foot number can have very different lots and very different finishes. When you build on land you own, the house and the lot are priced separately, so the best way to know your number is to price your plan on your lot.

Price ranges for our floor plans

We build fifteen single-story plans in two series:

• Essential Series: ten plans from 1,198 to 2,169 square feet. These homes generally run from the $300s into the $500s.
• Signature Series: five larger plans with split bedroom layouts. These homes generally run from the $500s into the $800s.

The lot, the site work and your finish selections all affect where a home lands in those ranges. Stainless appliances are included in the base price on every plan, and every home includes a 2-10 Warranty. You can compare sizes, bedrooms and layouts on our floor plans page.

What the land and site work add

If you already own a lot, or plan to buy one, the land and the work to get it ready are their own costs. Site work is different on every parcel. Here is what it can include:

• The lot itself. Prices depend on the city, the size and whether water and sewer reach the road. Our homes above sit on lots from about 5,000 square feet to a little over one acre. If you are still looking, our guide to finding a lot explains what to check.
• Clearing and fill. Removing trees and stumps, grading, and bringing in fill to raise the home pad to the required elevation.
• Driveway and culvert. A long driveway costs more than a short one.
• Well and septic. Needed only when there is no city water and sewer at the road.
• Power service. The distance to the nearest pole and whether the line runs overhead or underground.
• Survey and engineering. The plan is adapted to your soil, elevation and wind zone, then stamped by an engineer. Here is what goes into a home built for Florida wind.

Well and septic systems need their own permits. In Florida, septic permits come from the county office of the Florida Department of Health. In Lee County, for example, a new septic application fee is $390, plus $155 for a site evaluation when one is needed. That is the permit fee only. Installing the system is a separate cost. Well construction permits come from the regional water management district or a county agency it has delegated to, as the Florida Department of Health explains.

Permit and impact fees in Florida

Every new home needs a building permit, and many Florida counties and cities also charge impact fees. Impact fees help pay for roads, schools, parks, fire and law enforcement as an area grows. They are set locally, so they change from one place to the next.

Here is one example. In unincorporated Orange County, the county’s published impact fees for a single-family home under 2,000 square feet in the urban area are:

• Transportation: $7,344.39
• Schools: $8,829
• Parks and recreation: $2,434
• Law enforcement: $665
• Fire: $462

That adds up to about $19,700. The transportation fee is higher outside the urban area ($10,417.02 in the rural area), and the school fee goes up for larger homes. Cities inside a county can set their own fees too. These amounts change over time, so always check the current schedule for your exact lot. We look this up for you as part of pricing a build, and every fee is shown as its own line before you sign.

How long it takes and how you pay for it

For our builds, permitting typically takes about three months and the build takes about six months. Our guide to building a house on your own land in Florida walks through each step.

A construction-to-permanent loan is one common way to pay for a new home on your own lot. It pays the builder in stages as work is finished, then turns into a regular mortgage when the home is done. Our financing page explains your options in plain English. We are not a lender, so talk with a lender about rates and what you qualify for.

Ways to keep your building cost in check

1. Pick the size you need. Total price follows square footage closely, so a plan that fits your life without extra rooms saves money.
2. Look for a lot with water and sewer at the road. That removes the cost of a well and septic system.
3. Check the lot before you buy it. Fill, driveway length and utilities all change the site work cost. A lot evaluation shows these before you commit.
4. Choose finishes with a budget in mind. Start with what is included, then add the upgrades that matter most to you.
5. Ask for line items. Seeing the house, the site work and the fees as separate numbers makes it easier to compare and plan.

Common questions about the cost to build in Florida

How much does it cost to build a 2,000 square foot house in Florida?

Our closest examples are a little larger. The Royal, at 2,234 square feet, sold for $485,500, $505,000 and $570,000 in three different towns. The Canary, at 2,300 square feet, sold for $515,000. Those prices include the land. Our Foxtail (2,150 square feet) and Fishtail (2,169 square feet) plans are part of the Essential Series, which generally runs from the $300s into the $500s.

Does the price of a new home include the land?

For the homes we sell, yes. The sale prices in this guide include the lot and the site work. When we build on land you already own, we price the house for your lot and show the site work as separate lines.

How long does it take to build a house in Florida?

For our homes, plan on about three months for permitting and about six months for the build. Permit timing is set by the county or city, so we tell you what we are seeing in your area before you sign.

Do I need a well and septic system?

Only if city water and sewer do not reach your lot. When they are needed, the well and septic each require a permit, and installing them adds to your site work cost.

What are impact fees?

Impact fees are one-time fees that many Florida counties and cities charge on new homes. They help pay for roads, schools, parks and public safety. In unincorporated Orange County they total about $19,700 for a home under 2,000 square feet in the urban area. Other places charge different amounts.

What is included in the base price of an Eastern Homes build?

Stainless appliances are included in the base price on every plan, and every home includes a 2-10 Warranty. You can see the full list of included features on our floor plans page, or contact us with questions about a specific plan.

Why we got behind the league

At Eastern Homes, we believe in building more than just homes. We believe in building strong communities. We’re proud to sponsor East Orange Babe Ruth this year and support the young athletes in our community as they grow, compete, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

John and Natalie Morris, owners of Eastern Homes

Opening Day at the ballpark

We spent Saturday morning at the East Orange Babe Ruth fields in Bithlo for the first games of the fall season. We handed the league sponsorship check to the board, met the coaches who keep the whole thing running, and stuck around to watch some baseball.

These coaches, board members and volunteers put in a lot of hours so local kids have somewhere to play. Sponsoring the league was an easy call, and Opening Day made it clear why.

We also put together a few things for the families in the stands: Ballpark Bingo, a free player card maker and a game day guide you can use all season.

About East Orange Babe Ruth

East Orange Babe Ruth is run by East Orange Youth Sports, Inc., a local nonprofit. The league covers baseball from 6U T-Ball all the way up to 18U Senior, plus softball from 6U through 18U. It’s where a lot of local kids learn the game and make friends with their teammates.

For schedules, registration and league news, visit the East Orange Babe Ruth website or follow the league on Facebook and Instagram.

See you at the fields

If you’re out at a game this season, snap a photo and tag us on Facebook or Instagram. We’d love to cheer along with you.

Good luck to every player, coach and family this season. Play ball!