5 Steps You Need to Take Before Building an Elevated Home in St. Petersburg, Florida

Are you falling in love with the idea of building a custom home in St. Petersburg, Florida? You’re not alone. Between the breeze off the Bay, the walkable neighborhoods, and the unbeatable lifestyle, the Sunshine City is hard to resist. If you’re planning to build or buy a custom home here, you may want to consider an elevated home design to protect your investment and increase your home’s longevity and value.

The Advantages of an Elevated Home in St. Petersburg

Elevated homes in St. Petersburg are designed to withstand challenging weather conditions and comply with stringent building codes to ensure safety and longevity. And they’re not just practical; they help you enjoy Florida’s natural beauty. Elevated home designs offer breathtaking water views, increased privacy, and creative use of ground-level spaces for garages, storage, or entertainment areas. At Winway Homes, we blend these functional benefits with modern aesthetics, ensuring your elevated home is as elegant as it is durable.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have a piece of land in mind, this blog breaks down what you should know about buying or building an elevated home in the Pinellas County area.

1: Know the Neighborhood and the Rules

It’s important to work with a custom home builder in the St. Petersburg area, like Winway Homes, who can help you select the ideal neighborhood to build your elevated home. Many neighborhoods and municipalities around St. Pete have rules about building height, setbacks, and home style. Some neighborhoods even require homes to be elevated due to flood risks.

For example, all St. Petersburg homes must adhere to the Florida Building Code (FBC) and FEMA Flood Zone Regulations, which mandate that the foundation can withstand base flood elevations (BFEs) specific to the area. Pinellas County requires that new or substantially improved buildings be constructed at least 1 foot above the BFE. Therefore, if the BFE is 9 feet, the minimum elevation for compliance would be 10 feet.

Elevate the Home Design for Pinellas County Flood Zones

Any Floridian will tell you that living in “paradise” comes with a few strings attached, such as the risks associated with living in a flood zone. The official St. Pete Beach website makes it easy to view FEMA maps that show which neighborhoods are at higher risk for flooding.

If your property falls into one of these zones, your home will need to meet specific elevation requirements. This usually means building at or above the BFE. Fortunately, the team at Winway Homes understands how to navigate the complex FEMA and local codes surrounding flood zones.

Assess the Landscape for Your Custom Home Build

Every coastal home design begins with the land. Is it flat or sloped? Are there drainage issues? Is the soil sandy or soft? These details impact not only how your custom home in St. Petersburg will be built, but also how much it will cost and how it will hold up over time.

Does the land meet your unique requirements for outdoor living? Your new home’s site should work with the existing landscape, not against it, and allow room for amenities such as a custom pool, decking, lounging areas, or outdoor kitchens.

2: Choose the Right Way to Elevate Your Home

Not all elevated homes are created equal. This is why it’s important to work with a custom home builder in Pinellas County who can provide multiple coastal home design options for elevation, including:

• Stilts/Pilings: Wooden, steel, or reinforced concrete piles are driven deep into the ground to support the structure above. This creates an open space under the house that allows water to flow freely with added ventilation to reduce energy costs.
• Concrete Pier and Beam Foundations: Piers made of durable concrete blocks or bricks can elevate the home to protect against flooding while providing easy access to plumbing and electrical systems for maintenance.
• Breakaway Walls and Flood Vents: These non-load-bearing walls “break away” from flood water pressure without causing damage to the main structure. Flood vents below elevated homes allow water to enter and exit freely during a flood, reducing pressure on walls and minimizing potential damage.

3: Partner With the Right Custom Builders in Pinellas County

Designing and building an elevated home in St. Petersburg requires working with professionals who have the industry knowledge and design expertise to guide you every step of the way. This may include:

• Architects who can help you bring your custom home’s vision to life, including a design that gets the most out of your views, your space, and your lot.
• Engineers who can ensure your elevated home’s foundation and structure can stand up to storms, wind, and time.
• And, of course, custom builders like Winway Homes, who make sure it all comes together seamlessly. Plus, our team knows how to add just the right elevation your home needs to reduce your flood risk and your insurance premiums.

4: Budget for Added Costs With Long-Term ROI

Yes, elevated homes can cost more to build. However, the added investment can pay long-term dividends with a stronger foundation, more structural reinforcements, and better protection in inclement weather. Plus, if your new home is in a flood zone, your lender will require flood insurance. Elevating your custom home can reduce insurance premiums.

It’s important to note that elevation can present access challenges for some homeowners. Your custom home builder can build in an elevator, lift, or ramp for easier home access, while also making the home more appealing for resale in the future.

5: Before You Build: Talk to Your Builder

Whether building your dream home or modifying your plans to include elevation, you want to work with a custom home builder in Pinellas County who will listen to your ideas in order to bring your vision to life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and open the lines of communication.

• Ask for a Natural Hazard Disclosure Report. It’s a report showing flood risks, soil stability, and more. The report can help you and your builder decide if a lot is right for you.
• Talk to your custom home builder about all your related build costs and your timeline. Be upfront about what you expect in return for your custom home investment, including transparency surrounding costs.
• Ask about incentives. Builders sometimes offer upgrades, closing cost help, or other perks, especially for custom homes.

Ready to Build Smarter, Safer, and Higher? Consider an Elevated Home in St. Petersburg

Winway Homes has more than 25 years of expertise crafting unique tailored solutions for elevated homes in St. Petersburg. From site assessment and foundation engineering to permitting and construction, we handle every detail with precision and care. Our team is committed to building you a custom home that will be not only code-compliant and safe, but beautiful and perfectly suited to your family’s lifestyle.

Are you thinking about making your dream home a reality? Let’s talk. We’d love to help you get started. Reach out to Winway Homes today and schedule your free consultation.