Where We Build
Winway Homes: Elevated Homes Division
At Winway Homes, we are experts in understanding the challenges and opportunities of building in the Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg area. Our Elevated Homes Division has a proven legacy of delivering high-quality custom elevated homes and is your trusted partner in creating a beautiful, safe living space designed specifically for Florida's coastal environment.
The Importance of Elevated Homes in the Tampa Area
With the recent hurricanes and the increased risk of water-related disasters, elevated homes in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area are in high demand. Building your home on an elevated foundation is a proactive step to safeguard your family and property from flooding and water damage. The Winway Homes approach complies with local building codes and FEMA requirements and also provides long-term value by potentially lowering flood insurance costs and increasing the home's resale appeal. With an elevated home, you can rest assured that your family and property are well-protected.
Elevated homes are not just practical—they help you enjoy Florida's natural beauty. Elevated home designs can give you breathtaking water views, increased privacy, and creative use of the ground-level space for garages, storage, or entertainment areas. Winway Homes blends these functional benefits with modern, aesthetically pleasing designs, ensuring your elevated home is as elegant as it is durable.
Why Choose Winway Homes?
Winway Homes has years of expertise crafting unique tailored solutions for your custom elevated home. Our team is well-versed and up-to-date on regulations and technologies to guarantee your home meets or exceeds all safety standards. From site assessment and foundation engineering to permitting and construction, we handle every detail with precision and care, giving you the confidence that your home is in the hands of experts.
Our Elevated Homes Division is not just about building homes; We’re about creating a partnership with you. We focus on innovation, resilience, and style and are here to guide you every step of the way. Whether building your dream home or modifying your plans to include elevation, our expert team is here to listen to your ideas and bring your vision to life.
With Winway Homes, you're not just building a house but creating a sanctuary. Contact us today to learn more about how we can bring your vision of an elevated home to life.
FAQs: Answers to Your Most-Asked Questions
1: Do I need to buy an elevated home in Pinellas County flood zones?
There are strict elevation requirements for any new home construction in Pinellas County, as the entire area is a flood zone. A new elevated home can help you meet Florida building codes and FEMA flood zone regulations. Pinellas County requires that new or substantially improved buildings be constructed at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation (BFE). A new, custom, elevated home can also lower your insurance costs and increase resale value, along with providing better views of the coastal scenery.
2: What flood zone am I in if I am buying a new home in Pinellas County?
Pinellas County provides an interactive flood zone map, where you can search by address to determine the flood zone for any property. Fortunately, the team at the Pinellas County Elevated Homes Division of Winway Homes is well-versed in regulations for addressing flood zone risks, and employs the latest technologies to ensure every new home in the area meets or exceeds all safety standards.
3: Are there elevation requirements for new home constructions in Pinellas County?
Yes, Pinellas County enforces strict elevation requirements for new home constructions in flood-prone areas to minimize flood risks and comply with federal, state, and local regulations. Before purchasing a new custom home, it is important to partner with a home builder in Pinellas County that understands how to meet these requirements.
4: Does an elevated home cost more to build than a traditional ground-level home?
Elevated homes can cost more to build than comparable ground-level homes, depending on the elevation height, type of foundation, and site conditions. However, the cost per square foot for raising an existing house can range from $10 to $40 (just for the elevation), with total foundation costs for pilings between $12,000 and $40,000. So, from a long-term value perspective, it may make financial sense to build a new elevated home to avoid extensive renovation costs in the future.
5: Per Florida state law, can Winway Homes provide a Natural Hazard
Yes! In Florida, especially in flood-prone areas such as Pinellas County, a comprehensive disclosure about flood risk is mandated by state law. Winway Homes can conduct a Natural Hazard Disclosure Report (NHD) to assess all the conditions at the new-build site, from flood zone determinations and BFE to soil conditions and state flood-related disclosures. Also referred to as the Flood Risk Disclosure Report, the report can help you and your builder determine the most efficient way to bring your custom build to life.
6: How do elevated homes perform in storms and hurricanes?
The simple answer is that elevated homes outperform slab-on-grade homes during storms and hurricanes, including coastal communities in Pinellas County. When it comes to storm protection, elevated homes are specifically designed to keep living spaces above the anticipated floodwaters from hurricanes and storm surges. Because they are built on pilings, stilts, or raised foundations, they meet and often exceed the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) set by FEMA and local building codes.
7: Do elevated homes lower flood insurance costs?
Yes! Elevated homes significantly lower flood insurance costs in Pinellas County and in similar flood-prone areas. New, elevated-home constructions also qualify for better FEMA flood zone ratings. Homes built above the BFE are less risky to insure and often qualify for discounts on insurance premiums.
8: Does having an elevated home in Pinellas County affect my property taxes?
If you are concerned about having to pay higher property taxes for an elevated home, rest assured that elevating a home for flood mitigation does not automatically increase your home’s assessed value for property tax purposes in Pinellas County. Taxes are based on the assessed value (market value minus exemptions), not the cost of elevation or construction.
9: What are the maintenance requirements of an elevated home?
Just like for any new home, there are maintenance best practices to ensure your elevated home’s long-term safety, durability, and performance, especially when it comes to standing up to the elements in our Pinellas County climate. It’s also important to note that there are specific elevated home design techniques that can help ensure your elevated home is compliant and future-proof. This includes using quality, marine-grade materials such as pilings or stilts made from treated wood, reinforced concrete, or steel.
10: How do elevated homes affect resale value?
Every additional foot of elevation can increase a home's value, especially in or near flood zones. Elevated homes in Pinellas County are considered more attractive to future buyers who are concerned about potential flooding and insurance premiums. Research shows that homes at higher elevations in Florida appreciate faster than those at lower elevations.
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