How to Build a House in Tampa, Florida
According to The Consumerist, as of July 2010, Tampa has 27,923 lots available for sale on which to build a home. Lot availability is only the beginning. Once you identify a lot, to build a home in Tampa you also have to obtain building permits from the city of Tampa, hire a builder and design the house of your dreams. If you do not have the cash savings to pay for the house in full, you also have to obtain financing to build the home.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Apply for financing. Identify a mortgage lender that provides construction loans. Shop and compare for at least three lenders to compare the interest rates, terms and conditions of the loan. If you plan to work with a builder, also be sure to gather financing information from the builder, too.
-
2
Identify the lot or land where you are building the home. If you already own the land, then you do not need to locate a home site. You can look in the local classified ads or search online real estate sites covering the Tampa area to find land for sale. You should also speak with some of the local home builders and developers because these businesses often have lots available for sale that they can also work to build the home for you.
-
-
3
Design the floor plan of the home. Determine the square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and the other amenities you want the home to have. Work with an architect to create a custom floor plan and building plan for you. You can also buy floor and building plans from local home improvement stores or books at the bookstore.
-
4
Hire a builder or general contractor. You can work directly with a builder to build the home on the site from the floor plan and building plans you have designed. You also have the option to hire a general contractor. A builder handles all of the aspects of constructing the home and typically has people on staff such as electricians, plumbers and builders to construct the home. The general contractor also handles all of the aspects of building the home, but he typically hires sub-contractors to complete each aspect of building such as electricians, plumbers and builders.
-
5
Apply for a building permit with Hillsborough County. Contact the Building Permit Office of Hillsborough County. You need to apply for a building permit for each aspect of the building that takes place. For example, you need a permit to start construction. And when it is time to install the electricity to the home, you also need a permit for this. As the homeowner, you can apply for the permits. Builders and general contractors can also apply for the permits on your behalf. You need the portfolio number and the legal description for the land where you are building the home. You also have to show the representative in the building permit office the building plans for the home. The fees for building permits are based on a percentage of the value of the work that is being done under each permit. The fee also includes the inspections.
-
6
Obtain the certificate of occupancy. Once the home is built and all of the inspections are complete, you must apply for a certificate of occupancy with the Hillsborough County Building Permit Office. This is the certificate that means the house has passed all of the inspections and is ready for you to move into it. You cannot occupy a residential home without a certificate of occupancy.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A permit in Hillsborough County is valid for six months after the permit is issued. If the work is inspected during the six months, the permit remains valid for the six months following the latest inspection. If the permit expires, then you have to apply for a new permit.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit building a new home image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com
