Cost to build a house in Miami
Per-square-foot ranges, a phase breakdown, and the Florida factors that drive the number.
Custom Home Building · Miami · 2026
The custom home building process in Miami, step by step
What actually happens between "we want to build" and getting the keys — the real sequence, who does what, and how long each stage takes in Miami-Dade.
In short: building a custom home in Miami runs through seven stages — feasibility, design, engineering, permitting, site work, vertical construction, and closeout — and takes roughly 14 to 22 months from contract to certificate of occupancy. The stages that most often surprise people are permitting and feasibility, which is why the smartest builds front-load both.
Here's each stage, what it involves, and the Miami-specific realities at each step.
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01
Feasibility & lot assessment
Before design, confirm what the lot allows — zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, floor-area ratio, height limits, and flood-zone requirements. We scan the site with 3D LiDAR so the design starts from real conditions. This stage prevents the most expensive mistake in custom building: designing something the lot can't support. ~2–4 weeks.
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02
Design & architecture
You work with an architect — yours or one from our network — to develop the plans. We stay involved to keep the design buildable and on-budget, flagging cost drivers before they're locked in. ~2–5 months depending on complexity.
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03
Engineering & the estimate
Structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering turn the design into a permit-ready, buildable set. From it we produce an engineered, fixed-price estimate — not a per-square-foot ballpark. ~4–8 weeks, often overlapping design.
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04
Permitting
We submit to Miami-Dade (and the relevant municipality), respond to review comments, and secure the building permit — plus any zoning, environmental, or HOA approvals. This is the most common cause of schedule slippage in Miami. ~3–6 months.
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05
Site work & foundation
Demolition (if any), clearing, utilities, fill and grading, and the foundation — including flood-zone elevation where required. ~2–3 months.
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06
Vertical construction
Concrete-block structure, roof, impact windows and doors, MEP rough-in, insulation, drywall, and finishes — sequenced with a rolling two-week look-ahead. Live job-site cameras and Buildertrend keep you seeing the same progress we do. ~8–12 months.
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07
Punch list, CO & warranty
Final inspections through certificate of occupancy, a structured punch list, walk-through, and a documented one-year warranty. Then you get the keys. ~3–5 weeks.
Common questions
Building a custom home in Miami — FAQ
How long does it take to build a custom home in Miami?
About 14 to 22 months from contract to certificate of occupancy: 4–8 months for design and permitting, 2–3 months of site work and foundation, and 8–12 months of vertical construction. Waterfront, historic, and flood-zone lots run longer.
Do I need an architect and a builder, or just one?
You need both an architect and a licensed general contractor, but they should be coordinated from the start. We work with your architect or bring one in, and we recommend involving the builder during design so the plans stay buildable and on-budget — not after drawings are finalized.
When do I start paying, and how are payments structured?
Custom builds are paid in scheduled draws tied to completed milestones (foundation, framing, dry-in, and so on), typically financed with a construction loan. Design and engineering are paid earlier, before the build contract. We map the full draw schedule into your contract so there are no surprises.
What's the first step to building a custom home?
A feasibility and lot assessment. Before spending on design, confirm what your lot allows and what it will realistically cost to build there. It's the cheapest way to avoid the most expensive mistakes, and it's where we start every project.
Keep reading
Planning your build
New construction
Our full ground-up build service — engineered, permitted, and managed end to end.
Custom homes
For homeowners who want exactly what they envisioned.
Thinking about building?
Start with a free feasibility conversation. Tell us about your lot or your vision and we'll walk you through what's realistic.