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Frequently Asked Questions When Building in Naples and Marco Island
If you're thinking about building a custom home in Naples or Marco Island, you're not alone. Southwest Florida continues to attract families, retirees, and second-home buyers who want luxury living in a coastal setting. But before breaking ground, many clients have the same initial questions. As a trusted Marco Island builder and Naples home builder, we’re here to provide answers and guide you every step of the way.
Whether you're just starting your search or have a lot ready to build, here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from homeowners.
How long does it take to build a home in Naples or Marco Island?
Permitting timelines vary by municipality. In Marco Island, permitting typically takes about 4 to 6 weeks. In Naples, permits can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months depending on the complexity of the project and the season.
Once permits are approved, construction usually takes 10 to 14 months from groundbreaking to move-in. The size of the build, material availability, and site conditions can influence that timeline.
Do I need to own the lot before we start?
Yes. We can only begin the design and building process once you officially own the lot. If you need help finding a property, we can recommend local realtors familiar with buildable lots across Marco Island and Naples.
Can I customize your existing floor plans?
Absolutely. We're a fully custom home builder. Whether you're working from one of our base floor plans or bringing in your own ideas, we’ll tailor everything to your needs — as long as the design fits within the lot's setbacks and zoning regulations.
What’s included in your pricing and what counts as an upgrade?
We provide a detailed feature sheet outlining everything included in your base contract — from appliances and cabinetry to impact-rated windows and pool packages. Upgrades are available, and we’ll walk you through those during your showroom visit or design consultatio
Do you provide architectural design?
Yes. We work closely with a trusted architectural design firm to develop your custom home. If you already have plans drawn up, we can use them, but we’ll need to verify that your architect can make revisions if requested by the city or county during permitting.
Can you build on unique lots like corner or pie-shaped properties?
Yes. We’ve built on all types of lots — including corner parcels and pie-shaped lots. Each build requires careful design consideration to maximize space while complying with zoning and setback requirement
Do you build energy-efficient or hurricane-rated homes?
Yes. All of our homes meet or exceed current Florida Building Code requirements for wind resistance and energy efficiency. We use impact glass throughout and offer optional upgrades like shutters, screens, and smart home automation. These features are especially important when building in coastal areas like Naples and Marco Island.
Do your homes come with a warranty?
All of our homes come with a standard 1-year builder warranty, as well as a bonded 2-10 warranty. We also conduct a homeowner walkthrough prior to closing to identify and resolve any punch list items.
What are the setbacks for building in Naples and Marco Island?
On standard Marco Island lots (80'x110'), here are the typical setbacks:
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Front: 25 feet
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Rear: 25 feet
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Side: 7.5 feet
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Pool-to-water setback: 18 feet
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Pool deck: 15 feet
Wider lots (over 100 feet) require 8-foot side setbacks. Each lot is unique, so we’ll confirm all zoning and code requirements during the design process.
Do you help with city approvals or variances?
Yes. We handle all permitting in-house and can manage any variance applications or city submissions if your lot or home design requires special approval.
Can I build from out of state or out of the country?
Yes. Many of our clients live out of state or internationally. We use Buildertrend, a project management software that lets you track progress, view updates, and approve change orders — all from your phone or computer. We also share drone footage and photo galleries so you can stay informed without being on-site.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Naples home builder or Marco Island builder is a major decision — and you deserve transparency from day one. At Luxury Homes of SWFL, we’ve designed our process to give you peace of mind, whether you’re living locally or halfway across the country.
If you still have questions, we’d love to talk. Reach out to schedule a consultation or visit our model home to see what we build and how we work.
