Questions, answered.
What people ask before they build in Tampa Bay. Each answer links to a deeper guide and to its official source.
Building with Halo
What does Halo Homes build?
Halo Homes publishes three services: luxury home construction, custom home construction, and renovation and remodeling. Renovation work ranges from kitchen and bathroom makeovers to whole-home renovations. You can see six finished projects on the portfolio page, named Ladoga, Sunset, Chapin, Leona, Watrous and Dundee.
Where does Halo Homes build?
Halo Homes builds in the Tampa Bay area and the surrounding regions. The company has not published a city or neighborhood list. If you own a lot or are looking at one, call (813) 956-1972 or send the contact form and ask whether the location fits.
What is Halo's process?
Halo works in three steps: Visualize, Design, Build. Visualize is choosing a location and envisioning the home. Design is the layout and finishes, from materials to fixtures. Build is construction, with a focus on craftsmanship. Halo has not published a schedule or fee for any step, so ask about those when you call.
How do I start a project with Halo Homes?
Call (813) 956-1972, email jamie@build813.com, or send the form on the contact page. Include your name, email and a short message about the home you have in mind. A member of the Halo team will reply to you after you send it.
Cost and money
How much does it cost to build a house in Tampa?
Public data covers regions, not Tampa alone. NAHB analysis of Census data found a 2024 national median of $166 per square foot for custom, contractor-built homes, and $155 in the South Atlantic division, both excluding land. These are published averages, not a Halo Homes quote. Your lot, design and finishes change the number.
Custom home costNAHB Eye on Housing: Square Foot Prices Moderate in 2024NAHB Eye on Housing: Square Foot Prices Moderate in 2024 (reply from the author)
How does a construction loan work when you own the land?
A construction loan is usually short term and pays out in a series of advances as building progresses. Payments sometimes start six to 24 months after the loan is made. Some loans convert to a conventional mortgage, depending on the lender and your credit. Ask each lender how it treats land you already own.
Construction loansConsumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a construction loan?Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a construction loan?
Flood and storm
Do I need flood insurance on a new house?
Often, yes. In a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. Federally backed flood insurance is available for all buildings in Tampa through the National Flood Insurance Program. The City rates Class 5 in the Community Rating System, which discounts premiums. Ask your lender and insurance agent about your lot.
Build in a flood zoneFEMA: Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)City of Tampa: Flooding
Can I build in a flood zone?
Yes, with extra steps. In a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the City of Tampa requires an Elevation Certificate with your construction permit application. A Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor completes it. Check your lot with the City Stormwater Division before you buy.
What does flood zone AE mean?
Zone AE is one of the FEMA zones that make up the Special Flood Hazard Area. In that area, floodplain management rules must be enforced and the mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. FEMA treats any area with a 1% or higher yearly chance of flooding as high risk.
Build in a flood zoneFEMA: Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)FEMA: Flood Maps
What is base flood elevation in Tampa?
Base flood elevation, or BFE, is the height that floodwater would reach in a flood with a 1% chance of happening in any given year. The City of Tampa will give you the flood zone and BFE for an address at no charge. Call the Stormwater Department at (813) 274-3101.
BFE and freeboardFEMA: Base Flood Elevation (BFE)City of Tampa: Flooding
What is an elevation certificate and when do I need one?
An elevation certificate documents a building's lowest floor elevation against flood data. A Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor completes it. In Tampa's flood hazard areas, it goes with the construction permit application. Hillsborough County also uses certificates after the foundation is built, which checks the as-built floor against the approved plans.
Elevation certificatesCity of Tampa: FloodingHillsborough County: Special Flood Hazard Area Requirements
What is the FEMA 50 percent rule?
If repair or improvement costs reach 50% of a building's market value in a flood hazard area, the whole structure must meet current floodplain rules. In Tampa, that includes elevating the house above the base flood elevation. Hillsborough County explains the rule for unincorporated areas. Ask the City which process covers your address.
FEMA 50 percent ruleCity of Tampa: FloodingHillsborough County: Rebuilding & Repair - Hurricane Recovery
Do new codes require homes in flood zones to be elevated?
In a flood hazard area, yes for large projects. Tampa says a house must be brought up to current code, including elevating above the base flood elevation, when improvements or repairs exceed 50% of its value. Hillsborough County limits enclosed areas below that elevation to parking, access or storage.
Build in a flood zoneCity of Tampa: FloodingHillsborough County: Special Flood Hazard Area Requirements
Permits and rules
Which Florida Building Code edition applies?
The Florida Building Commission lists the 8th Edition (2023) of the Florida Building Code, effective December 31, 2023. Its site also lists materials for a 2026 update. Rules change, so ask your building department which edition applies to your permit date.
What permits are needed to build a house in Tampa?
A new home needs a residential new construction permit from the City of Tampa. The process includes an application, fee estimate, plan review, inspections and a ready-for-completion check. Other permits may apply, such as a tree permit for protected trees. Check with the City before you plan the site.
Permits and inspectionsCity of Tampa: Residential New ConstructionCity of Tampa: Tree Information
What is a certificate of occupancy in Florida?
A certificate of occupancy is the approval a local building department issues when a project is complete. In a Hillsborough County flood hazard area, the finished construction elevation certificate must be received, reviewed and corrected, if needed, before the certificate is issued. Ask your building department about its own steps.
Permits and inspectionsHillsborough County: Special Flood Hazard Area Requirements
Lots and teardowns
What does build on your lot mean?
It means a builder constructs your home on land you already own. NAHB notes that custom home contract prices leave out the value of an improved lot for this reason. Before you build, check the lot's flood zone with the City of Tampa and ask about trees and historic review.
Build on your lotNAHB Eye on Housing: Square Foot Prices Moderate in 2024City of Tampa: Architectural Review & Historic Preservation
Design and process
What is design-build?
In design-build, one company takes responsibility for both the design and the construction of that design. Design and construction can also happen at the same time, because the design team and the field team sit in the same organization. Halo describes its own process as Visualize, Design, Build.
Design-build processDBIA: Design-Build and BIM: A Perfect MatchDBIA: Design-Build and BIM: A Perfect Match
Start your home.
Tell Halo about your lot, your plans and your timing. A call or a short note is enough to begin.
Start your homeOr call (813) 956-1972