Custom Home Design-Build in
St. Augustine, FL
Your dream home designed and built by the same person — from first sketch to final walkthrough.
Custom Home Design-Build in St. Augustine, St. Johns County
Building a custom home in St. Augustine means designing for Florida's climate, St. Johns County building codes, and the specific character of Downtown, Davis Shores, Vilano Beach, World Golf Village, and Lincolnville. With mix of historic Spanish Colonial homes, Mediterranean Revival estates, and modern CBS construction, St. Augustine's architectural landscape is diverse — and a custom design-build home should add to that character, not look like it was dropped in from a catalog. Jay Wilson designs homes from the ground up, then builds them himself. That's the Wilson & Co difference: the person drawing your floor plan is the same person standing on the job site every morning.
St. Augustine offers everything from infill lots in the Historic District to acreage in the western county corridor. Flood zone mapping is critical — much of the coastal area is in AE zones requiring elevated construction. For custom homes in St. Augustine, Wilson & Co handles everything: site evaluation, architectural design, engineering, permitting through St. Johns County Building Department, and construction management. Jay's design background means your home is conceived as a buildable project from day one — no redesigns at framing stage, no change orders from design ambiguity, no lost-in-translation moments between architect and builder. Florida's oldest city with over 15,000 residents and a booming surrounding county of 300,000+ — and the custom home market serves buyers who want something that doesn't exist yet: a home designed specifically for their lot, their lifestyle, and Florida's unique building conditions. Lots range from 5,000 sq ft infill parcels downtown to 1-5 acre estate lots in western St. Johns County communities like Julington Creek and Switzerland.
Our Custom Home Design-Build Services
Most builders hand you a floor plan catalog and call it "custom." Wilson & Co is different. Jay Wilson is a designer who builds — not a builder who subcontracts design. That means the person sketching your dream home is the same person managing its construction. No miscommunication between architect and contractor. No value-engineering your design intent away. No surprises when the framing doesn't match the rendering. From site selection guidance through final punch list, Wilson & Co delivers true custom homes where every detail reflects your vision, built to Florida code and hurricane standards. Founder & Design Builder · License #CGC1532295 · AK Rising.
What's Included
- Original architectural design by Jay Wilson — not catalog plans
- Full design-build delivery: one contract, one team, one point of contact
- Site evaluation and selection guidance (drainage, orientation, utilities)
- Custom floor plans optimized for Florida climate and lifestyle
- Hurricane-rated construction exceeding Florida Building Code minimums
- Energy-efficient building envelope design (insulation, windows, HVAC sizing)
- Interior design integration — finishes selected during design, not as afterthoughts
- Smart home pre-wiring and technology infrastructure
- Outdoor living design (lanais, summer kitchens, pool integration)
- Multi-generational and aging-in-place design options
Our Process
- Vision & Site: We start with your lifestyle: how you live, entertain, work from home, and use outdoor space. If you have a lot, we evaluate it. If not, we help you understand what to look for. Budget framework is established here — before design begins.
- Schematic Design: Jay produces initial floor plans, elevations, and massing studies. We explore layout options, room relationships, and architectural character. This is the big-picture phase — getting the bones right before detailing.
- Design Development: Approved schematics evolve into detailed plans: structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and finish specifications. Material selections happen now — not after framing. 3D renderings let you walk through the home before construction starts.
- Permitting & Pre-Construction: We submit plans to the county, coordinate engineering reviews, and secure all permits. Simultaneously, we finalize the construction timeline, order long-lead materials, and prepare the site.
- Construction: Jay oversees construction daily. Foundation, framing, mechanical rough-ins, exterior envelope, interior finishes — every phase is managed by the person who designed it. Regular walkthroughs keep you informed and involved.
- Completion: Final inspections, CO, systems testing, and a thorough walkthrough. We don't hand you keys until every detail matches the design intent.
Custom Home Design-Build FAQ for St. Augustine Homeowners
How much does a custom home cost to build in St. Augustine?
Custom home construction in St. Augustine typically ranges from $250-$500+ per square foot depending on size, site conditions, and finish level. A 2,500 sq ft custom home might range from $625,000 to $1,250,000+. Lots range from 5,000 sq ft infill parcels downtown to 1-5 acre estate lots in western St. Johns County communities like Julington Creek and Switzerland. Premium finishes, complex rooflines, and challenging sites push costs higher. We establish a realistic budget framework before design begins.
What should I look for in a custom home lot in St. Augustine?
St. Augustine offers everything from infill lots in the Historic District to acreage in the western county corridor. Flood zone mapping is critical — much of the coastal area is in AE zones requiring elevated construction. Key factors we evaluate: zoning and setbacks, flood zone designation (FEMA), tree preservation requirements, utility access (sewer vs septic, water, gas), soil conditions, drainage patterns, and solar orientation. We help you evaluate lots before purchase to avoid expensive surprises.
How long does it take to design and build a custom home in St. Johns County?
Design typically takes 2-4 months. Permitting through St. Johns County Building Department adds 6-12 weeks. Construction runs 8-14 months depending on size and complexity. Total timeline from first meeting to move-in is typically 14-22 months. We provide detailed phase-by-phase schedules during schematic design.
General Custom Home Design-Build Questions
How much does a custom home cost to build in Northeast Florida?
Custom home construction in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Ponte Vedra typically ranges from $250-$500+ per square foot depending on size, site conditions, and finish level. A 2,500 sq ft custom home might range from $625,000 to $1,250,000+. Premium finishes, complex rooflines, and challenging sites push costs higher. We establish a realistic budget framework before design begins so there are no surprises.
What's the difference between design-build and hiring an architect then a builder?
In the traditional model, you hire an architect, wait months for plans, bid them to builders, then manage the relationship between two parties who often disagree. Design-build puts both under one contract. Jay designs your home with construction realities in mind from day one — materials availability, cost implications, structural efficiency. The result: fewer change orders, faster delivery, and a home that matches the rendering.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
Design typically takes 2-4 months. Permitting adds 6-12 weeks. Construction runs 8-14 months depending on size and complexity. Total timeline from first meeting to move-in is typically 14-22 months. We provide detailed phase-by-phase timelines during the schematic design phase.
Do I need to own a lot before contacting you?
No. We work with clients at every stage. If you already own a lot, we evaluate it for your project. If you're still searching, we can advise on what to look for: zoning, flood zone, tree preservation, utility access, drainage, and buildable area. Buying the right lot is the most important decision in a custom home project.
Can you design for hurricane resilience beyond code minimums?
Yes. Florida Building Code is already one of the strongest in the country, but we can exceed it. Continuous load paths, impact-rated windows and doors, enhanced roof-to-wall connections, reinforced garage doors, and backup power integration are all options we design into custom homes. We discuss your risk tolerance and budget during the design phase.
Zip Codes We Serve in St. Augustine
We provide custom home design-build services in the following St. Augustine zip codes: 32080, 32084, 32086, 32095.
St. Augustine Neighborhoods We Serve
- Downtown St. Augustine: The historic heart of St. Augustine featuring centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and homes requiring specialized restoration expertise.
- Vilano Beach: A charming oceanfront community north of the inlet with a mix of beach cottages and larger custom homes.
- St. Augustine Beach: A family-friendly beach community with homes ranging from classic Florida cottages to modern coastal construction.
- World Golf Village: A prestigious master-planned community known for its golf courses and upscale homes seeking premium interior upgrades.