by One of the biggest advantages of buying a to-be-built new construction home in Florida is the ability to customize it before it’s built. Instead of choosing a pre-selected inventory home, buyers can personalize finishes, features, and sometimes layout options through a builder design center or design studio.
This option is especially popular in Central Florida, where new construction continues to expand in cities like Haines City, Winter Garden, Clermont, Parrish, Lake Hamilton, Minneola, and Groveland.
Below is a breakdown of Florida builders that allow home customization through a design center, along with what buyers should know before moving forward.
What Is a Builder Design Center?
A builder design center (sometimes called a design studio) is where buyers make selections for their new home after going under contract on a to-be-built property.
Design center selections commonly include:
Flooring (tile, luxury vinyl plank, carpet)
Cabinets, countertops, and hardware
Plumbing fixtures and lighting
Paint colors and trim packages
Exterior elevations and finishes (community dependent)
Optional structural upgrades (selected early)
Customization is not available on inventory or spec homes.
Florida Builders That Offer Design Center Customization
Homes by WestBay
Homes by WestBay offers a dedicated design studio experience where buyers can select interior finishes and exterior details. Options vary by community and build stage.
Landsea Homes
Landsea Homes provides a modern design studio process in many Florida markets, allowing buyers to personalize finishes and select energy-efficient and smart-home features.
Pulte Homes
Pulte Homes allows buyers to customize homes through a structured design selection process. Structural options are chosen first, followed by interior finish selections.
Taylor Morrison
Taylor Morrison offers design centers or design appointments where buyers select cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and exterior elevations. Customization is controlled but still allows personalization.
KB Home
KB Home is widely known as one of the most customizable production builders in Florida. Buyers often choose structural options first, then complete extensive interior selections at the design center.
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers offers a luxury Design Studio experience focused on premium finishes, cabinetry, flooring, and architectural details.
Beazer Homes
Beazer Homes provides customization through choice-based plans and guided design selections, including interior finishes and energy-efficient upgrades.
DRB Homes
DRB Homes allows buyers to personalize homes through design selections that vary by community and construction timeline.
Ashton Woods
Ashton Woods is known for its design-driven approach, offering curated design collections guided by professional designers.
Dream Finders Homes
Dream Finders Homes offers semi-custom design options for to-be-built homes, with customization varying by Florida market.
Trinity Family Builders
Trinity Family Builders offers a New Home Design Studio, primarily in Central Florida. Buyers can personalize cabinets, flooring, countertops, and interior finishes before construction begins.
Central Florida Cities With Customizable New Construction
Many of these builders actively construct homes with design center options in:
Haines City – Strong new construction growth with value-focused communities
Winter Garden – Master-planned communities with higher-end design options
Clermont – Hills, larger lots, and semi-custom opportunities
Parrish – Rapid growth area with newer builder developments
Lake Hamilton – Smaller-town feel with expanding new construction
Minneola – High demand due to location and new development
Groveland – One of Central Florida’s fastest-growing new construction markets
Customization levels vary by builder, community, and build stage, even within the same city.
Important Things Florida Buyers Should Know
Customization is only available on to-be-built homes
Structural changes must usually be selected before the design center appointment
Design deadlines are strict and enforced
Options vary by community, even with the same builder
Inventory homes typically do not allow changes
In Florida, builder contracts are not the same as resale contracts(provided by Florida Realtors). Realtors should not explain or interpret builder contracts — that role belongs to a Florida real estate attorney.
Final Thoughts
Florida buyers who want to personalize their new construction home have strong options with builders like KB Home, Homes by WestBay, Toll Brothers, Ashton Woods, Landsea Homes, Trinity Family Builders, Pulte, Taylor Morrison, Beazer, DRB Homes, and Dream Finders Homes.
The key is choosing the right builder, the right community, and understanding customization limits before construction begins.
- About the Author
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I’m Rich Noto, a Florida Realtor & Home Inspector with a focus on the best price house, and quality new construction oversight. I specialize in new house purchases which includes getting homes built to Florida Residential Building Codes and Manufactures Installation Instructions.
I help homebuyers beyond the “standard Real Estate sales agent” (who may disappear after purchase contract) by dealing with sales, construction managers, attending/monitoring inspections, and spotting defects. This helps buyers catch problems early.
Builders pay my commission so my service costs buyers nothing. Does not apply after buyer is in contract(all builders) or has contacted the builder alone(some builders). This top rated service is available at any town throughout Florida.
Any agent can “sell new homes” or be a “high volume seller” or have “builder relationships”. Sales marketing has nothing to do with understanding constructions defects. Home Defects are the main expense a homeowner will have and can cost home owners thousands of $$$. Depreciating future resale value.
I enjoy teaching my customers how new homes are built. How to identify water intrusion. And the steps to keep a house well maintained to prevent leaks over time. Out of state buyers get special walkthrough and inspection videos.
Whether its a completed move-in ready inventory house, or a to be built custom on the land, or a spec house. You deserve the best quality for your money.