How Do I Get Started?

Every Topsider project begins with a conversation. Whether you are just exploring ideas, already own property or have preliminary plans, we will discuss your project, answer your questions and determine the best path forward. You can call Topsider at 336-766-9300 or begin online by selecting one of our house plan concepts and requesting a no-obligation Free Cost Estimate.

Can Topsider Custom Design My New Home?

Yes. Some clients begin with one of our online house plan concepts to get the ball rolling. Others bring us plans, sketches, photos or simply ideas about what they want their new home to be. From there, we work with you to create a custom design that fits your lifestyle, your property and the special requirements of building in the Florida Keys.

How Much Does It Cost to Build in the Florida Keys?

Building costs in the Florida Keys commonly range from about $400 to $700 per square foot, although especially complex and unique designs, unusually demanding site conditions and expensive accoutrements can drive costs even higher. The best place to begin with Topsider is to request a no-obligation Free Cost Estimate for a design concept you provide us or select from our online house plan concepts.

What Does Topsider Provide to the Builder?

For homes built in the Florida Keys, Topsider provides the components and materials needed to construct the weather-tight home, including all structural elements, floor, wall and roof panels, windows, exterior doors, siding and decking, along with interior framing materials, interior doors, cabinets, countertops and hard-surface flooring. The builder assembles the Topsider package components and completes the home with locally supplied labor and materials in a conventional manner.

Who Will Build My Topsider Home?

Topsider's Construction Services Department locates and pre-screens prospective builders and contractors for our clients, typically identifying several qualified candidates and assisting them in preparing competitive bids. If you already have a builder in mind, we will work with that builder in the same manner. Topsider remains involved with you and your builder throughout construction, providing assembly guidance and technical coordination.

Does Topsider Help with Permitting and Approvals?

Yes. Topsider works hand-in-glove with the builder, project engineers and other local professionals to provide the architectural, structural and technical information required for permits and approvals in the Florida Keys. The builder, owner or permitting consultant normally submits the applications, and Topsider remains involved throughout the review process.

What Is ROGO, and How Does It Affect My Timeline?

ROGO stands for Rate of Growth Ordinance, the system Monroe County uses to control the number and timing of new residential building permits in the Florida Keys. Depending on the property, an owner may need to accumulate or acquire sufficient points before receiving approval to apply for a building permit, and some applications can take years. Owners should determine the property's ROGO status early and consult the appropriate local planning department or a qualified Keys permitting consultant.

Do Topsider Homes Meet Monroe County Hurricane Codes?

Yes. Topsider homes are each individually engineered to conform with applicable Keys building codes relating to wind speeds, flood conditions and other site-specific requirements. Standard Topsider Keys specs include engineering for wind speeds of 180 mph or more, highly impact-resistant windows and doors, elevated foundations, enhanced structural capabilities and Hardie board siding. Final specifications are based on the property location, exposure category, flood elevation and the design of the home.

How Does Topsider Elevate Homes in the Keys?

Topsider homes in the Keys can be elevated on various types of pilings, stilts, poured reinforced concrete columns or walls, pedestals, or reinforced concrete block walls. The appropriate method depends on the property, required flood elevation, soil conditions, local code requirements, the design of the home and client preference.

Building in the
Florida Keys?

Experience Matters.

Get a FREE Cost Estimate Call 336-766-9300

SEE HOUSE PLAN

For more than five decades, Topsider has designed, engineered and shipped custom homes to beautiful and challenging building sites throughout the Florida Keys. From Key Largo to Key West, we understand the unique requirements of building in the Florida Keys—and we know how to make it happen.

180+ mph wind engineered

Elevated, durable and built to last

Local permitting & ROGO expertise

Aerial photo after Hurricane Irma showing a Topsider home still standing amid destroyed surrounding homes in Marathon, Florida

Topsider Home Remains Standing After Hurricane Irma - Big Pine Key, FL

Proven in Major Hurricanes

Topsider homes have withstood every major hurricane to strike the areas where they were built. The surrounding homes were destroyed or severely damaged—our home stood strong.

That record reflects:

Site-specific engineering
Elevated construction & high-wind design
Quality materials & attention to detail
Five decades of coastal building experience

Elevated Topsider home on piling foundation built directly on a Florida Keys beachfront, engineered for hurricane-force winds

Elevated Topsider Keys Beach House on Pilings

Built to Withstand Harsh Coastal & Marine Environments

180+ mph wind engineering
Impact windows & doors rated for extreme wind
Elevated piling or stilt foundations
Treated, corrosion- and pest-resistant materials
Metal roofing and Hardie® siding
Galvanized & stainless-steel fasteners
Flood vents & code-compliant details

Learn More About Topsider's Hurricane Homes

Topsider home under construction in Florida on an elevated reinforced concrete block foundation

Topsider home under construction on an elevated reinforced concrete block foundation

Design & Building in the Florida Keys

Building in the Keys involves more than designing a home. ROGO status, setbacks, flood zones, height limits, environmental requirements and local building approvals all influence what can be built.

Topsider has decades of experience with local requirements throughout the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. We work with owners, local consultants, building departments and experienced builders to develop a home that fits the site and moves successfully through the approval process.

Beach & Coastal Homes 2026 Florida Building Codes