Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Custom Coastal Home Builders in Cortez, FL
Whitehead Construction has been a family-owned and operated business since 1864, with a dedicated focus on construction for the past 80 years. Our team combines advanced engineering education, decades of coastal construction experience, and a commitment to ethical business practices to deliver superior custom homes. Specializing in barrier island properties, we utilize a design/build model that streamlines the building process through in-house expertise and partnerships with pre-qualified architects. Our debt-free business structure allows us to prioritize client needs over inventory management, while our long-tenured team membersaveraging 26 years of industry experienceensure efficient project execution. We maintain full-time on-site management for quality control and leverage strong supplier relationships to optimize costs without compromising excellence.Our engineering-driven approach enables accurate budgeting and minimizes surprises throughout the construction process. With over 600 homes built, we remain committed to delivering projects on time and within budget while maintaining personal communication with every client. Our coastal construction expertise addresses unique environmental challenges to create durable, high-quality residences. We measure success through client satisfaction, evidenced by repeat customers and referrals from industry professionals. As a company guided by Christian values, we integrate integrity and service into every aspect of our operations.
Services
Custom Home Building
Architectural Design
DEP Consulting
Coastal Construction
Design/Build Services
Permit Assistance
Barrier Island Projects
Engineering Consultation
Project Management
Renovation Services
Details
- Year established: 1943
Highlights and features
- We have over 80 years of experience in coastal construction
- Our team averages 26 years of industry experience
- We maintain a debt-free business model for focused service
- We partner with pre-qualified local architects for design excellence
- Our engineering-driven approach ensures accurate budgeting and quality control
What people say
Exceeded expectations
Professional and eager to please
On time and budget
Superior quality
Personalized service
Services
Custom Home Building
Whitehead Construction specializes in creating custom-designed coastal homes tailored to individual client needs. Our process combines architectural vision with engineering precision to deliver durable, aesthetically pleasing residences. With decades of experience in barrier island construction, we address unique environmental challenges while maintaining strict budget and timeline controls.
Architectural Design
We collaborate with pre-qualified local architects and offer specialized design services through partner architect Allison Kaffka. Our design team integrates coastal aesthetics with functional requirements, utilizing 3D visualization tools to ensure client vision alignment. This partnership reduces design time while maintaining architectural integrity and construction efficiency.
DEP Consulting
Our DEP consulting services guide clients through complex environmental permitting processes for coastal properties. With a 100% success rate in permit acquisition, we provide expert consultation from property selection through application approval. This service operates independently or as part of our comprehensive construction packages.
Coastal Construction
Specializing in coastal environments, we construct hurricane-resistant homes using advanced engineering techniques. Our expertise addresses saltwater corrosion, elevation requirements, and wind load challenges. This specialized knowledge reduces construction risks and ensures long-term structural integrity for barrier island properties.
Design/Build Services
Our design/build model streamlines home construction through single-source accountability. By coordinating design and construction phases under one team, we eliminate communication gaps, reduce project timelines, and maintain consistent quality control throughout the building process.
People
Brent Whitehead
President
Third-generation leader with structural engineering expertise, overseeing operations since 1980. Combines family tradition with modern construction techniques while maintaining Christian business values.
Allison Kaffka
Architect
Fourth-generation Florida architect specializing in coastal design. Educated at Rhode Island School of Design and Savannah College of Art & Design, blending historical elements with modern functionality.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, including barrier islands like Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, and Bimini Bay.
How long have you been in business?
The Whitehead family has operated construction businesses since 1864, with the current company established in 1943.
What types of projects do you handle?
We focus on custom coastal homes, renovations, and condominium projects, with expertise in beachfront construction challenges.
Do you work with architects?
Yes, we collaborate with pre-qualified local architects or your preferred designer to ensure optimal design-construction integration.
How do you control project costs?
Our engineering-driven approach provides accurate budgeting, while long-term supplier relationships help maintain cost efficiency without compromising quality.
What makes you different from other builders?
Our combination of coastal construction expertise, debt-free business model, and 26-year average team tenure ensures consistent quality and client focus.
Reviews (2)
Ann Marie Hoeksema
Nov 21, 2019
Report
Whitead Construction is the best builder in Manatee County. We have partnered with them for over 20 years and can say they build stellar homes year after year. Brent and his his staff are a pleasure to work with.
Shelley Wheeler
Jun 15, 2019
Report
I am going to write a very positive review for Whitehead Construction, but it is with a lot of ambivalence since I want them to build my next house before all you folks reading this review employ them to build your house.
Seriously, Brent is a person of great integrity as well as being the most accomplished builder imaginable. His interactions with everyone impressed me. Our project manager, Dan Willis is a construction genius and was so easy to get along with(quite a feat since I changed my mind often...usually on the day of installation) Ann Newby keeps the show running smoothly with her positive
Seriously, Brent is a person of great integrity as well as being the most accomplished builder imaginable. His interactions with everyone impressed me. Our project manager, Dan Willis is a construction genius and was so easy to get along with(quite a feat since I changed my mind often...usually on the day of installation) Ann Newby keeps the show running smoothly with her positive