Should You Build or Remodel in 2026? An Architect’s Guide for Florida Homeowners

As 2025 comes to a close, homeowners across Florida are planning for the year ahead, and for many, that means deciding whether 2026 is the year to build a custom home or remodel the one they’re in.

From Windermere to Winter Garden, Lake Mary to Bay Hill, and even across Naples, the question is the same:

“Should we build new… or remodel what we have?”

As architects who work extensively across Central Florida and the Gulf Coast, we help clients navigate this decision every day. And the truth is: there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

What matters is understanding:

• Your goals

• Your home’s current limitations

• Your budget

• How you want to live in the space

• How long you plan to stay

This guide breaks down the key considerations, from architect to homeowner, so you can enter 2026 with clarity and confidence.

Why 2026 Is a Critical Year for Home Projects in Florida:

Several unique factors are shaping Florida’s housing and design landscape heading into 2026:

1. Aging Housing Stock in Central Florida

Neighborhoods like Windermere, Bay Hill, Doctor Phillips, and Lake Mary are filled with beautiful homes built in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, with layouts that no longer fit modern living:

• Closed-off kitchens

• Low natural light

• Formal dining rooms rarely used

• Small primary bathrooms

These are the most common triggers for remodel inquiries.

2. Rising Demand for Modern, Open Floor Plans

Families are prioritizing:

• Larger kitchens

• Integrated living spaces

• Better flow

• Indoor–outdoor living

Which often requires structural redesign, not cosmetic updates.

3. Cost of Building New vs Remodeling

In many Central Florida neighborhoods, land scarcity makes remodeling more predictable, while in up-and-coming areas like Lake Hart, Geneva, Montverde, or parts of Naples, building new may be a more feasible option.

4. Increased Value in Florida’s Luxury Markets

High-value areas, such as Windermere, Naples, and Bay Hill, see significant ROI from remodels when done thoughtfully and cohesively.

When Remodeling Is the Better Choice:

For many Florida homeowners, remodeling is the right move, especially if you love your location.

Here’s when a remodel provides the most value:

1. Your Home Has “Good Bones” but the Layout No Longer Works

This is particularly relevant to homes in Winter Garden, Windermere, Lake Mary, and Bay Hill, which often have choppy flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas, low ceilings or poor lighting design, spaces that feel dark or disconnected, and/or bathrooms or bedrooms that feel outdated. A remodel lets you keep the neighborhood you love while elevating your lifestyle.

2. You Want to Preserve Architectural Character

Many Florida homes have beautiful details worth keeping:

• Tudor-inspired elements

• Spanish revival arches

• 90s millwork that can be modernized

• Interesting rooflines

This is why remodels like Shadwell in Lake Mary are powerful; we modernize function while protecting charm.

3. You Want a Tailored Interior Design Transformation:

Interior design remodels are on the rise across Central Florida, as homeowners seek spaces that feel intentional, cohesive, and up-to-date.

Remodels allow for:

• New materials and finishes

• Upgraded cabinetry

• Modern lighting

• Reconfigured floor plans

• New furniture layouts integrated into the architecture

This approach is ideal in places like Winter Garden, Doctor Phillips, Belle Isle, and Naples, where an interior lifestyle is a priority.

4. You Want Faster Project Timelines

Building new often requires:

• Zoning review

• Utility connections

• Lot preparation

• Complex permitting

A remodel, when engineered correctly, can move much faster.

When Building a New Custom Home Is the Better Choice

There are times when starting fresh simply makes more sense.

1. The Existing Structure Limits Your Vision

If walls can’t move, ceilings can’t be lifted, or systems can’t be updated without major reconstruction, a new build provides freedom.

This is common in older Windermere lakefront homes, early-2000s production builds in Lake Mary, and outdated coastal homes near Naples.

2. You Want a High Level of Customization

Custom architecture enables you to design your ideal flow, lighting, room proportions, materials, and interior architecture. From the very beginning, everything is cohesive.

3. The Cost to Remodel Approaches the Cost of New Construction

As a rule, if your remodel exceeds 60% of a full new build, it’s worth analyzing new construction. We guide clients through this decision with clear budgeting, structural analysis, and realistic expectations.

How We Guide Clients Through the Build vs Remodel Decision

At Markle + Diaz Architects, our first step is clarity.

We analyze your home, your needs, and your vision through:

• A full architectural evaluation

• Structural and MEP considerations

• Interior design goals

• Budget alignment

• Zoning and lot conditions

• Long-term property value

Because we provide Architecture + Interiors + MEP + Structural all under one firm, our guidance is holistic, not just aesthetic.

This integrated approach is especially important for remodels in Windermere, Bay Hill, Lake Mary, and Naples, where structure and interior function are deeply connected.

How Interior Design Influences the Decision

Interior layout drives the architecture.

If you want:

• a bigger kitchen

• a walk-in pantry

• a larger primary suite

• open living spaces

• a modernized staircase

• integrated lighting and cabinetry

…these interior needs determine whether your home can support the design.

Often, the interior design goals will make the answer clear:

• “This home is perfect for a remodel,” or

• “This house can’t give you what you want; a new build is better.”

So… Should You Build or Remodel in Florida in 2026?

You should remodel if you:

• Love your neighborhood

• Want modernized interiors

• Want better flow/light

• Want a faster timeline

• Want to preserve architectural charm...

You should build new if you:

• Want total customization

• Need major structural change

• Want long-term investment value

• Want modern systems from day one

• Plan a significant square footage change

Ready to Explore Your Options?

If you’re planning a remodel or a custom home in Central Florida or Naples, our team would love to help you make a clear, informed decision.

Explore our Architecture & Interior Design Services

Book a 2026 planning consultation