DeForest Custom HomesBuilding a better future together
Small homes · Manatee & Sarasota

Small homes.
Designed for
everyday living.

A place of your own. Family close by.

Small custom homes, tiny homes on permanent foundations, and ADUs—thoughtfully designed around the way you live.

Discuss your property ↗Meet Eric & David

Florida licensed contractor · CRC1331136
Serving Manatee & Sarasota counties

Concept illustration of a small Florida cottage with a covered porch
Room for your next chapter

A smaller home.
More possibilities.

A home for a parent. A fresh start for an adult child. A place to simplify. We start with your family, your property, and what matters most.

Not sure which fits? Small and tiny describe the size and style of a home. An ADU is a second home on a property with a main house—it can be small or tiny, too.

Brothers & co-owners · Eric & David DeForest

Why we build.
Family comes first.

Building a better future together.

We’re brothers and co-owners who share a passion for thoughtfully designed small homes and multigenerational living.

Picture a grandparent in a backyard cottage, close enough to join the grandkids for dinner and still have a quiet place of their own. Or an adult child saving for a first home while living nearby, with their own front door and daily routine.

That’s the kind of everyday connection we want to help families build: more time together, room for independence, and a way to share some of life’s costs.

Eric’s North Georgia home build reflects a care for comfortable, practical spaces. Together, we bring that same focus to homes designed for how families live today.

Eric & David DeForest
Brothers & co-owners · DeForest Custom Homes

See our work

Homes with a story.

Explore our projects ↗

From a home shaped by the mountains to a loft that makes room for family, thoughtful work starts with how people live.

Ideas & Planning

See your home
in a new way.

Explore a garage conversion, a smarter interior layout, and a backyard cottage—three different ways to make room for family.

Explore the planning ideas ↗
What happens next

From your first idea
to a place to call home.

You don’t need all the answers to start. We’ll work through the decisions with you, one step at a time, so you understand the plan before moving forward.

Start a conversation with Eric & David ↗
  1. 01 / FIRST CONVERSATION

    Tell us about your family.

    We’ll discuss who the home is for, the location, your priorities, budget range, and timing. Together, we’ll decide what to explore next.

  2. 02 / PROPERTY REVIEW

    Understand what fits.

    Review local rules, space, access, utilities, and site conditions. This helps us understand what’s possible and what needs a closer look.

  3. 03 / DESIGN & BUDGET

    Make the plan clear.

    Work through the layout, scope, finishes, and estimated costs. We’ll discuss planning and design fees before starting that work.

  4. 04 / CONSTRUCTION

    Bring the home to life.

    Once plans, required approvals, and the construction agreement are in place, we’ll coordinate the build with our trade partners and keep you informed.

Explore our Manatee & Sarasota ADU and zoning guide ↗
Good questions

Before you build small.

Do I need to own land already?

No. We can start while you’re considering a property. Check what’s allowed before buying land for a particular home.

Does an ADU have to be a separate building?

No. It can be created inside your home, built as an attached addition, or built separately on the same property. The right approach starts with your family and local requirements.

Can any property have an ADU?

Some properties qualify and others don’t. Zoning, utilities, site conditions, and neighborhood restrictions all matter. Our local zoning guide explains where to start.

How much will it cost?

Plans, site work, utilities, and finishes all shape the budget. Tell us your priorities and budget range so we can discuss a realistic scope. See what goes into an ADU budget.

Where do you work?

Our current focus is Manatee and Sarasota counties, including Bradenton, Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, Ellenton, and Sarasota. For kitchen, bathroom, and home remodeling, visit DeForest Carpentry.

Start with your property

Let’s make room for what matters.

Tell Eric and David who the home is for, where you’d like to build, and what matters most. Early ideas are welcome—you don’t need finished plans.

941-241-7660
Text us your project idea
eric@deforestcustomhomes.com

What happens after you send this?

We’ll review your ideas and follow up using the contact details you provide. Our first conversation is about your family, your property, and whether the project is a good fit.

Before any paid planning or design work begins, we’ll discuss its scope and fee with you.

See the steps from idea to construction ↗

Prefer to talk? Call or text. Please do not send sensitive financial or identity documents.

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Call 941-241-7660Discuss your property