Building a better future togetherIndependent living. Family nearby.
Give a parent a comfortable home close by, or help an adult child start their next chapter with a space of their own. DeForest Custom Homes plans small, practical living spaces around your family and your Sarasota County property.
Eric & David DeForest · Brothers & co-owners · Florida contractor CRC1331136
Start by checking whether your property is in unincorporated Sarasota County or inside a city such as Sarasota, Venice or North Port. A mailing address alone does not answer that question, and the planning path can be different.
Sarasota County adopted ADU and guest-house zoning changes in March 2026. Those changes are a reason to take a fresh look at your property, with its zoning district and existing conditions in hand.
We’ll help you frame the right questions before investing in plans. Our Manatee & Sarasota ADU zoning guide explains the local differences in plain English. The county’s March 3, 2026 meeting record, item 27 documents the adopted amendment.
Start with the everyday trip from parking to the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Comfortable doorways, thoughtful lighting and a shower that is easier to use can make a small home work better over time.
Planning for an aging parent ↗Window placement, entrances, outdoor sitting areas and sound separation help two households share one property. The best arrangement feels welcoming while giving everyone a place to retreat.
See ideas for family living ↗A detached cottage offers separation. An addition keeps the homes connected. An interior conversion may make better use of space you already own. We weigh each against the property and your priorities.
Compare the three approaches ↗On a Sarasota County property, the space that looks open in the yard is only the beginning. We review the buildable area alongside access, drainage, trees, utilities and the relationship to the existing house.
See our flood-zone planning guide and ADU budget guide. For official property questions, start with Sarasota County Planning and Development Services or the city responsible for your address.
Eric and David share a belief that living closer can make room for more family time while keeping the independence each household needs. A thoughtfully planned ADU begins with those everyday relationships.
Tell us where the property is, who the home is for, and what you hope to achieve. A survey, photos and a rough budget are helpful, but you do not need a finished plan to begin.
We’ll discuss the options, confirm the property requirements and work toward a scope that makes sense for you. Looking in the neighboring county? Visit our Manatee County ADU page.
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
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.