Harris Contracting, LLC
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Broward County · Serving Broward County and Boca Raton

Home Additions & New Construction in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale is our home city. We build home additions, second-story additions, ADUs and new homes across it, from the beach neighborhoods to the western suburbs.

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  • State Certified General ContractorLicense CGC1528422
  • Seven Florida contractor licensesGC, A/C, plumbing, roofing, utility, solar, pool/spa
  • BBB Accredited Business, BBB Rating: A+
  • Serving Broward County and Boca RatonSince 2019 · Licensed and insured

Building in Fort Lauderdale

Most of Fort Lauderdale’s single-family homes date from the postwar decades, the 1940s through the 1970s. Adding on to a home of that age starts with a look at the existing structure, and a second story needs the foundation and walls evaluated before they can carry another floor.

The city has about 165 miles of waterways, and much of it is in FEMA flood zones on the maps that took effect in July 2024, mostly zone AE, with zone VE along the ocean. On a flood-zone lot, the zone sets how high a new floor has to sit.

Fort Lauderdale also has three local historic districts: Sailboat Bend, Himmarshee Street and SW 2nd Avenue, and Stranahan House. Any work that changes the exterior of a designated property, including an addition, needs a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Homes here sit inside Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone, so new structure is engineered for wind loads from the roof down to the foundation.

Neighborhoods

Victoria Park, Rio Vista, Las Olas Isles, Coral Ridge, Harbor Beach and Sailboat Bend.

What we build in Fort Lauderdale

  • Home Additions

    Ground-floor additions that expand the existing home, including bedrooms, primary suites, kitchens, family rooms and other living spaces.

  • Second-Story Additions

    Adding living space above an existing home or garage, including bedrooms, bathrooms, suites and larger second-floor expansions.

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

    Attached or detached additional living spaces where permitted by local zoning and building requirements.

  • New Home Construction

    Ground-up residential construction, including custom homes and replacement homes where an existing structure is demolished and a new residence is constructed.

Our projects in Fort Lauderdale

Know the ballpark before you call

Pick a project type and size to see a preliminary planning range at each of our three finish packages. For preliminary planning purposes only; not a quote or construction proposal.

What customers are saying about us

Don’t just take our word for it!

"Big thanks to Calvin and his entire crew for the work they did for me on my Dad's house. Always professional while there, quality work, and finished on time as promised. Would highly recommend."
PJ Kennedy Home Owner
"Calvin and the team at Harris Contracting completed 2 significant remodeling projects at my home. The first was a bathroom remodel and the second was the installation of a second floor mezzanine. I was impressed with the teams responsiveness and overall quality of the work. We had a few bumps along the way, but Calvin ensured any issues were addressed promptly. They showed up when agreed and also worked into the evenings and some weekend days to make sure the projects stayed on track. Having experienced some very difficult and unprofessional contractors in Florida, Harris Contracting are professional company, charging a fair price and delivered on my expectations. Recommended."
David Robinson Home Owner
"Great company to work with, very professional. I will be doing more business with Calvin for sure. If you’re looking to get work done and not have to worry he is your contractor!"
Andy Vazquez Home Owner
Read all reviewsBBB Accredited Business, BBB Rating: A+

Questions homeowners in Fort Lauderdale ask

How much do ground-floor home additions cost in Fort Lauderdale?

It depends on the size of the project and the finish package you choose: Essential, Signature or Legacy. Pricing varies based on project type, size, complexity, existing conditions, structural requirements, and the finish level selected. Our Instant Pricer gives you a preliminary planning range for your project type and size in about a minute, and after a site visit you receive a preliminary pricing assessment with a realistic construction investment range.

Pricing shown is for preliminary planning purposes only and is not a quote or construction proposal. Final pricing is determined after pre-construction/design and owner approval of the construction plans.

Who issues building permits for an addition in Fort Lauderdale?

Residential building permits in Fort Lauderdale are issued by the City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division. Applications go through LauderBuild. Harris Contracting coordinates permitting with the municipality and the design professionals as part of every project.

Does an addition in a Fort Lauderdale historic district need special approval?

Yes. In the city’s locally designated historic districts, including Sailboat Bend, any work that changes the exterior of a designated property, including an addition, needs a Certificate of Appropriateness.

How long does a home addition take to build?

As a general planning guideline, construction for many additions may take approximately 4–8 months after permits are issued.

Design, engineering and permitting occur before construction and can add several months depending on the project and municipality. Timelines vary with project size and complexity, design requirements, permitting time, material lead times, site conditions and owner selections. These are general planning ranges, not guaranteed completion dates.

Does Harris Contracting handle design, engineering and permits?

Yes. Under a separate pre-construction agreement, Harris Contracting coordinates the pre-construction services a project requires, which may include surveys, zoning and feasibility review, existing-condition documentation, architectural design, structural engineering and MEP engineering. We then coordinate permitting with the municipality and the design professionals.

Planning a major home project in Fort Lauderdale?

Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll help you determine the next steps

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