Building in Boca Raton – Prestige, Lifestyle & Coastal Resilience

At Rheace Contracting, we bring firefighter-owned integrity and second-generation craftsmanship to Boca Raton, one of South Florida’s most prestigious residential destinations. Known for its world-class golf clubs, oceanfront estates, and Intracoastal properties, Boca blends exclusivity with coastal sophistication.

Building or renovating here requires more than standard construction. From hurricane winds and salt-air corrosion to HOA and ARB oversight in elite communities, projects demand a builder who combines structural expertise with white-glove service. We specialize in ICF custom homes, luxury renovations, and bespoke additions that meet Boca’s high standards of elegance, resilience, and performance.

Neighborhoods & Lifestyles in Boca Raton

Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club – Waterfront & Golf Luxury

The Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club is one of Boca Raton’s most exclusive neighborhoods, combining Intracoastal estates with golf-course living. Our builds here emphasize hurricane resilience, energy efficiency, and bespoke interiors, while meeting the highest levels of community architectural review.

The Sanctuary – Intracoastal Privacy

The Sanctuary offers deep-water Intracoastal homes with private yacht dockage and 24-hour gated security. We design and build estates with marine-grade finishes, advanced automation systems, and architectural elegance, ensuring both luxury and long-term resilience.

Boca West, St. Andrews, & Addison Reserve – Country Club Estates

In country club communities such as Boca West, St. Andrews, and Addison Reserve, we specialize in large-scale renovations and additions that transform older homes into modern luxury residences. Our expertise ensures compliance with community ARBs while elevating interiors with high-end finishes, open layouts, and smart home integration.

Oceanfront & Downtown Boca

Along South Ocean Boulevard and downtown Boca Raton, we create luxury homes and condos that balance coastal durability with modern design. Elevated foundations, impact-rated glass, and corrosion-resistant systems are paired with refined interiors and sweeping ocean views.

Boca Raton Building Challenges & Our Solutions

Hurricanes & HVHZ Requirements

Boca Raton lies within Florida’s HVHZ zone. We exceed these requirements with ICF construction, reinforced roofing, impact glass, and full-home backup systems, ensuring unmatched storm resilience.

Salt-Air Corrosion

Oceanfront and Intracoastal homes face constant salt-air exposure. We use stainless fasteners, marine-grade coatings, and coastal-rated windows and roofing to ensure decades of durability.

Flood Zones & Intracoastal Properties

Waterfront estates require careful elevation and site planning. We design stem wall foundations, grading, and advanced drainage to mitigate storm surge and flooding.

HOA & ARB Oversight in Elite Communities

Boca Raton’s gated neighborhoods have strict architectural standards. We handle the entire HOA and ARB approval process, ensuring compliance while delivering a design that reflects your personal vision.

Through our five-step Rheace Approach, we deliver a concierge-level experience designed for Boca Raton’s discerning clientele. We begin with a private consultation, then collaborate with elite architects to craft detailed designs. Our team manages permitting, HOA, and ARB submissions, as well as coastal engineering and site-specific approvals. During construction, our superintendent ensures each phase is executed with precision. At completion, we provide a white-glove walkthrough, warranty service, and continued support.

Why Choose Rheace Contracting for Your Boca Raton Home

Rheace Contracting is trusted by Boca homeowners for our ability to blend prestige, innovation, and resilience. As a firefighter-owned, second-generation builder, we lead with integrity and trust. Our expertise in ICF ensures homes that outperform code, reduce energy costs, and stand strong against hurricanes. Whether creating an Intracoastal estate in The Sanctuary or modernizing a country club residence in St. Andrews, we deliver white-glove service, transparent communication, and timeless craftsmanship.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does custom home construction cost in Boca Raton?
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Custom home construction in Boca Raton typically ranges from $200-400+ per square foot depending on location, size, and finishes. Coastal properties and gated communities command premium pricing, with projects averaging $500,000-$2,000,000+.

ICF construction adds approximately 3-5% but provides essential hurricane resistance for this coastal Palm Beach County location. Properties near the ocean require elevated foundations, impact-rated building envelope systems, and corrosion-resistant materials, significantly increasing costs.

Boca Raton's prestigious neighborhoods often have strict architectural requirements affecting design costs. Lot preparation, impact fees, and utility connections vary by location. Waterfront properties face additional expenses for seawall maintenance, dock construction, and marine-grade materials. We provide detailed estimates after site analysis and design development.

2. How do building permits work in Boca Raton?
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Boca Raton has its own Building Department that handles all permits through the Boca eHub online portal and Boca ePlans for plan review. The city provides digital permitting for most residential construction.

Required permits vary by project but typically include building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing permits. Waterfront properties need additional environmental approvals. Some neighborhoods require HOA architectural review before city permitting.

Standard residential permits take 8-16 weeks for approval, with complex projects requiring 12-20 weeks. Express permits are available for AC changeouts, water heater replacements, and re-roofs (processed within three days).

The city conducts rigorous plan reviews ensuring compliance with Florida Building Code, local zoning, and coastal construction requirements. Multiple inspections are required throughout construction. We manage all permit submissions and coordinate with city reviewers.

3. What are Boca Raton's coastal building requirements?
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Boca Raton enforces strict coastal construction standards beyond standard Florida Building Code. Properties near the ocean must meet enhanced wind load requirements for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), including Miami-Dade approved impact-resistant windows, doors, and roof systems.

Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) properties require state DEP permits in addition to city approvals. Flood zone construction mandates elevated first floors based on FEMA Base Flood Elevation plus local freeboard requirements.

Additional requirements include sea turtle lighting restrictions during nesting season (March 1 - October 31), dune vegetation protection, stormwater management meeting strict discharge standards, and corrosion-resistant materials throughout. Seawall and dock construction requires separate permitting.

Many Boca Raton waterfront neighborhoods maintain additional architectural standards. We ensure designs meet all city, state, and neighborhood requirements while maximizing your coastal property's potential.

4. Can you renovate historic properties in Boca Raton?

Yes, we work on properties throughout Boca Raton, including renovations in historic neighborhoods. Projects in areas like Old Floresta or near Addison Mizner-designed buildings may require historic preservation review beyond standard building permits.

Common renovation projects include hurricane protection upgrades, kitchen and bathroom modernization, structural modifications, and pool/outdoor living additions. Substantial improvement rules apply to properties in flood zones when renovation costs exceed 50% of pre-improvement value.

Boca Raton permits require detailed plans submitted through the ePlans system. Occupied renovations are coordinated to minimize disruption. We work with the city's Building Department and any applicable neighborhood architectural review boards.

Timeline depends on scope: bathroom/kitchen remodels take 3-5 months, additions require 5-8 months, and comprehensive renovations need 10-16 months including permits and construction.

5. How long does construction take in Boca Raton?

Custom homes in Boca Raton require 18-26 months from initial design through completion. This includes architectural design (3-5 months), city permitting (2-5 months), and construction (14-18 months).

Waterfront or CCCL properties require longer permitting (4-6 months) due to additional state environmental approvals. Properties in gated communities or HOA neighborhoods add 6-12 weeks for architectural review before city permitting begins.

Large custom estates or properties with complex features (smart home systems, pools, extensive landscaping) trend toward longer timelines. Weather delays during hurricane season can affect exterior work schedules.

Boca Raton Building Department conducts thorough inspections at multiple construction phases. Working with experienced local builders familiar with city requirements prevents delays. Renovation projects vary: updates take 3-5 months, major remodels require 8-16 months.