New Construction in Windermere at a Glance
🏗️ Building in Windermere
Windermere's new construction market is unlike anywhere else in Central Florida. Most building activity here is custom or semi-custom on the Butler Chain of Lakes, in established gated communities like Isleworth and Keene's Pointe, or on infill lots inside historic Windermere Town. A handful of production builders also operate on the southern edges where master-planned community land remains available.
Location: Located in Orange County, about 15 miles west of downtown Orlando, between Winter Garden and Dr. Phillips on the western shore of the Butler Chain.
Known For: Butler Chain of Lakes waterfront, brick-paved streets, top-rated schools, signature parks and preserves like Tibet-Butler Preserve and R.D. Keene Park, a walkable historic Main Street, and proximity to Walt Disney World's eastern boundary.
For a full picture of the area, visit our comprehensive Windermere community guide or browse current Windermere new construction listings.
"Windermere is one of the few places in Central Florida where new construction still feels personal — most of what gets built here is custom, on lots chosen for views of the Butler Chain, not for proximity to a master-plan amenity center."
The following builders are currently constructing new homes in Windermere. The list mixes a handful of production builders working in defined communities with custom builders who build on your lot — typically on infill parcels, in established gated neighborhoods, or on Butler Chain waterfront. Each offers a different price point, level of customization, and timeline.
Contact builders directly or work with our team for buyer representation throughout the new construction process. Builder pricing and availability change frequently — always verify current details before making decisions.
Dream Finders Homes
Building In:
- Palms at Windermere — Boutique 57-homesite community on 60- and 65-foot-wide home sites with conservation views
Toll Brothers
Building In:
- Saddlecrest at Windermere — 45-homesite boutique community on half-acre+ lots, including six lakefront sites on Lake Roberts with private dock options
Ashton Woods
Building In:
- Lake Cawood Cove — Mixed townhome and single-family neighborhood with community pool, cabana, and playground; 110 lots planned, including 93 single-family
Element Home Builders
Building In:
- Lake Sheen Sound — 14-home enclave on the Butler Chain with three one-acre lakefront sites (final lakefront homesite remaining); custom estates over 7,000 sq ft
- The Reserve at Windermere — 8-lot enclave just north of Windermere Town; final lot remaining
- Bella Vita Estates and Lake Down Reserve — sister boutique enclaves
- Chaine Du Lac — exclusive gated lakefront enclave
Konkol Custom Homes & Remodeling
Building In:
- Build-to-suit on Windermere lots — current renderings available for Butler Chain waterfront acreage and infill sites in Windermere Downs
- Past projects in Chaine Du Lac and lakefront Windermere/Winter Garden parcels
Dave Brewer Inc.
Building In:
- Build-to-suit on client-owned lots throughout Windermere, including waterfront projects on the Butler Chain
- Estate work in established gated communities such as Isleworth and Keene's Pointe
Dean Allen Co.
Building In:
- Build-to-suit on client-owned lots in Windermere, infill in Windermere Town, and projects in established gated neighborhoods
- Renovations and custom builds across Greater Windermere
📞 Working with Builders
Important: When visiting model homes or contacting builders, consider having buyer representation. The builder's sales agent represents the builder's interests, not yours — that distinction matters more in Windermere than in most markets, because so much of what's built here is custom and high-stakes. Our team provides:
- Contract review and negotiation, including custom-build agreements
- Construction monitoring and inspections (especially valuable on long custom timelines)
- Upgrade and pricing guidance for the Toll Brothers and Ashton Woods design centers
- Lot evaluation for waterfront and conservation parcels
- Advocacy throughout a process that can run 10–24 months for custom estates
Best of all, buyer representation costs you nothing — builders pay our commission.
Learn more about buying a home in Florida and the new construction options available in Windermere.
New Construction Neighborhoods in Windermere
Palms at Windermere
Saddlecrest at Windermere
Lake Cawood Cove
Lake Sheen Sound
The Reserve at Windermere
Looking for Existing Homes? See all homes for sale in Windermere, including resale and new construction listings. You can also explore luxury homes, waterfront homes on the Butler Chain, homes with pools, or gated communities like Isleworth and Keene's Pointe.
Why Build a New Home in Windermere?
✨ Windermere Advantages
- Butler Chain access — Few new construction markets in Florida give you a real shot at building on a chain of 11 interconnected, skiable lakes. See our Butler Chain of Lakes guide for context.
- Top-rated schools — Windermere zones to highly regarded OCPS options including Windermere Elementary, Sunset Park, Castleview, and Windermere High School, plus the IB-program Windermere Preparatory School.
- Walkable historic core — Few Central Florida new-build areas have a real downtown. Main Street, the Farmers Market, and Town Square are walkable from several established neighborhoods.
- Disney proximity without Disney sprawl — Many Windermere lots offer backyard fireworks views while keeping the small-town brick-street character intact.
- Established dining, shopping, and events — including The Grove at Isleworth, Cornerstone at Summerport, and seasonal events like the Halloween Costume Parade and Light Up Windermere.
New Construction Benefits
Building new in Windermere offers:
- Modern floor plans designed for indoor-outdoor Florida lifestyle, including covered lanais and summer kitchens
- Energy efficiency with current Florida codes, hurricane-rated openings, and modern HVAC
- Customization options — most Windermere new construction is genuinely custom, not just selection sheets
- New home warranties (typically 1-year workmanship, 2-year systems, 10-year structural)
- No deferred maintenance — particularly valuable for waterfront homes where seawalls, docks, and roofs age fast
- Smart home features built-in from day one
- Choice of lot and orientation — critical for sunset views over the Butler Chain
Community Resources
Learn more about living in Windermere:
- Schools in Windermere — Find information about local schools and ratings
- Parks & Recreation — Discover Butler Chain amenities, Tibet-Butler Preserve, R.D. Keene, and Fernwood Park
- Dining & Restaurants — Explore Main Street cafes, The Grove, and waterfront tables
- Things to Do — Farmers Market, Food Truck Night, Light Up Windermere
- Shopping Guide — The Grove at Isleworth, Cornerstone, and nearby retail
- Health & Wellness — Orlando Health Pavilion Summerport, urgent care, and primary care
- Sports & Athletics — Isleworth, Golden Bear Club, watersports, tennis, and pickleball
- All Homes for Sale — Browse current listings
- Windermere Market Report — Current real estate trends
Also consider reading our deep-dive guides on Isleworth Golf & Country Club, The Golden Bear Club at Keene's Pointe, and Orlando New Construction Communities for 2026 — plus practical pieces on builder incentives and investment properties and building on your own lot.
Tips for Buying New Construction in Windermere
💡 Essential Tips
- Understand custom vs production — Most Windermere construction is custom, so builder reputation and portfolio matter more than spec sheets
- Visit multiple builders — Compare quality, included features, design center pricing, and timeline reliability
- Understand total costs — Base price + lot premium + upgrades + lakefront access work = actual cost; Windermere lots can carry six-figure premiums
- Review the contract carefully — Custom contracts in particular need attorney review before signing
- Budget for upgrades — Even at production builders, most Windermere buyers spend 15-25% above base price
- Choose your lot wisely — Sunset orientation, depth of lake frontage, and proximity to a public boat ramp all affect resale
- Get buyer representation — Costs you nothing, but is especially important on long custom timelines
- Monitor construction — Visit weekly during framing and pre-drywall; document with photos
- Understand warranties — Verify what's covered, for how long, and how claims are handled
- Plan for timing — Production: 6-9 months. Custom: 10-18 months. Luxury estates: 18-24+ months
Questions to Ask Builders
- What's included in the base price vs upgrades, and where do most buyers spend their upgrade budget?
- Are there lot premiums for preferred locations? What does a Butler Chain waterfront premium look like?
- What's the realistic completion date — and what's your track record on timelines over the last 12 months?
- What warranties do you offer, and who handles warranty claims after closing?
- Can I make changes after contract? At what point do changes become cost-prohibitive?
- What's your process for addressing construction issues, and who's my single point of contact?
- Do you have model homes or recently completed homes I can tour?
- Can you provide references from buyers in Windermere specifically?
For more guidance, read our articles on buying a Florida home and explore our new construction guide.
Explore homes in nearby communities: Dr. Phillips, Horizon West, Gotha, and Ocoee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do new homes cost in Windermere?
New construction homes in Windermere span a wide range. Production-builder townhomes at Lake Cawood Cove by Ashton Woods start around $513K. Production single-family homes at Palms at Windermere by Dream Finders start in the $800Ks. Custom and semi-custom luxury estates typically start above $1.5M, and Toll Brothers' Saddlecrest at Windermere starts at $2.3M. Butler Chain waterfront customs can run well into the multi-millions.
For current pricing, contact builders directly or work with our team for verified, up-to-date numbers — and see our Windermere Market Report for trend context.
Which builders are currently building in Windermere?
Currently active builders in Windermere include three production/luxury production builders — Dream Finders Homes (at Palms at Windermere), Toll Brothers (at Saddlecrest at Windermere), and Ashton Woods (at Lake Cawood Cove) — plus several premier custom builders, including Element Home Builders, Konkol Custom Homes, Dave Brewer Inc., and Dean Allen Co. Most Windermere construction is custom or semi-custom, reflecting the community's character. See detailed information on each above.
How long does it take to build a new home in Windermere?
Production-builder homes in Windermere — like Dream Finders at Palms at Windermere or Ashton Woods at Lake Cawood Cove — typically complete in 6-9 months from contract. Custom homes take 10-18 months on average; luxury estates with extensive customization, lakefront access, or unusual lot conditions may take 18-24+ months. Plan for permit processing, design complexity, weather, and material lead times.
Should I use a real estate agent when buying new construction?
Yes — and arguably more so in Windermere than in most markets, because so much of what's built here is custom and the dollar amounts are large. Buyer representation costs you nothing (the builder pays the commission) and provides important advantages: contract review, negotiation help, construction monitoring, lot evaluation, and advocacy throughout the process. The builder's sales agent represents the builder, not you.
Contact our team for representation with Windermere builders.
What are the best neighborhoods for new construction in Windermere?
Five neighborhoods drive most current new construction activity. Palms at Windermere is the largest active production community at 57 homesites by Dream Finders. Lake Cawood Cove by Ashton Woods offers the most attainable entry pricing inside the ZIP code, with townhomes from $513K. At the top of the market, Toll Brothers' Saddlecrest at Windermere brings half-acre lakefront luxury, and Element Home Builders is finishing out boutique custom enclaves at The Reserve at Windermere, Lake Sheen Sound, Bella Vita Estates, and Lake Down Reserve.
See our neighborhoods section for detailed information on each development.
Can I customize my new construction home?
Customization options vary widely by builder. Production builders in Windermere like Dream Finders and Ashton Woods offer selections for flooring, countertops, cabinets, appliances, and fixtures through their design centers; structural changes (extra rooms, extended garages) must be selected very early. Toll Brothers offers more extensive personalization through its Design Studio. Custom builders — Element, Konkol, Dave Brewer, and Dean Allen — offer essentially complete design flexibility on your own lot or in their boutique enclaves.
Learn more about new construction options and explore building on your own lot.
Ready to Build in Windermere?
Our team at Florida Neighborhood Realty specializes in new construction in Windermere. We can help you:
- Compare production and custom builders side by side
- Understand total costs, lot premiums, and design-center math
- Negotiate contracts and pricing — including custom-build agreements
- Monitor construction progress on long custom timelines
- Evaluate Butler Chain waterfront lots for resale value
Buyer representation costs you nothing — the builder pays our commission.
*Disclaimer: This page is provided for informational purposes only. Builder information, pricing, communities, floor plans, and availability are subject to change without notice. Contact builders directly to verify current information, pricing, and availability. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement. Florida Neighborhood Realty is not affiliated with any builders listed. Prices shown are approximate starting prices and may not reflect current market conditions, lot premiums, or required upgrades. We recommend visiting model homes, reviewing contracts carefully with legal counsel if desired, and conducting your own due diligence before making any purchase decisions.
Last Updated: April 29, 2026
David Myers
