Habri Builders delivers personalized homes with lasting quality, transparent pricing, and exceptional craftsmanship
At Habri Builders, quality, transparency, and craftsmanship are at the heart of every project. The company takes its name from the principles that define its approach to home building: Honesty, Accountability, Built to Last, Respect, and Innovation. Guided by these values, the Florida-based builder creates distinctive custom homes that balance luxury, functionality, and long-term value. Through a personalized approach and careful cost management, Habri delivers homes designed to stand the test of time.
“I created the business after many years of working for different builders,” begins Erik Atkinson, Founder and President. “I saw there was a real need for quality homes without the huge markups that other custom builders were charging people. I saw a gap in the market and decided I wanted to do it the way my father did it up in the Northeast; building homes with a consistent, linear margin throughout the entire process and being very transparent. We offer services that other companies don’t, like detailed plan review and land assessments, because many clients are new to the area and risk choosing lots that end up creating costly construction issues later. We try to remove those stress points wherever possible.”
“I started the company just over six years ago,” he continues. “In hindsight, I probably should have started sooner, but I needed to be in the right mindset to take that step. Since then, we’ve continued to improve our efficiency, learn from client feedback, and identify where people experience the most challenges in the process. It’s been a great journey overall and we’ve been consistently growing. Today, the business is strong, and we are building some beautiful homes, including projects in the 8000-square-foot range. While most of our homes are in the 2500-to-5000-square-foot range, our offerings and portfolio have grown to scale up from there.”
Diversified division
The defining principles of the company’s custom homebuilding approach emphasize originality, client ownership, and respect for each design, and it’s this commitment that sets the firm apart within the industry. “One of the staples of Habri that we’re really proud of is that we never reproduce a plan,” Erik shares. “If you come to me with a design, it’s your design. We make sure it stays yours, and we take no ownership of it.”
Drawing on years of experience working on high-end custom homes, Erik explains what defines luxury for his clients and how that perspective has remained largely consistent. “I started out working for a company in Orlando where we built massively large homes. The trend with upscale buyers hasn’t really changed much over time. They tend to buy when they want to buy, whether the market is up or down, or even if broader conditions are uncertain.
“As for design trends,” he adds, “I’m still seeing a wide range, from contemporary styles to more traditional Florida Craftsman or plantation-style homes. Everything is still very much in the mix. The main changes have been in colors and finishes, largely because there are simply more options available now.”
Looking ahead, Erik is focused on expanding Habri’s offerings through a new division designed to bridge the gap between fully custom homes and traditional semi-custom developments. The initiative aims to provide homeowners with greater design flexibility, higher-quality finishes, and more attainable pricing without sacrificing the personalized approach that defines the company.
“A lot of builders offer what they call semi-custom homes, where buyers choose from a limited number of floor plans and design options. While that approach works for many companies, we’ve seen that one of the biggest frustrations for buyers is the lack of choice. We’re taking a different approach,” he elaborates, “by developing a large collection of plans with a much broader range of options and features. The goal is to offer more flexibility while still maintaining an efficient and streamlined building process.
“At the same time, we’re mindful of affordability. These homes will generally range from 1500-to-2500 square feet, making them more budget-friendly while still incorporating higher-end finishes and thoughtful design elements. With the cost of living continuing to be a major concern for many families, we want to provide homes that deliver the look, feel, and quality of a custom build at a more accessible price point.”
Erik attributes much of Habri’s success to a proactive, engineering-led approach that prioritizes long-term durability over short-term savings. As such, the company has developed a reputation for tackling complex sites that many builders avoid while maintaining a strong focus on quality and client confidence.
“We invest heavily in understanding the land before construction begins, including geotechnical surveys and soil testing,” Erik explains. “As a result, we often over-engineer our foundations to ensure our homes perform well in Florida’s challenging soil conditions and weather environment.
“That approach has also allowed us to take on sites that many builders won’t touch, particularly sloped or elevated lots. Having grown up building on hills in the Northeast, those challenges don’t intimidate us. Over the years, we’ve become known as the builder people call when other companies say a site is too difficult.
“When it comes to custom homes, communication and planning are essential. Because every home we build is unique, our due diligence process is often longer than average. We make that clear from the beginning and ensure clients understand that building something truly custom requires flexibility. If challenges arise, we address them quickly with our engineers and trade partners, always prioritizing quality over shortcuts. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to build beautiful homes that are structurally sound, built to last, and give homeowners complete peace of mind.”
As the company grows, Erik remains focused on maintaining the personal touch that has helped build its reputation. That commitment extends beyond client relationships and into the company’s marketing strategy. “We’ve recently invested in professional video production to better showcase our projects, which has been a significant step for us,” he shares. “But while the format is changing, the message remains the same; we want our marketing to feel authentic and human. That personal approach has been a big part of our success and referral business. Clients know they can reach me directly, even after their home is complete.
“Over the next three-to-five years, I’d like to see us grow from building around ten-to-15 homes annually to closer to 30 or 40, supported by our new division and expanded product offerings. We’re taking a measured approach because we want to get it right.
“Ultimately,” Erik concludes, “I believe building a home should be an exciting experience, not an overwhelming one. With realistic expectations, clear communication, and patience, the process can be incredibly rewarding. Our job is to guide clients through that journey and deliver a home that’s worth the investment of both time and trust.”