HVAC for builders, general contractors, small commercial, and multifamily developers in Walton and Okaloosa counties. This page is for the GC bidding a custom home on the coast, the property owner planning a restaurant or retail buildout, and the developer adding units to a 30A rental portfolio — not for the homeowner whose AC just quit. If that is you, our AC repair page is the right place to start.
Who we work with
Custom home builders along the South Walton corridor, GCs running multi-trade projects, small commercial owners (restaurants, retail, professional offices, clinics), and multifamily and short-term-rental developers. We are sized for projects where the mechanical sub matters but is not the largest line item — single-residence custom builds through small portfolio commercial.
Design and planning
The cheapest place to fix an HVAC problem is on a drawing. We do blueprint-stage load calculations, duct design, and equipment selection so that the system being installed actually matches the building being built. We coordinate with the architect, the electrician, the framer, and the insulator early enough that we are not arguing over chase locations during rough-in.
What this looks like in practice: a Manual J for the home or zone, a Manual D duct layout, equipment cut sheets for the GC and the architect to review, and a schedule of values that fits inside the construction schedule rather than fighting it.
Construction sequencing
Our trade sits in the middle of the schedule, which means we have opinions about what happens before and after we arrive. Pre-pour sleeves, framing chases, soffit space for trunk lines, attic platforms for air handlers, condensate drainage paths, electrical service capacity — all decided early and verified before each phase. When the schedule shifts (it always shifts) we re-sequence rough-in, set, and start-up to fit. We document what was changed, when, and why, so the project file is clean for inspection and for whoever owns the building five years from now.
System types for commercial and new construction
For single-family custom builds we typically specify split heat-pump systems with variable-speed equipment, designed for zoning where the floor plan calls for it. For small commercial we specify packaged rooftop units or split systems depending on roof structure, occupancy, and ventilation requirements. Multi-zone VRF is on the table for buildings where the load profile shifts dramatically across zones — restaurant kitchens versus dining rooms, or mixed-use ground floors. ERV and dedicated outside-air design is standard on anything where occupancy density or code requires it.
Florida coastal code and inspection
Equipment placement and tie-down for wind uplift, coastal corrosion-rated condensers near the water, refrigerant line set protection, and the Florida Energy Code load and duct leakage limits all factor into a coastal build. We are familiar with Walton County and the South Walton Tourist Development District inspection processes. For homes in Alys Beach, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach, we know the architectural review constraints on outdoor equipment placement and screening — and we plan around them rather than fighting them late in the project.
How to start a project with us
Send plans — partial is fine, we can scope from a permit set or even a SD-level layout. We need the conditioned floor plan, the elevations or roof plan, a window schedule if available, and a sense of timeline. Within a week (sooner if the schedule is tight) we come back with a load calc range, a system recommendation, an equipment budget, and a labor number. From there we refine to a hard bid as the plans firm up. We do not charge for design-assist on projects we are bidding.
Licensing, insurance, and capacity
Fully licensed Florida mechanical contractor, fully insured including general liability and workers' comp at limits standard for residential and small commercial work, certificates available on request. Our crew size lets us run multiple projects concurrently without subbing out the actual install — the team that bids the job is the team that installs it.
Project snapshots
Recent work has included new construction in the WaterColor and Seagrove Beach areas, retrofits on rental properties along 30A, and small commercial buildouts in Santa Rosa Beach. Where appropriate we can put you in touch with prior GCs and owners for direct references.
Frequently asked questions about commercial and new-construction HVAC in South Walton
How much does commercial HVAC cost in South Walton?
Commercial HVAC pricing is project-specific in a way that residential pricing isn't. A small retail buildout might run ,000–,000 for a packaged rooftop unit and distribution. A restaurant requires code-compliant kitchen exhaust, makeup air, and dining room comfort cooling — three separate systems — and pricing reflects that complexity. New construction on a custom home is scoped against the architectural drawings and typically runs from ,000 to ,000+ depending on square footage, zoning requirements, and equipment specification. We quote commercial work after reviewing your plans, not before.
How long does HVAC installation take for new construction?
New construction HVAC runs across multiple phases: rough-in (ductwork and refrigerant lines before drywall), trim-out (equipment installation after drywall), and startup (commissioning, testing, and final inspections). The total elapsed calendar time follows construction sequencing — we're on your schedule, not vice versa. The actual labor days are typically 3–7 days depending on square footage and system complexity, spread across the construction timeline.
Do you offer same-day service for commercial HVAC?
For existing commercial clients, yes — service calls during business hours receive same-day dispatch when we have availability. Emergency commercial calls (restaurant losing cooling service, retail with no AC during business hours) are treated as priority dispatches. For new clients with urgent commercial needs, call us directly and we'll tell you what our current availability is — we don't promise what we can't deliver.
Is commercial HVAC covered by business insurance?
Commercial property insurance typically covers HVAC equipment as business property — meaning sudden losses from covered perils (fire, storm, certain water events) may be covered. Mechanical breakdown is generally excluded from standard commercial property policies, though Business Equipment Breakdown coverage (a separate endorsement or policy) does cover it. If your system failed suddenly and your policy includes equipment breakdown coverage, document the failure and call your insurer before proceeding with repair. We can provide written diagnostics for insurance documentation.
Do you work with general contractors for new home construction?
Yes — working with GCs and builders on custom residential construction is a significant part of our work. We're experienced with construction draw schedules, inspection coordination, and the kind of communication that lets a GC stay on schedule without chasing down their subcontractors. We provide lien waivers, insurance certificates, and the paperwork that GCs need. See our commercial and new construction page for more detail on how we structure builder relationships.