Meet the Players: Builders, Developers & Investors

Meet the Players, Part 1: Builders, Investors, & Developers 

Last time, we shared three simple ideas to agree on when it comes to making housing happen in Southwest Florida. Read them again here.

 Over the next several weeks, let’s take a look at all the players who need to come together to Make Housing Happen. In no particular order, they are: 

• Builders, Investors & Developers 
• Government Officials: Elected & Staff 
• Employers 
• Media 
• You, me & our neighbors 

We believe that when we get clear about what each group needs, we’ll discover new ways to overcome assumptions and break through roadblocks when it comes to attainable housing.  

Today, let’s start with the Builders, Investors & Developers. Who’s who, and what do they do? Here’s a high-level look. 

The Developer 

The Developer is responsible for identifying and acquiring land for a construction project, and overseeing the planning and design stages. They may also be responsible for obtaining permits and approvals from government agencies, and coordinating with builders and other professionals during the construction process. Developers are typically involved in the project from start to finish and often sell the completed project. 

To make housing happen faster and easier, the Developer needs: 

• Available property to buy 
• Clear, consistent, and timely government processes to follow (federal, state, county and local) for permitting and land use  
• Good relationships with local community members before, during, and after the project 

The Investor  

As you’d guess from the name, the Investor provides the funds needed to undertake a project, and typically has a financial stake in the project in return. They may also provide input on the project's overall design and construction process, but their primary focus is on the financial return on their investment. The right Investor can be the perfect partner for a Developer with a great project in place; or a Developer may be their own Investor. 

To make housing happen faster and easier, the Investor needs: 

• Available funds to spend on the project  
• A clear plan for making the property profitable in exchange for the use of their money. 

The Builder 

The Builder, or contractor or construction company, is responsible for the physical construction of the project. They work with architects and engineers to ensure that the project is built according to the plans and specifications. Builders also hire subcontractors and oversee the day-to-day activities on the construction site to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. 

To make housing happen faster and easier, the Builder needs:  

• A talented, reliable workforce to execute the thousands of specific, technical jobs that come with building safely   
• Transportation and access to materials in timely ways 

• Clear, consistent, prompt and ongoing communication about processes and rules (federal, state, county and local) for permits, inspections, reviews and approvals.  

Do some companies play all of these roles? Absolutely. Builders, Investors and Developers bring jobs and tax revenue to our community so as we’re learning about what’s getting in our way of making housing happen, it’s good to understand the roles and interests of each player.  

Next time, we’ll dive into another vital group: Government Officials: Elected, Appointed and Staff. Thanks for being here.  

P.S. As a reminder, we’re a volunteer task force powered by SWFL Inc., the region’s only five-star Chamber of Commerce as awarded by the US Chamber of Commerce. SWFL Inc. represents over 3400 businesses and their 7,000+ employees in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties in Southwest Florida.  

Our goal is to help make this complicated issue a little simpler so we can bring people together and influence housing decisions faster. We love to hear from you. Click here to give us your thoughts on any of these notes, ask a question or tell us YOUR story.