swimming pool builders st augustine fl

Florida Coastal Contractors

St. Augustine, FL Florida Coastal Contractors emphasis client education, upfront design process, are the keys to delivering a dream backyard that families will love for years to come
The Story Behind Florida Coastal Contractors

Shane Shafer's journey into contracting began far from the pools and outdoor kitchens that define Florida Coastal Contractors today. Born at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville and raised in a middle-class neighborhood in Northeast Florida, Shane briefly attended FCCJ before deciding the office life wasn't for him. In 1990, he took a job with East Coast Systems, a metal roofing company, and together with friends, began specializing in metal roofing. When Hurricane Andrew devastated Miami in 1992, Shane spent two years working on reconstruction projects, learning not just the technical aspects of the trade, but the business dynamics between workers, leaders, and owners. That experience planted a seed.

In 1994, with a small sum of saved money, Shane purchased a gutter machineand Florida Coastal Contractors was born, initially operating as First Coast Rain Guard. The company expanded into siding, windows, sunrooms, screen rooms, and German-technology Schuco windows, eventually adding Sundance hot tubs to the mix. But by 2002, after weathering a personal life transition and recognizing what truly brought him joy, Shane made a pivotal decision: he wanted to sell products that created happiness, not just functionality.

That shift changed everything. Shane sold the portion of the business focused on windows, siding, and other franchise products, refocusing entirely on building swimming pools in St Augustine fl , outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pavers, screen rooms, and lighting packages. "You don't make memories standing on top of your roof or in front of a window," Shane explains. The company weathered the 2008 recession, emerging stronger, and saw sales nearly double during COVID as families invested in their outdoor spaces. Now approaching 32 years in business this September, Florida Coastal Contractors has become synonymous with custom backyard dreams in St. Augustine.
What Sets Florida Coastal Contractors Apart

Unlike many contractors who rely heavily on subcontractors, Florida Coastal Contractors operates primarily with an employee-based model. Shane's team works an eight-to-five schedule, and they own their own equipment, giving them far more control over timelines and quality. During Florida's notorious rain season, the crew doesn't pack up and go homethey'll wait out a twenty-minute shower at the gas station with a Snickers and a Coke, then get right back to work. "We look for a reason to work," Shane says. "We look for a reason to get the job done."

The company's design-build approach sets them apart in another crucial way. Shane holds multiple state licenses, allowing Florida Coastal Contractors to handle every aspect of a backyard transformationfrom the pool to the room addition to the outdoor kitchen to the screeningwithout clients having to coordinate multiple contractors. The process begins with education and detailed design work, often conducted on a big-screen TV where Shane and his team spend hours reviewing every single item with the client. This thoroughness virtually eliminates change orders, those dreaded mid-project surprises that can derail budgets and timelines. Shane's philosophy is simple: "If we talk about it, it needs to go on the contract."

Shane also believes in letting clients guide the emotional direction of their projects. He asks questions that might seem unusual for a contractor: Where did you get married? What was your first dance song? For one memorable projecta Key West-inspired outdoor spacethose answers led to a coral-colored stucco design with a roof angled specifically so the client's acoustic guitar would reverberate back toward the house. The company's multiple designers work to create roadmaps that capture not just logistics, but lifestyle and memory-making. And Shane always tells prospective clients: "If it feels good in your head, your heart, and your gut, that's the contractor you need to go forward with."
Project Highlights

One project that remains particularly dear to Shane's heart was a complete room addition featuring a fireplace, automatic retractable screens, and exotic level-five granite. The client was the CFO of Firehouse Subs, and during the design phase which Shane was hand-drawing at their kitchen tablethe family's twelve-year-old son contributed an idea. Inspired by the trash disposal systems in fast-food restaurants, the boy suggested incorporating a side-opening trash receptacle into the outdoor kitchen design. Shane measured a plate right there at the table and integrated the young man's concept into the final build. The son, who dreamed of working in construction at the time, got to see his contribution become a permanent part of the family's outdoor space.

Another standout project featured what Shane nicknamed the "stealth wing bomber" designa roof structure that, viewed from above, resembled the wing of a stealth bomber. The clients had been married in Key West and loved Jimmy Buffett, so Shane designed a space with coral-colored stucco and complementary travertine backsplash. Because the yard had a significant slope, the team installed retaining walls around the pool and pavers. Every design choice, from the two-tone stain to the high bar height, reflected the couple's story and style. Completed about twelve years ago, it remains a testament to Shane's belief that the best outdoor spaces are deeply personal.
Community & Values

At Florida Coastal Contractors, clients become family. Shane's team forms group texts with all decision-makers on a project, ensuring constant communication and quick responses to questions or changes. The company's computer system tracks every call and automatically sends confirmation emails, keeping everyone connected throughout the build process. Shane is selective about how many projects the company takes onfour or five pools a month rather than tenbecause he refuses to oversell and underdeliver. Even during COVID, when business boomed while friends in the restaurant industry struggled, Shane remained committed to realistic timelines and quality craftsmanship. His advice to clients reflects his values: it's got to be fun, it's got to be fair for both sides, and it's got to be full of information. After three decades in business, Shane's mission remains unchangedbuilding beautiful spaces where families can cook, gather, and make the memories that matter most.
The Story Behind Florida Coastal Contractors

In Business for 30 Years

"We enjoy building backyards where our clients will make family memories for years to come"

Shane Shafer, Owner, Florida Coastal Contractors

What Florida Coastal Contractors Offers

Florida Coastal Contractors is a design-build outdoor living contractor that offers swimming pool builders in St Augustine, FL. We specialize in building outdoor spaces that transform a families outdoor living area into a place where memories are made.

Services include:

Outdoor Kitchens
Pergolas
Pavers
Pavilions
Swimming Pools
Screen Enclosures
Outdoor Fireplaces

Areas Served

Florida Coastal Contractors serves Clay County, FL, Asbury Lake, FL, Fleming Island, FL, Green Cove Springs, FL, Hibernia, FL, Lakeside, FL, Middleburg, FL, Oakleaf Plantation, FL, Orange Park, FL, Duval County, FL, Amelia Island, FL, Arlington, FL, Atlantic Beach, FL, Fernandina Beach, FL, Jacksonville Beach, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Mayport, FL, Neptune Beach, FL, St. Johns County, FL, Crescent Beach, FL, Marineland, FL, Nocatee, FL, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Sawgrass, FL, St Augustine Beach, FL, St Augustine, FL, St Johns, FL and surrounding areas.
What Sets Florida Coastal Contractors Apart

We focus heavily on upfront design so projects are delivered as expected
We minimize sub-contractors for greater control over projects
Very efficient processes ensure timely project delivery