Meet Aroha Builders: New Custom Home Builders in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Aroha Builders is a new custom and semi-custom home builder in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, serving families throughout Okaloosa County and the Emerald Coast. Founded by longtime local builder Nathan Harris, the company brings together more than two decades of homebuilding experience — the same team, the same craftsmanship, and the same standards Northwest Florida homeowners have trusted for years, now building under a new name with a clear sense of purpose.

If you have been searching for home builders in Fort Walton Beach, FL who pair hands-on experience with genuine care for the people they build for, here is what makes Aroha Builders worth knowing.

A New Name Built on Decades of Experience

Aroha Builders was founded by Nathan Harris after he earned his contractor's license and set out to launch a company of his own. But the story behind it goes back much further.

Harris started working young and was later recruited into construction by Thomas Watkins, a mentor who promised training, opportunity, and stability. Over the next twenty years, Watkins and co-founder Brent Acree taught Harris every side of the homebuilding business — not in a classroom, but on real job sites, one home at a time.

When Harris launched Aroha Builders, the entire team came with him. That continuity matters: the superintendents, office staff, and tradespeople behind Aroha have been building quality homes in this community for well over a decade. As Harris put it, "They've always had my back over the years and have been open to our input."

You can read the full story of the launch in this feature from Get The Coast.

What the Name “Aroha” Means

“Aroha” is a Māori word from New Zealand. It is usually translated as “love,” but it carries far more than that — it speaks to connection, generosity, compassion, and community.

For Nathan Harris, the name captures the values he learned coming up in the business. "The message was one of community, of connection, of generosity, of compassion, of family," he said. That philosophy shows up in how the company treats its clients and how it approaches every home it builds.

Homes Built for Military Families and First-Time Buyers

Fort Walton Beach sits at the heart of a community shaped by the military, with Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field just minutes away. Aroha Builders focuses on well-built spec homes designed with military families and first-time buyers in mind — people who need a quality home at a fair price, often on a timeline tied to orders or a first purchase.

That focus is intentional. Harris keeps the approach simple: "If you make your customers happy, you're going to be successful." Every home is built with attention to detail and construction quality that holds up long after the keys are handed over.

Custom and Semi-Custom Homes Across Okaloosa County

Aroha Builders offers new home construction, semi-custom builds that let you personalize a proven floor plan, and select custom home projects. Popular design plans include the Durham 1715, the Odessa 1704, and the Avondale 1812 — thoughtfully laid-out homes that balance space, comfort, and value.

The team's work speaks for itself: more than 500 completed homes and projects, a 2025 Parade of Homes award from the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa-Walton Counties, and memberships with the Florida Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders. Aroha Builders is a licensed Florida contractor (CRC1335415) and an accredited, community-rooted company.

You can see completed homes in the Aroha Builders project portfolio, browse available properties, or learn more about the team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Aroha Builders build homes?

Aroha Builders builds new homes in Fort Walton Beach and throughout Okaloosa County, Florida, including communities across the Emerald Coast.

Is Aroha Builders the same team as Watree Homes?

Yes. Aroha Builders is led by Nathan Harris and staffed by the same experienced team that built homes under Watree for years. The name is new; the people, standards, and local experience carried over.

Does Aroha Builders build custom homes?

Aroha Builders specializes in new construction and semi-custom homes that let you personalize a proven floor plan, and takes on select custom home projects. Popular plans include the Durham 1715, Odessa 1704, and Avondale 1812.

Does Aroha Builders work with military families and first-time buyers?

Absolutely. Building quality, well-priced homes for military families near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field and for first-time buyers is a core part of what Aroha Builders does.

How do I start building a home with Aroha Builders?

The best first step is to reach out. Call 850-226-6185, email info@arohabuilders.com, or contact the team to talk through your plans, budget, and timeline.

We are here to help you!

Phone: 850-226-6185

Email: info@arohabuilders.com

Website: https://www.arohabuilders.com

If you're ready to build a new home in Fort Walton Beach or anywhere in Okaloosa County, reach out to Aroha Builders — we'd love to help bring your dream home to life.