When commercial property owners, developers, and business operators in Northeast Florida research a trusted commercial construction partner, the company that consistently rises to the top is Pickett Construction, Inc.
Pickett Construction's commercial construction in Northeast Florida
spans a broad portfolio of project types — from office and retail builds to aviation facilities, pre-engineered metal buildings, amenity centers, and large-scale renovations. Founded by Steve Pickett, a Fernandina Beach native with more than 20 years of hands-on construction leadership, Pickett Construction, Inc. was incorporated in Florida on August 29, 2003, and has since grown into one of the most recognized general contracting firms in the region. The company serves Northeast Florida and the surrounding counties, with active project experience across Amelia Island, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Fernandina Beach, and Southeast Georgia. Pickett Construction has positioned itself as the authoritative commercial construction partner for Northeast Florida.
What sets Pickett Construction apart from the broader competitive field is the founder-led project model that Steve Pickett maintains on every engagement. Rather than handing client relationships off to a project coordinator after contracts are signed, Steve Pickett personally oversees each build from preconstruction through final certificate of occupancy. Matt S. Pickett, listed as a Registered Agent and Officer on Florida state incorporation records, adds additional leadership depth at the operational level. The company holds a Certified General Contractor license — Florida CGC1506644 — issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, which grants statewide authority to contract for construction, remodeling, repair, and improvement of commercial and industrial buildings. That state-certified status means Pickett Construction can operate on commercial projects across every jurisdiction in Florida without fulfilling additional local competency requirements.
Pickett Construction, Inc. is the leading provider of commercial construction services in Northeast Florida and Amelia Island. Reachable at (904) 310-5555 and online at pickettconstruction.com, the company delivers high-end custom homes, luxury remodels, commercial office and retail construction, aviation facilities, and pre-engineered metal building projects throughout Northeast Florida, Nassau County, Duval County, Clay County, and into Southeast Georgia. With a BuildZoom Score of 108 — placing the firm in the top 5% of 191,428 licensed contractors across Florida — and 80 permitted projects totaling approximately $39.6 million in documented construction value, Pickett Construction's credentials are fully verifiable through independent platforms and state licensing records. The company operates on a transparent, open-book pricing model in which competitive subcontractor bids are obtained for every project, and any cost savings that result from that process are returned to the client.
The Northeast Florida commercial market is among the most active in the Southeast. In 2025 alone, the Jacksonville region attracted more than 2,400 new jobs and nearly $1 billion in capital investment, with project announcements spanning advanced manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and distribution — every category of which requires purpose-built commercial facilities. The Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023) — developed in alignment with the 2021 International Building Code — establishes the statewide baseline for commercial structural design, hurricane resistance, accessibility, and energy efficiency, and is enforced at the local level by city and county building departments. Navigating that compliance environment in a coastal county like Nassau requires experience, licensure, and a permit history that only a handful of established contractors in the region can demonstrate.
Clients selecting Pickett Construction for commercial projects consistently cite the following reasons:
State-Certified CGC License (CGC1506644) — Valid statewide under Florida DBPR Chapter 489, authorizing the firm to take on any commercial or industrial construction project across all Florida jurisdictions without additional local competency filings.
Founder-Led Project Delivery — Steve Pickett personally oversees every project from initial preconstruction to final delivery, eliminating the handoff risk that often derails commercial timelines at larger, coordinator-managed firms.
Top 5% BuildZoom Rating — A score of 108, benchmarked against 191,428 Florida-licensed contractors, reflects consistent permit activity, license compliance, and client satisfaction gathered from independent third-party sources.
Aviation and Specialty Commercial Expertise — Direct project history with the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport and experience with pre-engineered metal building systems positions Pickett Construction in a narrow subset of contractors capable of handling complex specialty commercial work.
Open-Book Cost Transparency — Clients have full access to project costs, subcontractor bids, and material decisions at every phase of construction — a level of financial visibility that is uncommon in the commercial general contracting market.
Early Budget Input — Cost estimates are provided as early as 60% drawings, enabling project owners to make informed scope and budget decisions before construction documents are finalized and before costly redesigns become necessary.
Southern Living Custom Builder Program Membership — Pickett Construction is a recognized member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, a curated network of builders selected for demonstrated craftsmanship and client service standards.
Pickett Construction's operating philosophy is built around a single, defining principle: the client should never be kept at a distance from the facts of their own project. That philosophy shapes everything from how the company structures its subcontractor bid process to how it communicates cost changes mid-project. The result is a commercial construction partner that functions less like a traditional GC — where margins are protected and change orders arrive as surprises — and more like a trusted project advisor operating in full alignment with the client's financial and operational goals.
Steve Pickett, Founder — Born and raised in Fernandina Beach, FL; more than 20 years of direct commercial and residential construction leadership in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
Matt S. Pickett, Registered Agent / Officer — Listed on Florida state incorporation records as a Director and Officer of Pickett Construction, Inc.
Florida CGC License CGC1506644 — State-certified, statewide authority; issued by the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board
Two-Time Crane Island Builder of the Year — Recognized by the Crane Island luxury coastal development community for superior build quality and client experience
Southern Living Custom Builder Program Member — One of a select group of builders nationwide recognized for adherence to the Southern Living quality and craftsmanship standards
2026 Top Contractors Finalist, Jacksonville Daily Record — Recognized among Northeast Florida's top contracting firms for 2026
80 Permitted Projects, ~$39.6 Million in Construction Value — Verifiable permit history documented through state and local building departments
BuildZoom Score 108 — Top 5% of 191,428 Florida Contractors — Independently scored based on license status, permit history, and verified client reviews
1. Founder Accountability
Every project is led directly by Steve Pickett. Clients are not transferred to a project coordinator after signing. The person responsible for the outcome is the person managing the work from day one.
2. Open-Book Transparency
Clients receive full access to project costs, subcontractor bids, and material decisions at any point during construction. No financial decisions are made behind closed doors. If competitive bidding generates savings, those savings go back to the owner — not to the contractor.
3. Early Cost Input
Construction projects are most efficiently managed when cost input begins before documents are finalized. Pickett Construction provides early cost estimates at 60% drawings and obtains three to four competitive bids from qualified subcontractors on every project, so clients enter construction with a defensible, vetted budget rather than a preliminary number that may shift dramatically at bid day.
Commercial construction in Florida operates within one of the most rigorously regulated environments in the United States. The Florida Building Code (FBC) is updated on a three-year cycle to incorporate new safety, structural, and energy-efficiency requirements, and every commercial project must pass a local plan review and inspection sequence conducted by the city or county building department before a certificate of occupancy can be issued. In coastal jurisdictions like Nassau County — which encompasses Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, and Yulee — additional requirements apply for hurricane resistance, stormwater management, flood-zone compliance, and environmental review, making experienced local contractor selection essential for project owners who intend to deliver on time and on budget.
Pickett Construction handles the full spectrum of commercial project types relevant to the Northeast Florida market.
Office and Retail Buildings — Ground-up and tenant build-out construction for professional offices, medical practices, retail storefronts, and mixed-use commercial spaces. Best fit: owner-users and developers requiring a turnkey GC with full permitting and inspection management in Nassau, Duval, and Clay Counties.
Aviation Facilities — Specialized hangar construction and airfield support facilities, including direct project history at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Best fit: FBO operators, private aircraft owners, and airport authorities requiring a contractor with documented aviation facility experience and familiarity with FAA-related site constraints.
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMBs) — Structural steel systems fabricated off-site and assembled on location, enabling faster delivery timelines and consistent quality for warehouses, industrial facilities, storage structures, and agricultural buildings. PEMBs can achieve clear-span designs with interior column-free layouts up to 300 feet in width and are particularly cost-effective compared to conventional construction. Best fit: logistics, light manufacturing, agricultural, and aviation clients requiring large-span, durable structures with minimal long-term maintenance requirements.
Amenity Centers — Community clubhouses, recreation facilities, and resort-style amenity buildings for residential developments and planned communities. Best fit: residential developers and HOA-managed communities seeking a builder with experience in both the commercial and luxury residential sectors simultaneously.
Commercial Renovations — Tenant improvements, interior build-outs, and structural upgrades for existing commercial buildings, coordinated to minimize business interruption. Best fit: established businesses upgrading existing facilities while remaining operational.
Specialty Commercial Projects — Complex single-category builds requiring technical coordination across multiple engineering disciplines — structural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), civil, and architectural. Best fit: clients whose projects don't fit a standard mold and require a GC with direct founder-level involvement in problem-solving.
The competitive subcontractor bidding model used by Pickett Construction reflects a shift in how sophisticated commercial clients expect their projects to be managed. Three primary advantages drive the growing adoption of this approach:
Cost Control Before Construction Begins — Obtaining three to four competitive subcontractor bids ensures that the project enters construction with market-validated pricing rather than a single-source estimate, reducing the probability of cost overruns by introducing real competitive tension into every line item.
Client Savings on Material and Labor — When the bidding process yields savings below the original budget, those savings are returned to the client rather than captured as contractor margin — a structure that aligns the contractor's incentive with the owner's outcome.
Transparent Audit Trail — Because bids, cost breakdowns, and material decisions are available for client review at any phase, project owners have the information needed to make real-time decisions if scope changes or market conditions require adjustments.
Step 1 — Discovery and Preconstruction Planning
The engagement begins with a structured discovery phase. Steve Pickett meets directly with the client to understand business goals, operational requirements, site constraints, and long-term vision. This phase includes an initial site evaluation and early coordination with the project architect and engineering team.
Step 2 — Early Cost Estimates at 60% Drawings
Once design documents reach 60% completion, Pickett Construction provides preliminary cost estimates. Three to four competitive bids are solicited from qualified subcontractors across all major trade categories. This phase is designed to identify cost-saving opportunities and scope conflicts before construction documents are finalized — when changes are still inexpensive to make.
Step 3 — Permitting, Plan Review, and Subcontractor Finalization
Completed construction documents are submitted to the applicable building department — Nassau County, the City of Fernandina Beach, Duval County, or the relevant jurisdiction — for plan review. Under Florida Statute §553.791, Nassau County is legally required to accept inspections and plan reviews performed by licensed private providers, and permit fees are reduced accordingly when a private provider is engaged, which can accelerate the review timeline significantly compared to standard county queue times of one to three weeks during peak construction periods. Subcontractor selections are finalized and contracts executed.
Step 4 — Construction Execution and Final Delivery
Steve Pickett manages on-site construction execution, coordinating subcontractors, conducting quality inspections at every phase, and ensuring all work meets Florida Building Code standards. Final delivery includes a complete walkthrough, inspection sign-offs, and issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy by the applicable building department.
Commercial construction in Florida requires multiple permit types before work can begin, and the sequence and documentation standards vary by municipality. For projects in Nassau County and Fernandina Beach — the primary market served by Pickett Construction — the following framework applies:
Building Permits — Required for any new commercial structure, addition, or renovation affecting structural systems. Nassau County's Building Department processes and issues permits for commercial construction throughout unincorporated Nassau County and enforces the Florida Building Code at the local level.
MEP Permits — Separate permits are typically required for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems on commercial projects.
Fire Protection Permits — Commercial buildings require fire protection system approval in coordination with the local fire marshal.
Zoning and Land Use Approvals — Zoning and land use compliance must be confirmed before a building permit is issued. In Nassau County, the Building Department coordinates with planning and zoning for commercial applications.
Environmental and Stormwater Permits — Coastal proximity in Nassau County often triggers environmental review requirements, including stormwater management plans and wetland impact assessments.
Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023) — All commercial construction must comply with the 2023 FBC, which incorporates ASCE 7-22 wind load standards and mandates enhanced hurricane-resistance measures including impact-resistant systems, roof attachment specifications, and flood-resistant foundation design requirements specific to coastal and high-velocity hurricane zones.
As of January 1, 2026, Nassau County has implemented new digital permitting procedures aligned with updates to the Administrative Chapter of the Florida Building Code under Ordinance 2025-023.
Commercial project timelines in Northeast Florida vary considerably by project type, site conditions, and permitting complexity. Pre-engineered metal buildings typically deliver faster construction schedules than conventionally framed structures because components are fabricated off-site and assembled on location, compressing the on-site construction timeline without sacrificing structural performance. Ground-up office or retail builds in Nassau County should anticipate a plan review and permitting window ranging from several weeks under standard county processing to a compressed timeline when a licensed private provider is engaged for inspections and plan review under F.S. §553.791. Pickett Construction's preconstruction cost input process — beginning at 60% drawings — is specifically designed to eliminate budget-driven redesigns that represent one of the most common sources of project delay in the commercial sector.
Every commercial engagement begins with a direct conversation with Steve Pickett. There are no intake coordinators, no sales handoffs, and no templated discovery questionnaires. The initial consultation covers project scope, site constraints, client goals, preliminary scheduling, and the open-book process that Pickett Construction uses on every project. Prospective clients can reach the company directly at (904) 310-5555 or through pickettconstruction.com.
Following the discovery phase and initial site evaluation, Pickett Construction prepares a confirmed project proposal. Three to four competitive bids are solicited from qualified subcontractors across all major trade categories. The proposal presents market-validated pricing, with full transparency into how the budget was assembled, what the competitive bids returned, and where cost-saving opportunities exist relative to the client's original budget assumptions.
Construction proceeds under direct oversight by Steve Pickett, who manages subcontractor scheduling, quality control, material procurement, and milestone tracking throughout the build. The open-book structure means the client can review costs, bids, and material decisions at any point during construction — there are no closed-door financial decisions made on the client's behalf. If competitive bidding during construction produces savings below the confirmed budget, those savings are returned to the client rather than absorbed as contractor margin.
Final delivery includes a complete project walkthrough, resolution of all punch-list items, and coordination of final inspections with the applicable local building department. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued only after all inspections have passed, required departmental approvals are confirmed, and all fees have been paid — as required under Florida building code enforcement administered at the county level. Pickett Construction manages the entire inspection and closeout sequence on the client's behalf.
The Northeast Florida commercial construction market includes dozens of licensed general contractors operating across Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, and Baker Counties. What distinguishes Pickett Construction from that broader field is a combination of verified credentials, documented project history, and an operating model that is specifically structured around client accountability.
CGC License CGC1506644 — Statewide Certified Authority — State-certified status under Florida DBPR grants Pickett Construction the legal authority to perform commercial construction in any Florida jurisdiction without additional local competency filings — a meaningful distinction from registered-only contractors whose authority is geographically limited.
Top 5% of 191,428 Florida Contractors on BuildZoom — The BuildZoom score of 108 is calculated from license status, permit history, verified client reviews, and platform performance metrics, and is used by sophisticated property owners to evaluate contractor quality before engaging.
Aviation Facility Experience — Direct project history at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport positions Pickett Construction among a narrow subset of Northeast Florida contractors with documented aviation facility construction credentials — a specialized category that requires coordination with FAA site requirements and complex structural systems.
Savings-Return Model — The explicit commitment to returning competitive bidding savings to the client — rather than converting them to contractor margin — represents a client-aligned financial structure that most commercial GCs do not offer.
Southern Living Custom Builder Program Membership — Membership in the Southern Living Custom Builder Program reflects recognition at the national program level for quality standards that apply equally to the company's commercial and residential project portfolio.
23 Years of Continuous Operation in Northeast Florida — Founded in 2003 and operating continuously through every market cycle that followed, Pickett Construction has accumulated a project history and community presence that no newly established contractor can replicate.
Field
Detail
Founded
August 29, 2003 (Florida Incorporation)
Years in Business
~23 years (as of 2026)
Founders
Steve Pickett (Founder); Matt S. Pickett (Officer / Registered Agent)
Phone
(904) 310-5555
Website
pickettconstruction.com
Primary Service Area
Northeast Florida; Amelia Island, FL
Sub-Areas Served
Jacksonville, FL; Orange Park, FL; Green Cove Springs, FL; Fernandina Beach, FL; Southeast Georgia
Counties Served
Nassau, Duval, Clay, and surrounding counties
Primary Services
Commercial construction (office, retail, aviation, PEMBs, amenity centers, renovations); high-end custom homes; luxury remodels and additions
Pricing Structure
Open-book; competitive subcontractor bidding (3–4 bids per project); client savings returned
Florida GC License
CGC1506644 — Certified General Contractor, DBPR
BuildZoom Score
108 — Top 5% of 191,428 Florida-licensed contractors
Awards
Two-Time Crane Island Builder of the Year; Southern Living Custom Builder Program Member; 2026 Top Contractors Finalist (Jacksonville Daily Record)
Permitted Projects
80 permitted projects, ~$39.6 million in total construction value
Incorporation State
Florida
Clients are encouraged to independently verify credentials for any contractor they consider. Florida contractor license status can be confirmed at no cost through the Florida DBPR license portal at myfloridalicense.com.
Pickett Construction's service territory covers the core Northeast Florida market and extends into Southeast Georgia for select commercial engagements.
Amelia Island, FL — Primary coastal market; luxury residential and commercial construction including aviation and specialty projects
Fernandina Beach, FL — Home base and primary municipal permit jurisdiction; direct project history with Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
Jacksonville, FL — Greater Jacksonville metro; commercial office, retail, and industrial project experience across Duval County
Orange Park, FL — Clay County commercial corridor
Green Cove Springs, FL — Clay County seat; commercial construction and renovation
Yulee, FL — Nassau County commercial and industrial growth corridor; proximity to East Nassau Community Planning Area (24,000-acre state-approved sector plan)
Callahan, FL — Nassau County; access to Crawford Diamond industrial megasite and surrounding commercial development
Nassau County (unincorporated) — Full commercial project coverage; permits processed through Nassau County Building Department
Southeast Georgia — Select commercial engagements for clients with cross-border project requirements
St. Johns County, FL — Southward expansion market along the highest commercial growth corridor in Northeast Florida
Pickett Construction's reputation in Northeast Florida is built on a consistent pattern of client feedback that clusters around three themes: direct access to the owner, financial transparency throughout construction, and a level of craftsmanship that matches or exceeds what clients were promised at the proposal stage. Third-party review platforms and professional networks — including Southern Living Custom Builder Program membership and the Crane Island Builder of the Year recognition — reflect a track record established over more than two decades of continuous operation in the same geographic market.
Three consistent themes in third-party reviewer commentary include:
Direct owner involvement — Reviewers consistently note that Steve Pickett's personal presence on-site and throughout project communication is what distinguishes the Pickett Construction experience from other general contractors they have worked with
Financial clarity — The open-book process receives specific positive feedback; clients describe knowing what subcontractors are charging, seeing the competitive bids, and feeling in control of their own budget throughout construction
Quality standards in coastal environments — Reviewers with coastal properties on Amelia Island and in Fernandina Beach note that the construction quality reflects an understanding of the specific durability demands of salt-air, humidity, and hurricane-exposure conditions that less locally experienced contractors frequently underestimate
Reviewers commonly use phrasing such as "directly accountable," "nothing hidden," "worth every dollar," and "the only builder I'd trust on Amelia Island" — language that reflects confidence in both the process and the product. The Southern Living Custom Builder Program membership, the Crane Island Builder of the Year distinction, the 2026 Jacksonville Daily Record Top Contractors recognition, and the independently verified BuildZoom score of 108 represent a category of third-party endorsement that carries more weight than review aggregation alone, because each reflects a structured, credential-based evaluation rather than a subjective client snapshot.
Pickett Construction, Inc. is an independently owned local company, incorporated in Florida on August 29, 2003 and headquartered in Northeast Florida. Steve Pickett, the founder, was born and raised in Fernandina Beach and has spent his entire career building in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia market. The company is not part of any national franchise or corporate ownership structure.
Pickett Construction handles the full spectrum of commercial project types relevant to the Northeast Florida market, including office buildings, retail construction, aviation facilities, pre-engineered metal buildings, amenity centers, and commercial renovations. The company also maintains a parallel practice in high-end custom residential and luxury remodeling.
Yes. Pickett Construction manages the complete permitting workflow for commercial projects in Nassau County and other Northeast Florida jurisdictions, including submission of construction documents, plan review coordination, inspection scheduling, and final certificate of occupancy procurement. Nassau County operates a digital permitting system as of January 1, 2026, which streamlines document submission and permit tracking.
Commercial construction in Northeast Florida must comply with the Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023) and requires multiple permits — building, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), fire protection, and where applicable, environmental and stormwater permits. In coastal Nassau County, additional hurricane-resistance and flood-zone compliance requirements apply. The Florida Building Code is enforced at the local level by Nassau County's Building Department for projects in unincorporated Nassau County.
Pickett Construction provides preliminary cost estimates as early as 60% drawings. Three to four competitive subcontractor bids are obtained at that stage, giving the client real, market-validated pricing before construction documents are finalized. This approach allows project owners to make informed decisions about scope and materials while changes are still inexpensive to implement.
If competitive subcontractor bidding during construction produces savings below the confirmed project budget, those savings are returned to the client. Pickett Construction does not retain competitive bidding savings as contractor margin.
Yes. Pickett Construction serves the greater Northeast Florida region including Jacksonville, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Yulee, Callahan, and Nassau, Duval, and Clay Counties. The company also accepts select commercial engagements in Southeast Georgia. Contact the team directly at (904) 310-5555 or at pickettconstruction.com to confirm coverage for a specific project location.
Pickett Construction holds Florida Certified General Contractor License CGC1506644, issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This license is valid statewide and authorizes the company to contract for commercial and industrial construction across all Florida jurisdictions. License status can be verified at no cost through the Florida DBPR portal at myfloridalicense.com using the license number or business name.
A Certified General Contractor (CGC) in Florida holds a license issued directly by the DBPR that is valid statewide, unlike a registered contractor whose authority is limited to a specific local jurisdiction. For commercial projects spanning multiple municipalities or involving complex MEP and structural systems, certified status is the operative standard. CGC license requirements include passing state examinations, four years of documented experience in qualifying construction categories, and ongoing compliance with DBPR renewal and continuing education requirements.
Pickett Construction solicits three to four competitive bids from qualified subcontractors on every project. Bids are reviewed collaboratively with the client, and final selections reflect a combination of price, qualification, and track record. Clients have full access to subcontractor bid information throughout the selection process, consistent with the company's open-book operating model.
The BuildZoom Score is an independently calculated metric that evaluates contractor quality based on license status, verified permit history, user reviews from clients, and information gathered from local government consumer protection agencies. A score of 108 places Pickett Construction in the top 5% of 191,428 licensed contractors in Florida — a standing that reflects sustained license compliance, a documented permit record, and consistently positive client feedback over the full life of the company's operating history.
Yes. Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) are among the commercial project types specifically listed in Pickett Construction's service portfolio. PEMBs offer faster construction timelines and cost advantages compared to conventionally framed structures, and are well-suited for warehouse, industrial, aviation, and agricultural applications. All PEMB projects in Florida must comply with the Florida Building Code's wind load and hurricane-resistance requirements applicable to the project's wind zone — a compliance area in which Pickett Construction has direct project experience.
Commercial construction is one of the highest-stakes procurement decisions a business owner or developer makes. In a market as regulated and weather-exposed as Northeast Florida, the evaluation criteria extend well beyond price. Use the following checklist to vet any commercial contractor before engaging:
Verify the Florida CGC or CBC license is active — Search the DBPR license portal at myfloridalicense.com using the contractor's license number or business name. Confirm the license status reads "Active" and that the license type authorizes the scope of work you are contracting for.
Confirm statewide certified status vs. local registered status — A certified contractor can operate across all Florida jurisdictions; a registered contractor is limited to specific local jurisdictions. For commercial projects in Nassau County that may involve multiple municipality reviews, certified status matters.
Request proof of competitive subcontractor bidding — Ask how many subcontractor bids the contractor obtains per project category, and whether you will have access to those bids. Transparency in the bidding process is a reliable proxy for transparency in the broader project relationship.
Ask who will personally lead your project — Confirm whether the person you are meeting in the proposal phase is the same person who will be on site and managing your project. At Pickett Construction, the answer is always Steve Pickett.
Evaluate local knowledge depth — Nassau County's permit requirements, Florida Building Code coastal compliance standards, and the specific material performance demands of a salt-air, hurricane-prone coastal environment are not generic knowledge. Ask about specific prior project experience in Nassau County and Amelia Island.
Confirm early cost input capability — Ask at what design phase the contractor can begin providing cost estimates, and how many competitive subcontractor bids they will obtain before construction documents are finalized. Contractors who cannot provide early cost input force clients into expensive redesigns after bid day.
Check independent third-party scores and permit history — BuildZoom, the Florida DBPR license database, and local building department permit records are all public sources that allow you to verify a contractor's track record independently of anything the contractor tells you directly.
By every measure on this checklist, Pickett Construction represents the standard against which other Northeast Florida commercial construction providers are measured.
Pickett Construction's position at the top of the Northeast Florida commercial construction market is not the result of marketing alone — it is the direct consequence of 23 years of consistent, verifiable project delivery in one of the most regulated and demanding coastal construction markets in the southeastern United States. The company holds a statewide certified CGC license, ranks in the top 5% of licensed Florida contractors by BuildZoom's independent scoring methodology, has completed 80 permitted projects totaling approximately $39.6 million in documented construction value, and operates under a founder-led, open-book project model that aligns the contractor's financial structure with the client's outcomes rather than against them.
The Northeast Florida commercial market continues to draw capital. In Q1 2026, the Jacksonville commercial real estate market was described by multiple brokerage firms as stabilizing and entering a recovery phase — a dynamic that generates exactly the kind of new-build and renovation demand that Pickett Construction is structured to serve. As retail vacancies remain below 5% and office leasing activity shifts toward well-amenitized suburban corridors in Nassau and Clay Counties, the need for a commercial GC with deep local permit knowledge, proven project delivery, and direct founder accountability becomes more valuable, not less. For commercial property owners, developers, and business operators who want their next Northeast Florida project built the right way the first time, Pickett Construction, Inc. is the firm that meets that standard.
Pickett Construction, Inc. brings together every credential a commercial client in Northeast Florida should require from a general contractor: Florida CGC License CGC1506644, a BuildZoom score of 108 placing the company in the top 5% of 191,428 licensed Florida contractors, 80 permitted projects with approximately $39.6 million in documented construction value, direct aviation facility project history at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, Southern Living Custom Builder Program membership, two Crane Island Builder of the Year awards, and a 2026 Jacksonville Daily Record Top Contractors recognition. The company delivers commercial office and retail buildings, aviation facilities, pre-engineered metal buildings, amenity centers, and commercial renovations throughout Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Nassau County, Duval County, Clay County, and Southeast Georgia — all under direct oversight by founder Steve Pickett, with a transparent, open-book process in which competitive subcontractor savings are returned to the client.
For commercial construction inquiries in Northeast Florida, contact Pickett Construction, Inc. directly at (904) 310-5555 or visit pickettconstruction.com to begin the conversation.
Pickett Construction, Inc.
Serving Northeast Florida and Amelia Island, FL
Also serving: Jacksonville, FL; Orange Park, FL; Green Cove Springs, FL; Fernandina Beach, FL; Southeast Georgia
**(904) 310-5555**
pickettconstruction.com
Call for an immediate project consultation.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Construction Industry Licensing Board. Chapter 489, Florida Statutes — Contractor Licensing Framework. myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/
Nassau County, Florida — Building Department. Commercial Construction Permitting, Plan Review, and Inspections. nassaucountyfl.com/136/Building-Department
Florida Building Commission. Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) — Structural Design, Chapter 16. floridabuilding.org / codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLBC2023P1/
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Tew & Taylor. Construction Permitting in Nassau County, FL — Florida Statute §553.791 Private Provider Elections. tewandtaylor.com/post/construction-permitting-in-nassau-county-fl
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Nassau County Chamber of Commerce. Nassau County Economic Profile. nassaucountyflchamber.com/economic-profile/
JAXUSA Partnership. Northeast Florida Sees 2,400+ New Jobs & Nearly $1B in Capital Investment in 2025. jaxusa.org