Cabana Builder in Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL

Custom cabanas for Mandarin backyards: a shaded retreat by the pool or out in the yard.

A cabana is a smaller roofed retreat, usually near the pool, where you can get out of the sun and keep towels and drinks close. AY Luxury Designs designs custom cabanas for homeowners in Mandarin as part of the whole backyard, so the cabana, the deck and the walkways feel like one design.

AY Luxury Designs LLC · Certified Building Contractor CBC1268168 · Amany Youssef: Registered Building Contractor RB29003947 · Registered Electrical Contractor ER13016631 · Registered Underground Utility & Excavation Contractor RU11066663

Book a Consultation · Call (904) 629-8803

What Goes Into a Mandarin Cabana

Poolside or in the yard. Placed for shade, view and privacy.
Towel and cushion storage. Closed storage that keeps the deck clear.
A wood ceiling. A warm finish overhead with the fan set in it.
Lounge seating. Room for chairs or a daybed in the shade.

Fans cool people, not rooms: the breeze creates a wind-chill effect, according to ENERGY STAR.

Designing a cabana for Mandarin

Big oaks, the St. Johns River and Julington Creek give Mandarin backyards shade and views, and also roots, slopes and storm exposure to plan around. Under a heavy oak canopy, shade is easy and light is not, so lighting and roof choices matter in Mandarin. Big trees nearby mean footing locations are planned around roots before anything else.

A cabana works best where the afternoon sun is strongest, which is rarely where people first picture it. Before we draw a cabana in Mandarin, we check how the roof matches the house, the path from the back door and the view from inside the house.

Up to 80% of UV rays can get through clouds, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Approvals and Permits in Mandarin

Newer Mandarin subdivisions usually have an architectural review board; many older ones rely on deed restrictions. Review boards usually look at cabana placement near the pool and the property lines. Confirm current guidelines with your association.

Mandarin permits come from the City of Jacksonville, with zoning and building review handled in JaxEPICS. Every permitted structure gets its necessary engineered documents.

Why AY Luxury Designs

You design it with the founder. Amany Youssef designs every project with you in person and stays involved through the final walkthrough.
We manage every step, from design to final inspection. We handle the AutoCAD design, the HOA paperwork, the engineering, the permits and the build. We handle electrical work with our licensed electrical partner, and gas and plumbing with our licensed trade partners.
Built for Florida. Every permitted structure gets its necessary engineered documents.
A Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite.

Our Design-Build Process

Design session with Amany. Your project starts at our Jacksonville design studio, where you sit down with founder Amany Youssef and watch your cabana take shape live on screen in AutoCAD.
Free AutoCAD design and a custom quote. You get to-scale 3D renderings and a fully itemized custom quote within 24 hours of your consultation, so you know exactly what you're getting.
In-home design visit. Amany comes to your home for an in-person walkthrough, so we look at the project together where you're most comfortable, finalize the details and choose your colors and finishes.
Engineering, HOA and permits handled. We get the necessary engineered documents for every permitted structure, prepare your HOA/ARB package and pull the City of Jacksonville permits.
Build. We can start most projects within two to four weeks. Our crews follow a build process we've refined over many projects, and you get daily updates.
The AY Advantage. You hold back the final 5% for seven days after completion, so we can take care of any touch-ups before you sign off.

Financing is available through Synchrony Bank, including 18 months of no-interest financing, and we have other financing options as well.

Recent Projects in Mandarin

One recent project here is an A-frame screen enclosure with a wood ceiling, a hot tub pad and a privacy wall.

See more on our Cabana Builder in Jacksonville page and our Mandarin page.

Areas We Serve in Mandarin

We proudly serve homeowners all across Mandarin (32223, 32257, 32258), from the riverfront, Julington Creek and Mandarin Station, and everywhere in between. Wherever you call home in Mandarin, we'd love to hear about your project, so give us a call.

We also serve homeowners throughout Duval County and the greater Jacksonville area. Nearby, see our pages for Fruit Cove, St. Johns and Southside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a cabana cost in Mandarin?It depends on the design, so there's no standard price. The main cost drivers are the deck and walkways; the size and roof style; finishes; what goes inside (bar, fan, lighting, storage); and engineering and permits. Every AY Luxury Designs project has a $10,000 minimum, and you get a fully itemized custom quote within 24 hours of your consultation.

Can I add a fan and lights to a cabana?Yes. We plan them in the design and handle the wiring with our licensed electrical partner.

Can you add a covered area to my existing screen enclosure?Often, yes. One of our Mandarin projects is a covered pergola built onto a family's existing screen enclosure. We look at the existing structure first and design the addition to tie into it.

Does a cabana in Mandarin go to the HOA?In most cases, yes. Mandarin has everything from deed-restricted riverfront lots to newer HOA neighborhoods with their own architectural review. We prepare what the board asks for, and the decision is the board's, so confirm current guidelines with your association.

Do I need a permit for a cabana in Mandarin?In most cases, yes. Mandarin is inside the consolidated City of Jacksonville, so building permits go through the Building Inspection Division's online system, JaxEPICS. Zoning and the fire marshal review plans along with building, and a Notice of Commencement is required for most permitted jobs. Every permitted structure gets its necessary engineered documents.

Ready to Design Your Mandarin Cabana?

Book your in-person design session with Amany and see your project in AutoCAD before anything is built.

Call (904) 629-8803 or book a consultation.Design studio: 8917 Western Way, Suite 7, Jacksonville, FL 32256 · Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm