Florida permit guides, building code explainers, and local jurisdiction updates.
Inspections sound intimidating. They are not. Here is what actually happens when an inspector shows up at your job site and what to do when they find something.
Florida has more unlicensed contractor complaints than almost any other state. Checking a license takes about two minutes. Here is exactly how to do it.
If you own property in a FEMA flood zone and want to renovate, there is a rule that could turn a kitchen remodel into a $40,000 elevation project. Here is exactly how it works.
You have three months off from kids' schedules, a contractor lined up, and tile samples chosen. Florida has other plans.
It is 96 degrees and your AC died. The last thing you want to hear is that you need a permit to replace it. But you do, and skipping it creates problems that outlast the summer heat.
A pool is one of the biggest projects a homeowner can take on. It is also one of the most permitted. Here is what the process actually looks like.
Everyone acts like permits are this complicated, unknowable process reserved for professionals. They are not. Here is how it actually works, in plain language, with no condescension.
Florida's hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. If you live on the coast — especially in Charlotte County or Punta Gorda — here is what you need to do before the first storm, and what to know if one hits.
Most people fear hurricane winds. But on Florida's Gulf Coast, storm surge kills more people than any other hurricane hazard. Here is what it is, how it behaves, and what it means for your home in Charlotte County or Punta Gorda.
Florida is experiencing an insurance crisis unlike anything in its history. Major carriers have exited the state, rates have doubled or tripled, and Citizens Insurance is stretched beyond its capacity. Here is what is happening and what you can do to protect yourself.
Florida law allows homeowners to act as their own contractor on their primary residence. This is a legitimate option — and a more complicated one than most people realize. Here is everything you need to know before you start.
The permit costs $150. You think: I'll skip it and save the $150 and the hassle. Here is how that math actually works out over time.
Your accountant judges you. Your doctor sighs. Your attorney bills you for thinking about you. Your contractor shows up, gets it done, and somehow still seems happy to see you. Appreciate this.
CGC, CBC, CAC, CCC, EC, CFC — Florida contractor licenses are a alphabet soup. Here is what each one means and why it matters before you sign a contract.
He listened. He asked follow-up questions. He remembered I said I wanted an open concept feel without losing the pantry. My husband cannot remember where the cereal is. Is it any wonder I answer my contractor's texts faster?
You closed on the house. The inspection is done. Then you find out the addition was never permitted, the deck has no permit, and the electrical panel upgrade was done by the previous owner's cousin. Now what?
Florida has more unlicensed contractor fraud cases than almost any other state. Here is what happens when you hire one — and how to verify before you sign.