A lanai extension such as you describe will certainly require both building permits from your county and approval of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) in The Villages. The county permits will cost you money (but are probably icluded in your construction contract) while the ARC will not (but the contractor may charge you for time and effort to get the ARC application ready). You best bet is to use a reputable contractor. As part of your contract, require them to get the building permits as well as ARC approval and to post the permits and give you a copy of the ARC approval before starting work. Don't pay a lot up front, set up milestone payments throughout the course of the contract with you final payment - AFTER YOU ARE COMPLETELY SATISFIED AND HAVE RELEASE OF LIENS FROM ALL SUBCONTRACTORS - should be around 25% of the total contract. Be sure the release of liens requirement is in your contract also.
For further advice or information, contact your local office of Seniors Vs Crime (352-689-4600, Ext. 4606 in Sumter County).
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