Need help finding contractor for Lanai enclosure

[DALEPQ]

We are seasonal with home in Fernandina, will be in T.V. Dec. 1st. thru May.
Looking to have a fairly common expansion to our Lanai, enclosed with sliding windows,
and put a 'Birdcage' over concrete patio.
Starting in early Oct. to try to fine a contractor that could do this and to get a 'ball park'
estimate. To hopefully get this completed before leaving in May, '22.
Contacted 6 "reliable" contractors in T.V., and so far have gotten no reply from any of them, as to what their interest in this work might be, either ya or na.
Finding this quite surprising, are they all that way??
Any helpful reply would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[villagetinker]

This appears to be a common problem, difficult to find workers and way too much demand for work. IMHO, forget this year, and setup appointments for when you come down next time with an expectation of completion before you leave.

Other option, go to contractors OUTSIDE the villages. I can not provide any references, as the company I used a few years ago apparently went out of business.

[retiredguy123]

Friends of mine recently completed their lanai project. It took more than a year. My concern is that you will get the project started, and they won't finish while you are still here. Do you have someone to supervise it if that happens?

[Wing-nut2]

Try custom windows. They have enclosed 2 patios for me. T &D for patio and screen.

[Stu from NYC]

Custom windows did a good job for us

[Garywt]

We used Cook Aluminum and they did a great job. Tried to use Custom Windows but there were too many missed appointments so we gave up on them.

[cronin2]

Great company! Enclosed our landing several years ago.

[Babubhat]

Custom windows did a nice job

[jmh3260]

Schedules are too far out for you to hit anything for this year. See if you can get the design completed and approved this year and the work completed next year.

[Skunky1]

Don’t forget the architectural committee! Put it up without approval you may have to tear it down. Very expensive!

[kidnerkim]

We used D & J twice. Contacted in June, ordered materials which they explained would not be in until October. Arrived as promised!
Dnjconstruction@live.com

[mkjelenbaas]

Do not use VIP HOME IMPROVEMENT! Their work is sub standard and do not have a license - check with Seniors Vs Crime on ANY company you want to hire - also go to the building depot and check to see if they have a license!!9

[PersonalChoice]

We are seasonal with home in Fernandina, will be in T.V. Dec. 1st. thru May.
Looking to have a fairly common expansion to our Lanai, enclosed with sliding windows,
and put a 'Birdcage' over concrete patio.
Starting in early Oct. to try to fine a contractor that could do this and to get a 'ball park'
estimate. To hopefully get this completed before leaving in May, '22.
Contacted 6 "reliable" contractors in T.V., and so far have gotten no reply from any of them, as to what their interest in this work might be, either ya or na.
Finding this quite surprising, are they all that way??
Any helpful reply would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I hired D&D Village Construction to enclose my lanai. They have done a wonderful job so far and I would hire them again for future projects.

[keithhindman27@gmail.com]

Highly recommend D&D Construction! They are finishing our expansion right now. Very professional, excellent work and the communication throughout project has been wonderful!

[ComingfromCT]

Hope that this question is not seen as un-polite. Was wondering if since you are getting "ballpark" estimates, could you share some of those estimates? My wife and I are coming down this spring to look for a house. We want an enclosed lanai and if we see a nice place that is not enclosed it would be nice to have an idea of how much of an additional cost that would be. The more information we are able to get the better. If you would rather not please just skip this request.

Thank you!

[cbmerl]

We are seasonal with home in Fernandina, will be in T.V. Dec. 1st. thru May.
Looking to have a fairly common expansion to our Lanai, enclosed with sliding windows,
and put a 'Birdcage' over concrete patio.
Starting in early Oct. to try to fine a contractor that could do this and to get a 'ball park'
estimate. To hopefully get this completed before leaving in May, '22.
Contacted 6 "reliable" contractors in T.V., and so far have gotten no reply from any of them, as to what their interest in this work might be, either ya or na.
Finding this quite surprising, are they all that way??
Any helpful reply would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I have used Custom Windows twice and they were wonderful!

[Wrhobson]

We are seasonal with home in Fernandina, will be in T.V. Dec. 1st. thru May.
Looking to have a fairly common expansion to our Lanai, enclosed with sliding windows,
and put a 'Birdcage' over concrete patio.
Starting in early Oct. to try to fine a contractor that could do this and to get a 'ball park'
estimate. To hopefully get this completed before leaving in May, '22.
Contacted 6 "reliable" contractors in T.V., and so far have gotten no reply from any of them, as to what their interest in this work might be, either ya or na.
Finding this quite surprising, are they all that way??
Any helpful reply would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

We used "Windows of Central Florida" back in 2018 and were quite satisfied. We had acrylic windows removed and real double-pane sliders installed.

[ProfZ]

D & J Constuction. See their ad in local newspaper. Professional, timely, high quality workmanship and best bid of 5. Work done 3+ years ago - zero problems with their work.

[sullys]

Try custom windows. They have enclosed 2 patios for me. T &D for patio and screen.

T&D stated they can give me an estimate on March 14, 2022! no lie

[DebeeDoo]

Hello,
I use Thumbtack (thumbtack.com) to find help. I have used it in 4 cities that I have lived in and highly recommend the service (they do background checks and will have the companies' licenses listed so you know these are legit companies.) I found LG Screen Repair there. I found them in late August. I had made appointments with Coleman and two or three others that I had found mentioned on this site. NONE OF THEM SHOWED UP FOR APPOINTMENTS, one company actually said they couldn't even get started until April. So I went to my trusty Thumbtack and found LG Screen Repairs and my lanai is now enclosed. They did a wonderful job. Laura from LG came and gave me a quote, answered all of my questions, provided excellent advice, and then I used the formal information the company provided to submit to the Architectural Review Committee. It was easily approved. Once I had the approval (and LG required it), then I paid half and they were able to get the permits and schedule the install. The installers were prompt and efficient. I am very very happy with my lanai. The overall cost was about $1400 - this for a small porch that had columns (not birdcage), but I live in Sumter County and they require an engineered plan for the permit and so the engineering cost an extra $300 or so. All in all, I feel the cost was very good and I am pleased. I think if you go outside of the box here at the Villages (that is, not the same companies everyone else uses) you might just be surprised with the good service you will find. Good luck to you and God Bless!!!

[villagetinker]

Hope that this question is not seen as un-polite. Was wondering if since you are getting "ballpark" estimates, could you share some of those estimates? My wife and I are coming down this spring to look for a house. We want an enclosed lanai and if we see a nice place that is not enclosed it would be nice to have an idea of how much of an additional cost that would be. The more information we are able to get the better. If you would rather not please just skip this request.

Thank you!

I cannot comment on enclosing the lanai as we left ours open, however we added about 800 square feet of birdcage, the cost for irrigation realignment, electrical outlets in the bird cage, concrete pad, and the actual birdcage was around $18,000 several years ago.

[Barborv]

We are not permanent to TV yet, but will be next year. I had many different contractors come to my house this summer for work I want done before I officially move in. I can't tell you how a lot of them never got back to us with an estimate. I even called a few times and still nothing! It really ****es me off because don't waste my time coming to my home and going over everything and never giving an estimate.

[Neils]

Caution

Be careful with giving down-payments before work begins.
Lots of scammers. If you decide to give a downpayment then be sure you would be ok losing the $$ if the contractor never came back at all.

[retiredguy123]

Caution

Be careful with giving down-payments before work begins.
Lots of scammers. If you decide to give a downpayment then be sure you would be ok losing the $$ if the contractor never came back at all.
I would never ever give a down payment to a contractor. That is an incentive for him to either delay starting the project, or not starting it at all.

[brianherlihy]

be watch how you get we had a golf cart garage dun and the help took my rakes and a shovel and tools thay just take what thay want :pray::pray::pray::pray:

[trishaf]

We have been waiting since March 2021 for building permits to do a renovation. We have the contractor and the impact resistant windows arrived in Sept but still no permit!!

[FloridaLady]

I used Custom Windows and had my mom use them also (hers is getting finished today and we ordered June 30) I paid 5700 to just have it enclosed. No birdcage or anything. I got my cool a roo shades from Lowe’s and them install those. I love my enclosed lanai