[roggie49]

Are there any businesses that don't automatically assume that everyone who lives in The Villages is independently WEALTHY!!?? We are NOT millionaires...but live comfortably.

We have often been DIYers in our lives, but as we get older some things are just too hard. We considered doing a lanai enclosure but found all of the "obstacles" that are required due to new codes to be overwhelming! We do not want to pour 4" of concrete to raise it to the level of the house floor and add living space. We only want to glass it in.

We have been getting estimates for the lanai enclosure and for gutters and landscapers. The quotes we are getting are RIDICULOUS!! We do NOT have unlimited funds and when an estimate varies by thousands of dollars we get really distrusting. ALSO...the estimates never break things down....they just pull a price out of their hat which is all inclusive....no breakdown. Grrr.....

Thanks for listening to my rant and we will welcome any suggestions for reputable, decently priced businesses...
Thanks

[villagetinker]

roggie49,
IMHO, go to the Sumter County Building department (Pinellas Plaza), and explain what you want to do. They have been very helpful to me in the past. They will explain what you can and cannot do, especially with respect to raising the floor. I had a long discussion on that item and came away so confused, that all I can say is go and ask for yourself. Bottom line, a lot depends on the design and construction of your existing house. They can look that up while you wait, and then let you know what is acceptable. There may be other requirements, like electrical (flood lights, and receptacles).
Once you have that information, then you can make up a detailed list of items to be included in the project. Be sure to ask questions about future plans, like tiling, etc. There are LOTs of options, plastic (for the windows), glass, low E glass, wood, vinyl, aluminum, etc. Make up a detailed list of the items that are absolutely required, then have a list of optional items. Then when you present your list to the contractor request a detailed cost estimate, and a schedule for those payments. The last payment (at least 10 to 15%) is to be paid AFTER final inspection by the building inspector, and your own inspector (if you desire).

If the builder requires a down payment, then I would request that they use a credit card, as this will give you some leverage if there are problems.
I hope this helps, and send a PM if you want to discuss in detail.

There have been several threads about lanai enclosures on this site. Search these out, look of info on the products (what works what does not), ignore any comments with regards to adding concrete, A/C, etc, as most if not all of these have changed with recent building code changes.

[claricecolin]

I agree with Villagethinker regarding contacting the building department. When doing research for a client they were able to give me the information I needed and explained it so I was clear on it. Every bid that we received had a breakdown of costs. Some were more detailed than others and I was able to get more specifics if needed. One other thing to really pin down is how long is it going to take for project to be done? Good luck/

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by roggie49

Are there any businesses that don't automatically assume that everyone who lives in The Villages is independently WEALTHY!!?? We are NOT millionaires...but live comfortably.

We have often been DIYers in our lives, but as we get older some things are just too hard. We considered doing a lanai enclosure but found all of the "obstacles" that are required due to new codes to be overwhelming! We do not want to pour 4" of concrete to raise it to the level of the house floor and add living space. We only want to glass it in.

We have been getting estimates for the lanai enclosure and for gutters and landscapers. The quotes we are getting are RIDICULOUS!! We do NOT have unlimited funds and when an estimate varies by thousands of dollars we get really distrusting. ALSO...the estimates never break things down....they just pull a price out of their hat which is all inclusive....no breakdown. Grrr.....

Thanks for listening to my rant and we will welcome any suggestions for reputable, decently priced businesses...
Thanks

We got a reasonable quote for lanai enclosure from a company in Leesburg and I can't find the name right now. However, I can tell you what they said is behind the increased-price type of windows etc. would be required if you raise up the concrete to the level of the (glass patio?) doors out of your living room:

Assumed increase in energy consumption and loss out the lesser grade glass in the lanai. "They" (environmental legislators) assume that if you raise up the floor to living room height, you will remove permanently the doors there now, and this will lead to cooled or heated air going out there and being lost out thru the enclosure windows, frames etc." Thus, the more expensive (Level 5?) glass is supposedly required if you raise the floor to living room height.

But that's NOT what we had planned to do. So we ditched the idea with them but might do it at some point.

[jimbo2012]

I called 4 of the frequent contractors that do lanai's, it was an interesting experience to say the least.

I gave them each a written sketch of what I wanted along with the type of glass and type of window frames along with two atrium doors.

One thought I was too knowledgeable about construction and simply declined to bid on the work, Said "we are going to No bid your job".....never heard of that in my life!

Guess they only want to bid to folks they can rip off.

One gave a bid never taking out a tape measure!!

the 3 bids were $14,000 to $30,000, the one for 30K was not with the glass I requested.

I did the work myself for under $4,000, but that cost includes better glass than they quoted (two said that glass i wanted, solar insulated 3/4" with argon gas wasn't made)

If fact it is made nationwide with biggest manufacturer Cardinal Glass have a factory in Ocala.

I think the lanai, landscape and water filtration contractors are the ones to be most cautious with.


.

[DangeloInspections]

May I humbly suggest that you perhaps hold off a bit and get to know neighbors and friends who have had similar work done to their homes.

Ask them their experience, why they went with the contractor they went with, and how it worked out for them. The difference in the end result is often small details, done by quality workers who are passionate about their craft.

Folks will tell you who to stay away from and who to use. This forum will also help if you ask. Make sure you know what you are getting for the price, and not just the price. Often the lowest price contractor will not even be around a year from now then you have a warranty issue.

Actually I have found many trades here are less expensive than other areas of the country. Insulation and gutters come to mind.

The best businesses out there are often not the cheapest or the most expensive. They are very busy because they have a good reputation that they worked hard to earn. They are passionate about what they do. They are booked months in advance, and are worth waiting for.

Respectfully, Frank