I’m an xcaligirl too. I saw very brief lightning maybe 3x ever in my whole life as a native Southern Californian, so these storms here are terrifying to me. Will likely get the LPS.

I called Triangle mid-morning today. Quote arrived before 1 PM. I only filled out a form at A-1 website. If I don't hear from them by tomorrow morning, I will call them.

Triangle needed address and T V home type. They use Google Earth to measure the roof and the home type for whatever additional information they needed. One the phone, she asked whether my bird cage enclosed a pool and what size was it. So I think she had looked at Google Earth immediately after getting the address while still on the phone. Quoted both copper and aluminum, with caveat that the aluminum lines would all need replacement when the roof is replaced. Copper can be save and reused.

HTH

Thank you! This helps a lot. I have heard elsewhere that A1 isn’t replying to their online form recently. Probably because they’re slammed with inquiries.

My guess is if you were a storm chaser, you are an adrenaline junky when storms are a possibility. AJ’s rarely come off that high, even when it’s no longer their profession. So my guess is nerve racking has never been an issue for you inside or outside, with or without installations.

Many residents lived in states with severe weather storms that caused extensive property damage. Rarely do the storms in TV cause them to waste time and health worrying over what may happen.

One of our previous neighbors, had both surge suppressors, rods, whole house generator, and a giant fire safe in a closet. One would think their protections would give them peace.
That’s not the case, for days before and after, possible tropical storms and entire summer lightning storms…..Fear at its highest.

So no matter how many layers one adds to a house, worry and fear for some will always exist, no matter what. And some just take the storm in stride no different than any other day.

Still on the fence on what we may or not add, to the whole house suppressor, right now I see the giant live oak behind our house, a possible issue.

Principles of Lightning Protection Systems for Architects and Engineers
 

For those interested in the more technical aspects for a LPS.

Click on the video at the bottom of the page.
..
Principles of Lightning Protection Systems for Architects and Engineers | UL Solutions

View the recording of our July 21 webinar to hear two seasoned, knowledgeable UL experts discuss how lightning protection systems shield structures from damage.

The proud owner of a new whole house surge protector.

Does The Villages allow a private contractor to install a system during construction?

They are and you will now find Triangle’s pricing very close to A1 and both companies install to UL specs so the install will basically the same. The problem is there are only a couple of certified Lightning Protection installers that work in The Villages so now that a lot of people are considering getting systems these companies are totally overwhelmed, but I think Triangle has several crews so I’m sure they’re still better available dates. When you talk to Triangle, it’s really important to describe if you have pools birdcage approximate size of all this extra stuff to get the best possible price. In some cases, people have a very small birdcage over a very small pool so the pricing is different than somebody with a large bird cage and a large pool
The same thing happening with whole house surge protection. Lenhart had this special running an a ton of people ordered they eaten ultra surge protector so they’ve been overwhelmed as well.

Who did you choose to install? Are you willing to share the cost?

Lenhart electric has the best price for the Eaton Ultra. If you mention this thread they will give you a discount. Unfortunately, the special deal they were offering has ended.

We went with Pike’s Electric. It was $545 minus a few bucks for mentioning TOTV. I understand Lenhart may have been a little cheaper. And Lenhart has actually done work at our house as a subcontractor to the guys doing our motorized screens. They do a good job. But Pike’s wired our house. They also did a superb job installing power for our hot tub after we moved in. It pretty much came down to who we were more comfortable with. I’ve dealt with Casandra in Pike’s front office before and she is a joy to work with. Each and every technician they have sent has been friendly. Didn’t mind if I asked questions and left everything meticulously clean when they left.

LPs
 

How do you drive a ground rod 20-30 ft?

The rods are 10 ft each, connected by a special connector and hammered into the ground.

Hammer drill/impact tool.

Not when I built 5 years ago.

I don't think they permit anyone private to work on the house before closing.