Originally Posted by pikeselectric (Post 2230576)

Hi Gigi, This is Casandra, with Pike's Electric. Just wanted to chime in on this if I may. Whole Home Surge Protection is considered a device installed at your electrical panel in the garage. You may have also been offered this from your power company (Duke, SECO, etc.) however they install a device on your meter outside. Individual (SAPS) Or Surge Arrestor Protectors, that plug into the wall locally, then you plug in your device (TV, Computer, Fridge, Etc.) will suppress a surge if for some reason it travels through the home's circuitry to that item. We have a lot of information on surges, what they are, and why it is so important to protect your home on our website here: https://pikeselectric.com/protection-from-power-surges/
Please let us know if you have further questions! - Casandra 352-748-6251

Originally Posted by JOERILLA (Post 2230662)

Mike...ignore the haters on here who judge from their keyboards or are jealous because they can't afford the improvements you have done....It’s your house and you should be proud of it and what you have done. We are in Richmond as well and have done many of the things on your list. We also can't hear the turnpike or see power lines anywhere...despite what some posters here (who have never even ventured south of 466A let alone 44) would want people to believe!

Originally Posted by rsmurano (Post 2230698)

OP, is that all you did? I did most of what you said you did and going to do and have done much more:
Added a new car, enclosed lanai with double pane windows, raised the lanai floor to match height of house and put the same tile down as the house, tiled front entrance, added new slab and birdcage, added a hot tub, automated whole house, changed all network wiring to actually be used for Ethernet instead of phones, ripped up bedroom carpet and put engineered wood floors down, had our master closet custom built with shelf’s up to the ceiling, made 1 bedroom into a craft room with custom cabinets along 1 wall, changed out wall switches to smart switches for motion and lighting.
This has turned out to be the most expensive brand new home remodel ever and still going!

Originally Posted by westernrider75 (Post 2230708)

We absolutely love our solar tubes and they were very reasonable IMO.

From the posts I’ve seen, lightning rods are in the $1500 range, still on the fence about them and I wish State Farm would give a discount for installation but at this time they do not.

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2230814)

Thank you for better articulating where I am coming from - you are spot on! I did a ton of homework and research prior to buying where I did. If I was unhappy with my home or location, I would not be doing the upgrades on my house. Sure, there are things I’d change (like maybe having less short-term rentals in my neighborhood), but I absolutely love where I live, and have begun to get close with many of my neighbors, who are now good friends. Honestly, thinking about resale and getting my money back on my upgrades is NOT my primary consideration. This is my retirement home. I worked long and hard (like most TV retirees) for many, many years, and I am now in the position where I can customize my home to my liking. I plan to stay put as long as I can where I’m at (I Know, I’ve heard the average villager moves three times). I just got through with a major down-size when I moved here, and I find having less “things” to be liberating and refreshing. The size of my villa is perfect for me - I can’t see myself wanting “more” house, and wanting to move in the future.

I’m just sharing my journey here, realizing everyone is different, and respecting and celebrating different decisions that others make. Hey, we’re all retired, so let’s enjoy ourselves and create homes where we will be happy.