garage remodeling in Fort Lauderdale FL
When you are going to hire a contractor for garage remodeling in Fort Lauderdale, you may have several questions about which company you should choose. In some cases, your garage remodeling plans may be very specific. In that case, you may only want to hire an expert in Fort Lauderdale who can give you complete confidence by showing you sample photos of completed renovations that are just like the garage remodel that you will hire them to do.
If you plan to use your garage for a bedroom, click this link to see lots of photos:
garage to bedroom conversions. Otherwise, check these photos first: garage remodeling.
When you contact us today, we will show you even more photos of completed garage remodeling jobs that show you just what you need to know to hire our remodeling contractors in Fort Lauderdale. Our testimonials from past clients will also help make your choice easy and fast!
Next, below are some of the top questions that lead people in Fort Lauderdale to hire our garage remodelers. (Scroll down to read it all.)
"How important is it to hire an INSURED remodeling contractor in Fort Lauderdale?"
This is extremely important! As a home-owner, your home in Fort Lauderdale may be your most valuable asset by far, right? You may even owe hundreds of thousands of dollars still on your mortgage. (This is written primarily to home-owners, so if you are the owner of a commercial building in Fort Lauderdale, then the same issues will apply to you except probably with much larger dollar amounts.)There is literally nothing more expensive than risking major damage to your home in Fort Lauderdale by hiring an uninsured company to attempt a complex garage remodel for you. Unless you have a huge amount of extra cash to be able to afford to basically rebuild your home from scratch, then maybe you should let a wealthy insurance company eliminate the financial risk to you!
We only use contractors who are fully insured and we recommend that, whenever you are doing major garage renovations in Fort Lauderdale, you only use an insured contractor, too. While you might hire a neighborhood teenager to mow your lawn or wash your car, you would not hire "any kid who is willing and enthusiastic" to do brain surgery or pilot an airplane, would you? Your garage remodeling project should receive similar respect because, even if the actual job is just a few thousand dollars, there can be implications for the integrity and value of the entire home (or commercial building).
For instance, certain garage renovations involve extensive alterations to the original infrastructure of the building. So, you need to hire contractors that respect the importance of being attentive to the existing infrastructure (and who are alert to issues that might not be visible before the renovations starts, like termite damage to wooden supports or hidden damage from water or mold). Plus, in addition to hiring garage remodeling contractors that are experienced and who respect the unique issues (like the intense heat of Fort Lauderdale summers) for buildings constructed in the last few decades here, there is still the simple issue of whether or not the contractors are fully insured.
"Why are your insured remodeling contractors better than others in Fort Lauderdale FL?"
We respect issues that most contractors would not. We more fully respect the financial importance of carefully preserving full insurance coverage when homeowners are remodeling (especially prior to reselling or flipping the home). Also, we are more perceptive about identifying hidden, long-term risks in the physical building itself.Through decades of doing restoration and repair to homes damaged by leaks, floods, hurricanes, and hail storms, we have seen some strange things. We have seen lots of unanticipated problems in the inner structures of a huge variety of buildings, including everything from brand new downtown high-rises to abandoned summer vacation homes from the mid 20th century.
We are very familiar with the unique issues in Fort Lauderdale like cracking foundations due to the slow sinking of underground "water tables" (not just the obvious sink holes!). When the water underneath the soil is depleted, that can change the elevation of a single corner of the building over the course of decades (or even suddenly after a severe flood in hurricane season). While that last issue is much more severe in coastal areas than in the interior parts of Florida, the point is that we have seen a LOT of strange things in our restoration and reconstruction projects throughout nearby counties (plus we have discussed a massive range of issues in great detail with insurance adjusters, insurance agents, and Fort Lauderdale city inspectors).
In other words, we are the ones who inform the city inspectors in Fort Lauderdale about the reality of risks that are unfamiliar to them (because those issues are not in their textbooks). Our garage remodeling supervisors do not have as much specialized expertise in identifying structural problems as many insurance adjusters, who constantly see unusual cases. However, we are the ones who frequently discuss those strange technical details with those adjusters (unlike insurance brokers or city inspectors who do not really need to understand the practical concerns of the insurance adjusters). We know exactly what the insurance adjusters are looking for... plus we understand WHY.
To put it another way, the experts in identifying potential problems are the insurance adjusters (who are the ones who come and inspect a building during and after a serious problem, like one corner of the building sinking). So, our contractors in Fort Lauderdale have learned from them not only what kinds of long-term issues to be alert to and to recognize in their early stages, but we have also become experts in resolving and preventing those structural problems.
They are the ones who are experts at measuring how serious a problem is. We are the ones who are experts at preventing absolutely any problems... even in the most bizarre and complicated situations. For us, the kinds of challenges in a typical garage remodeling job that can be hidden from or frustrating to most general contractors are "a piece of cake."
"Which garage remodeling contractor in Fort Lauderdale is the best for me to hire?"
What is best for you will depend on your priorities. If you do not already know what they are, then we can discuss that with you when we come to you in Fort Lauderdale to inspect the property and provide a free estimate. Once you are clear on your priorities, then you can asses which renovation company will be the best to hire for your remodel.For sure, we are not the cheapest garage remodeling crew that you can find offering garage remodels to Fort Lauderdale FL. Uninsured and unlicensed "professional" may be very eager for your business, especially during slow economic seasons (including almost every summer, since "snowbirds" can bring a lot of money to Fort Lauderdale each winter).
We are not even the cheapest of all of the insured garage remodeling contractors in Fort Lauderdale. Or, if we are, that is not on purpose. We are not desperate for business either and we will be honest with you about how soon we would be available to begin your garage remodel (which can depend on how small or large it is).
That is what we are not. Here is what we are.
Our supervisors and crews are extremely skilled, experienced, organized, and attentive. Many construction companies are regularly behind schedule and running over the original estimates on costs for hourly labor. We are not the average garage remodeling contractor in Florida. Some of our crews have been working together for a very long time and are very efficient in their collaboration.
Are we "too proud" of our attention to detail? Some of our competitors have made that accusation of our garage remodeling supervisors and crew. We honestly believe that the most skilled remodeling contractors in Florida are attracted to the most rigorous and competitive field in the construction industry: fire restoration and water damage repair. We admit that we have extremely high standards in our hiring policies and in our garage remodeling projects. We rarely lose a crew member (other than to retirement or relocation out of state) because we pay well and we keep morale high.
Naturally, over time, we have responded to increasing demand by hiring more garage remodelers. Some of our current competitors were good enough to do reasonably well, but we declined when we had the opportunity to hire them (when they applied to join our company). If they still find that upsetting year later, then anticipating that kind of response from them may be exactly why we passed on them when we had the opportunity to hire them.
We respect that you, like us, have many choices about who to hire to remodel your garage in Fort Lauderdale. Just as we do not just automatically hire the first applicant when we are expanding our construction crews, we do not expect you to just instantly hire the first remodeling company in Fort Lauderdale that you find. If you are selective, then you will target hiring only a renovation company that you respect and trust. Now that you have found us, that may be very easy!
We also recommend that, if you are not in a rush, you get enough bids that you are distinctly comfortable with at least two of the companies providing you an estimate or bid in Fort Lauderdale. (Further, we recommend that if you are in a rush, you slow down!) Then, once you are comfortable with at least two estimators, you can show both of those estimators the estimate from the other company and ask them to explain the differences in the two estimates. That is exactly what we would do.
Especially for a major garage remodeling job in Fort Lauderdale, we think that the extra caution and selectiveness will be worth the time that you will put in to it. We are confident that when you give us the chance, we will earn your confidence, earn your business, and, when we complete your garage remodel, earn your highest recommendation to others.
We are also confident that you can find cheaper, slower, and less skilled contractors in Fort Lauderdale. You can even find contractors that are faster than our team, but perhaps at the expense of caution and quality.
We know how insurance company specialists would remodel their own home. We know why. We are the experts at performing the highest quality work, plus we charge rates that most people find to be an exceptionally good value. To review our testimonials, click here: what remodeler gets the highest recommendations in Fort Lauderdale?
One issue that can be a drawback for people who are in a rush is that, for major remodeling projects in Fort Lauderdale, we may not be available as fast as you would prefer. Our availability can fluctuate considerably, especially if our restoration crews get extremely busy during monsoon season with a lot of hail storms or flooding. Again, when you contact us, we will be totally honest with you as to how soon we can begin your garage remodel. Fortunately, our crews are very fast (because of superior skill and planning), so our efficiency can balance out the fact that we may only be available a week or two later than contractors who are not as busy (who are not in as much demand). Contact us now to find out about our current availability for your garage remodeling project in Fort Lauderdale.
How important is it to get permits from the city of Fort Lauderdale to maintain my home owners' insurance coverage?
First, how important is it to you to avoid getting fined? If that seems pretty important to you, then make sure your contractor respects that!Next, how important is it to you that in the event of any unexpected event, such as a tree falling on your remodeled garage, that your insurance will cover the cost to restore the property to the prior condition? If that is important to you, and we suggest that it would be very important to you if it happened, then you need to hire a contractor who is committed to observing all relevant regulations, getting all the proper permits from the city of Fort Lauderdale, and following all the building codes to pass the building inspection.
Our contractors know the way that many insurance companies operate (in regard to denying claims in which even a single technicality has been overlooked). Honestly, that is the job of those employees in the insurance company, right? Do not expect them to be friendly or kind or merciful. They are not your friends!
They are not insurance agents trying to sell you something. They are not like campaigning politicians, but like the politicians after getting elected. (Insurance brokers can be much more like politicians campaigning for your vote).
They are not friendly police officers directing traffic at a busy sporting event. They are more like police detectives who are looking for a reason to get you in trouble.
In other words, insurance company claim processors are trained to look for even the smallest reason to deny your claim if there is damaged to your new garage. You may not like them and they may not like you. It is not personal. It is just business.
Follow their rules or else expect them to notice that and then to exploit any omissions on your part. It is to your advantage to be honest and responsible. So, learn their rules, know what is your responsibility, and then focus on fulfilling that.
So your responsibility as a home-owner is to do what it takes to maintain the coverage according to the terms of your policy. Do not take risks that will result in you dumping thousands of dollars to hire one attorney to fight the insurance company's team of lawyers. If your home does not have the proper permits (in the right sequence of time), you can expect to have your claim denied and then, if you fight their denial of the claim, you can expect to lose in court no matter how much money you dump in to the lawsuit.
To avoid the complications and costs of Fort Lauderdale city fines and insurance claim denials, we strongly recommend that you invest the time and money to comply with city building codes and insurance requirements. If the issue is not already totally clear, read the next section!
"How important is it to have building permits from the city of Fort Lauderdale when I want to sell the home?"
We have performed numerous garage remodeling jobs in Florida to bring a home or building back in to compliance with city building codes. That includes taking an unpermitted garage conversion and making it fully compliant with all building codes and legally permitted.The vast majority of real estate transactions are financed by mortgage companies, which require the involvement of insurance companies (to insure the mortgage itself as well as the real estate). Of course, those insurance companies require homeowners to follow city building codes, so if the buyer needs those city codes in Fort Lauderdale followed BEFORE the transaction can be legal, then that means the seller is responsible (as current owner) for getting those codes met. Plus, the current owner (the seller) is the one subject to being fined for violating city codes.
So, if that sounds like your current situation, contact us immediately and let us know your circumstance. In some cases, we may even be able to help you legally avoid any delay whatsoever through a specific kind of revising of the real estate contract to close the sale on schedule. Even real estate attorneys may not tell you about that unusual method (because it is not a standard part of their classroom training, so they may not even know about it).
Typically, when we have been hired to do urgent garage remodeling to meet city codes in Fort Lauderdale, those remodeling jobs are needed by frustrated owners who wish to sell and have a buyer waiting. Some buyers are willing to wait a few days or a few weeks for small renovations to meet codes (which can allow the deal to close under a standard contract for the sale of real estate). However, in some cases, buyers have rigid time restrictions and a delay of one single day can cancel the entire sale. Again, contact us to inform us of the details of your situation. If you do not even know what details are relevant, we know what questions to ask you to help you to prioritize and plan your action steps.
Relax. We will help you Just contact us now and briefly tell us the basic situation.
Why you should hire our contractors to remodel your garage in Fort Lauderdale FL:
As detailed above, our Fort Lauderdale home renovation team have extensive experience building garages plus as specialists in the field of emergency restoration services. That gives us a few clear advantages over most contractors that offer garage remodeling in Fort Lauderdale (and the advantages are big ones): our speed, our ease complying with insurance company guidelines (and city codes), plus our respect for regulations on future resale of real estate.Have you made sure your insurance policy will cover the garage remodel?
Next, from our decades of experience with damage restoration services (from hurricanes, floods, water, fire, hail, storms, wind, etc), we are used to dealing with insurance companies. Many people do not know how big an issue that is until "too late." In particular, if you have questions about how to make sure your remodel conforms to the restrictions of your insurance policy, ask us.Basically, renovations that do not follow the guidelines of your insurance coverage can VOID the protection of your insurance. You do not want to have to fight them over this. You do not want to have to hire a lawyer and still risk losing the case.
So, why not avoid the hassles and do it the right way by letting us include your insurance company throughout the renovation process? When you hire a garage remodeling contractor in Fort Lauderdale that works closely with your insurance provider, then you will never need to worry about the insurance company delaying or denying a future claim relating to an undocumented renovation that they refuse to insure.
The best garage remodeler in Fort Lauderdale FL for an insured, permitted, gorgeous, and fast renovation
Besides our ease at working with insurance companies and with precisely following the Fort Lauderdale city regulations for garage remodeling, here is one more big advantage that people hiring us to remodel their home often will report to us: speed. From decades of expertise, we know what we are doing, so we can relax, plan well, and then execute with precision. That allows for us to do big renovations faster than many remodeling contractors in Florida would finish a small conversion.In short, we provide better quality in a shorter time than other garage remodeling services in Fort Lauderdale. Our builders are used to taking an existing structure (in ANY condition) and extensively renovating it. We are used to coordinating even the most complex remodels and our workers are experienced, organized, disciplined, and fast.
Again, from decades of doing major repairs fast in the restoration industry, our crews combine precision, speed, and quality, so the garage remodel will be completed fast.
Only hire the best contractor for your garage remodeling project in Fort Lauderdale Florida!
When remodeling your home (or commercial building), wouldn't you value using a contractor that has extensive experience with insurance companies and maintaining policy coverage, with carefully following city regulations to avoid costly fines and ensure smooth resale, and with executing the actual garage remodel quickly and well?Our renovation estimators, crew supervisors, and remodeling specialists are all focused on earning your business and your highest recommendation. We will earn your respect before, during, and after your garage remodel. Thank you for your business and we look forward to speaking with you today, so contact us now!
The most important thing with your renovation in Fort Lauderdale is that you are satisfied with the results for many years, right? If you would like us to answer any questions or provide you with testimonials for our remodeling services, contact us now by click this link: contact.
"What is the cost and resale value of my garage remodeling project?"
This report shows a chart of several remodeling projects along with the average cost and average increase to resale value. The data in those reports include nationwide averages (not data just for Florida). To schedule a customized estimate for the renovation that you want us to do for you, use the buttons on the top left of us this page to call or email us.Do you have specific questions about building codes in Fort Lauderdale FL
In our decades of work in Fort Lauderdale, we also have developed great relationships with the staff of your city government who issue permits for home renovations (and who conduct inspections for your home improvements). Some projects will need electrical and plumbing inspections in addition to the other required inspections. The process of dealing with the forms and the city inspectors can be intimidating to many homeowners. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else to handle all of that stress for you?Our experience will keep the garage remodeling process simple and smooth
When you hire our experts in Fort Lauderdale to remodel your garage, you will feel the interest and confidence of our contractors as we speak with you about your priorities and questions. It can be very exciting for you to see the remodeling service get completed so smoothly and quickly. You may also be quite relieved to find out how low the cost of the entire renovation will be. Contact us today to schedule your garage remodeling consultation in Fort Lauderdale.Garage remodeling in Fort Lauderdale
Here are pictures of a simple garage remodeling project (a "partial" garage conversion). To see a more elaborate one, scroll down. This one features a new skylight, interior-style flooring, plus a new garage door that lets in natural light without compromising privacy.
Below are two photos of a remodeling project in which a garage was partially converted in to an area that is now used as an interior living space (but is still useful as a garage "in emergencies").
Obviously, the garage door still opens to the outdoor air. So what was changed?
First, a loft was built over the laundry area (which was enclosed behind the clear double doors). That loft is used for storage plus an extra sleeping area. Also, the wood flooring of the "garage" matches the walls that enclose the laundry area, plus new light green paint was added to the main walls.
In the second image, you can see at the top left that a long shelf was added over the garage door (for a row of plastic storage bins). You can also see a small circular window (sun light) in the ceiling. Note the garage door also has a row of small windows of across the top, so the room does have more natural light than the typical garage built in Florida (even without opening the garage door). These homeowners loved having the fresh air and breeze, but wanted to keep out bugs, so they are planning to add a movable screen (made by Lifestyle Garage Door Screens).
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