Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Drome Contracting Services Inc holds Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC1515971. We carry $1M in general liability insurance and maintain workers compensation coverage for all employees. You can verify our license on the Florida DBPR website.

We serve homeowners within a 25-mile radius of our Odessa, FL headquarters. That covers four counties (Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Hernando) and more than 20 cities including Odessa, Tampa, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, Clearwater, Brandon, Lutz, Riverview, and Spring Hill.

Fill out the contact form or call us. We call back within one business day. We will ask about your project, schedule a free on-site estimate, and provide a detailed, line-item bid. No sales pitch. No obligation.

We do not offer direct financing. However, we work with homeowners on phasing projects to spread costs over time. We can also provide the documentation your lender needs for construction loans or home equity lines of credit.

We stand behind our workmanship. Specific warranty terms are provided in your contract. Manufacturer warranties on materials and equipment are separate and passed through to you. Contact us for details on warranty coverage for your specific project.

The Florida Building Code (FBC) 8th Edition governs all residential construction in the state. It includes wind mitigation requirements specific to your wind speed zone, energy conservation standards (minimum R-30 ceiling insulation, SEER 15+ HVAC), and structural specifications for hurricane resistance. Every project Drome Contracting builds meets or exceeds the current FBC. The code is updated on a three-year cycle, so requirements may change between when you start planning and when you pull permits.

Geotechnical soil testing is strongly recommended and often required by county building departments before new construction in areas with documented sinkhole risk. Both Pasco County and Hernando County sit on limestone substrate that can develop subsurface voids. The geotechnical report determines foundation type: standard monolithic slab, deep footings, compaction grouting, or pin piles. Drome Contracting orders this report before designing any new foundation in these counties.

Much of the Tampa Bay area sits on sandy soil with a water table that can be just a few feet below grade. This is especially pronounced in South Tampa, Davis Islands, and bayfront properties. High water table conditions require engineered drainage, proper compaction, and sometimes raised stem wall foundations instead of standard monolithic slabs. During the rainy season (June through October), dewatering may be needed during excavation. Drome Contracting performs site-specific soil analysis before any foundation work.

If your property falls within a FEMA-designated flood zone, yes. Elevation certificates are common requirements for properties in South Tampa, Davis Islands, Clearwater Beach, and New Port Richey waterfront areas along the Pithlachascotee River. The certificate documents your property elevation relative to the base flood elevation (BFE) and determines whether your foundation must be raised. Drome Contracting orders elevation certificates and designs foundations to meet or exceed BFE requirements.

If your renovation cost exceeds 50% of your home's pre-renovation market value and the property is in a FEMA flood zone, the entire structure must be brought into current flood code compliance. This "substantial improvement" threshold applies throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas coastal areas, along the Alafia River in Riverview, and the Pithlachascotee River corridor in New Port Richey. Drome Contracting calculates this threshold during project planning so you understand the full scope before committing to a renovation.

Pasco County Building Construction Services processes residential permits through the PascoGateway portal with typical plan review turnaround of 10 to 15 business days. Hillsborough County Development Services uses the HillsGovHub portal with a similar 10 to 15 business day window, though complex projects can take longer. Pinellas County processes through Accela Citizen Access. Drome Contracting submits to the correct portal and manages the review process for you, regardless of which county your property is in.

A wind mitigation inspection documents the hurricane-resistant features of your home: roof-to-wall connections, roof covering, roof deck attachment, and opening protection (impact windows or shutters). While not required for construction, the inspection report can significantly reduce your homeowner insurance premium. New construction automatically meets current wind mitigation standards. For renovations, Drome Contracting can incorporate wind mitigation upgrades that qualify your home for insurance discounts.

Yes. Master-planned communities like Connerton and Bexley in Land O' Lakes, and nearly every neighborhood in Wesley Chapel, have architectural review boards that must approve exterior modifications before county permits are even submitted. Interior renovations are typically unrestricted. Drome Contracting reviews your HOA covenants, prepares architectural review submittals with renderings and material specs, and coordinates HOA approval alongside Pasco County permitting to avoid delays.

At minimum, your general contractor should carry general liability insurance ($1M is the industry standard), workers compensation coverage for all employees, and automobile liability for company vehicles. Drome Contracting carries $1M in general liability and maintains active workers compensation. Ask any contractor for a certificate of insurance before signing a contract. If they hesitate or cannot produce one, that is a major red flag.

It depends on the scope. If you are replacing more than 25% of the glazed openings (windows and doors) in your home, Florida Building Code requires all replaced openings to meet current impact-rated or wind-borne debris protection standards. Full new construction always requires impact-rated openings in wind-borne debris regions. Even when not required, impact windows reduce insurance premiums and eliminate the need for shutters. Drome Contracting advises on the code threshold for your specific project.

Most custom homes take 8-14 months depending on size, complexity, and permitting timelines in your County. We provide a detailed timeline at contract signing.

Not necessarily. We can evaluate lots you are considering and advise on buildability, soil conditions, and permitting requirements in Tampa Bay.

Everything from permits to final walkthrough. Materials, labor, all subcontractor trades, permit fees, and inspections. No allowances that balloon later.

Florida Building Code requires hurricane straps tying the roof to walls, impact-rated windows or shutters, reinforced garage doors, and a secondary water barrier on the roof deck. These features are mandatory in your County, not optional upgrades. We build every home to meet or exceed current wind speed zone requirements.

Most of the Tampa Bay area sits on sandy soil with a water table that can be just a few feet below grade. This means foundations need engineered compaction, proper drainage design, and sometimes deeper footings or helical piers. We perform soil testing before pouring any foundation in your County to avoid settling or moisture intrusion.

Yes. Florida Building Code requires all new homes in the wind-borne debris region to have impact-rated windows and doors or an approved shutter system covering every opening. Impact-rated products cost more upfront but eliminate the need for plywood or panel shutters and can reduce your homeowner insurance premium significantly.

Florida rainy season runs roughly from June through October, with afternoon storms that can delay concrete pours, framing, and roofing work. We account for weather delays in every project timeline. Starting your build in late fall or winter can reduce weather-related delays by several weeks.

Florida Energy Conservation Code requires minimum R-30 ceiling insulation, R-13 wall insulation, SEER 15+ HVAC systems, and low-E coated windows. In your County, every new home must pass a blower door test and duct leakage test before receiving a certificate of occupancy. These requirements keep your utility bills manageable in the Florida heat.

It depends on the scope. Cosmetic renovations usually allow you to stay. Full structural renovations may require temporary relocation for safety and efficiency.

Cosmetic renovations take 4-8 weeks. Structural renovations with layout changes take 3-6 months depending on scope and your County permitting timelines.

All of them. We pull every permit, schedule every inspection, and manage every code requirement through your County.

Termite damage is extremely common in Florida homes, especially in older construction. When we open walls during a renovation and find termite damage, we document the extent, replace all compromised framing and sheathing, and treat the affected areas before closing the walls back up. We handle all permits through your County for the additional structural work.

If your home is in a FEMA flood zone and your renovation cost exceeds 50% of the home market value, your County requires the entire structure to be brought into full compliance with current flood regulations. This can mean elevating the home or significant structural modifications. We evaluate this threshold before quoting any renovation in a flood zone.

Many Florida homes built between the 1960s and 1980s contain aluminum branch wiring or polybutylene (gray plastic) supply pipes. Both are known failure points. Aluminum wiring is a fire risk at connections, and polybutylene pipes become brittle and crack over time. During a renovation, we recommend upgrading these systems while the walls are already open, which saves significant cost compared to doing it later.

If your existing panel is under 100 amps or uses Federal Pacific or Zinsco breakers, your County will likely require an upgrade when you pull permits for significant electrical work. Many older Florida homes have 100-amp panels that cannot support modern HVAC loads, and upgrading to 200 amps during a renovation is the most cost-effective time to do it.

Yes. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and homes built before 1980 often have asbestos in popcorn ceilings, floor tiles, pipe insulation, or siding. Florida law requires proper testing and licensed abatement before disturbing these materials. We coordinate testing and certified removal as part of the renovation scope when working on older Tampa Bay homes.

Cosmetic refreshes take 2-4 weeks. Full gut remodels take 6-10 weeks depending on scope, material lead times, and your County inspection scheduling.

For cosmetic refreshes, partial use is sometimes possible. For full remodels, plan on setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in your home for 4-8 weeks.

Yes, if the project involves plumbing, electrical, or structural changes. Cosmetic-only work (paint, hardware, countertop replacement without plumbing changes) typically does not require a permit.

Florida indoor humidity levels regularly exceed 60% even with air conditioning running. Solid wood cabinet doors can warp and swell in these conditions. We recommend plywood box construction with hardwood or thermofoil doors, and we always install cabinets with proper ventilation spacing. For countertops, quartz and granite handle Florida humidity well, while some natural stones and butcher block require more maintenance in this climate.

It is common in Florida kitchens, especially around sink areas and exterior walls. When we open walls and find damage, we document it, provide a change order with exact costs, and repair all compromised framing before proceeding with the remodel. We handle the additional structural permits through your County.

If you are only replacing cabinets in the same locations without moving plumbing, electrical, or gas lines, a permit is generally not required in your County. However, if the project involves moving a sink, adding an island with plumbing or electrical, or relocating any outlets, permits are required. We clarify this during your estimate so there are no surprises.

If your kitchen has older single-pane or non-impact windows, a remodel is the most cost-effective time to upgrade them. Impact-rated kitchen windows typically add $500 to $1,200 per opening depending on size, but they reduce your insurance costs and eliminate the need for shutters. Many Tampa Bay homeowners combine kitchen remodels with window upgrades for this reason.

Yes, but it requires a separate gas permit through your County and must be installed by a licensed gas contractor. If your home does not currently have a gas line, running one from the meter to the kitchen typically adds $500 to $2,000 depending on distance and routing. We coordinate the gas line installation as part of the remodel scope so it does not create scheduling conflicts.

Standard remodels take 2-3 weeks. Full renovations with layout changes take 4-6 weeks depending on scope and your County inspection scheduling.

Florida humidity finds every shortcut. Without proper waterproof membrane behind tile, moisture penetrates the wall cavity and causes mold growth. We waterproof behind every tile surface.

Yes. Walk-in showers, grab bars, wider doorways, comfort-height toilets, and roll-under vanities. We build aging-in-place bathrooms that are functional and attractive.

Florida ambient humidity is significantly higher year-round compared to northern states. Bathroom exhaust fans need to be sized at a minimum of 1 CFM per square foot, and in many your County homes we recommend oversized units or continuous-run low-sone fans. Without adequate ventilation, even a properly waterproofed Florida bathroom will develop mold on ceilings and grout lines within months.

When we remove old tile in Tampa Bay bathrooms, we commonly find mold on drywall that was never replaced with cement board, deteriorated green board that has absorbed moisture for years, and sometimes termite damage in the wall studs behind the shower. We inspect every surface after demo and address any damage before waterproofing and installing new tile.

Electric radiant floor heating in a bathroom is relatively inexpensive to install during a remodel, typically adding $800 to $2,000 depending on bathroom size. Most Tampa Bay homeowners use them only 2 to 3 months per year during cooler mornings, so the operating cost is minimal. It is a comfort feature that adds resale value, especially in master bathrooms.

We install curbless walk-in showers with linear drains, blocking in walls for future grab bar installation, comfort-height toilets, lever-handle faucets, wider doorways, and non-slip tile flooring. Many Tampa Bay homeowners in their 40s and 50s are building these features into remodels now so they do not need a second renovation later.

Yes. A tub-to-shower conversion involves plumbing modifications and drain relocation, which requires a plumbing permit in your County. If you are also adding new electrical for lighting or a ventilation fan, an electrical permit is also needed. We handle all permit applications and inspections as part of the project.

Single room additions take 2-4 months. Multi-room or in-law suites take 3-6 months depending on complexity and your County permitting timelines.

That is the entire point. We match your roofline pitch, siding profile, trim style, and floor elevations. A bad addition is obvious. Ours are not.

Not always. Simple bedroom or office additions can be designed with our team. Complex additions or second stories may benefit from architectural plans, and we can coordinate that.

your County enforces minimum setback distances from property lines for any new construction. Typical residential setbacks are 7.5 feet on the sides, 20 feet from the front, and 10 feet from the rear, but these vary by zoning district. We verify your specific setback requirements with the county before designing your addition to make sure the project is approvable.

Any room addition in your County must meet the same wind load requirements as new construction. This means hurricane straps on every truss connection, properly rated sheathing with specific nail patterns, and impact-rated windows or shutters on all openings. The framing must tie into your existing structure in a way that maintains the wind resistance of the entire building envelope.

It depends on the size of your current system and the square footage being added. A typical room addition of 200 to 400 square feet may overload an already right-sized system in the Florida heat. We perform a Manual J load calculation to determine whether your existing unit can handle the additional space or whether an upgrade or supplemental mini-split system is needed.

Yes. your County requires a current boundary survey showing the proposed addition footprint before issuing a building permit. The survey confirms that the addition will not encroach on setbacks, easements, or neighboring property lines. If your existing survey is more than a few years old, you will likely need a new one.

Sometimes, but it requires a structural engineer to evaluate whether your existing slab and footings can support the additional load. Many Florida homes were built on monolithic slabs designed only for single-story loads. If reinforcement is needed, options include adding steel beams, deepening footings, or installing helical piers. We get the engineering analysis done before providing a final price.

Most construction projects in Florida require permits. New construction, room additions, structural changes, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work all require permits. Cosmetic work like painting, replacing hardware, or installing flooring typically does not. We evaluate your scope and pull every required permit. Visit our permits page to learn more about the process.

We do. Permit applications, plan submissions, inspection scheduling, and code compliance are all part of our scope. The cost of permits is included in your contract. You never visit the county office. Learn more about our full permit management process.

We pull permits in Pasco County (PascoGateway), Hillsborough County (HillsGovHub), Pinellas County (Accela Citizen Access), and Hernando County. We know each county process, portal, and inspection office.

If your lot falls within a FEMA-designated flood zone, yes. This is common in South Tampa, Davis Islands, and properties near the Hillsborough River. Drome Contracting orders the elevation certificate and designs your foundation to meet or exceed the required base flood elevation.

Learn more about Custom home construction in Tampa →

If your renovation exceeds 50% of the home's market value and the property is in a FEMA flood zone, the entire structure may need to be brought into current flood compliance. This is common along the Pithlachascotee River. Drome Contracting evaluates this threshold before finalizing your renovation scope.

Learn more about Home renovation in New Port Richey →

Interior kitchen work is unrestricted by HOA rules. However, if your remodel includes adding or changing exterior vents, range hood exhaust outlets, or kitchen windows, the HOA architectural review board must approve those changes. Drome Contracting handles the approval process alongside Pasco County permitting.

Learn more about Kitchen remodels in Land O' Lakes →

The most common surprise in Brandon homes from the 1980s and 1990s is water damage behind fiberglass tub/shower surrounds. The original installations often lacked proper waterproof membrane, allowing decades of moisture to reach the wall studs. We budget demo-day contingency into every project for this reason.

Learn more about Bathroom remodels in Brandon →

Porcelain tile, solid-surface countertops, and marine-grade stainless or brass hardware resist salt air corrosion far better than standard chrome or builder-grade finishes. We also recommend closed-cell spray foam in exterior walls to block moisture infiltration from the coastal environment.

Learn more about Bathroom remodels in Clearwater →

The City of Tampa enforces side, rear, and front setbacks that vary by zoning district. In older neighborhoods like Seminole Heights, lots are narrow and setbacks can limit addition size. In New Tampa and Citrus Park, larger lots offer more flexibility. Drome Contracting pulls a boundary survey and confirms setbacks before designing your addition.

Learn more about Room additions in Tampa →

It affects foundation design, not feasibility. Hernando County sits on limestone, and sinkhole activity is a documented concern. Drome Contracting orders a geotechnical soil report before designing your foundation, and we engineer the slab and footings to address whatever the report reveals. This is standard practice for responsible builders in the area.

Learn more about Custom home construction in Spring Hill →

Check your property tax bill or search the Hillsborough and Pasco County property appraiser websites. This is not just a formality: the two counties have different fee structures, inspection processes, and code enforcement approaches. Drome Contracting verifies jurisdiction and handles the correct permit process for your property.

Learn more about Home renovation in Lutz →