Home Renovation in Tampa, FL
One contractor. Every trade. Zero excuses. Full interior overhauls, structural changes, and system upgrades managed from demo to final walkthrough.
About 60% of Tampa's housing stock was built before 1984, and each decade's construction methods created the renovation surprises contractors find today. The 1920s and 1930s bungalows of Seminole Heights frequently still carry knob-and-tube electrical — but the harder problem is the floor plan: nine-foot-wide rooms with no chase space for modern HVAC ductwork require creative routing that adds time and cost. Carrollwood's 1970s ranch homes are routinely flagged for aluminum branch wiring, which insurance underwriters now require to be pigtailed with AlumiConn connectors or fully replaced before issuing homeowner policies. In South Tampa and Hyde Park, the terrazzo floors hiding under thirty years of carpet are often in better shape than the original cast iron drain stack running beneath them — a camera scope of that stack before demo day is not optional. Drome Contracting submits all permits through City of Tampa Development Services Department via the Tampa eTRAKiT portal under license CGC1515971.
What Affects Your Cost
- — Home size and number of rooms affected
- — Structural changes (wall removal, additions)
- — Mechanical system age and condition
- — Finish level selected
- — Permitting complexity
- — Age of home (older homes often have hidden issues)
What You Get
What's Included
All Permits, Pulled Under Our License
Structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits — we handle every application, every inspection, and every interaction with Hillsborough County.
Demo and Structural Work
Controlled demolition. Load-bearing wall removal with proper engineering. Structural modifications completed and inspected before proceeding.
Mechanical Updates
Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC upgrades or rerouting completed by licensed trade contractors under our supervision.
Finish Work to Spec
Drywall, paint, trim, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and fixtures installed to the approved plan and your selections.
Written Itemized Estimate
Every cost listed before demo begins. Materials, labor, permits, and subcontractor work itemized so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Our Process
How We Work
Home Walkthrough
We walk your home and listen to what you want changed. We assess structural conditions and identify scope.
Detailed Estimate
Line-item estimate with a detailed scope of work. Every cost visible before any demo begins.
Permits
We pull all required permits. Structural modifications, electrical upgrades, plumbing changes.
Demo and Structural Work
Controlled demolition. Load-bearing wall removal with proper engineering. Structural modifications completed and inspected.
Mechanical Updates
Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC upgrades or rerouting as needed.
Finish Work
Drywall, paint, trim, flooring, cabinets, countertops, fixtures. Your home transformed.
Final Walkthrough
We do not consider it done until you do. Punch list items addressed before final sign-off.
Local Expertise
What We Know About Building Here
Permit Authority
City of Tampa Development Services Department
Online portal: Tampa eTRAKiT
City of Tampa Development Services Department at 414 E Kennedy Blvd; permits via Tampa eTRAKiT portal
THPC design review required for any exterior modification in historic overlays: Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Ybor City
Pre-1978 homes: lead paint testing required before demolition; pre-1980 homes may contain asbestos-containing materials in insulation, tile adhesive, and joint compound
Carrollwood 1970s-80s homes: aluminum branch wiring requires AlumiConn pigtails or full replacement before insurance re-issue
South Tampa cast iron drain lines: camera scope before design reveals condition; replacement often required during major renovation
Service Area
Home Renovation Across Tampa Neighborhoods
Drome Contracting serves homeowners throughout Tampa — from South Tampa to Channel District and every neighborhood in between. As a Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1515971) based in Odessa, we know Hillsborough County permitting, soil conditions, and local code requirements.
Free Estimate · No Obligation
Ready to start your home renovation in Tampa?
Why Drome
Credentials That Matter
Florida Certified General Contractor
General liability insurance coverage
Full workers compensation coverage
Same person from estimate to final walkthrough
Why Drome
Built for Tampa Homeowners
One Licensed Contractor in Tampa
CGC1515971 — Florida Certified General Contractor. We manage every trade under our license. You deal with one person, not five subcontractors.
Permits First, Always
We never start work that requires a permit in Hillsborough County without having it in hand. Unpermitted renovation work creates title problems and voids insurance coverage.
We Work in Occupied Homes
Renovation scheduling is different from new construction. We stage work to minimize disruption to your household and communicate daily on Tampa job sites.
No Surprises Mid-Project
When we open walls and find something unexpected, we document it, explain it, and provide a written change order before any additional work starts.
Investment
Home Renovation Pricing in Tampa
Ranges based on typical Hillsborough County projects. Your itemized estimate reflects your exact scope.
Cosmetic
$25,000 – $100,000
Paint, flooring, fixtures, surface-level updates.
- ✓ New paint throughout
- ✓ Flooring replacement
- ✓ Updated fixtures and hardware
- ✓ Surface-level kitchen and bath updates
Structural
$65,000 – $350,000
Moving walls, updating systems, reconfiguring spaces.
- ✓ Everything in Cosmetic
- ✓ Load-bearing wall removal
- ✓ Electrical and plumbing upgrades
- ✓ Layout reconfiguration
Whole-House
$75,000 – $650,000
Complete transformation. Down to the studs and rebuilt.
- ✓ Everything in Structural
- ✓ Full mechanical replacement
- ✓ New insulation and drywall
- ✓ Complete interior redesign
FAQ
Common Questions
Do I need permits for a home renovation in Tampa, and what goes through the city?
Any structural changes, electrical work, plumbing modifications, mechanical system upgrades, or window replacements require permits through City of Tampa Development Services Department via Tampa eTRAKiT. Cosmetic work — paint, flooring, cabinetry that does not touch plumbing or electrical — does not. Drome Contracting determines which scope items require permits during the pre-construction assessment and handles all submissions.
My Tampa home has aluminum wiring. Does that affect my renovation?
Yes. Aluminum branch wiring, common in Tampa homes built between 1965 and 1973, is a known fire hazard at connection points and most insurers require correction before renewing or issuing a homeowner policy. Drome Contracting installs AlumiConn connectors at every device box — the accepted remediation method — or performs full copper rewiring if the scope warrants it. We assess the panel and all branch circuits before writing your renovation contract.
How do historic district rules affect a home renovation in Tampa?
Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, and Ybor City historic overlays require Tampa Historic Preservation Commission review for exterior modifications visible from the street: windows, siding, roofing, additions, and porches. Interior renovations are not restricted by THPC. Review adds at minimum 21 calendar days, so Drome Contracting coordinates the THPC submission early in the design phase rather than after permits are otherwise ready.
Can I stay in my home during a renovation in Tampa?
It depends on the scope. Cosmetic renovations usually allow you to stay. Full structural renovations may require temporary relocation for safety and efficiency.
How long does a full home renovation take?
Cosmetic renovations take 4-8 weeks. Structural renovations with layout changes take 3-6 months depending on scope and Hillsborough County permitting timelines.
Do you handle permits for renovations in Hillsborough County?
All of them. We pull every permit, schedule every inspection, and manage every code requirement through Hillsborough County.
Licensed and Insured
Serving Tampa and Hillsborough County
Describe your project in a few sentences. We call you back within one business day with honest answers and a clear next step. No sales pitch. No obligation.
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