• I won’t take FEMA money do I still have to comply with FEMA? If the house is in a flood zone and you cannot demonstrate that it is above design flood elevation, yes you have to provide FEMA paperwork.
• If paint and flooring does not need a permit why do I have to declare as a cost on my permit? When repairing to minimum standards, FEMA requires that all cost of placing back to livable space is accounted for, therefore if you replaced drywall you will have to paint it, this FEMA will be looking for a cost-listed under painting.
• Do I need signed and sealed plans to submit for a permit? No, as long as you are doing like for like.
• What inspection will be done when I replace 2-4 ft of drywall? Typically only final inspections.

From Naples Building Department

1. Owners cannot do the work as an owner/builder. Florida building code does not allow owner/builders to work on multifamily units, MUST be by a licensed building contractor.
2. A full FEMA packet must be completed with a full breakdown of cost and backup.
3. The City is not accepting the Collier County Property Appraiser’s improved value for the unit to demonstrate SI/SD allowance amount. You must use either; 1. Replacement value from the association’s flood policy, or; 2. Private appraisal. (building amount will be divided by the total units in the building. The allowable amount is 50% of the unit amount).
4. The City is only allowing recovery to pre-Ian conditions, with no improvements, or remodels.
5. A permit must be for full recovery, and cannot stage or divide work among multiple permits.
6. They will allow 1 permit per building (for all 4 units) if one contractor is doing the work for all units, for the full scope of work.
7. Will require 1 permit per unit if multiple contractors are working on the units within the building.
8. Will allow change of contractor, midway through the permit. (for example, if one contractor is doing drywall, and another contractor is doing finishing work).

Submitted by:
Adam Northrup, Project Manager | Elite Permits of Naples
2670 North Horseshoe Drive, Suite 205, Naples FL 34104 | 239-280-0570

Homeowners are looking to transform their living spaces into classrooms, home offices and gyms this year. With people spending more time at home, the future of home design is being reimagined. As homeowners seek out ways to maximize the functionality of their living spaces, here are some of the budding trends in home design and renovation.

Modifying Mudrooms and Entryways. A simple area to take off jackets or rainboots when entering your home is no longer an afterthought. Now a focal point, home entryways and mudrooms are a space where mail is dropped off, groceries/delivery boxes are collected, face coverings are removed, or hands are sanitized. Future home design will take these activities in consideration when creating a functional, cohesive and comfortable entryway.

Incorporating Touchless/Hands-Free Home Features. Materials such as copper have natural antimicrobial elements that have the potential to reduce the spread of microbes. Doorknobs, kitchen cabinet handles and other home hardware with copper or other antimicrobial materials could grow in popularity. Touchless faucets, hands-free light fixtures or appliances may also gain widespread usage.

Creating Private Spaces. Getting homework, virtual play dates and work conference calls completed all in the same space at the same time is a challenge. New small, convertible spaces or nooks in homes can help a full house function a bit better with an additional private or semi-private space.

Finding Storage Solutions. From more space to store non-perishable food, home office accessories or items in the entryway, a place for everything is generating appeal for home- owners. With more time at home, additional storage space will be a valuable feature in future home designs.

Transforming Outdoor Spaces. A functional space inside or outside a lanai to comfortably host a socially distanced cookout or dinner will likely be an attractive design feature. Simple improvements from upgrading patio furniture to building out lanai areas will be at the top of any exterior home feature must-have lists.

To find a professional who can help you create the perfect reimagined areas within your home go to www.cbia.net for a list of local professionals working in residential building, design and remodeling here in Collier County.

Sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. Whatever the impetus, the thought crosses your mind: Maybe it’s time to start a home remodel. The reasons for home remodeling are as varied as the projects we undertake.

Some of these include:

• Adding more space
• Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances and fixtures
• Creating a floor plan that’s customized for your lifestyle
• Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation, and climate control systems
• Increasing the resale value of your home

Where to Begin

The first step is to develop an idea of what you want to do with your home remodel. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. There are many sources to find design ideas for your home remodeling project. Look at magazines and websites and collect pictures of homes or remodeling projects you like. The more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the better prepared you’ll be in making your decision.

Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want to consider contacting a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.

You may want to improve home efficiency and hire a professional remodeler for green home remodeling. These projects include replacing windows and doors, upgrading heating and cooling systems, adding insulation, and other remodeling to make the home more energy-efficient, easier to maintain, and comfortable.

Figure out how much money you have to spend on the home remodeling job, furnishings, landscaping or any other cost you might incur.

Can you do it yourself?

Once you have created your list of priorities, you’ll need to decide how to accomplish that vision. For the handyman or woman, a do-it-yourself project can be both rewarding and cost-effective. However, more than 30% of all jobs home remodelers perform come from failed DIY projects.

Hiring a professional remodeler is the best way to ensure your project’s success. These remodelers are dedicated to maintaining the highest integrity and standards in the industry.

If you decide to hire a professional, your next steps should be to check remodelers at www.cbia.net. You will find an easy to use electronic directory of local licensed member remodels.  Or if you prefer, stop by the CBIA office between 8:30-4:30 any day and pick up a hard copy directory.  Our address is 3200 Bailey Lane, Suites 109-110, Naples FL  34105.  Our telephone number is 239-436-6100.

You want to change the look and feel of your house, but you also want your remodeling job to look fresh for a number of years and complement the existing features of your home. How do you choose the right project and design for you and your family?

First, take your family’s lifestyle into account when selecting an area of your home to remodel. For example, if you get a lot of traffic through the house, consider hardwood floors. Families who frequently entertain in the kitchen may want to expand the room and add an island or some comfortable chairs. If your bathroom is the place where you escape the world, add a whirlpool tub or a deluxe shower.

After you’ve chosen an area of your home to remodel, the wide array of project options can be both dazzling and intimidating. To get started, consult the resources below, which can give you specific ideas on how to turn your house into the dream home you’ve always wanted.

TV Shows: There are an increasing number of shows and channels focused on decorating and simple home improvement projects to more complex remodels or home makeovers. For example, HGTV features projects that evolve from start to finish on shows like “Buying and Selling” and “Curb Appeal”; check your local television guide for listings.

Magazines: Magazines that cater to home improvement, lifestyle and remodeling can be an excellent source of ideas. Page through publications such as Dwell, Home, House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Food and Wine, Country Living, Ladies’ Home Journal and Good Housekeeping to identify projects and materials that might work in your home. Additionally, you can request a wide range of free or inexpensive literature by completing the mail-in coupons inserted in such publications.

Websites/Blogs: Surfing the Web is a great way to find fresh ideas and to research projects. Many remodelers, manufacturers and magazines host websites that feature project photos, buying guides and product information. For a list of local CBIA-member remodelers go browse our electronic directory at www.cbia.net.  Other sites such as Pinterest and Houzz have extensive photo collections for inspiration. And, an increasing number of DIY and design blogs created by homeowners themselves can also provide inspiration for simple projects you can do around the house.

Sketches and Floor Plans: No two remodeling projects are the same, but you can gain some insight into how another homeowner solved a space problem by carefully studying sketches and floor plans. If, like most people, you are easily confused by plans and drawings, imagine yourself in the middle of the room or space on the plan.

Books: Browse a bookstore with a well-stocked home improvement section, but beware of books telling you to be your own remodeling contractor. Most remodeling projects call for a level of skill and work hours beyond those stated in these books. The job of a professional remodeler requires experience and competence in a wide range of disciplines, and unless you are highly skilled and licensed in all the trades, you can quickly get in over your head.

Do you know someone who has recently remodeled their home in a style you admire? He or she may still have product manuals, magazines and other helpful information you can borrow, as well as practical advice drawn from his or her own experience.

Remodeling Professionals: One of the advantages of choosing a remodeler early is gaining access to an extensive library of resources prior to starting a project. Once you’ve chosen a contractor, he or she usually can offer you a wide variety of materials, including product manuals, magazines, brochures and blueprints.

Manufacturers and Suppliers: The most obvious place to find information about new products and how to use them is on manufacturers’ Web sites and in magazine ads. Lumberyards, hardware stores and other suppliers also can be valuable sources of information. Many suppliers now offer home planning centers, where you can browse comfortably among the following:

• Plan books
• Product manuals
• Sourcebooks
• Building tips
• Magazines
• Brochures
• cbia.net where you can browse through the electronic directory of supplier members with contacts, addresses, website information and telephone numbers.

The Collier Building Industry Association is located at 3200 Bailey Lane in Naples.  Call (239-436-6100) or stop in between 8:30-4:00 p.m. and pick up a complimentary hard copy of our member directory.

Creating outdoor rooms remains a popular design trend with home owners particularly in Naples. It’s a simple, budget-friendly way to increase your home’s square footage and to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you have a large small lanai or outdoor space, this space can easily reflect your style and become a treasured gathering for entertaining.

Yet, many home owners quickly become frustrated when the beautiful furniture and fabrics they select do not survive the outdoor elements. Fortunately, manufacturers are now creating more durable outdoor furnishings to help your decorating dollars go even further.

Outdoor fabric companies, such as Sunbrella and Perennials, offer expanded lines of sun- and weather-resistant products that are made to withstand harsh weather. These resilient fabrics are low-maintenance and can easily be cleaned by hand. Despite the increased durability of these fabrics, they remain soft and comfortable for everyday use.

Retailers also are responding to the popularity of outdoor rooms by increasing their inventory of indoor/outdoor rugs, weatherproof cushions and fabrics, and all-weather furniture.  Even big-box stores may have only had three or four color choices for outdoor cushions in the past. Now, you can choose from a wide variety of durable solids, patterns, florals, and stripes, both online and at all major home retailers.

Home owners also want to spend more time enjoying their outdoor space and less time maintaining it.   Not surprisingly, today’s outdoor entertaining spaces reflect the growing trend of creating outdoor spaces with indoor amenities. Clients are requesting fireplaces and other features  to  feel like luxurious indoor spaces. Other home owners are adding kitchens to their outdoor spaces, allowing them to more easily cook outdoors year-round.

Easy Maintenance Tips

After you’ve furnished and decorated your outdoor space, be sure to follow a few simple tips to ensure that you can enjoy it for years to come.

• Protect outdoor furniture with weatherproof covers during the times of year when it’s not in use. Or, bring smaller furniture items inside.
• Store cushions in weatherproof containers during summer/winter weather extremes – or if a big storm is on the way.
• Spot clean spoils or spills on outdoor fabric right away to prevent the growth of mildew. Use a mild, bleach-free soap-and-water solution and rub gently with a cloth or sponge.
• Always air dry outdoor fabrics, which generally are made of synthetic materials. Never dry clean or tumble-dry these fabrics – or the protective finish will begin to erode.

This article is brought to you by the Collier Building Industry Association at www.cbia.net.

Are you among the growing number of home owners who are choosing to remodel their homes to fit their changing needs, rather than selling their home and buying another one? If so, you’ll soon learn that even simple remodels can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. With that type of investment on the line, it’s important to find a contractor you can trust.

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, here are the top five tips to ensure you make the right decisions when you find, evaluate and hire a remodeler.

1. Always Go with a Pro

The best place to start is contact the Collier Building Industry Association to obtain a Directory of members or go to the CBIA website at www.cbia.net where you can download local remodelers through the online directory.

A professional remodeler will uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in the industry. Using the CBIA Directory can help you find a remodeler who specializes in a specific type of remodeling if you need it, such as a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) to help modify your home to better suit you as you age, or a Certified Green Remodeler (CGP) to make your home more energy-efficient.

2. Do Your Research

Look at the prospective remodeler’s company website and social media accounts to see photos of their work. Visit review sites like Houzz to see more pictures and to read reviews of remodeling companies. Take the good with the bad when reading online reviews and focus on the descriptions of experiences and qualities that are most important to you as a customer. Ask for referrals from friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and others who have had remodeling work done on comparable homes under similar schedules.

3. Create Your Short List

Once you have a list of potential home remodelers for your project, do a little more background research to verify that they are appropriately licensed and have a good business track record. You can check their license at the State of Florida Department of Professional Regulation on their website at www.myflorida.com/dbpr. Look them up with your local or state office of consumer protection.

4. Start Taking Notes

When you begin meeting with remodelers, you want to find out information such as:

• How long they have been in business in your community? Can they provide references from customers and suppliers they work with?
• Do they carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or job site injuries? Ask for a copy of the insurance certificates.
• What is their working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area, and what sort of issues could arise?
• Do they arrange for the building permit? (The person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work.)
• Do they provide a written estimate before beginning the work, and a detailed contract that spells out the work that will and will not be performed, protects both of you, provides a fair payment schedule contract and complies with local, state, and federal laws?

5. Trust Your Instincts

Make sure you are compatible with the contractor you select. Beginning your project with mutual expectations will go a long way towards a smooth remodel. You’ll spend a lot of time with your remodeler so it’s important to have a good rapport and trust in him or her.