All Forum Posts by: Jay Harris

@Michael 

@Michael Hayworth I’m a licensed contractor here in Florida. Your response has been pretty much the only thorough and logical mindset about this all. It’s amazing to me how I have 1 inspector doing 95% of my inspections on a new build. As if he’s a super tradesmen and hall of famer in every trade category. 🤽♀️🤽🏻♂️🏄♂️🧗🏼♂️🥇🏋🏼♀️⛷🏌🏾♂️⛹🏾♀️🤾🏻♀️🏊🏻♂️🚣♂️

These guys kill me. 

@Joseph M. I know plenty of unlicensed “handymen” who run laps around licensed guys I know as well. Some of the unlicensed guys have very legitimate reasons for not having a license. They are either horrible at testing, but great with their hands. Some just literally don’t have the time or desire, because they are busy with a million jobs because they are highly referred. And for some English is their second language and they would fail a test immediately. 

Either way, permits don’t protect you. Permits keep your city/county’s pockets fat, so that they can sit around a table and come up with more ways to swindle you out of your money. Hilarious. 

If you have nosey neighbors, or are on unfriendly terms with them, get the permit. They will snitch on you. If you plan on living there for a long time, don’t feel pressure to get one. Easy. 

Some of these licensed contractors have less morals than unlicensed ones. 

Also, what’s the current verdict?

@Asad Shaikh Where in any historic part of Tampa are they letting you build with that design? I just built a spec home in West Tampa overlay and they even regulated the pitch of my roof. Crazy. 

I’m building 3 more in St. Pete now, and letting Tampa cool off for a little. These prices are getting too high for me. Everyone has been overpaying for about 16 months now. 

@Dubi Sharon Is it single family residential, multi-family, or commercial?

Originally posted by @Ally Kumar:

Hi Jay, I have used Dale Hays Masonry for masonry repairs for my primary residence and they did a good job and didn't charge me even though it was out of warranty period. I had bought my house as new construction and they did the original work on all the houses in that subdivision. They are based in Hudson. Don't know anyone for foundation. Good luck. 

 Hi Ally. Thank you for the lead. I'll contact them and maybe they work with a foundation company. Thank you!

I am building a new, single family residential home in the city limits of Tampa. I'm seeking referrals for foundation layers and masonry (block) companies. Does anyone know of any companies, or individuals?

Hi Vee. Try Kabbage.com. They allow you to connect your business bank account and will analyze your deposits over the past 3 months (but more likely a year). They will pull a hard inquiry on your Experian credit report. Give it a shot, but make sure you have an actual legitimize business account and a business registered with the Secretary of State first.