Home Remodeling in Treasure Island and St. Pete

Remodeling after Helene and Milton

For a lot of island families, remodeling stopped being a someday project in the fall of 2024. Helene's surge put water inside homes up and down the beaches, and in low parts of St. Pete. Drywall, cabinets, flooring, and doors came out. Many homes have been sitting gutted, waiting on decisions.

Post-flood work has its own order of operations. Wet materials come out first. The structure has to dry fully and be checked for mold before anything new goes back in. Wiring, outlets, water heaters, and air handlers that sat in salt water need a close look. Then the rebuild can begin.

This is also the moment to think about the next storm. Choices like tile floors in place of carpet, raised outlets, and water-tolerant wall materials on the ground floor can make cleanup easier if water ever comes back.

What we remodel

• Kitchens. New layouts, cabinets, counters, plumbing, and lighting.
• Bathrooms. Walk-in showers, tub swaps, vanities, tile, and ventilation that handles our humidity.
• Whole-home remodels. Full interior updates, often after flood damage.
• Additions. Extra bedrooms, primary suites, and living space, planned around flood and setback rules.
• Post-flood restoration. Tear-out, drying, and rebuilding of flooded homes.
• Impact windows and doors. Hurricane-rated openings that keep wind and debris out.

Remodeling on Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, the Redingtons, St. Pete Beach and Indian Rocks Beach

Most homes on the islands sit in FEMA flood zones. That changes how you plan a remodel. Under the FEMA 50 percent rule, if the cost of improvements or repairs reaches half of the building's market value, the whole home may have to be brought up to current flood rules. For a lot of older ground-level homes, that means elevating, which is a very different project.

The details vary by town. Some cities add up permitted work over several years when they check the 50 percent limit, and each one sets its own method for the home's value. Before you settle on a scope, it helps to know where you stand. Our FEMA 50 percent rule guide covers the basics. If your numbers land close to the line, it may make more sense to look at rebuilding an elevated home.

Salt air also shapes our material choices. Exterior hardware, hinges, and light fixtures near the Gulf should be rated for coastal use. Stainless or coated fasteners hold up far better than plain steel. Inside, good ventilation in baths and kitchens keeps the damp in check.

The beaches sit in Florida's wind-borne debris region, so new exterior windows and doors need hurricane protection. Impact-rated products handle that without shutters to put up every time a storm heads our way.

Remodeling in St. Petersburg

St. Pete homes come in every age and style. Craftsman bungalows in Kenwood, 1920s homes in the Old Northeast, mid-century ranches in Shore Acres, and newer waterfront homes on Snell Isle and Placido Bayou all bring their own surprises once the walls open up. Older homes may have outdated wiring or cast iron drain lines that are worth replacing while things are torn apart.

Shore Acres, Venetian Isles, and Riviera Bay took on water in 2024, and many of those homes face the same 50 percent questions as the islands. Further inland, the work tends to be the classic kitchen, bath, and addition projects. Permits inside the city go through the City of St. Petersburg. Homes in local historic districts may need extra review for exterior changes like windows, doors, and additions.

Remodeling often goes hand in hand with a new roof. If yours is getting older, see our roof replacement page so the two can be planned together.

How a remodel runs

1. Walkthrough. We visit, listen to what you want, and look at the existing conditions.
2. Flood zone check. For homes in flood zones, we look at how the scope fits the 50 percent rule before you commit.
3. Written estimate. A clear scope with the work broken out so you can see where the money goes.
4. Permits. We pull permits with your city or town and schedule each inspection.
5. Construction. We keep you posted on progress and send photos at milestones, including inside the walls before they close up.
6. Final walkthrough. We go through the finished work with you and close out the permits.

Common questions

Does the FEMA 50 percent rule apply to my remodel?

If your home is in a FEMA flood zone and the remodel and repair costs reach 50 percent of the structure's market value, your city can require the whole home to meet current flood rules, which may mean elevating. Your local floodplain office makes the call, and we can help you understand the numbers before you commit.

Can you remodel a home that flooded during Helene?

Yes. Post-flood work usually starts with removing wet materials, drying the structure, and checking for mold before any new finishes go in. We also look at electrical and mechanical items that sat in water.

Do I need impact windows and doors?

When you replace windows and exterior doors on a coastal Pinellas home, the new openings generally have to meet hurricane protection rules. Impact-rated products are the most common way to do that, and they can also show up on a wind mitigation inspection.

Can I stay in my home during a remodel?

It depends on the scope. Many kitchen and bath projects can be done while you live there, while whole-home and post-flood remodels usually require moving out for a while. We talk this through when we build the schedule.