Post by Tarpon65 on Sept 19, 2024 15:34:39 GMT -5
Sorry, I know this is long:
For the last year or so I have been going through the My Safe Florida Home program. This grant will provide me $2 for every $1 I spend fortifying my home from hurricanes, up to a maximum refund of $10,000. I had the home inspection last year, which was paid for by the grant, but then they ran out of available funds for the year. I was able to get back into the program in Mid-August of this year and after going through a few more steps, was just given the okay to sign contracts and begin any work the previous inspection said I was eligible for, which includes impact resistant windows and doors, as well as my garage door. I have 11 Single hung windows, 3 large picture windows, 1 sliding door, 2 glass doors leading to the pool deck, and the front entry door with side window. As I had just put a new roof on last year, including the secondary water barrier, and reinforcing the truss /wall connections with the "third nail" I was not eligible for either of those improvements.
I've had 6-7 window and door quotes, most of them quoting PGT Winguard vinyl impact Low-E (meeting Dade County NOA), made in Venice, Fl, but several quoting Custom Window Systems made in Ocala, and one quoting Shwinco out of Mobile, Al, and another quoting Mr-Glass made in Miami. All the quotes for for any of the windows came in around $37-$40K, with the Mr-Glass coming in around $32K. The Mr-Glass quote was from a Ft Myers installer that did my friends home on Sanibel, but he does not have a current GC or speciality contractors license (not required in the SW Florida counties due to the amount of window work after Ian). The Mr-Glass were also aluminum frames which may not be as insulating as the vinyl. Any contractor I use, must have a valid license, pull a permit and pass the county inspection and the MSFH inspection, or I will not get the rebate, so I have had to rule him out and pretty much decided on a Sarasota company that has been in business over 50 years.
The bill for the windows and garage door will come in around $42K with me eventually getting $10K back after all inspections are done and the permits closed out, so I will be $32K or so out of pocket. Our Sarasota home was built in the mid-80s with all the original windows and doors. It's just the wife and I and I don't see us moving. As I age, the boarding of the windows is more of an issue, including three large (29"x 72") picture windows accessed only from the lower roof top with a step ladder still needed to reach them.
What are your thoughts on the investment? Where I live in North Sarasota has had a couple close calls but it seems we are generally in a protected cocoon in this area. According to my insurance agent, once I get all openings reinforced I will save a measly $250.00 or so each year on my insurance. All the studying I've done the last year or so says maybe 80% of the investment in the window and door upgrade will come back to us in the event we sell the home. While there is still an argument about impact windows can still break, and they should be shuttered, I feel they may break with impact, but will remain in one piece not allowing airflow into the home, and I don't plan on installing shutters. My thoughts are the initial investment will take a bite out of my funds, but will give us peace of mind during storms, but help with energy costs during the year, and help reduce noise from the outside.
For the last year or so I have been going through the My Safe Florida Home program. This grant will provide me $2 for every $1 I spend fortifying my home from hurricanes, up to a maximum refund of $10,000. I had the home inspection last year, which was paid for by the grant, but then they ran out of available funds for the year. I was able to get back into the program in Mid-August of this year and after going through a few more steps, was just given the okay to sign contracts and begin any work the previous inspection said I was eligible for, which includes impact resistant windows and doors, as well as my garage door. I have 11 Single hung windows, 3 large picture windows, 1 sliding door, 2 glass doors leading to the pool deck, and the front entry door with side window. As I had just put a new roof on last year, including the secondary water barrier, and reinforcing the truss /wall connections with the "third nail" I was not eligible for either of those improvements.
I've had 6-7 window and door quotes, most of them quoting PGT Winguard vinyl impact Low-E (meeting Dade County NOA), made in Venice, Fl, but several quoting Custom Window Systems made in Ocala, and one quoting Shwinco out of Mobile, Al, and another quoting Mr-Glass made in Miami. All the quotes for for any of the windows came in around $37-$40K, with the Mr-Glass coming in around $32K. The Mr-Glass quote was from a Ft Myers installer that did my friends home on Sanibel, but he does not have a current GC or speciality contractors license (not required in the SW Florida counties due to the amount of window work after Ian). The Mr-Glass were also aluminum frames which may not be as insulating as the vinyl. Any contractor I use, must have a valid license, pull a permit and pass the county inspection and the MSFH inspection, or I will not get the rebate, so I have had to rule him out and pretty much decided on a Sarasota company that has been in business over 50 years.
The bill for the windows and garage door will come in around $42K with me eventually getting $10K back after all inspections are done and the permits closed out, so I will be $32K or so out of pocket. Our Sarasota home was built in the mid-80s with all the original windows and doors. It's just the wife and I and I don't see us moving. As I age, the boarding of the windows is more of an issue, including three large (29"x 72") picture windows accessed only from the lower roof top with a step ladder still needed to reach them.
What are your thoughts on the investment? Where I live in North Sarasota has had a couple close calls but it seems we are generally in a protected cocoon in this area. According to my insurance agent, once I get all openings reinforced I will save a measly $250.00 or so each year on my insurance. All the studying I've done the last year or so says maybe 80% of the investment in the window and door upgrade will come back to us in the event we sell the home. While there is still an argument about impact windows can still break, and they should be shuttered, I feel they may break with impact, but will remain in one piece not allowing airflow into the home, and I don't plan on installing shutters. My thoughts are the initial investment will take a bite out of my funds, but will give us peace of mind during storms, but help with energy costs during the year, and help reduce noise from the outside.
