Hurricane · flood · roof leak · plumbing leak
Storm & Water Damage Rebuilds in Port Charlotte
The mitigation company dries the house. We put it back together: drywall, insulation, floors, cabinets, and the window and door damage that let the water in. Permitted, documented for your adjuster, and run by one of the owners.
Water still standing or drywall still wet? Call a water mitigation company first. Wet materials need attention within 24 to 48 hours.
Illustrative photos
These show the stages of a rebuild. The before-and-after further down is one of our own jobs.
- Licensed & insuredFL CRC1327831
- A+ BBB ratingAccredited business
- 5.0 on GoogleRated by homeowners
- Family-ownedBased in Port Charlotte, FL
- Financing availableAsk at your estimate
What we rebuild
From One Wet Room to a Whole-House Hurricane Rebuild
Illustrative photoFlood cut rebuild
Mitigation cut the drywall 2 to 4 feet up and pulled the floors. We rebuild the lower walls, trim, doors, flooring and swollen base cabinets.
Typical: $30,000–$85,000
Illustrative photoWind-damage rebuild
Broken windows, sliders or a garage door let the rain in. We replace the openings with impact units and rebuild ceilings and finishes, scheduled around your roofer.
Typical: $35,000–$120,000
Illustrative photoOne-room leak repair
A burst supply line, water heater or AC overflow. Walls and ceilings replaced, texture matched and floors blended into the rest of the house.
Typical: $6,000–$25,000
Illustrative photoLanai, garage & exterior
The parts storms hit first: screen cages, garage doors, stucco cracks, soffit and fascia that let wind-driven rain into the attic.
Typical: $8,000–$45,000
What to do first
Mitigation First, Rebuild Second
- 01
Water mitigation
A mitigation company extracts water, removes wet materials and dries the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers. We do not do this part.
- Call one first; wet drywall needs attention within 24 to 48 hours
- Ends with a dry log showing the structure is dry
- Documents moisture readings for your claim
- 02
Rebuild
We rebuild what mitigation removed, plus the window, door or exterior damage that let the water in. Roof work stays with your roofer; we schedule around it.
- Starts once readings confirm the house is dry
- Permitted, inspected and itemized for your adjuster
- Built back with water-tolerant materials where it makes sense
- 03
Storm hardening (optional)
Upgrades made while the walls are open, so the next storm does less damage.
- Moisture-resistant drywall at the bottom course
- Impact windows, doors and wind-rated garage doors
- Water-tolerant flooring and raised base cabinets
Know the signs
Signs of Hidden Water Damage After a Storm
- 1Ceiling stains or sagging drywallBrown rings or a soft, bowed ceiling mean water reached the attic, and the insulation above is likely soaked.
- 2Swollen or loose baseboardsTrim swells fast when water wicks up from the floor. The drywall behind it has usually taken on water too.
- 3Bubbling paint under windowsBlisters on interior walls below windows and sliders point to wind-driven rain getting past the opening.
- 4Floors that lift, cup or sound hollowPeaked laminate seams, lifting vinyl or tile that suddenly sounds hollow means water is trapped underneath.
- 5A musty smell that will not clearAn earthy odor in closets or behind furniture days after the storm is a sign of moisture still inside the walls.
- 6Doors that suddenly stickInterior and cabinet doors that bind after a storm often mean swollen framing, jambs or cabinet boxes.
Flood zones
Check the 50% Substantial-Damage Rule
Repairs as a share of the structure
36%
Under the threshold, with about $35,000 of headroom. Repairs can usually be permitted as ordinary repairs.
A rough self-check, not a determination. The building department decides, using its own valuation (often the property appraiser's structure value) and its own repair-cost figures. We help you gather what it asks for before demolition goes further.
Our job in Manatee County, same wall before and after. Drag the handle to compare.
Not storm damage: an upgrade example of the same idea.
Rebuild it stronger
While the Walls Are Open, Make the Next Storm Do Less
- Moisture-resistant drywall at the bottom course
- Tile or water-tolerant vinyl instead of carpet or laminate
- Impact windows, doors and wind-rated garage doors
“We found Prestigious Improvements at the Sarasota home show last year among a number of contractor exhibits. The bid and project was to replace an original exterior aluminum wall and storm door on the back of our lanai constructed circa 1985. … The windows and…”
How it works
From Damage Assessment to Finaled Permits
Damage assessment
Photos and measurements
A free on-site visit to document the damage room by room and find where the water came in.
Estimate for your claim
Room by room
An itemized estimate your insurance adjuster or public adjuster can compare line by line. We meet them on site if you want us there.
Flood zone and permits
The 50% check
We check your flood zone and the substantial-damage threshold, then pull repair permits so there are no surprises halfway through.
Dry confirmation
No wet walls closed
We coordinate with your mitigation company and confirm moisture readings before a single sheet of drywall goes up.
Rebuild
Inspected at each stage
Roof and openings first if they let the water in, then insulation, drywall, floors, cabinets, doors and paint.
Walkthrough and closeout
Before the final invoice
Punch list finished with you, permits finaled, warranty and records handed over. Then the final bill.
Which rebuild is yours?
Typical Storm and Water Damage Rebuilds and What They Cost
Flood cut rebuild after water intrusion
Mitigation cut the drywall 2 to 4 feet up and removed flooring. We rebuild the lower walls and everything on them.
- Typical range
- $30k–$85k
- Timeline
- 4–8 weeks
What's included
- Verify dry: Moisture readings checked against the mitigation company's dry log before we close anything
- Walls: New insulation, moisture-resistant drywall at the bottom course, tape, texture and paint
- Trim: Baseboards, door casings and interior doors replaced and finished
- Floors: Tile, LVP or engineered flooring installed through the affected rooms
- Cabinets: Swollen base cabinets and vanities replaced; tops reset or replaced
Single-room or plumbing leak repair
A burst supply line, water heater or AC leak that damaged one or two rooms, rebuilt to match the rest of the house.
- Typical range
- $6k–$25k
- Timeline
- 1–3 weeks
What's included
- Source: Confirm the leak is repaired by the plumber or HVAC tech before we rebuild
- Drywall: Walls and ceilings replaced, texture matched to existing
- Flooring: Replace or blend into existing flooring where matching is possible
- Paint: Full walls painted corner to corner so patches do not show
Wind-damage rebuild: openings and interior
Wind broke windows, sliders or the garage door and rain came in. Once your roofer has any roof damage dried in, we replace the openings and rebuild the ceilings and finishes inside.
- Typical range
- $35k–$120k
- Timeline
- 6–12 weeks
What's included
- Openings: Damaged windows, sliders and garage doors replaced with impact-rated units
- Exterior: Stucco, soffit, fascia and gutter repairs around the damage
- Attic: Wet insulation removed by mitigation, new insulation blown or rolled in
- Ceilings: New drywall ceilings, texture and paint
- Roof: Not in our scope: we schedule around your roofer so the house is dried in first
Whole-house hurricane rebuild
Surge or extended flooding affected the entire home. A full interior rebuild, often with storm-hardening upgrades.
- Typical range
- $110k–$280k
- Timeline
- 4–8 months
What's included
- Shell check: Walls, slab, framing and electrical evaluated after mitigation
- Systems: Electrical, plumbing and HVAC repaired or replaced by licensed trades
- Interior: Insulation, drywall, kitchen, baths, flooring, doors and paint throughout
- Flood rules: Substantial-damage review with the building department; elevation or flood-resistant materials if required
- Hardening: Impact windows, doors and a wind-rated garage door
Lanai, garage and exterior storm repair
The parts of the house storms hit first: screen cages, garage doors, stucco, soffits and fences.
- Typical range
- $8k–$45k
- Timeline
- 1–4 weeks
What's included
- Lanai: Screen enclosure frame and screens repaired or rebuilt to current wind code
- Garage: Wind-rated garage door replacement and framing repair
- Stucco: Cracks and impact damage repaired, textured and painted to match
- Soffit & fascia: Replaced and sealed to keep wind-driven rain out of the attic
Your claim and our price are separate documents
We price the work to do it right under the Florida Building Code, then itemize it so your adjuster can compare it with theirs line by line. Where the two differ, we document why with photos, measurements and code references, so you or your public adjuster can request a supplement.
Florida law does not let contractors negotiate your claim or interpret your policy, and we will never ask you to sign over your benefits. Financing on approval covers the part insurance does not.
What moves the price
- Height of the flood cut and number of rooms affected
- Whether water came through the roof, walls or plumbing
- Cabinets, countertops and flooring that need full replacement
- Electrical, plumbing and HVAC repairs needed after flooding
- Flood zone status and the 50% substantial-damage threshold
- Code upgrades triggered by the repair, such as openings or electrical
- Material lead times after a regional storm
Florida rules
Three Rules That Shape Every Storm Rebuild Here
- 01
The 50% rule in flood zones
If your home is in a FEMA special flood hazard area and repair costs reach 50% of the structure's market value (not including land), Charlotte County, Sarasota County, Lee County and the cities treat it as substantially damaged. The house then has to meet current flood rules, which can mean elevating it. We check your zone and help you gather what the building department asks for before demolition goes further.
- 02
Permits are required for storm repairs
Replacing drywall, windows, doors, electrical and plumbing after a storm still needs permits in Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee counties. After Ian and Milton, unpermitted repairs caused problems at resale and with insurers. Every rebuild we do is permitted and inspected, and you get the finaled permits.
- 03
Insurance, adjusters and assignment of benefits
Florida ended assignment of benefits for residential property policies issued after January 1, 2023, so the claim stays in your name. We work alongside your insurance adjuster or the public adjuster you hire, provide the estimate and documentation they need, and get paid by you on a written schedule tied to completed work.
Why homeowners hire us
What You Can Hold Us To
Owner-run rebuilds
Tim or Vlad meets your adjuster, runs the crew and answers your calls. You are never handed off to someone who needs to check with the office.
We never close a wet wall
Moisture readings are checked against the mitigation company's dry log before insulation or drywall goes back in.
Paperwork that holds up
Itemized, room-by-room estimates with photos, measurements and code references, so you or your public adjuster can compare and request supplements.
Every repair permitted
Openings, electrical, plumbing and drywall are permitted and inspected, and you keep the finaled records for your insurer and a future sale.
Licensed, insured, claim stays yours
Florida Certified Residential Contractor CRC1327831, verifiable on the state DBPR site. We will never ask you to sign over your insurance benefits.
Reviews
What Homeowners Say About Our Crew
Real reviews from real jobs, posted on Google, Yelp and the BBB. Names shortened for privacy.
“We found Prestigious Improvements at the Sarasota home show last year among a number of contractor exhibits. The bid and project was to replace an original exterior aluminum wall and storm door on the back of our lanai constructed circa 1985. … The windows and door are storm rated; the interior was finished to match the room walls, paint color and textures. While the project duration went longer than expected due to building permit issues and inspection scheduling, the finished product is well-done with quality materials and workmanship.”
Ronald S.Manatee County · Lanai wall rebuild & storm doorGoogle “We are so glad that we chose Prestigious Home Improvement (out of 4 companies we received quotes from). It truly is a family business and Tim and Vlad are extremely knowledgeable in the skills needed for executing replacement and installation of doors and windows according to county building codes. … Tim was very good in keeping us advised as to the timeline for the supplies and he worked around our calendar needs as well. We highly recommend this small, family owned and operated business!”
Jwb M.Sarasota · Exterior doors, sliders & windowYelp “If you're searching for a company that is reliable and very experienced at installing sliding glass doors then choose Prestigious Home Improvements. From start to finish the installation of our sliders by Tim Fomin and his skilled team was professional, smooth and stress-free. Thanks again Tim.”
Brad N.Sliding glass doorsGoogle
Before you rebuild
Straight Answers From Our Guides
- 8 min readRebuilding After Hurricane or Water Damage: Insurance, Permits and Picking a ContractorThe first 48 hours are about drying. The next months are about insurance, permits and choosing who rebuilds. Lessons from Ian and Milton for Southwest Florida homeowners.
- 5 min readHurricane Impact Windows Cost in Florida: 2026 Prices and a Simple CalculatorImpact windows typically cost $1,200–$3,800 per opening installed in Southwest Florida. Here is how prices break down by window type, a simple way to estimate your whole house, and what pushes a quote up or down.
- 7 min readImpact Windows vs Hurricane Shutters: What Actually Protects a Port Charlotte HomeBoth options meet Florida code. Only one protects the house when nobody is home to deploy it. A plain comparison of cost, insurance savings and what we saw after Ian and Milton.
- 6 min readStucco Repair in Florida: Cracks, Costs and When Stucco vs Siding Makes SenseMost Florida stucco houses are concrete block with a thin cement skin. Here is how to read stucco cracks, what repair costs in 2026, and when stucco or siding is the better choice.
- 7 min readHow Much Does It Cost to Remodel a House in Florida? 2026 SWFL Price GuideKitchens, baths, whole-house remodels, impact windows and roofs: what Southwest Florida homeowners are actually paying in 2026, and the code, permit and insurance factors that move the number.
- 7 min readDesign-Build vs General Contractor vs Handyman: Who Should Run Your Remodel?One handles a squeaky door, one runs a permitted kitchen remodel, one designs and builds the whole thing. What each can legally do in Florida and how to choose.
Financing
Start Now, Spread the Cost Over Time
- 01
At your estimate
Ask during your estimate
Bring up financing during the visit. We can break the written price into monthly payments so you see them before you commit.
- 02
All or part
Finance all of it or just part
Some homeowners finance the whole project, others pay a portion up front and spread out the rest. You choose the split that fits.
- 03
Cash or financed
The same price either way
Financing changes how you pay, not what the job costs. The itemized number on your estimate stays the same, subject to credit approval.
FAQ
Storm and Water Damage Questions
Still have a question?
Call and talk to the person who will actually run your job.
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Sat by appointment
We are the rebuild half of water damage restoration. A mitigation company extracts water, removes wet materials and dries the structure. We come in after they confirm the house is dry and rebuild everything they removed, plus any window, door or structural repairs. If you do not have a mitigation company yet, call one first; standing water and wet drywall need attention within 24 to 48 hours.
Usually within one to two weeks for smaller jobs. After a regional storm like Ian or Milton, demand spikes and permit offices slow down, so we give you a realistic start date in writing rather than a promise we cannot keep. We can often start documenting and ordering long-lead items like cabinets while the house is still drying.
Yes. We meet the insurance company's adjuster or your public adjuster on site, walk the damage, and provide an itemized estimate they can compare line by line. We do not negotiate your claim; Florida law does not allow contractors to do that. We give you and your adjuster accurate documentation.
We show you exactly where the gap is, line by line. Some of it may be code upgrades your policy covers under ordinance or law coverage, which your adjuster can review. For the rest, we offer financing on approval, and we can phase the work so the most important repairs happen first.
Yes, for most of it. Windows, doors, structural repairs, electrical, plumbing and significant drywall replacement all need permits in Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee counties. We pull them and meet every inspection. Unpermitted repairs can cause trouble with your insurer and when you sell.
In FEMA flood zones, if the cost to repair a house reaches 50% of its market value (structure only, not land), the local building department can require the entire house to be brought up to current flood standards, which may include elevation. We check this before rebuilding so you are not surprised halfway through.
Yes. Common upgrades include moisture-resistant drywall at the bottom course, tile or water-tolerant vinyl floors instead of carpet or laminate, impact windows and doors, and wind-rated garage doors. Some of these also earn wind mitigation credits on your insurance.
Service areas
Serving Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee Counties
- Port Charlotte
- North Port
- Punta Gorda
- Englewood
- Venice
- Sarasota
- Fort Myers
- Cape Coral
- Lakewood Ranch
- Bonita Springs
- Siesta Key
Charlotte County
Our home base, from Port Charlotte to Punta Gorda
Sarasota County
North Port, Venice, Englewood, Sarasota and Siesta Key
Lee County
Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Bonita Springs
Manatee County
Lakewood Ranch and the Parrish area
Don’t see your town? Call (941) 223-4875 and we’ll tell you straight whether we can take it on. All service areas →
Free estimate · Port Charlotte & SWFL
Need a Rebuild Estimate Your Adjuster Can Follow?
We document the damage room by room, find where the water came in, and give you an itemized written estimate you can share with your insurer.
- Licensed and insured, FL CRC1327831
- No charge, even if you pick someone else
- We measure in person and price on paper