Living in Sarasota, Florida, is an experience filled with vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and a warm, welcoming community. This lively Gulf Coast city enchants residents with its blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Sarasota is renowned for its world-class arts scene; the city is home to the acclaimed Sarasota Opera, the prestigious
Ringling Museum of Art, and a myriad of galleries that inspire creativity at every corner.
The outdoor lifestyle in Sarasota is unmatched. With pristine shores like Siesta Key Beach, famous for its powdery white sands and turquoise waters, every day feels like a vacation. The extensive network of parks and trails offers endless opportunities for kayaking, biking, and picnicking under the Floridian sun.
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Hello Sarasota, Florida • Fall Issue |5
Sunshine and Bliss
Sarasota’s culinary scene is another delightful facet of living here. Residents revel in a diverse array of dining experiences, from fresh seafood caught daily to farm-to-table delicacies and international cuisines that tickle the taste buds.
What truly sets Sarasota apart is its community spirit. With an abundance of festivals, farmers markets, and community events, there are countless ways to meet people and celebrate all that this remarkable city has to offer. Embrace the Sarasota lifestyle, where every day is a sun-soaked adventure balanced with cultural sophistication.
Sunshine and Bliss: Living in Sarasota, Florida
Living in Sarasota, Florida, is an experience filled with vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and a warm, welcoming community. This lively Gulf Coast city enchants residents with its blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Sarasota is renowned for its world-class arts scene; the city is home to the acclaimed Sarasota Opera, the prestigious Ringling Museum of Art, and a myriad of galleries that inspire creativity at every corner.
The outdoor lifestyle in Sarasota is unmatched. With pristine shores like Siesta Key Beach, famous for its powdery white sands and turquoise waters, every day feels like a vacation. The extensive network of parks and trails offers endless opportunities for kayaking, biking, and picnicking under the Floridian sun.
Sarasota’s culinary scene is another delightful facet of living here. Residents revel in a diverse array of dining experiences, from fresh seafood caught daily to farm-to-table delicacies and international cuisines that tickle the taste buds.
What truly sets Sarasota apart is its community spirit. With an abundance of festivals, farmers markets, and community events, there are countless ways to meet people and celebrate all that this remarkable city has to offer. Embrace the Sarasota lifestyle, where every day is a sun-soaked adventure balanced with cultural sophistication.
FEATURED STORY
How Long Does a Construction Job Really Take?
by Ashley Lachman
When it comes to construction projects, the first question homeowners usually ask is how long the work will take. The answer is not simple, because every project has its own scope, design requirements, and site conditions. A small renovation may take only a few weeks, while a custom home can stretch into many months. In places like Venice and Sarasota, where homes often include unique features such as detailed carpentry, tile work, or hurricane-resistant materials, the length of the job can extend beyond standard estimates.The planning stage is often just as important as
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Ashley Lachman
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
the work itself. Many people think the clock starts when crews arrive at the site, but in reality the schedule begins much earlier. Permitting in Sarasota County or the City of Venice can take weeks, and architectural drawings, engineering, and design reviews all play a role in how quickly things move forward. Careful planning helps reduce surprises, and in construction, surprises are usually what create delays.Homeowners are often surprised to learn how wide the ranges can be. A kitchen remodel might take six to eight weeks, depending on demolition, cabinet availability, and whether structural changes are
Hello Sarasota, Florida • Fall Issue |7
How Long Does a Construction Job Really Take?
When it comes to construction projects, the first question homeowners usually ask is how long the work will take. The answer is not simple, because every project has its own scope, design requirements, and site conditions. A small renovation may take only a few weeks, while a custom home can stretch into many months. In places like Venice and Sarasota, where homes often include unique features such as detailed carpentry, tile work, or hurricane-resistant materials, the length of the job can extend beyond standard estimates.
The planning stage is often just as important as the work itself. Many people think the clock starts when crews arrive at the site, but in reality the schedule begins much earlier. Permitting in Sarasota County or the City of Venice can take weeks, and architectural drawings, engineering, and design reviews all play a role in how quickly things move forward. Careful planning helps reduce surprises, and in construction, surprises are usually what create delays.
Homeowners are often surprised to learn how wide the ranges can be. A kitchen remodel might take six to eight weeks, depending on demolition, cabinet availability, and whether structural changes are required. A bathroom may be completed in four to six weeks, while a lanai or outdoor living space might run six to ten weeks. Full home renovations often take several months, and a fully custom home can last nine months or more. These timeframes assume normal circumstances, but in a busy coastal market like Sarasota and Venice, demand for contractors can add more waiting time before work even begins.
The most common reason projects run longer than expected is not weather or labor, but changes made after construction has started. A homeowner may decide to move plumbing, expand a room, or choose new flooring halfway through, which creates a ripple effect. Materials need to be reordered, inspections must be rescheduled, and subcontractors have to adjust their calendars. The surest way to keep a job on track is to stick to the original plan. When decisions are finalized before the first day of work, crews can move smoothly from one phase to the next.
That said, there are always factors outside of anyone’s control. Florida’s summer storms can halt outdoor work, and recent supply chain challenges have caused long waits for items like custom windows or specialty cabinets. Experienced contractors usually build some buffer time into the schedule to handle these situations, but homeowners should still expect some flexibility.
Another detail that can add time is the inspection process. Sarasota County and Venice both enforce strict building codes, particularly for wind resistance and flood protection. Each stage of the project, from foundation to framing to electrical, requires approval before crews can move on. These inspections are essential for safety, but they also create pauses in the work. Even one missed inspection can set a project back by days or weeks.
For homeowners, the best approach is to treat construction timelines as estimates rather than fixed deadlines. Projects may sometimes finish ahead of schedule, but more often they take a little longer. Clear communication with the contractor helps manage expectations, and patience during unavoidable delays makes the process far less stressful.
Coastal Florida adds its own challenges to the calendar. Seasonal traffic can slow deliveries in winter, while heavy summer rains affect outdoor progress. Contractors in Venice and Sarasota plan around these patterns, but homeowners should understand how much local conditions matter.
In construction, the calendar is just as important as the blueprint, and thoughtful planning combined with realistic expectations is the surest way to keep a project moving smoothly.
In construction,the calendaris just asimportant as theblueprint, and thoughtfulplanning combined withrealistic expectationsis the surest wayto keep aproject moving smoothly.
required. A bathroom may be completed in four to six weeks, while a lanai or outdoor living space might run six to ten weeks. Full home renovations often take several months, and a fully custom home can last nine months or more. These timeframes assume normal circumstances, but in a busy coastal market like Sarasota and Venice, demand for contractors can add more waiting time before work even begins.The most common reason projects run longer than expected is not weather or...
FEATURED STORY
What Most People Get Wrong About Permits
by Ashley Lachman
When people plan a renovation or new construction, they often focus on design choices, materials, and budgets. What many forget is the role of permits. Permits are not just paperwork; they are a critical part of your project timeline. Overlooking them can cause delays, unexpected costs, and plenty of frustration.In Sarasota and other parts of Florida, permitting requirements vary by project type. A simple fence or deck might only need a quick approval, while structural changes or significant additions can require multiple reviews from different departments. Some permits
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Ashley Lachman
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
take a week to process, while others may stretch into several weeks or even longer. Factoring permitting into your schedule from the very beginning is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.A common misconception is that homeowners can proceed with work while the permit is still pending. In most cases, that is not allowed. Work started without the proper permits can result in fines, stop work orders, or even the removal of completed work.Correcting those mistakes can cost far more than the project itself.Another misconception is that all permits move at the same speed. Homeowners are sometimes surprised
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What Most People Get Wrong About Permits
When people plan a renovation or new construction, they often focus on design choices, materials, and budgets. What many forget is the role of permits. Permits are not just paperwork; they are a critical part of your project timeline. Overlooking them can cause delays, unexpected costs, and plenty of frustration.
In Sarasota and other parts of Florida, permitting requirements vary by project type. A simple fence or deck might only need a quick approval, while structural changes or significant additions can require multiple reviews from different departments. Some permits take a week to process, while others may stretch into several weeks or even longer. Factoring permitting into your schedule from the very beginning is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.
A common misconception is that homeowners can proceed with work while the permit is still pending. In most cases, that is not allowed. Work started without the proper permits can result in fines, stop work orders, or even the removal of completed work.
Correcting those mistakes can cost far more than the project itself.
Another misconception is that all permits move at the same speed. Homeowners are sometimes surprised when one approval comes quickly, but another gets stuck in review. Different departments, such as zoning, environmental, or building safety, may need to sign off on the same project. If one office has a backlog or needs additional documents, the whole process slows down. That is why experienced contractors build flexibility into their schedules.
Contractors are usually the ones who submit and track permit applications, but homeowners should still stay informed. Asking questions at the start helps set realistic expectations. It is important to know which permits are required, how long each is expected to take, and what could cause delays. Sometimes a missing document or an unclear detail on a drawing is enough to push approval back several weeks.
Homeowners also benefit from knowing what happens once a permit is granted. Most permits require inspections at different stages of the project. For example, before drywall can be installed, inspectors may need to review the framing and electrical work. Each inspection adds another step that must be passed before moving forward. While inspections are meant to ensure safety and quality, they also extend the project timeline.
Local factors can also affect permitting. Seasonal demand, like the busy winter months when many residents return to Florida, can create a backlog at permitting offices. Changes in local codes or updated building requirements may also extend review times. An experienced contractor will anticipate these issues and adjust schedules accordingly, but homeowners should still be prepared for the possibility of delays.
The permitting process can feel like a barrier, but it serves an important purpose. Building codes exist to protect homeowners, contractors, and the community. Proper permits confirm that work is safe, legal, and up to current standards. While the paperwork can be frustrating, it ensures that the finished project meets all requirements.
The most important step homeowners can take is to treat permits as part of the construction plan rather than an afterthought. By discussing them early, understanding the possible timelines, and preparing for delays, surprises can be avoided. A good contractor will guide the process, but an informed homeowner will feel more confident and less stressed when the inevitable waiting periods come up.
Permits are not just another form of signing. They shape the schedule, the inspections, and the flow of the project. Recognizing their impact from the start helps homeowners stay realistic about what it takes to bring a project from concept to completion.
Permits are not justpaperwork; they arepart of your constructiontimeline, and ignoringthem can causemajor delays.
when one approval comes quickly, but another gets stuck in review. Different departments, such as zoning, environmental, or building safety, may need to sign off on the same project. If one office has a backlog or needs additional documents, the whole process slows down. That is why experienced contractors build flexibility into their schedules.Contractors are usually the ones who submit and track permit applications, but homeowners should still stay informed. Asking...
