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Polk & Hillsborough Counties

General Contractor and Roofing FAQs

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Working With DBR Construction

Yes. DBR Construction is a Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC #1531838) and a Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC #1333156), and we carry full liability and workers' compensation insurance. You can verify both licenses with the Florida DBPR before you sign anything.
A general contractor manages the whole project: permits, scheduling, licensed subcontractors, materials, inspections and the budget. You get one accountable point of contact instead of coordinating a dozen separate trades yourself.
We're based in Lakeland and serve all of Polk County and Hillsborough County, including Winter Haven, Bartow, Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Wales, Davenport, Plant City, Brandon and Tampa. Not sure if you're in our area? Call [business-phone] and we'll let you know.
Yes. Every consultation and quote is free, with no obligation. Call [business-phone] or request a quote online, and we'll set up a time to visit your property, look at the project and give you honest pricing.
You get one dedicated point of contact at DBR Construction from the first consultation through the final walkthrough, not a call center or a rotating cast of subcontractors you've never met. We use licensed trades only, keep a clear schedule and you can reach our team directly throughout the job.
Every construction and remodeling project is backed by a written workmanship warranty in addition to any manufacturer warranties on materials, and roof replacements carry a 25-year workmanship warranty. We spell out exactly what's covered, and for how long, before work begins.
We can point you toward financing options for larger projects like new homes, additions, remodels and roof replacements. Ask about it during your free consultation and we'll walk you through what's available.
We use a clear, written payment schedule tied to project milestones, never a large lump sum up front. You'll know what's due and when before work starts, with no surprise charges along the way.

New Construction and Custom Homes

Cost depends on size, finishes, lot conditions and design complexity, so there's no honest one-number answer without seeing your plans and property. We give you a transparent, itemized estimate during your free consultation, and we'd rather give you a realistic number than a lowball one that grows later.
Most custom homes take several months from permit to final walkthrough, depending on size, design, weather and permitting timelines. We give you a realistic schedule before we break ground and keep you updated at every phase.
Yes. Along with custom homes built for a specific owner, we build spec homes designed and built for the market. If you're a landowner or investor interested in a spec build in Polk County, we can talk through the lot, plans and budget.
No. Whether you already own a lot or are just getting started, we can help you think through land, layout and budget early, when those decisions are easiest and least expensive to change. We can also handle the land clearing and pad preparation.
Yes. We coordinate the architect, engineers, permitting office and inspections so nothing slips through the cracks. You work with one team from the first sketch to the final walkthrough.
Every home we build meets the current Florida Building Code for wind, water intrusion and structure. Because we're also a licensed roofing contractor (CCC #1333156), the roof is installed by the same company that built the rest of the house.
Yes. Our Certified General Contractor license (CGC #1531838) covers full residential and commercial construction, from custom homes and additions to tenant buildouts, and homeowners have given us a 4.9-star rating from 100+ reviews.
Yes. We build attached in-law suites and detached guest houses (ADUs). Zoning rules differ between each county and city, so we check what your property allows before design starts.

Home Additions

A remodel transforms space you already have, while an addition adds new square footage, such as a bedroom, suite, sunroom, second story or larger living area. We do both and will help you decide which actually solves your space problem for your budget.
Yes. Additions add square footage and structural load, so they require permits, engineering and inspections under the Florida Building Code. We handle all of it under our general contractor's license, from the permit application to the final inspection.
That's the goal. We design and build additions to match your home's rooflines, finishes and character so it looks original, not bolted on, and our own crew ties the new roof into the existing one cleanly and weather-tight.
A single-room addition is much quicker than a second story or multi-room expansion. We give you a realistic schedule up front, including the permitting and engineering time additions require.
It depends on size, foundation and structural needs, finishes and how the addition ties into your home. We provide a clear, itemized estimate during your free consultation so you know the real number before you commit.

Remodeling

Kitchens, bathrooms, whole-home remodels and interior reconfigurations. If you're not sure your idea is feasible, that's exactly what the free consultation is for.
Often, yes. Structural changes, electrical, plumbing and moving walls typically require a permit, while purely cosmetic updates may not. We tell you exactly what your project needs and pull every required permit under our license.
It depends on scope. A single bathroom moves much faster than a whole-home renovation. We give you a realistic timeline before we start so you can plan around the work.
For most single-room and phased remodels, yes. We talk through the realistic disruption up front, including water, power, dust and access, and work to keep your home livable.
Kitchen, bathroom and whole-home remodels tend to add both resale value and everyday livability. We help you prioritize the updates that deliver the most for your budget instead of overspending where it won't pay off.
We're a licensed general contractor (CGC #1531838), not a handyman operation, which means permitted, inspected work backed by a written warranty, one point of contact and a 4.9-star rating from 100+ reviews.

Roofing

It depends on the age, condition and extent of the damage. We give you an honest assessment, not a hard sell, and if a repair is the right call, we'll tell you. Florida code can require more extensive work in some cases, which we explain before any work begins.
Florida's building code has historically required that if more than 25% of a roof section is repaired or replaced within 12 months, the whole section be brought up to current code. Since 2022, there's an important exception: if your roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, you can usually repair just the damaged portion. Older roofs may still require replacement. We'll assess which applies to your roof.
Florida insurers can decline to renew policies on roofs 15 years or older unless an inspection shows the roof has at least five years of useful life left. If you're getting close to that age, plan ahead while you still have options. Call [business-phone] and we'll inspect your roof and lay out your choices honestly.
Yes. Storm restoration is a core part of what we do, and we're available 24/7 for roofing emergencies, including emergency tarping.
We install asphalt shingle, metal, tile and flat roofing systems, including TPO. Every material we use carries Florida Product Approval and is installed to current code for wind uplift and water intrusion.
Roof replacements come with a 25-year workmanship warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty on materials. We explain exactly what each warranty covers before we start.
Most roofing warranties only cover material defects. The GAF Golden Pledge warranty includes a 25-year workmanship guarantee backed directly by GAF, so even in the rare event that the roofing contractor goes out of business, GAF covers the labor and materials to fix an installation issue.
Yes. Roof replacements and most roof repairs in Florida require a permit and a passing inspection. We pull the permit and schedule the inspections as part of the job, so the work is documented and code-compliant.
Most residential roof replacements are completed in a day or two, depending on the size and complexity of the roof and the weather. We typically start around 7am and aim to finish before the afternoon rain.
Often. A new roof built to current Florida Building Code can qualify for wind mitigation discounts. After your installation, we recommend a wind mitigation inspection so your insurer has the documentation.
We use catch-all netting to protect bushes, flowers and windows from falling debris, and when the job is finished we run a magnetic sweep of your driveway and yard to pick up nails.

Insurance Claims and Storm Damage

Yes, within what Florida law allows. We inspect and document the damage with photos and a detailed report, prepare a line-item estimate and meet your adjuster on site. We don't interpret your policy or negotiate your claim; for that, talk with your insurance agent, a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.
Many homeowners have their roof inspected first so they know what damage is there. We document what we find and give you an honest opinion of whether the damage is storm-related. Whether and when to file is your decision.
Under current Florida law, a new property insurance claim generally must be reported within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. Your insurance agent can confirm the deadlines for your policy.
No. Florida law prohibits contractors from offering to pay, waive or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible. If a contractor offers to, treat it as a red flag.

Commercial Buildouts

A tenant buildout, also called a tenant improvement, turns a leased commercial space into a finished space for a specific business: walls, ceilings, doors, finishes and restrooms, plus coordination of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades. We handle buildouts for offices, retail and other commercial tenants across Polk County and Hillsborough County.
Yes. We work with tenants, landlords and property managers, whether it's one suite or a vacant shell being prepared for lease.
Yes. Commercial buildouts require permits and inspections, and most need drawings from a licensed architect or engineer. We coordinate the drawings, permits and inspections under our general contractor's license.
It depends on the size of the space, the scope of work and permitting times. We build the schedule around your lease and opening date and keep you updated so there are no surprises.
In many cases, yes. For occupied spaces we can phase the work and schedule the loudest tasks around your hours. We'll talk through what's realistic for your project.

Dirt Work and Site Preparation

Dirt work covers everything that prepares a site for construction: land clearing, rough and finish grading, building pad preparation and compaction, excavation for footings, utilities and drainage, and hauling and placing fill dirt.
Often. Clearing, grading and filling can require permits depending on the size of the area, wetlands, protected trees and stormwater rules. Requirements differ between each county and city, so we check what applies to your lot before work starts.
A building pad is the raised, compacted area of fill where a home or building will sit. It's built up in layers, compacted and tested so the foundation has stable, well-drained support.
Yes. We handle clearing, grading and pad preparation as well as the construction itself, so there's no gap between the site contractor and the builder.

Additional Construction Services

Concrete work, siding replacement, stucco, door and garage door replacement, drywall replacement and flood cuts, deck building, window and sliding door replacement, and aluminum structures like screen rooms, pool enclosures and patio covers.
Our focus is complete trade packages, like re-siding a whole house or replacing all the windows, rather than single small repairs. If your project is smaller than that, we'll tell you honestly and try to point you to someone who can help.
Usually, yes. In Florida, replacement windows, exterior doors and garage doors must meet wind-load requirements and carry Florida Product Approval, and most replacements need a permit. We pull it and handle the inspection.
Yes. We cut out wet drywall and insulation, let the wall cavity dry, then rebuild and finish the walls to match. If the water came from a roof leak, we can fix the roof too.

Still have questions? That's what we're here for.

No project is too big and no question is too small, whether you're planning a custom home, adding square footage, remodeling a kitchen or building out a commercial space. As a licensed Lakeland general contractor (CGC #1531838) with our own roofing division (CCC #1333156), rated 4.9 stars from 100+ reviews, we believe in honest answers, transparent pricing and one point of contact from your first call to your final walkthrough.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Call 1 (863) 602-4200 or request your free quote today.

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Locations we proudly Serve

DBR Construction proudly serves homeowners and businesses across Polk County and surrounding areas.