Why Fort Lauderdale Homes Need a Specialist
Fort Lauderdale storm damage breaks along three lines: the canal-front and Las Olas Isles homes that take direct surge plus wind, the older Coral Ridge and Victoria Park homes whose wood-frame elements are no longer code, and the high-rise condo communities along A1A where balcony spalling and curtain-wall failures are the dominant claim category. tsmarthome runs hurricane damage repair across Broward County under our state GC license, and we carry the additional FBC HVHZ engineering depth needed for any work south of Broward Boulevard or on the barrier island. Our insurance restoration team handles Citizens, Universal, Tower Hill, and the surplus carriers that dominate the Fort Lauderdale book — including the supplements that almost always surface once a tile roof is opened up. For waterfront homes we also coordinate dock and seawall scope with the marine sub before envelope work begins, because doing it in the wrong order means tearing out finished stucco twice.
Common Hurricane Repair Problems We See in Fort Lauderdale
- Surge-driven flooring and lower-cabinet loss on Las Olas Isles and Rio Vista canal homes
- Wood-frame second-story damage on pre-1994 Coral Ridge and Victoria Park houses
- Concrete spalling and balcony rebar exposure on barrier-island high-rise units
- Curtain-wall and impact-glazing failures on A1A oceanfront condos
- Drainage and seawall coordination on Intracoastal-adjacent rebuilds
Our Hurricane Damage Repair Approach
tsmarthome runs a single-contractor hurricane recovery program — structural inspection, envelope repair, roofing, impact-opening replacement, and interior dry-out under one project manager. We document every line item to Florida insurance carrier standards (Citizens, Universal, Tower Hill, Heritage) and keep your claim moving while crews are already on site. Repairs are engineered to current FBC wind-load and impact requirements, not the code in force when the original home was permitted, so the rebuilt envelope is harder to damage in the next storm.
Local Case Example
Coral Ridge single-family, 3,100 sqft. Roof tile failure, second-story wood-frame uplift, and 600 sqft of saltwater damage. Rebuilt envelope to current FBC wind requirements; carrier approved a $112k supplement for concealed wood-frame deterioration. 14-week schedule including engineering and permit.
Our Hurricane Repair Process
Tarp, board-up, water extraction, and temporary power within 24–72 hours of dispatch.
Licensed GC walks the property with your adjuster, documents loss with photos and Xactimate-compatible estimates.
Sealed structural drawings for any framing, roof, or opening replacement; permits pulled with the local building department.
Roof deck, sheathing, impact windows/doors, stucco, and waterproofing rebuilt to current Florida Building Code.
Electrical, HVAC, drywall, flooring, cabinetry — coordinated trades on a single schedule.
Municipal final, carrier sign-off, and a written workmanship warranty on every scope.
Hurricane Repair FAQs — Fort Lauderdale
Do you handle waterfront and Las Olas Isles storm work, including dock and seawall coordination?
Yes. We are an FBC HVHZ-experienced GC and we sub the marine scope (dock pilings, seawall caps, riprap) to credentialed Broward marine contractors. We sequence the marine and envelope work so finished stucco and impact openings are not damaged twice, and we keep the insurance documentation separated by scope so the wind, flood, and dwelling carriers each see what they cover.
Do you work directly with my insurance company?
Yes. We document scope and pricing in Xactimate-compatible format, attend adjuster meetings, and supplement the claim when hidden damage surfaces during demolition. You stay the policyholder of record — we are the contractor, not a public adjuster.
How fast can you start emergency stabilization?
Tarp-and-board crews are typically on site within 24–72 hours of a signed work authorization, sooner if the property is in our active service radius and the storm has cleared.
Will repairs meet current Florida Building Code?
All structural, roofing, and opening work is engineered to the 2023 Florida Building Code in force at the time of permit, including HVHZ requirements where applicable. We do not "repair-in-kind" to obsolete code unless the carrier explicitly requires it and the local AHJ allows it.