Mason Homes is a licensed general contractor serving homeowners across the City of Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County. We handle kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, whole-home renovations, home additions, ADU construction, and custom home building — from a 1920s bungalow in Hyde Park to ground-up new construction in New Tampa.
Tampa is one of the most architecturally varied cities in Florida. The housing stock spans 100 years, from 1920s Craftsman cottages on the brick streets of Tampa Heights to 1960s ranch houses in Carrollwood to brand-new construction in Wesley Chapel and FishHawk Ranch. Each era brings different remodeling considerations: historic district review boards in Hyde Park and Tampa Heights, slab foundations everywhere (no basements — Florida's water table is too high), aging electrical and plumbing in mid-century homes, FEMA flood zones along the bayshore, and HOA approval in newer developments.
Florida General Contractor License: CGC062538
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We work throughout the Tampa metro across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. The neighborhoods below have dedicated pages with area-specific cost data, common project types, and the local permitting and HOA context that affects each remodel.
We accept projects throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. Larger custom builds and whole-home renovations we'll travel further for; smaller scopes (single bathroom, countertop replacement) we limit to a 30-minute radius from our Tampa studio at 5816 Little River Dr to keep daily project supervision tight.
The Tampa metro has three different permitting jurisdictions depending on where the home sits, and the differences matter for both timeline and cost.
If the home is inside city limits (most addresses with a Tampa, FL postal address are not — many are in unincorporated Hillsborough), permits go through the City of Tampa Construction Services Division. Online permitting through the Accela portal handles most residential remodel applications. Single-family residential building permits run $250–$800 for typical kitchen and bathroom remodels depending on project value, with electrical, plumbing, and mechanical sub-permits adding $80–$200 each. Standard review time is 10-15 business days; complex projects (additions, structural changes, FEMA flood zone work) can run 3–6 weeks.
The City of Tampa requires permits for: structural changes, electrical work, plumbing work, HVAC changes, window and door replacement, roof replacement, additions of any size, and any work that changes the footprint of the home. Cosmetic-only work (paint, flooring replacement, cabinet refacing, countertop replacement on existing cabinet runs) does not require permits.
If the home is in unincorporated Hillsborough County (anywhere outside Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace city limits), permits go through Hillsborough County Development Services instead. The fee structure is similar but the application portal is different and turnaround is generally faster — 3–7 business days for typical residential remodels.
A few overlay districts add review requirements:
we coordinate all permitting and inspections directly. Most general contractors farm permit applications back to the homeowner — we don't.
Tampa remodeling costs in 2026 fall in line with the broader Tampa Bay market. The ranges below reflect typical projects in the 33602–33629 zip range; far suburban and rural Hillsborough County projects can run 5–15% lower.
| Project Type | Cost Range | Typical Timeline | Cost Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $15,000–$35,000 | 3–6 weeks | Bathroom cost guide |
| Kitchen remodel (mid-range) | $30,000–$80,000 | 5–10 weeks | Kitchen cost guide |
| Whole-home renovation (1,800–2,400 sq ft) | $150,000–$400,000+ | 4–9 months | All cost guides |
| Home addition (per sq ft) | $80–$300/sq ft | 3–8 months | Home addition cost guide |
| Detached ADU | $80,000–$250,000 | 4–8 months | ADU cost guide |
| Custom home (per sq ft) | $150–$400+/sq ft | 8–14 months | Custom home cost guide |
These ranges are 2026 mid-market figures. Cosmetic refreshes can run lower; high-end finishes and structural changes (load-bearing wall removal, second-story additions, FEMA elevation work) push higher. Every project we estimate gets a line-item written quote based on the specific scope after an on-site visit.
Tampa has construction quirks that contractors from outside the metro routinely miss:
No basements. Florida's water table is 3–8 feet below grade across most of Tampa. Every home is slab-on-grade or pier-and-beam. Plumbing changes require slab work, not basement crawl-space rerouting. This affects timeline and cost on nearly every kitchen and bathroom remodel.
Termite preparation. All construction work that disturbs the soil under or adjacent to the foundation requires a termite pre-treatment certificate from a licensed pest control company before the slab pour or perimeter trench is closed. This is a Florida Building Code requirement and a frequent point of permit-inspection failure for out-of-area contractors.
Hurricane and wind-load construction. Tampa is in a 140-mph wind zone under the Florida Building Code. Window replacements, roof work, and any structural modifications must meet wind-load requirements — typically impact-rated windows or shutters, hurricane straps on roof framing, and engineered tie-downs for additions. The cost premium versus non-wind-zone construction is real (15–30% on windows, 8–15% on roofing) but non-negotiable.
Humidity. Tampa runs 70–85% relative humidity year-round. Material selection matters: solid hardwood floors expand and contract more here than in drier climates; most local pros recommend engineered hardwood, LVP, or porcelain tile instead. Cabinet boxes should be furniture-grade plywood, not particle board, in any kitchen or bath that gets regular humidity.
Permit-inspection scheduling. City of Tampa and Hillsborough County inspectors operate on different schedules and have different reinspection fees. Knowing when to call which department, and how to sequence inspections to avoid project delays, saves 2–4 weeks on a typical kitchen remodel.
How do I know if my home is in the City of Tampa or unincorporated Hillsborough County? The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's website (hcpafl.org) shows jurisdiction on every property record. The mailing address alone doesn't tell you — many addresses with "Tampa, FL" postal codes are actually in unincorporated county. We verify jurisdiction as part of our initial scoping for every project so the permit application goes to the right department.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Tampa? Yes, if the project involves any plumbing changes, electrical changes (including new outlets or moved circuits), structural changes (wall removal, beam installation), or new appliance gas lines. A "cabinet and countertop swap" with no other changes does not require a permit. Most full kitchen remodels involve at least one of the above and therefore require a permit. See our Tampa building permit guide for the full breakdown.
How long does a Tampa kitchen remodel take from contract signing to final inspection? Typically 8–14 weeks for a mid-range remodel. The breakdown: 1–2 weeks final design/material selection, 2–4 weeks permit approval, 4–8 weeks construction, 1 week final inspection and punch list. Cabinet lead times are the most common bottleneck — semi-custom cabinets run 5–6 weeks from order, full-custom 8–12 weeks. We order cabinets immediately upon contract to avoid delays.
What's the most common mistake Tampa homeowners make when planning a remodel? Underestimating permit and engineering costs in the budget. A typical mid-range kitchen remodel needs at least a building permit ($300–$500), an electrical sub-permit ($120–$180), and a plumbing sub-permit ($120–$180) — plus possible engineering reports if walls are being moved ($300–$800). These are often missing from low-bid contractor estimates. Always confirm permits and engineering are included in writing.
Are you a licensed Florida contractor? Yes. Florida General Contractor License CGC062538. License status is publicly verifiable through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at myfloridalicense.com. We are also fully insured (general liability and workers' compensation). Both certificates are available on request before any contract signing.
Do you handle the permits and inspections, or does that fall on me? We handle all of it — permit applications, inspection scheduling, sub-permit coordination across electrical/plumbing/mechanical trades, and final certificate of occupancy. The homeowner's only role is to be present (or arrange access) for inspection appointments. This is part of every contract; we don't outsource permits back to clients.
Do you work on historic homes in Hyde Park or Tampa Heights? Yes. We handle Architectural Review Commission (ARC) applications as part of the permitting process for exterior work in historic districts. Interior remodels in historic homes don't require ARC review and proceed normally. We've worked on multiple historic homes in Tampa's review districts.
Every project starts with a free on-site consultation. We visit your home, measure the space, discuss realistic budget and timeline, and follow up with a detailed written estimate within 5–7 business days.
Start a project | Call (813) 999-5910 | Studio: 5816 Little River Dr, Tampa, FL
Tell us about your home and what you're planning. We'll follow up to arrange an on-site consultation.
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