Homestead was largely destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992 and rebuilt almost from scratch in the years that followed. The result is a city where most homes date from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s - built to post-Andrew Florida building codes, which are significantly stronger than what existed before. These homes typically have CBS (concrete block and stucco) construction, tile roofs, and flat or slightly pitched rear slabs. While the post-Andrew building code makes for a solid structure, these homes are now reaching the age where roofs, exterior stucco, and any screen enclosures added in the years after construction are due for a real assessment. Stucco on homes in this age range has been through 25 or more wet seasons, and the connection points between original stucco and any additions or patches can be the first place water finds its way in.

The climate in Homestead is as demanding as anywhere in South Florida. The city sits at the southern tip of Miami-Dade County, close to the Everglades, and gets heavy afternoon thunderstorms almost every day from May through October. The land is flat, drainage is limited, and standing water around foundations and patios is common after heavy rain. Miami-Dade County's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone designation applies here, which means any enclosed structure - whether a simple screen room or a fully insulated sunroom addition - must use product-approved materials and meet the county's structural requirements. Homeowners who skip the permit process on an enclosure in Homestead are taking on real risk, both from the county and from their insurance carrier.

Homestead is a city of about 75,000 people at the southern tip of Miami-Dade County, roughly 25 miles south of downtown Miami. The city is known as the gateway to both Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, which draw millions of visitors each year and shape the character of the surrounding community. Homestead was largely rebuilt after Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992, and the reconstruction gave the city a housing stock that is more uniform than most South Florida communities - primarily single-story and two-story single-family homes on modest lots, with stucco exteriors and tile roofs that reflect post-Andrew Florida building code requirements. Neighborhoods range from older blocks closer to downtown to newer subdivisions on the city's eastern edge, including communities like Waterstone that were developed in the 2000s and 2010s and attract families moving south from Miami to find more affordable homes.

The housing stock in Homestead skews toward owner-occupied single-family homes, with a mix of long-term residents and families connected to Homestead Air Reserve Base just east of the city. The area's flat terrain, proximity to wetlands, and heavy summer rain season mean that outdoor spaces here require real thought around drainage and materials selection - what works on a well-drained lot in a drier part of South Florida does not always translate here. The Fruit and Spice Park in the Redland area just west of Homestead is one of the community's most distinctive local attractions, reflecting the agricultural character that still defines this part of Miami-Dade. We also regularly work with homeowners in nearby The Hammocks to the north, where the climate demands and housing types are similarly well familiar to our crew.