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Backyard project guides
Plain answers for Southeast homeowners planning a pool, patio, pergola, outdoor kitchen or a new yard. Every guide lists its sources. For price ranges by city, see the cost guides.
Pools
Does a pool add value to a Florida home?
What studies, appraisers and Florida tax law say about pool value: Tampa and Orlando premiums, how much of the cost you get back, and why it varies.
Updated October 29, 2026Fiberglass vs concrete vs vinyl pools in Florida
Fiberglass vs concrete vs vinyl pools in Florida: cost, install time, lifespan, upkeep, sandy soil, groundwater and storms, with sources.
Updated October 29, 2026Florida pool fence law (Ch. 515): barriers, alarms, covers
Florida's pool safety law explained: which pools it covers, the five ways to comply, fence and gate dimensions, mesh fences, alarms, covers and penalties.
Updated October 29, 2026How long does it take to build a pool in Florida?
A realistic Florida pool timeline from design and permit to first swim: stage-by-stage durations, what slows each pool type, and how rainy season fits in.
Updated October 29, 2026Best pool heater for Florida: heat pump vs solar vs gas
Pool heat pumps, solar collectors and gas heaters compared for Florida: installed cost by size, monthly running cost, lifespan and HOA rules for solar.
Updated October 29, 2026Pool permits in Pinellas County and St. Petersburg
Who issues a pool permit in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, what each office asks for, flood-zone rules, review deadlines and costs.
Updated October 29, 2026Pool permits in Tampa and Hillsborough County
How a residential pool permit works in Tampa vs unincorporated Hillsborough County: who applies, documents, inspections, safety rules and fees.
Updated October 29, 2026Saltwater vs chlorine pools in Florida: cost, upkeep, pavers
Saltwater vs chlorine pools in Florida: startup and yearly costs, salt cell life in the heat, rain and salt levels, and the effect on pavers and stone.
Updated October 29, 2026Small backyard pool ideas: plunge, spool and cocktail pools
Plunge pools, spools, cocktail pools and container pools for small yards: real sizes, depths and cost ranges, plus the Florida rules that still apply.
Updated October 29, 2026Screen enclosures
Pool cages and hurricanes: wind ratings, insurance, prep
How Florida pool cages are engineered for wind, what homeowners insurance usually pays after a hurricane, a storm prep checklist, and permits for repairs.
Updated October 29, 2026Pool screen enclosures in Florida: styles, screens, permits
A Florida pool screen enclosure guide: roof styles, screen mesh types, the pool barrier rules, wind engineering, permits, upkeep and cost, with sources.
Updated October 29, 2026Lanai vs screened porch vs sunroom in Florida
Lanai, screened porch or sunroom? How Florida's code sorts them into five sunroom categories, what each costs, and the permit and AC questions.
Updated October 29, 2026Patios & pavers
Fire pits in Florida: burn rules, gas vs wood, placement
Florida backyard fire pit rules: what state law allows, Tampa Bay's 25-foot rule, burn bans, gas vs wood, where to put it and what it costs.
Updated October 29, 2026Patio drainage in Florida: slopes, drains, permeable pavers
Stop a Florida patio flooding in summer storms: the code slope, French and trench drains, rain gardens and permeable pavers, with costs.
Updated October 29, 2026Pavers vs concrete patio in Florida: heat, rain, cracks
Concrete pavers, travertine and poured concrete compared for Florida sun, sandy soil and summer downpours: cracking, drainage, upkeep and cost per sq ft.
Updated October 29, 2026Pool deck ideas for Florida: travertine, pavers, cool deck
Florida pool deck options compared: travertine, concrete pavers, cool deck coatings and stamped concrete, with cost per sq ft, heat, slip and upkeep.
Updated October 29, 2026Travertine vs pavers for a Florida pool deck
Travertine or concrete pavers around a Florida pool: heat underfoot, salt water, sealing, overlays on an old deck, coping and cost, with sources.
Updated October 29, 2026Pergolas & shade
Louvered pergolas in Florida: wind ratings, permits, cost
Are louvered pergolas worth it in Florida? What wind ratings really mean, why most need a permit, what they cost, and how they handle summer storms.
Updated October 29, 2026Pergola vs shade sail vs screened lanai in the Southeast
Open and louvered pergolas, shade sails, solid patio roofs and screened lanais compared for Southeast heat, storms, bugs, permits and cost.
Updated October 29, 2026Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor kitchen ideas for Florida yards
Florida outdoor kitchen layouts, materials that survive sun, humidity and salt air, gas and power basics, permits and sourced cost tiers.
Updated October 29, 2026Outdoor kitchen materials for Florida humidity and salt air
Layer by layer: which frames, cabinet doors, metal finishes, fasteners and counters hold up to Florida humidity and salt air, and the upkeep each needs.
Updated October 29, 2026Landscaping
Artificial turf in Florida: heat, drainage, HOA rules, cost
What to know before installing artificial turf in Florida: surface heat, drainage specs, the 2025 state law, HOA limits, Tampa permits and real costs.
Updated October 29, 2026Best grass for Tampa: St. Augustine vs Zoysia vs Bahia
Which lawn grass needs the least work in Tampa Bay: shade, drought, mowing, pests and fertilizer for St. Augustine, Zoysia and Bahia, from UF/IFAS.
Updated October 29, 2026Florida-friendly landscaping: a Tampa Bay guide
The 9 UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, what state law says about HOAs, Tampa Bay watering and fertilizer rules, plants and costs.
Updated October 29, 2026Florida native plants for a backyard, by region
UF/IFAS-backed native plants for North, Central (Tampa Bay) and South Florida backyards: shrubs, vines and trees by sun, salt and cold.
Updated October 29, 2026Planning
HOA approval for a backyard project in Florida
What to submit to a Florida HOA for a pool, patio, pergola or turf, what Chapter 720 lets the HOA require, and how denials and fines work.
Updated October 29, 2026How to compare contractor quotes for a backyard project
Line up backyard contractor quotes on the same scope, spot what's missing, and check deposits, lien paperwork and contract terms Florida law requires.
Updated October 29, 2026How to plan a backyard remodel, step by step
A practical plan for a Southeast backyard remodel: uses, measurements, permits, utilities, flood zones, real budgets, phasing, quotes and timing.
Updated October 29, 2026See it in your yard before you build.
Upload a photo of your backyard and get an AI concept of the project. Free to try, no card.