HVAC

Air conditioning and HVAC system replacement and ductwork, coordinated with licensed mechanical subcontractors to Florida energy code.

Overview

HVAC done right the first time

A Florida HVAC system runs hard for most of the year, and humidity control matters as much as temperature. Brothers Remodelers coordinates air conditioning and ductwork replacement under one Florida Certified General Contractor license, bringing in licensed mechanical subcontractors for the equipment, sizing the system to a proper load calculation, and tying the work into your remodel so mechanical, electrical and permitting land in the right sequence.

At a glance

Typical timeline: A straightforward HVAC change-out is usually 1–2 days; ductwork modification adds time.
Permits required: Mechanical permit and inspection, filed with the city or county.
Main cost drivers: System size and efficiency, ductwork modification, equipment features, zoning, coastal protection.
Warranty: Two-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer coverage on installed products.

What is included

Cooling load calculation and system sizing
Air handler and condenser replacement
Ductwork modification, replacement and sealing
Thermostat and zoning upgrades
Condensate drainage and ventilation
Permit and inspection coordination

Service options & benefits

System replacement: A new high-efficiency system sized to a Manual J load calculation cools more evenly and handles Florida humidity better than an oversized unit that short-cycles.
Ductwork repair and sealing: Leaky or undersized ducts waste cooled air and reduce comfort. Sealing and right-sizing ductwork is often the highest-value part of an HVAC project.
Zoning and thermostats: Zoning and programmable or smart thermostats let you condition only the spaces in use, which lowers run time in a Florida climate.
Dehumidification: Proper system sizing and run time manage humidity; where needed, whole-home dehumidification can be added for coastal and inland homes alike.

Our hvac process

Step 01
Load calculation & estimate
A licensed mechanical subcontractor runs a cooling load calculation, inspects the existing ductwork and equipment, and we return a line-item proposal.
Step 02
Permits & procurement
We file the mechanical permit and order equipment and duct materials so the change-out happens in one sequence.
Step 03
Equipment change-out
The old air handler and condenser come out and the new equipment is set, connected and charged by the licensed mechanical subcontractor.
Step 04
Ductwork & controls
Ducts are modified, sealed and balanced, and the thermostat or zoning controls are installed.
Step 05
Start-up & inspection
The system is started up and commissioned, and the final mechanical inspection is scheduled.

Florida considerations

Building in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region comes with conditions that affect scope, cost and permitting. These are the issues that most often affect hvac projects here.

Humidity control

In Florida, an oversized system cools fast but does not run long enough to remove humidity, leaving the home clammy. Proper sizing is what makes a Florida home comfortable.

Florida energy code

HVAC equipment efficiency and duct sealing are governed by the Florida energy code, which the permit and inspection verify.

Corrosion and coastal exposure

Coastal homes in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota see salt exposure that shortens outdoor equipment life; coated coils and placement matter on the coast.

What affects the cost of hvac

Every estimate is built from the same line items. Knowing what drives them helps you compare bids fairly and decide where to invest.

System size and efficiency: Equipment is sized to a Manual J cooling load calculation, not a rule of thumb. Higher-efficiency systems cost more up front but can reduce cooling run time. Proper sizing — not oversizing — is what controls Florida humidity.
Ductwork modification and sealing: Leaky or undersized ducts waste cooled air. Sealing, re-routing or right-sizing ductwork is often the highest-value part of an HVAC project and is priced from the existing duct layout.
Equipment brand and features: Air handler and condenser brand, capacity, variable-speed blowers and humidity control features all affect the equipment line item. We coordinate the equipment with the licensed mechanical subcontractor.
Zoning and thermostats: Zoning systems and programmable or smart thermostats let you condition only the spaces in use. They add controls cost but can lower run time in a Florida climate.
Coastal corrosion protection: Coastal homes in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota see salt exposure that shortens outdoor equipment life. Coated coils and placement are a cost consideration on the coast.
Permits and inspections: HVAC replacement requires a mechanical permit and inspection. Permit fees vary by city and county and are part of the written estimate.

After a walkthrough and scope conversation, we return a written line-item proposal — usually within five business days. Allowances for owner-selected finishes are stated plainly, and payments follow completed milestones. See how owners fund projects on our financing page.

Permits and inspections

HVAC work in Florida is governed by the Florida Building Code. If you live inside city limits — Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Bradenton — the permit runs through the city’s building department. In unincorporated areas it goes through the county. Each department sets its own review times and inspection windows, which is why we file early and order long-lead materials during pre-construction.

We schedule every required inspection and keep the records in your closeout package, alongside sign-offs and warranty documents. Read more about our licensing, insurance and site safety standards.

How to choose a hvac contractor

The contractor you hire matters more than any single finish. Before signing, confirm the following:

Verify the license. A Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC) number can be confirmed through the state DBPR online license check. Ours is CGC1535875.
Ask for certificates of insurance. General liability and workers' compensation should be sent directly to your HOA, lender or landlord — not handed over as a photocopy.
Require a line-item proposal. Fixed pricing with stated allowances lets you compare bids on equal terms and exposes where money is hidden in a single lump sum.
Confirm who supervises the site. A dedicated superintendent on site — not a project manager juggling ten jobs by phone — is what keeps a project on schedule.
Get the warranty in writing. Workmanship coverage and manufacturer warranties should be documented in a closeout package at handover, not promised verbally.

See completed work in our project gallery, or read what other owners say on our reviews page.

Why homeowners hire Brothers Remodelers

Licensed & insured

FL CGC Lic. #CGC1535875 · Fully licensed & insured. Certificates issued to your HOA or lender on request.

Right-sized systems

Cooling load calculations instead of rule-of-thumb sizing that short-cycles and leaves a home clammy.

On-schedule builds

A live schedule and weekly photo updates from a dedicated site superintendent.

Two-year warranty

Workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties, documented at closeout.

Cities we serve

We provide hvac for homeowners and property owners across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region. Select a county below to see the communities we serve, or browse the full Areas We Serve page.

Hillsborough County Pinellas County Pasco County Sarasota County Manatee County

Related services

Plumbing Roof Insulation General Contracting Home Additions

Questions we get asked

Do you install the HVAC equipment yourselves?

HVAC equipment is installed by licensed mechanical subcontractors we coordinate under our general contractor license, so the mechanical, electrical and permitting all line up.

Do I need a permit to replace an AC in Florida?

Yes, HVAC replacement requires a mechanical permit and inspection, filed with your city or county. We handle the filing and schedule the inspection.

How do you size a new system?

A licensed mechanical subcontractor runs a cooling load calculation (Manual J) based on the home’s size, insulation, windows and exposure. Sizing to the load — not a rule of thumb — is what controls humidity in Florida.

How long does an HVAC replacement take?

A straightforward change-out is usually one to two days. Ductwork modification or a larger system adds time, which we put in the written schedule.

Will a new system lower my energy bill?

A properly sized high-efficiency system with sealed ducts typically reduces cooling run time. Actual savings depend on the home, the existing system and how the new one is specified.

Can you replace ductwork at the same time?

Yes. Duct sealing and right-sizing are often the highest-value part of an HVAC project, and we coordinate it with the equipment change-out.

Plan your hvac project

Ready to move forward? The fastest path is a free site walkthrough — we measure, confirm scope and return a written line-item proposal within five business days. Request a free quote or contact our office directly.

Where we work

We provide hvac across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Sarasota and Bradenton. See the full list on our areas we serve page.

Get an Estimate

Request a free, no-obligation line-item proposal for your hvac project within five business days.