Your go-to blogs if you want to learn more about Parasol Properties' way of constructing homes, plus tips and helpful information about Construction!  

A project built by Parasol Properties in 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. The home is one of our single-level bungalow spec floor plans customized to the homeowner’s tastes. It features unique cabinetry and finishes, along with a grand entrance and lots of natural lighting.

With modern design and clean lines throughout, the home boasts a 3 car garage and tall profile.

A strong emphasis goes towards a large spacious living area with an open design and natural lighting.

Top-notch stainless steel appliances complete this transitional style kitchen. It’s fit enough for any chef with a pantry that has room to spare.

A comfortable setting to relax and rest easy. Plenty of closet space for everyone.

Specific to this build was unique cabinetry in each bathroom. This home was modified to include a second master bath. So in one, you see floating shelves, his and her sinks, and a spa-like shower system. The other includes flat white cabinetry that goes to the floor (to allow for more storage), with a soaker tub and a spa shower zone.

Other spaces include an office with a built-in countertop for desk space and shelves to the side. We have a mudroom as well with plenty of show storage and laundry. The hallway boasts a large niche space for artwork.

When you buy a new home, customer service and satisfaction are very important.
​In practice, this means that the builder should make each step in the buying and building process easy and worry-free for you. Likewise, you should be treated as a valued customer long after you move into your new home.
The size of a company has little to do with service. Consequently, large or small, you should expect personalized service focused on you, your needs, and your peace of mind. Here’s what you can and should expect.

Expect the builder and/or sales and site staff to be:

Open and upfront: good service begins with honesty, trust, and good communication.

Knowledgeable: good service depends on in-depth product and process knowledge.

Prompt and efficient: good service sets and respects realistic timelines.

“On your side”: customer-oriented builders and staff work for you and with you.

What to Expect: Visiting a sales office or model home

When you first visit the sales office or model home, expect the builder or staff to:

Be interested in knowing your housing needs and wants, such as the style, size, features, amenities, price range, location, and timing. That way they can show you the most suitable homes and options.

Take you on a tour of the model home(s), or give you detailed descriptions based on scale models, maps, drawings, and blueprints.

Explain the company’s approach to design and finishing and your opportunities to customize.

Be able to tell you about the development and the area in detail – including a profile of who has bought to date, amenities and features, schools, transportation, shopping, and so on.

Provide you with helpful information to take home.​

Once you are ready to buy, expect the builder or staff to:

Give you a clear explanation of the entire process: who is responsible for what; construction and payment milestones; what’s needed on closing; after-sales service and warranty.

Give you an idea of closing costs: what’s involved, and general cost ranges.

Provide you with a detailed written sales contract.

Respect your wish to think about it and not pressure you to sign a contract.

Appoint a contact (e.g., the builder, the sales manager, or the salesperson) who will always return your messages promptly and never be too busy to deal with you.

Make arrangements for your site visits during construction.

And, of course, deliver what they promised.

Once your home is completed, expect them to:

Give you a detailed orientation tour when you take possession of your new home, or shortly before, so you can inspect it thoroughly and they can explain how everything works.

Explain what is covered by warranties, for how long, and how to request after-sales service.

Explain what you can expect the first year and a schedule of contact and check-ups.

Ask you about your experiences with their company and your satisfaction with your new home, so they know what they are doing right and where there is room for improvement.

Parasol Properties, a custom home builder/general contractor/renovator from Tampa will guide you through each step of the construction process as it applies to your custom home, from helping you establish a budget, designing your home, and creating detailed construction drawings based on your design. We understand that building your dream home from the ground up takes time and care, and we will support and guide you through every step of the process, starting from your first meeting with us.

With many combined years of custom home building experience, Parasol Properties’ team of professionals will work with you to design and build the home of your dreams on a lot of your dreams. Whether starting with a sketch on a napkin or full architectural drawings, we will help you take these ideas and turn them into a reality.

We can build your custom home on the home site of your choice:

IF YOU CAN’T FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, A CUSTOM DESIGN MIGHT BE THE RIGHT OPTION FOR YOU!

On a lot in one of our current neighborhoods
On your own lot
On a public lot available in one of many Tampa Bay & area neighborhoods ( Clearwater, Lutz, Dunedin)
On an acreage lot outside of Tampa Bay
On an infill lot in a mature neighborhood to replace an existing home
Contact us today to find out more, and book an appointment with one of our experts!

 It features unique cabinetry and finishes, along with a grand entrance and lots of natural lighting.

Virtually visit one of our homes in Tampa by checking the home's features below. 


Union Residence Spec Home with Customizations

A project built by Parasol Properties in 2018. It was a three-story that showcases an impressive staircase for such a narrow pocket.

When you buy a new home, customer service and satisfaction are very important.

​In practice, this means that the builder should make each step in the buying and building process easy and worry-free for you. And you should be treated as a valued customer long after you move into your new home.

The size of a company has little to do with service. Large or small, you should expect personalized service focused on you, your needs, and your peace of mind. 

Here’s what you can and should expect: 

Ask about your experiences with their company and your satisfaction with your new home, so they know what they are doing right and where there is room for improvement.

A project built by Parasol Properties in 2018. It was a three-story that showcases...

Know your homebuilder through their finished projects!

Stand-up rainfall shower stall with two hand-showers that worked like body jets. Giant freestanding soaker tub to the left and floating vanities with quartz countertops on the right. Wall to ceiling tiles to manage the walls exposed to moisture with a mounted heated towel rack on the back wall.

The walk-through bedroom closet hallway is lined with floating built-in cabinets and shelving units, shoe racks, and multiple pull-outs for accessories like ties, belts, and scarves. The floor is epoxied concrete. 

The master bedroom was narrow and wide, yet it can still boast a king-sized bed with side tables. Dimmable chandelier and warm LED potlights set the mood. Within the room, we used a glazed ceramic tile used along a concrete pillar and under the window to create an obscure reflective surface to enlarge the space while avoiding the harsh interruptions from structural components.

We showcased a naval blue feature wall for the living room with the Verner Pantone Spiral Gold light fixture overtop of the epoxied concrete floors. The room had three banks of dimmable lights to create a cinematic effect with a flat ceiling. Like the bedroom, we used a glazed ceramic tile to mask the concrete pillar and add a reflective surface to enlarge the space. Also, the standard baseboard heaters throughout the unit were painted with grey metallic automotive paint to make them sparkle while controlled by a Nest Thermostat. Architectural ceiling beams were hidden with drywall to keep the vision for the room clean.

As you can imagine, the entire project focused on reflective surfaces to create the allusion of space with the limited square footage we were working within. An induction stovetop kept the glossy cabinet and quartz countertops clean, along with other stainless steel appliances. We installed the built-in microwave and oven from the other side of the kitchen, along with a pantry, followed by a hidden recycle center with pull-out bins. You can also see the orb lighting we used for the kitchen island.

With the epoxied concrete floors throughout the space, it looked like you were on the water's edge without any sand to get on your feet.  The entryway has a Japanese-style raised leather flooring deck. The intention was for individuals to take off their shoes before entering the rest of the unit. Leather flooring was gentle on your feet, welcoming you back home. A simple wardrobe was installed to allow for coats and shoes. The guest bathroom also included a stand-up shower, floating quartz vanity, and pendant lights.

Planning to upgrade your condo with a professional renovation? Remember: just because you are working only on the interior of your unit does not exclude you from strata bylaws. An owner must obtain written approval before altering a strata lot. Adjoining walls, flooring, plumbing, and electrical are examples of items in a renovation requiring approval. In addition to the Act, each condo strata will have its own schedule of bylaws and approval process. So what is the best way to navigate through all these rules? Follow these simple steps.

Before you start, talk to property management

Get a clear understanding of the bylaws and the renovation approval process. Most often, the management company will act on behalf of the strata with your builder. These days, if the next strata meeting is weeks away, a common request is to seek council approval via email, eliminating the need to wait. Regardless of the strata process, time must be accounted for in your plan for approval.

Your strata will want to see your plans for the renovation project. Some councils require extremely detailed information, others not as much. Rule of thumb: break down the renovation into projects, e.g., bathroom update; new kitchen. Then, under each item, list work to be done, e.g., new kitchen: demolition; removal of existing cabinets and appliances; non-structural wall removal to open kitchen to the living room; installation of kitchen island; new appliances and cabinetry; painting walls; new flooring; new electrical; use existing plumbing. Breaking out the work will provide a clear picture of the intended renovations and serve as a checklist for potential issues.

When renovating kitchens and bathrooms, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical will be factored in determining if your renovation is possible. Approaching your renovation with flexibility is recommended as there will inevitably be a bylaw or restriction unrelated to structure, but a bylaw you must adhere to. Make sure to read the bylaws with your builder before the process begins. Chances are you are not the first to renovate, and there will be a lot of information on what is and is not allowed.

Dates, timing, insurance, and permits are just a few things required by the strata. Working from the renovation list, your builder will be able to provide required records and timelines for starting and completing each job along with the required insurance, etc. Depending on the work to be done, access points to your unit within the building and the street will be required. The bylaws will provide information on access rules, working hours (noise bylaws), demolition removal processes, etc.

It’s not just the pretty pictures that count. Be sure to capture each stage of the condo renovation, including the messy days when walls and floors are torn out and opened up. Images provide a catalog of the state of the original condo, the steps taken, and the work completed – a great source of information not just for the strata council but also on the final walk-through before signing off.

Working with a professional builder, who knows the strata rules, will expedite the process and protect you from potential do-overs. It’s a simple plan.

Are you planning to get your Clearwater property renovated too? Get it done with a trusted custom home builder/renovator.  

There's always a reason for every renovation. Know that we always consider them. :) See one of our house renovations below.

This is the front exterior render of Union Street Clearwater, FL, constructed by Parasol Properties.

One of the things that we are proud to bring to Clearwater through this project is a high degree of intimacy with a quality purpose-built home. From a design perspective, we were trying to achieve a number of goals. The first one was to recognize the location, being on a peaceful street with lush old-growth trees on the perimeter of the lot. Second, to honor the history of the neighborhood as it transitioned from natural to urban. Inspiration from the rich modernist history of Clearwater and weave into the fabric of this community, with a degree of artistry and a level of design in every detail. Certainly, our ambitions are high; we hope that on completion, our project on Union Street will be among a handful of the best-designed residential projects in the area. 

Combining a mature and progressive community with a strong vision for the future makes this location very desirable. For instance, this particular spot is central to both downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg, with a commute of approximately 30 minutes. Meanwhile, several grocery stores are closer to home, including a nearby The Fresh Market to the West or two Publix Super Market North and South. On the other hand, if you’ve decided to take the night off in the kitchen, there are over 50, 4.5+ star rated restaurants within a 10-minute drive. Also, several highly rated schools are nearby, which help make running a family a little simpler. Above all, you’re not far from the beach either.

Unfortunately, Google maps will incorrectly direct you 1 block West. Please keep this in mind when visiting.

This home in Clearwater will feature the finest designs, including bright quartz counters, beveled subway tile backsplash, deluxe maple cabinetry, wide plank floors, Italian tiles, and stainless steel appliances. Parasol represents quality craftsmanship, sophisticated and transitional design with unbeatable value. Here is a list of some of the other features of this home:

10 ft ceilings, with different areas that have coffered designs or cathedral ceilings.

Oversized master bedroom and walk-in-closet

Easy commute to Tampa, St. Petersburg, US. HWY 19 and Bayside Bridge

Covered lanai space with a spacious backyard

Do you want to add these features in your Tarpon Springs or Safety Harbor property? Or maybe you're already thinking about a house renovation for your home in Tampa, Lutz, or Dunedin? Just in case you do, let us know how we can help!

Parasol represents quality craftsmanship...Here is a list of 

Location, proximity, and amazing house features. Check out what one of our projects in Florida could offer you just in case you're planning to have one in the future.   

past-project-highlight Blogs

Union Residence Spec Home with Customizations

Almeida Residence Custom Home

Housman Condo Renovation

Union Street, Clearwater, FL [Sold!]