Question 1

Is Sterling & Stone a licensed Florida general contractor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling & Stone operates under Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC1541294, which authorizes unlimited residential and commercial construction statewide. All work is performed under a qualifying licensed contractor and permitted through the authority having jurisdiction (city or county) for each project site.

Question 2

What areas of South Florida do you serve?

Accepted Answer

The firm accepts private residential engagements across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties — including the barrier islands, waterfront communities, and established inland neighborhoods across the tri-county region. Selection is deliberate; the firm carries a limited number of concurrent engagements.

Question 3

How does a project with Sterling & Stone begin?

Accepted Answer

Every engagement begins with a private consultation. The firm reviews the property, the design intent, the architect and design team already involved (if any), and the client's expectations for schedule and delivery. A written proposal follows only after there is mutual clarity that the engagement is a fit.

Question 4

Do you work with the client's architect and designer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling & Stone works as the construction counterpart to an existing architect and design team when one is engaged. The firm defers to the architect on design intent, coordinates directly with interior and landscape designers on finishes, and protects the design through construction rather than reinterpreting it.

Question 5

What is the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) and does it apply to my project?

Accepted Answer

The Florida Building Code designates Miami-Dade and Broward counties as the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Structures in the HVHZ must meet elevated wind-load, impact, and product-approval requirements — including Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for exterior openings, roofing systems, and cladding. Any project within these counties is subject to HVHZ compliance.

Question 6

What agencies review waterfront and coastal-zone construction in South Florida?

Accepted Answer

Waterfront and coastal projects typically require review from multiple authorities beyond the local building department. Depending on the site, these can include the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) permits, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work waterward of mean high water, county environmental resources departments (DERM in Miami-Dade), and — for federally protected waters — the U.S. Coast Guard. Sterling & Stone coordinates the review process on behalf of the client.

Question 7

Are seawall elevations regulated in Miami-Dade?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Miami-Dade County has adopted minimum seawall crown elevations in response to sea-level rise, and several municipalities have set their own standards on top of the county baseline. Replacement or repair typically triggers a review of current elevation against the applicable standard. Confirmation of the governing elevation for a specific parcel requires review with the local building department and DERM.

Question 8

What is historic designation and how does it affect renovation?

Accepted Answer

Locally designated historic properties in South Florida — including districts in Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and the Town of Palm Beach — require review of exterior work by a preservation board before permits are issued. The scope of review varies by jurisdiction but typically covers massing, materials, fenestration, and any change visible from the public right-of-way. Interior work is generally not reviewed unless the interior is separately designated.

Question 9

How long does a whole-home renovation or new build typically take?

Accepted Answer

Duration is a function of scope, design complexity, and jurisdiction — not a fixed formula. The firm commits to a schedule only after design is sufficiently resolved to price and sequence accurately, and holds to that schedule as a delivery commitment rather than an estimate. Rough planning ranges are shared privately during consultation; publishing generic durations invites inaccuracy.

Question 10

Does Sterling & Stone work fixed-price, cost-plus, or GMP?

Accepted Answer

The firm structures each engagement to the project. Fixed-price is appropriate when scope and finishes are fully resolved; cost-plus with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is appropriate when the client and design team need flexibility during construction without losing budget discipline. The commercial structure is decided during pre-construction, not defaulted.

Question 11

What does Owner's Representation cover?

Accepted Answer

Owner's Representation is an independent engagement in which Sterling & Stone represents the client's interests across the construction lifecycle — reviewing contracts, scopes, schedules, pay applications, and change orders on the client's behalf. The firm does not perform construction under an owner's-rep engagement; the role is advisory and oversight, distinct from acting as the general contractor.

Question 12

What is a Pre-Purchase Renovation Review?

Accepted Answer

A Pre-Purchase Renovation Review is a private, buyer-side construction assessment performed before a residential purchase closes. Sterling & Stone reviews the property against the buyer's intended renovation program, identifies structural, systems, regulatory, and permitting constraints, and provides a written summary of realistic scope, cost order-of-magnitude, and schedule risk. It is not a home inspection; it is a construction feasibility opinion.

Question 13

How does Sterling & Stone handle client and project confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Client identity, project location, and design detail are confidential by default. The firm does not publish project addresses, does not name clients without written permission, and does not use projects in marketing without explicit approval. Representative work shown publicly is either anonymized or shared under permission.

Question 14

Is the firm insured and bonded?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling & Stone carries general liability, workers' compensation, and builder's risk coverage appropriate to each project, and can be bonded when the engagement requires it. Certificates of insurance naming the owner and design team as additional insureds are provided at contract execution.

Question 15

What kind of warranty is provided after completion?

Accepted Answer

A written warranty covers workmanship for a defined period following substantial completion, in addition to the Florida statutory implied warranties. Manufacturer warranties on installed equipment, finishes, and assemblies pass through directly to the owner. Specific warranty terms are documented in the construction agreement.

The questions clients ask before any engagement begins.

Is Sterling & Stone a licensed Florida general contractor?

What areas of South Florida do you serve?

How does a project with Sterling & Stone begin?

Do you work with the client's architect and designer?