Owner Kristen Hansen shares how Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee County homeowners can prepare for storm repairs and avoid storm chasers

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close on November 30, Kristen Hansen, owner of Port Charlotte home improvement contractor Turning Point Home Solutions, is encouraging Southwest Florida homeowners to arrange trusted local contractors well before the next storm arrives. Hansen, who has lived in the area for nearly 26 years and has been through Hurricanes Charley, Ian, Helene and Milton, says preparing before a storm makes repairs go more smoothly afterward.

Why Southwest Florida Homeowners Should Hire Local After a Storm

Hansen's first piece of advice is to line up contractors ahead of time. After Hurricane Ian, she had her screens replaced within days because she had already arranged the work and payment with a local screen installer before the storm. She recommends having a screen contractor, painter, carpenter, roofer and, where needed, a carport builder ready.

Her most important advice is to use local contractors. "If you're going to use a local person, they're going to treat you the right way because they're local and you're local," Hansen said.

She cautions that out of state storm chasers are more likely to pressure homeowners, ask for larger deposits, or take a payment and leave. Some promise long warranties to beat local competitors. Hansen suggests homeowners look up any contractor on Sunbiz.org, the Florida Division of Corporations website, to see where the business is based. "If they're from Missouri or Texas or Washington State, how are they going to honor that 10-year warranty?" she said.

How to Vet a Home Improvement Contractor

For permitted work, a qualified contractor must meet Florida and county building requirements. For smaller jobs that don't need a permit, she recommends asking for real references and checking the Better Business Bureau. She advises homeowners to ask whether they can see a completed project nearby. Turning Point keeps detailed records so it can connect prospective customers with past clients who agreed to serve as references.

Storm Season Preparation Tips From a Longtime Florida Resident

Hansen's own storm checklist includes keeping cash on hand, full gas tanks and extra fuel, a generator, a list of contractor contacts, prescriptions, toiletries, drinking water and groceries. She also recommends photographing everything inside and outside the home to support insurance claims. "Be prepared beforehand. Don't panic shop," she said.

Helping Neighbors Recover From Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton

Turning Point continues to work with residents in Manatee County, Bradenton and Sarasota whose carports were damaged in recent hurricanes and who need repairs to meet their community's requirements. Hansen says she and business partner Kevin Boyer, who describe themselves as Christians, started the business to help people and work with homeowners on limited budgets to complete repairs. "We're never going to be storm chasers," Hansen said. "We want to be a well-known community name."

Decades of Banking and Construction Experience Behind One Local Team

Hansen and Boyer met through mutual friends and launched the self-funded company about two years ago. Hansen spent 28 years in banking, where she built a wide network of local tradespeople, and previously ran an underground utilities construction company. Boyer has worked in aluminum building, general contracting and roofing for more than 35 years. Together, they built a network of trusted local subcontractors so homeowners can get reliable help from one company.

Homeowners can explore Turning Point's hurricane protection and screen enclosure services online.

About Turning Point Home Solutions

Turning Point Home Solutions is a Port Charlotte, Florida home improvement company owned by Kristen Hansen and Kevin Boyer. The company serves Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Venice, Englewood, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton and surrounding communities, offering hurricane protection, impact windows and doors, screen enclosures, painting, drywall repair and more. Learn more at https://turningpointhomesolutions.net.

Media Contact

Turning Point Home Solutions
 Kristen Hansen, Owner
 18693 Countryman Avenue, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
 Phone: (941) 268-3143
 Email: 425892@email4pr.com 
 Website: https://turningpointhomesolutions.net 

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SOURCE Turning Point Home Solutions