Welcome to Leave With Dad
A couple of years ago, I moved to Plantation from Atlanta with my family. I didn't know where to go. I didn't know who to call for contractors. I didn't know how things worked in Broward County, or South Florida.
So I spent hours — lots of hours — figuring it out. Realtors, YouTube videos, online research. It was purely, classic trial and error. Eventually, I learned the system. I learned what things actually cost in this market. I learned how to navigate HOA approvals and ARC requests. I learned who to trust and who to avoid.
Now I'm on the HOA board of my community, and I see the same questions and frustrations from my neighbors — and even friends — repeating over and over again. People moving, others trying to fix their homes, some confused by the bureaucracy and many overwhelmed by the costs of labor.
I run a consulting firm by day. I'm an engineer by degree, but in my spare time — in my garage with my power tools — I try to engineer solutions to the problems that come with owning a home. I have a five year old, another baby arriving in no time. Between work, family, and home projects, I research before hiring someone, figure out what things actually cost, and learn how to do things myself as much as I can.
This site is here to save you those hours. Whether you're in Plantation, in Broward County, across South Florida, or anywhere dealing with contractor headaches, HOA bureaucracy, and home problems that don't care about zip codes — you'll find practical answers from someone who's been exactly where you are.
Oh — and the name? My wife has her career, her hustle, and her hands full. So everything home-related — the contractors, the permits, the maintenance, the school pickups, the weekend projects, taxes, investments — somehow always lands on the same guy. Just leave it with Dad. That's how LeaveWithDad.com was born.
Latest from the Guide
Home · HVAC
The $21 Detector That Saved Me $2,000 on an HVAC Warranty Claim
The warranty tech laughed at my Amazon device. Then it found the leak he couldn't.
A refrigerant leak. A dismissive technician. A $21 detector from Amazon. Here's how a Plantation homeowner turned a dead-end warranty visit into a full air handler replacement — covered.
Plantation · City Services · Public Safety
The Plantation Police Non-Emergency Line — and When to Use It Instead of 911
I was on an HOA call about a pool incident. My instinct was 911. A board member had the right number.
The number is 954-797-2100, it runs 24/7, and most residents don't know it exists. Here's when to call it, when not to, and every other contact you'll actually need.
Plantation · Home Security · City Rules
Plantation FL Alarm Permit Guide — Register, Renew, and Avoid False Alarm Fines
Most people in Plantation have no idea they need a permit to run their alarm system. I found out through the Ring app — there's a Resources section that surfaces local permit requirements by location.
$25 one-time registration, $10/year renewal (often free if no false alarms), and the URL the city prints in their own letter is wrong. Here's the correct one.
Home · DIY · First Timer
I Poured My First Concrete Slab in One Saturday — Here's Exactly What Happened
My shed had just been delivered — boxes in the driveway, ready to assemble. Only one thing missing: I needed a solid concrete slab to put it over and anchor it.
A first-timer's honest account of pouring a 7×3.5 ft concrete slab: the tools that actually mattered, the mistakes almost made, and what nobody tells you about mixing bags one at a time.
Dad Recommends · BBQ & Grilling · Product Review
ThermoMaven G1 Review: A BBQ Dad's Honest Take After 20 Years at the Grill
I've been the designated grill guy at practically every group BBQ for two decades. Old school, no gadgets, all feel. Then someone handed me a wireless meat thermometer and told me to try it.
A 20-year grilling veteran's honest review of the ThermoMaven G1 wireless meat thermometer — plus the internal temps you actually need, and why your friends will mock you right up until they taste the food.
Plantation · City Services · Quick Reference
City of Plantation: the quick reference every resident needs
A flash flood. A neighbor's tree. Two moments of not knowing who to call.
Phone numbers, email contacts, blue bag trash rules, bulk pickup schedule, permits, utilities, and everything else — organized by the situations that actually come up.
Plantation · Utilities · New Resident
Water Bills in Plantation — What Nobody Tells You When You Move In
I thought it was a five-minute phone call. It was not.
New to Plantation? You can't set up your water account online or by phone. Here's exactly what you need, what it costs upfront, and how to avoid getting your service delayed on move-in day.
Yard & Garden · Lawn Care
How to Fertilize St. Augustine Grass in South Florida (What Actually Works)
I walked into that fertilizer aisle with zero clue. Four products and a few seasons later, my lawn is finally something I'm proud of.
St. Augustine grass doesn't care about your Midwest instincts. Here's the exact 4-product routine — timing, application, and what to skip — that keeps a Plantation lawn green all year.