RA Sarasota: Lifting Homes & Spirits

Husband and wife team, Roger and Angie, fell in love with Longboat Key and moved to the island permanently in 2022. So, when Hurricane Helene pushed more than two feet of storm surge into their home, they weren’t going to give up on their new hometown.

“Just like many people, we experienced catastrophic flooding and lost everything we owned,” Roger says. But the emotional toll was even greater. “Everyone talks about the damage, but it’s the feeling of being uprooted that changes you.”

With Roger’s background in high-tech and construction, and Angie’s experience navigating human-resource challenges, they quickly recognized what was missing when they researched lifting their home to prevent future flooding. The lifting process is eye- opening, and what they found is there is a lot more to it than just lifting your home.

“There was a huge disconnect between lifting companies and homeowners,” says Roger. “Different pricing models, different scopes of work… and little guidance through what is a very stressful, expensive journey. It’s still cheaper to lift than build new.”

Angie believes that “because of our own personal experience we fully understand the fear of what to do next. This is our community; our goal is to be a trusted company to those that need help and just don’t know how or what to do if they want to prevent their home from flooding again.”

So they decided to turn their hardship into something meaningful. RA Sarasota (R + A for Roger and Angie) was born from the belief that their experience could make this process clearer, easier, and simpler for others.

RA Sarasota becomes the homeowner’s single point of contact and consultant: answering homeowner’s questions, managing proposals, and comparing bids. Then, if the client decides to move forward, they can manage the entire project and own the finishing work. “A lift doesn’t just end when the house goes up,” Roger says. “There’s permitting, utility disconnects and reconnects, sewer lines, new slabs, decking & stairs, landscaping and even elevators. We stay until the job is truly complete.”

Their mission is driven by four principles: respond quickly, be clear and proactive, listen with empathy, and own the challenge.” We provide unfiltered insights to help our clients make the best decisions” Angie says with a smile. “Our goal is to help our community get high and dry again.”

And yes, the couple admits there are tears. “When a house finally lifts those first few feet, the relief on a homeowner’s face is incredible,” Roger says. “After everything they’ve gone through, knowing they’ll likely never flood again… it’s emotional. We’ve lived it. So, we get it.”

To learn more call or text 941.529.7550, or go to rasarasota.com.