UNIVERSAL
CONTRACTING
SERVICES
Built Different. Built Universal.
Multifamily, HOA/COA, Commercial, Residential, Custom Builds
Servicing Communities Throughout Florida
When you invite a contractor onto your property, you’re trusting them with a lot more than a building; you’re trusting them with your investment, and your peace of mind. We don’t take that lightly. We are Jairo and Hidie Arias, and we started Universal Contracting Services back in 2004 with one simple goal: to build a general contracting company in the Tampa Bay area that treats every project like it’s our own family’s building.
We’re a family-owned, licensed general contractor and roofing contractor serving Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Fort Myers and communities throughout Florida. We specialize in multifamily construction and renovations, larger scale capital projects, residential custom home builds, interior remodeling, exterior renovations, roof replacement and repairs, and full home rehabs, so you can work with one trusted team from start to finish.
A Family-Owned General Contractor You Can Talk To
We launched our own general contracting company in August 2004 with a lot of grit and a shared vision to put the customer first.
“I handle the business side, licensing, invoicing, organization, and communication, and Jairo leads our crews in the field.” says Hidie. “I’m a licensed general contractor with a bachelor’s degree in business with minors in finance and marketing, an associate’s degree as a paralegal, and years of experience as a bank manager at Bank of America, which gave me the structure and operations mindset to run a reliable construction company.”
That mix of hands-on construction experience and strong business organization is why property owners and managers across Florida trust us with their projects, from small repairs to large-scale developments.
Multifamily Construction and Renovations
Multifamily is the heart of what we do. We work with apartment communities, condo associations, and investment property owners across Tampa Bay who need a general contractor that understands both construction and resident experience.
Right now, most of our work is in multifamily renovations and capital improvements, interior and exterior.
We handle:
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Full multifamily renovations and rehabs
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Kitchen and bathroom updates across units
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Flooring, drywall, and painting
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Exterior renovations including siding, stucco, sidewalks, and concrete gutters
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Clubhouse remodels and amenity upgrades
We also build large multifamily buildings from the ground up, and we know how to keep projects moving while protecting your schedule, your budget, and your occupied units.
Residential Custom Home Builds
For our residential clients in the Tampa Bay area, building a custom home is a big dream and a big decision. We don’t take that lightly.
We work with a trusted local architect we’ve partnered with for years. He understands Florida design, local permitting, and how to blend style with function, and we collaborate closely with him to bring your vision to life, from layout and elevations to the little details that make a house feel like home.
Because we’re a full-service general contractor, we manage the entire custom home build process for you: architectural renderings, permitting, scheduling, inspections, subcontractor management, and quality control. You’ll have a single point of contact and clear updates every step of the way, whether your homesite is in Tampa, St. Pete, Brandon, or Bradenton.
Commercial Construction and Build-Outs
We also provide commercial construction services and tenant build-outs for offices, retail spaces, clubhouses, and amenity areas across the Tampa Bay region.
If you’re a property owner, investor, or business owner, we can help you:
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Build out raw commercial space into tenant-ready suites
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Renovate existing offices, clubhouses, or common areas
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Upgrade finishes, lighting, and layouts to better match your brand
Our approach to commercial construction is simple: realistic timelines, clear communication, and a clean, professional job site. We know downtime costs money, so we set honest schedules based on 20 years of experience and then work hard to beat them when possible.
Interior Remodels: Kitchens, Bathrooms, and More
Interior remodels are where living spaces really come to life. Whether you’re updating individual units in a multifamily building, refreshing a single-family home, or remodeling a clubhouse, we focus on both beauty and durability.
We regularly remodel:
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Kitchens, including cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, and layout changes
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Bathrooms, including tile, tubs or showers, vanities, and fixtures
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Living spaces and bedrooms, including flooring, drywall, trim, and paint
We also partner with an interior designer who stays on top of design trends, from European influences to the latest styles popular here in the U.S., so we can tailor each renovation to your taste and your property’s character.
Roof Replacement and Roof Repair
We didn’t start as roofers, but roofing became a core part of our services because our multifamily, residential, and commercial clients in Florida needed a contractor they could trust for roof replacement and roof repair.
We provide:
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Roof replacements for multifamily buildings, homes, and commercial properties
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Roof leak investigation and repair
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Roof reinstallations and warranty-backed roofing systems
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Roof inspection for insurance purposes and home buyers
As roofing contractors serving West Central Florida, we understand the demands of Florida weather, including heat, humidity, and hurricanes, and we only install systems we’d trust on our own home or buildings.
Exterior Renovations and Capital Improvements
Curb appeal matters, especially in competitive markets like Tampa, St. Pete, Brandon, and Bradenton. As a general contractor specializing in exterior renovations, we help you protect your property and boost its value at the same time.
Our exterior services include:
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Exterior painting and pressure washing
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Stucco repair and siding replacement
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Concrete work, sidewalks, and gutters
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Fencing, carpentry, and exterior remodeling
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Amenity resurfacing and upgrades
Whether you’re planning a full exterior rehab on a multifamily community or targeted improvements on a commercial building, we’ll help you prioritize the work that delivers the biggest impact for your budget.
Full Home Renovations
Sometimes a property needs more than a few updates, it needs a full transformation. We offer complete home rehab services for investors, homeowners, and multifamily owners who want to bring older properties up to modern standards.
A full rehab can include:
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Structural repairs and layout changes
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Kitchen and bathroom renovations
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Flooring, drywall, paint, and trim
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Exterior fixes, roofing, windows, and doors
Because we’re a one-stop general contractor, we can manage every phase of your rehab, coordinate all trades, and keep the project moving so you can get your property back on the market or ready for move-in faster.
Why Our Clients Stay With Us
Over the years, many of our subcontractors have stayed with us for nearly two decades, even when competitors tried to lure them away. They call us and say, “We said no, we give you all of our trust.” That means the world to us, and it’s the same trust we want to earn from you.
We’re passionate about our customers, and you truly are like family to us. You’ll get honest communication, realistic timelines, and a team that shows up, stands by its work, and keeps going until you’re satisfied.
If you’re looking for a family-owned general contractor and roofing contractor, we’d be honored to talk about your project.
Let’s build something great together.
Tailored Solutions
By closely collaborating with you, we ensure that every project, from design to completion, is perfectly aligned with your goals.
Skilled Craftsmanship
Our team of skilled craftsmen brings precision and expertise to every project.
Client-Centric Approach
We prioritize your needs, ensuring clear communication, personalized solutions, and a seamless experience throughout every project.
Proven Track Record
We have a history of delivering high-quality results on time and within budget.
Client Stories
Alexandra Bertrand
Universal has been our preferred vendor for our properties for a few years. We work with Tayisha and she is great! Her and her team are super responsive and they get the job done quick! Thank you for all your help, look forward to working with you again on our next projects very soon!
Gregory Spearman
They did an excellent job with my condo renovation. Christina was super to work with. She kept me up to date on repairs throughout the entire process.
John Szkutnik
Universal is building several carports for our Condo Association. I have had interactions with their project leaders, site managers, estimators... everyone I have had contact with has been friendly, helpful and timely with their responses. The quality of their work has been fantastic. Highly recommend this company based on our experience.
Frequently asked questions
Where We Build: Our Major Service Areas
From our home base in Tampa, we have you covered locally, and we provide full-service general contracting and roofing projects all across Florida.
Tampa & Hillsborough
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Tampa
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North Tampa / Lutz
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Westchase
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New Tampa
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Brandon
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Riverview
St. Pete & Pinellas
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St. Petersburg
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Clearwater
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Largo
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Pinellas Park
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Palm Harbor
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The Beaches
Bradenton & Beyond
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Bradenton
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Sarasota
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Lakewood Ranch
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Wesley Chapel
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Land O' Lakes
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Plant City
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Fort Myers