Whole-home renovation in Houston
Keep the house and the lot you love. We update Heights bungalows and 1950s–70s ranch homes with new layouts, systems and finishes in one coordinated project.
Quick answer: A whole-home renovation in Houston typically runs $60–$300 per square foot and 3–6 months of construction. Doing everything at once costs less than room-by-room because demolition, permits and trades happen one time. Homes built before 1978 also need lead-safe work practices.
What’s included
- Existing-conditions assessment: foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical
- Floor-plan design and a phased budget
- Full permit set and floodplain review where needed
- Lead-safe practices for homes built before 1978
- Kitchens, baths, flooring, lighting, paint and trim
- One project manager and a weekly update
Whole-home renovation projects we build
Older-home updates
Original cast-iron drains, ungrounded wiring and single-pane windows are common in Houston homes from the 1950s and 1960s. We find them early so they are in the budget, not a surprise.
Open floor plans
Joining kitchen, dining and living space is the most common whole-home request. It usually means a beam, moved ductwork and new flooring throughout.
Heights bungalows
In historic districts such as parts of the Heights, exterior changes visible from the street need a Certificate of Appropriateness. Interiors are far less restricted.
Renovate or rebuild?
In Bellaire, Memorial and the Inner Loop, land is often worth more than the house, so it is fair to ask whether to tear down. Renovation usually wins when the foundation is sound, the house is out of the floodplain or already elevated, and you like the bones. We give you a renovation number so you can compare honestly.
What we check before pricing
- Foundation movement from Houston’s expansive clay soil
- Drain lines (cast iron or clay in older homes) with a camera
- Electrical panel capacity and wiring type
- Flood history and floodplain status
- Asbestos and lead paint in pre-1978 homes
Whole-home renovation cost in Houston
Typical ranges for full-service work in Greater Houston, reviewed every year.
| Scope | What it usually includes | Typical Houston range |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic whole-home | Floors, paint, lighting, fixtures | $40–$80 per sq ft |
| Partial gut | Kitchen, baths, some layout changes | $90–$160 per sq ft |
| Full gut | New layout, systems and finishes | $150–$300 per sq ft |
Ranges are for full-service work in Greater Houston, including design, permits, licensed trades and cleanup. They are based on 2025–2026 Houston data from Remodeling’s Cost vs Value report, Angi and Block Renovation, plus our own pricing. Your written estimate is itemized for your home.
Permits
Whole-home renovations need a building permit plus mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits. In the floodplain, a project costing 50% or more of the home’s market value counts as a substantial improvement and must meet elevation rules. Historic districts add a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes.
Questions about whole-home renovation
Is it cheaper to renovate the whole house at once?
Usually yes. Demolition, dumpsters, permits and trade visits happen once instead of every time you do another room.
Can we live in the house during a whole-home renovation?
For partial projects we can phase the work. For a full gut, most families move out for safety and speed.
What is a substantial improvement?
In a mapped floodplain, a project costing 50% or more of the building’s market value. It triggers current elevation requirements, so we check it before design.
Do you handle lead paint in older homes?
Yes. Homes built before 1978 require EPA lead-safe work practices during renovation, and we follow them.
Should I renovate or tear down my Houston home?
It depends on the foundation, flood status and how much you want to change. We price the renovation so you can compare it with a rebuild.
Where we work
Related services
Kitchen remodeling
New layouts, cabinets, countertops and islands.
Learn moreHome additions
Room additions, primary suites and garage conversions.
Learn moreStorm & water damage rebuild
Flood and water-damage rebuilds after mitigation.
Learn moreHelpful guides
Remodeling in a Houston floodplain
How Houston’s floodplain rules affect remodels and additions: the 50% substantial-improvement rule, elevation above the 500-year flood level and what to check.
Read the guideHow to choose a remodeling contractor in Houston
Texas doesn’t license general contractors, so vetting is on you. A checklist of licenses, insurance, permits, contracts and payments to ask a Houston remodeler.
Read the guideDo you pay sales tax on a home remodel in Texas?
In Texas, labor to remodel a home is not taxable, but materials are. How lump-sum and separated contracts work, and what to look for on a Houston remodeling quote.
Read the guideHow to finance a home remodel in Texas
Texas home equity loans and HELOCs have unique rules: the 80% limit, 12-day wait, 3-day rescission and $4,000 minimum draws. Ways to pay for a Houston remodel.
Read the guideHow to protect your home from contractor liens in Texas
Texas law requires a “Know Your Rights” disclosure, a subcontractor list and a 10% reserve for 30 days. How to avoid paying twice on a Houston remodel.
Read the guideRemodeling an older Houston home
What to check before remodeling a pre-1980 Houston home: lead paint rules, asbestos, cast-iron drains, old wiring, pier-and-beam foundations and historic districts.
Read the guideReady to talk about your renovation project?
Free in-home estimate with a written scope, price and schedule.
Or call (346) 456-5310