What Is a Complete Home Renovation?
A complete home renovation (also called a whole-house remodel or full gut renovation) transforms a home from the inside out — new kitchen, new bathrooms, new flooring throughout, updated electrical and plumbing, fresh exterior, and often structural changes like opening walls or reconfiguring the floor plan.
In Houston, complete home renovations are common in three scenarios:
- Older homes (1950s–1980s) with outdated systems and deferred maintenance
- Investor flip renovations — taking a distressed property to move-in ready
- Luxury renovation — taking a solid home from dated to high-end without moving
MAV Design & Build handles complete home renovations throughout Houston. Here’s everything you need to know to plan yours.
Complete Home Renovation Costs in Houston
| Home Size | Standard Renovation | Mid-Range Renovation | Luxury Renovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200–1,800 sq ft | $80,000–$150,000 | $150,000–$280,000 | $280,000–$450,000 |
| 1,800–2,800 sq ft | $120,000–$220,000 | $220,000–$400,000 | $400,000–$650,000 |
| 2,800–4,000 sq ft | $180,000–$320,000 | $320,000–$550,000 | $550,000–$900,000+ |
These ranges reflect Houston market labor and material costs in 2025. Structural changes (removing load-bearing walls, adding rooms, second-story work) add significantly to these figures.
What’s Included in a Complete Home Renovation
Kitchen
Full kitchen gut and rebuild: new cabinets, countertops, appliances, backsplash, flooring, lighting, and often layout redesign. In a complete home renovation, the kitchen is typically the highest single-line-item cost: $35,000–$120,000+.
See our kitchen remodeling page for options and examples.
Bathrooms
A complete home renovation typically includes all bathrooms: master bathroom ($18,000–$60,000), guest/hall bathroom(s) ($8,000–$20,000 each), powder room ($4,000–$10,000). Total bathroom budget for a 3-bed/2-bath Houston home: $30,000–$90,000.
See our bathroom remodeling services.
Flooring Throughout
Replacing all flooring in a Houston home: hardwood, LVP, tile, or carpet as needed. Typical budget: $15,000–$50,000 depending on home size and material selections.
Electrical System Update
Pre-1980 Houston homes often have outdated wiring (aluminum wiring, undersized panels, knob-and-tube remnants). A full electrical update — new panel, proper circuits, GFCI protection, modern outlets — runs $8,000–$25,000 in Houston.
Plumbing Update
Houston’s hard water and older galvanized pipes often need replacement in older homes. Full plumbing repipe with PEX: $8,000–$20,000 for a typical Houston home.
HVAC System
Houston HVAC replacement: $8,000–$20,000 for a whole-home system. During a complete renovation, new ductwork routing is possible — worth doing right rather than retrofitting later.
Structural & Layout Changes
Opening the floor plan — removing walls, adding openings, reconfiguring the layout — is the most popular structural change in Houston complete renovations. Removing a load-bearing wall: $5,000–$20,000. Creating an open-concept kitchen/living area in a 1970s Houston ranch home: $15,000–$35,000 in structural work. See our open-concept renovation page.
Interior & Exterior
Interior: fresh paint throughout, new trim, doors, lighting, window treatments. Exterior: paint or reclad, new front door, landscaping, driveway if needed.
How to Plan a Complete Houston Home Renovation
Step 1: Set Your Total Budget
Before doing anything, establish a hard maximum budget. Add a 15–20% contingency reserve on top — unexpected conditions are found in virtually every complete renovation in Houston’s older housing stock.
Step 2: Prioritize Systems vs. Aesthetics
If your home has aging electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, these invisible systems must come first — regardless of aesthetics. Skipping necessary system updates while renovating aesthetics results in expensive rework later.
Step 3: Start With Design
Before a single wall is touched, have a complete design — including floor plan, finishes, and fixture selections. Our 3D design service creates photorealistic renderings of every room so you can visualize the finished product before demolition begins.
Step 4: Sequence the Work Correctly
The correct renovation sequence in Houston:
- Structural work (wall removal, additions)
- Rough-in mechanical (plumbing, electrical, HVAC)
- Insulation and drywall
- Cabinetry and millwork
- Tile and flooring
- Countertops (after cabinets are in)
- Paint (after all trades)
- Trim, doors, hardware
- Fixtures and appliances
- Final finishes
Step 5: Manage the Timeline Realistically
A complete home renovation on a 2,000 sq ft Houston home takes 4–8 months from permit approval to move-in. Larger homes or more complex projects take 6–12 months. Plan your temporary housing accordingly.
Renovation Sequencing: Can You Live There?
During a complete home renovation, most Houston homeowners temporarily rent or stay elsewhere:
- Kitchen demolition makes the home non-functional
- Concrete dust and construction noise are intense
- Multiple trades working daily means constant access needed
If the renovation is phased (one room at a time), some homeowners do live in the home, but it requires careful scheduling and strong nerves.
The MAV Complete Home Renovation Process
- Free consultation and home assessment
- Full 3D design of every room
- Fixed-price contract with detailed scope
- Permit application and processing
- Phased construction with dedicated project manager
- Final walkthrough and sign-off
As a veteran-owned business, we apply military-grade project management to every renovation: clear timelines, weekly updates, and no surprises.
Ready to plan your Houston home renovation? Call (832) 532-6829 or get a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing you should do when renovating a house?
Before any physical work, complete the design and secure permits. Skipping design leads to expensive mid-construction decisions. Skipping permits creates legal problems at sale. At MAV, every project starts with complete 3D design before breaking ground.
Is it cheaper to renovate or build new in Houston?
New construction in Houston runs $180–$300+ per sq ft in 2025. Full renovation of an existing home runs $75–$200/sq ft depending on scope. Renovation is generally cheaper if the existing structure is sound — but the gap narrows significantly when major system replacements are needed.
What adds the most value to a Houston home renovation?
Kitchen remodels and master bathroom renovations consistently have the highest return on investment in Houston. Opening the floor plan (removing walls for open-concept) adds significant perceived value without proportionate cost. Adding a bedroom or bathroom adds measured, reliable value.
How long does a complete home renovation take in Houston?
A complete home renovation in Houston takes 4–8 months from permit approval to completion, depending on home size and scope. Adding a room addition, second story, or major structural work extends this to 8–12 months.