Last updated: August 2026
How Much Does Remodeling Cost in Houston? 2026 Price Guide
Every range on this page comes from signed Houston contracts, not a national calculator. Prices assume Harris County labor, a slab foundation, and permits pulled properly.
Remodeling in Houston runs $150 to $400 per square foot for whole-home work. A full kitchen costs $28,000 to $75,000 over 10 to 14 weeks; a hall bathroom costs $15,000 to $35,000 over 4 to 6 weeks. Permits add one to three weeks. Hold back 10 percent for concealed conditions on any house built before 1980.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Houston?
Cabinetry sets the price of a Houston kitchen. It is 30 to 40 percent of the total on most jobs, which is why two bids on the same room can differ by $20,000 while the drawings look identical.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh: paint or reface boxes, new counters | $12,000 | $18,000 | $26,000 | $85–$160 |
| Full remodel, layout unchanged | $28,000 | $42,000 | $58,000 | $200–$375 |
| Full remodel with a wall removed | $45,000 | $62,000 | $95,000 | $300–$520 |
| Open-concept rebuild with custom cabinetry | $65,000 | $85,000 | $130,000 | $420–$700 |
Per-square-foot figures use the kitchen footprint, not the whole house. A 180 sq ft kitchen is average for a 1960s Meyerland or Westbury ranch.
Where the money goes on a $42,000 kitchen
- Cabinets, $14,000. Semi-custom plywood boxes with soft-close hardware. Stock big-box lines save $5,000; full custom adds $10,000 to $25,000.
- Countertops, $4,800. Quartz at roughly $85 per square foot installed, including the sink cutout.
- Labor and supervision, $12,400. Demolition, framing, drywall, tile setting, trim, and the project manager who keeps six trades in order.
- Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, $8,900. Code outlet spacing, a dedicated microwave circuit, new supply lines, and a properly ducted vent hood.
- Permits and contingency, $1,900. City of Houston fees plus a small reserve for what the walls hide.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Houston?
Bathrooms cost more per square foot than any other room. A 60 sq ft hall bath packs plumbing, waterproofing, tile, glass, electrical and ventilation into the smallest area in the house.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder room refresh | $4,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 | $150–$300 |
| Hall bath, tub-shower replaced | $15,000 | $22,000 | $30,000 | $300–$550 |
| Primary bath, tile shower and double vanity | $25,000 | $34,000 | $48,000 | $400–$750 |
| Primary suite expansion, walls moved | $45,000 | $60,000 | $85,000 | $500–$900 |
Relocating a toilet drain through a post-tension slab adds $2,000 to $4,000 and a day of scanning and coring before demolition can finish.
A sheet-membrane or liquid waterproofing system behind the tile, and a vent fan ducted to the roof rather than into the attic. Together they add about $1,200 to a Houston bathroom. Skipping them is the single most common reason we get called to rebuild a five-year-old shower.
How much does a whole-home renovation cost in Houston?
Whole-home pricing is quoted per square foot of house. The three tiers below assume a 2,000 sq ft single-story slab home, which describes most of Meyerland, Westbury, Braeswood and Sharpstown.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh: floors, paint, lighting, one bath | $300,000 | $340,000 | $420,000 | $150–$210 |
| Renovation: kitchen, all baths, floors, partial systems | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 | $200–$300 |
| Down to studs: new systems, structural changes, high-end finishes | $600,000 | $700,000 | $800,000 | $300–$400 |
Smaller houses cost more per square foot: kitchens and baths do not shrink with the floor plan. A 1,200 sq ft bungalow in The Heights often prices above the band.
Post-flood rebuilds
A flooded 2,000 sq ft slab home typically runs $110,000 to $250,000 to bring back, because the shell and roof stay. Elevated outlets, closed-cell foam in exterior walls, tile in place of wood, and moisture-resistant board add roughly 6 to 10 percent and are worth every dollar in a Harvey-affected block.
What do additions and garage conversions cost?
An addition costs more per square foot than renovating what you have, because it starts with a new slab, new framing, new roof tie-in and an HVAC system that has to carry the extra load. A garage conversion is the cheapest square footage you can add in Houston, the slab and walls already exist.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage conversion to living space, 400 sq ft | $22,000 | $34,000 | $52,000 | $55–$130 |
| Single-story addition, 300–500 sq ft | $75,000 | $110,000 | $165,000 | $250–$375 |
| Primary suite addition with bathroom | $115,000 | $150,000 | $215,000 | $300–$450 |
| Second-story addition | $180,000 | $240,000 | $340,000 | $330–$500 |
Additions need a survey, plan review and often engineering. Budget $2,500 to $9,000 for drawings and a stamped foundation design before construction starts.
Converting a garage adds living space for a third of the cost of an addition, but you lose covered parking and storage, and in some deed-restricted Houston neighborhoods, the restrictions require an enclosed garage. Check your deed restrictions before you fall in love with the plan.
Flooring, paint, cabinet and countertop prices
These are the line items homeowners compare most often between bids, so here they are by the unit rather than by the room.
| Item | Low | Typical | High | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury vinyl plank | $6 | $9 | $12 | per sq ft |
| Porcelain tile | $11 | $16 | $24 | per sq ft |
| Engineered hardwood | $12 | $17 | $26 | per sq ft |
| Interior repaint, 2,000 sq ft home | $4,200 | $6,500 | $9,500 | whole house |
| Exterior repaint, 2,000 sq ft home | $5,500 | $8,500 | $14,000 | whole house |
| Cabinet refacing, average kitchen | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 | per kitchen |
| Custom cabinets | $450 | $750 | $1,200 | per linear ft |
| Quartz countertops | $65 | $85 | $130 | per sq ft |
| Granite countertops | $55 | $70 | $110 | per sq ft |
| Butcher block | $45 | $65 | $95 | per sq ft |
Installed prices include tear-out and haul-off of the existing material, prep and trim. Stair treads, curved walls, and herringbone or chevron layouts carry a labor premium of 20 to 45 percent.
What do patios, outdoor kitchens and decks cost?
Houston outdoor projects live or die on shade and drainage. A patio cover with a real roof structure and gutters costs more than a pergola and is the only version that gets used in August.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attached patio cover, 16×20 | $12,000 | $19,000 | $32,000 | Shingle or metal roof, gutters |
| Outdoor kitchen | $14,000 | $28,000 | $55,000 | Gas, water and a rated grill |
| Composite deck, 300 sq ft | $9,000 | $14,000 | $22,000 | $30–$75 per sq ft |
| Concrete patio extension | $4,500 | $8,000 | $14,000 | $12–$22 per sq ft |
Outdoor kitchens with plumbing need a permit and a backflow preventer. Gas runs from the meter add $900 to $2,600 depending on distance.
Roof, siding and window replacement costs
Exterior work in Houston is priced against hurricane fastening schedules and the humidity that destroys anything installed without a drainage plane. Hardie board costs more than vinyl and outlasts it here by decades.
| Scope | Low | Typical | High | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingle roof, 2,000 sq ft home | $9,500 | $14,000 | $22,000 | $4.75–$11 per sq ft |
| Standing-seam metal roof | $24,000 | $34,000 | $52,000 | $12–$24 per sq ft |
| Hardie fiber-cement siding replacement | $18,000 | $28,000 | $45,000 | $12–$22 per sq ft |
| Double-pane vinyl window replacement | $650 | $950 | $1,600 | per window |
| Impact-rated windows | $1,100 | $1,600 | $2,600 | per window |
Insurance sometimes covers storm-damaged roofs and siding. We will document damage for your adjuster, but we will not inflate a scope to match a claim.
Estimate your Houston remodel
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What makes a Houston remodel cost more
Two identical floor plans on the same Houston street can price $20,000 apart. These are the reasons, in the order they show up most often.
- Moving plumbing across a slab. Scanning, coring, re-routing and patching: $2,000 to $5,000 per fixture relocated.
- Load-bearing walls. A beam, posts and engineering to remove one: $3,500 to $12,000 depending on span and roof load.
- Cabinet grade. Stock to semi-custom to full custom spans $8,000 to $35,000 on the same kitchen footprint.
- Electrical service. Pre-1980 houses often need a panel upgrade before you add circuits: $2,400 to $4,800.
- HVAC capacity. Adding square footage or opening a floor plan can require new ducting or a larger system: $4,500 to $14,000.
- Tile pattern and size. Large-format and herringbone layouts add 20 to 45 percent to setting labor.
- Access. Second-floor work, narrow driveways and no place for a dumpster add labor hours to every single day.
- Concealed conditions. Collapsed cast-iron drains, aluminum branch wiring, rot behind a shower pan, termite damage in a sill plate.
- Timeline pressure. Overtime and out-of-sequence work to hit a holiday date: 5 to 15 percent.
How to read a Houston contractor bid
A one-page bid with a single number is not a bid, it is a hope. Every proposal you compare should show scope, allowances, exclusions and a payment schedule. Below is what an itemized Houston kitchen looks like.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | $2,400 | Two 20-yard dumpsters |
| Permits and inspections | $1,150 | City of Houston, pulled in our name |
| Plumbing rough-in and set | $6,800 | Relocated sink, new supply lines, disposal |
| Electrical | $4,200 | Code outlet spacing, dedicated circuits, cans |
| HVAC modifications | $1,900 | Return relocated, vent hood ducted to roof |
| Framing and drywall | $5,600 | Beam for removed wall, level-4 finish |
| Cabinets (allowance) | $14,000 | Semi-custom plywood, soft-close |
| Countertops (allowance) | $4,800 | Quartz at $85 per sq ft installed |
| Tile and flooring (allowance) | $5,200 | Backsplash and floor, standard layout |
| Appliances (allowance) | $7,500 | Owner-selected, we receive and install |
| Paint | $2,600 | Walls, ceiling, trim, two coats |
| Project management and supervision | $6,300 | Single point of contact, weekly schedule |
| Contingency (5%) | $3,100 | Released back to you if unused |
| Contract total | $65,550 | Fixed price, 12-week schedule |
An allowance is a budget placeholder for something you have not selected yet. If your bid has no allowances and no selections, the number will change.
Five questions that expose a weak bid
- What is the counter, tile and cabinet allowance in dollars per unit?
- Which permits are included, and whose name are they pulled in?
- What is excluded: appliances, window treatments, landscape repair, structural surprises?
- What is the change-order process, and do I approve pricing before the work happens?
- Who is on site daily, and who answers the phone when they are not?
A deposit over one third of contract value, a discount for paying cash, or a start date next week. Reputable Houston remodelers are booked three to eight weeks out. Nobody good is free tomorrow.
How to pay for a Houston remodel
We do not originate loans and we take no referral fee from lenders. Here is the honest comparison so you can shop it yourself.
| Option | Typical rate | Term | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash or savings | , | , | Any project; no closing costs, no interest |
| HELOC | 7.5–9.5% variable | 10–20 yrs | Phased work; you draw only what you use |
| Home equity loan | 8–10% fixed | 5–20 yrs | One fixed-price project, predictable payment |
| Cash-out refinance | 6.5–7.5% fixed | 15–30 yrs | Large renovations, if your current rate is higher |
| Unsecured home improvement loan | 9–18% fixed | 3–12 yrs | Smaller jobs, or when equity is thin |
| FHA 203(k) or Fannie HomeStyle | Mortgage rate +0.25–0.75% | 15–30 yrs | Buying a house that needs work before move-in |
| Credit card | 20%+ variable | Revolving | Fixtures and small buys only, paid off monthly |
Rates are illustrative for August 2026 and vary by credit, equity and lender. Texas home equity lending has its own rules under Section 50(a)(6) of the state constitution, ask your lender how the 80 percent combined loan-to-value cap applies to you.
Houston remodeling cost questions, answered
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Houston?
Between $28,000 and $75,000 for a full remodel, with most Houston kitchens landing near $42,000. Keeping the layout and refacing existing boxes brings it down to $12,000 to $26,000. Moving the sink or range across a slab adds $2,000 to $5,000 in plumbing alone.
What does a bathroom remodel cost in Houston?
A hall bath with the tub-shower replaced runs $15,000 to $30,000. A primary bath with a tile shower and double vanity runs $25,000 to $48,000. Powder rooms start near $4,500. The tile pattern matters more than most homeowners expect: a herringbone floor can add $1,800 in labor on the same square footage.
Is $100 per square foot realistic for a Houston renovation?
Not for anything involving kitchens, baths or systems. Paint-and-floors work can land near $45 to $70 per square foot. Once cabinets, tile, plumbing and electrical are in scope, Houston whole-home renovations run $150 to $400 per square foot. A bid far under that band is usually missing allowances, permits or supervision.
Why are three bids for the same kitchen thousands apart?
Almost always allowances and exclusions. One bid carries a $65 per square foot counter allowance and another carries $110. One includes the electrical permit and inspection, another leaves it to you. Compare the line items, not the totals, and ask each contractor what happens if the wall turns out to be load-bearing.
Do Houston remodels need a permit?
Structural changes, new or relocated plumbing and gas lines, electrical circuits and panel work, additions, and garage conversions all require one. Inside city limits it goes through the City of Houston Permitting Center; outside it goes through Harris County. Add one to three weeks for review and expect $400 to $2,000 in fees depending on scope.
What is the cheapest way to update a dated kitchen?
Paint the existing boxes, replace the counters and sink, add undercabinet lighting, and swap the hardware: roughly $12,000 to $18,000. The honest tradeoff: refacing saves about $8,000 over new cabinetry, but you keep the existing layout, the existing box sizes, and any sagging drawer boxes underneath.
How much should I hold back for surprises?
Ten percent of contract value on a house built before 1980, five percent on newer construction. In Houston the common finds are cast-iron drain lines that have collapsed, aluminum branch wiring, undersized returns in the attic, and rot behind a shower pan that leaked for years before you bought the house.
Does a remodel raise my Harris County property taxes?
Permitted improvements are reported to the appraisal district and can raise your assessed value, though rarely by the full project cost. Cosmetic work usually moves the needle very little. Ask HCAD directly rather than asking a contractor to guess, and never skip a permit to hide work from an appraiser.
What does it cost to remodel after a flood?
A flooded 2,000 square foot slab home typically runs $110,000 to $250,000 to bring back with new drywall, flooring, cabinets, trim and paint. The work that pays off later: elevated outlets, closed-cell foam, tile in place of wood, moisture-resistant board, adds roughly 6 to 10 percent.
How much do materials versus labor account for?
On a typical Houston kitchen, expect 40 to 45 percent materials, 40 to 45 percent labor, and 12 to 18 percent overhead, supervision and profit. Anyone showing you 5 percent overhead is either working out of a truck with no insurance or planning to make it back on change orders.
Do you charge for the estimate?
No. The in-home consultation and the written fixed-price proposal are free with no obligation, and the document is yours to keep and compare. We do charge for design drawings and engineering when a project needs stamped plans, and we tell you that cost before any of it starts.
Will prices change between the estimate and the start date?
Our proposals hold for 30 days. After that we re-price materials, because lumber, drywall and copper still move. Once you sign, the contract price is fixed except for change orders you approve in writing and for genuine concealed conditions, which we document with photos the day we find them.
Get a free written estimate for your project
One visit, then a line-item written proposal with allowances and exclusions spelled out. Yours to keep and compare, at no cost.
(832) 816-2537 10101 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77096- We call you backUsually the same day, always within one business day. Five minutes on the phone tells us whether the scope fits.
- Free in-home visit60 to 90 minutes. We measure, photograph, check the panel and the slab, and answer questions. No sales presentation.
- Fixed-price written proposal3 to 5 business days later: line-item scope, allowances, exclusions, and a start date. Yours to keep and compare.
We reply to every request within one business day.