Notes from the studio.
Guides, project stories, and honest takes on remodeling and building across Greater Houston. Filter by city or by the kind of project you're planning.
How long do building permits take in Houston and nearby cities?
What affects residential permit timing in the City of Houston, suburbs and unincorporated areas — and how to keep plan review from delaying your remodel.
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Should you fix your foundation before remodeling a Houston home?
How Houston's clay soil moves slabs, the warning signs to check before a remodel, and why foundation work should come before new tile, drywall and countertops.
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Flood-resilient remodeling in Houston: materials and design choices
How to remodel a Houston home so it recovers faster from water — flood-resistant materials, raised outlets, floodplain rules and what to check before you build.
Read articleHOA approval for remodeling in Houston suburbs: a step-by-step guide
How architectural review works in Katy, Cypress, The Woodlands and Sugar Land communities — what needs approval, what to submit and how to avoid delays.
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Remodeling permits by city: Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland and The Woodlands
Who issues remodeling permits across Greater Houston — city, county or township — and how HOAs and deed restrictions fit in.
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Remodeling in a Houston floodplain: elevation certificates and permits
What changes when your home is in a mapped floodplain — elevation certificates, substantial-improvement rules, and choosing flood-resistant materials.
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Houston remodeling permits explained: City of Houston, Harris County, and the suburbs
Which projects need a permit in the Houston area, who issues it, how long it takes, and what happens if you skip it.
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Getting HOA and architectural approval in Houston's suburbs
Cinco Ranch, Riverstone, Bridgeland, The Woodlands: how exterior approval really works, what gets rejected, and how long it takes.
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Remodeling a Houston home in a floodplain
The 50% substantial improvement rule, elevation certificates, permits, and how to renovate without triggering a full elevation requirement.
Read articleHumble and Kingwood: rebuilding smarter after flooding
What to replace, in what order, and how to make the next storm a cleanup instead of a rebuild.
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