Whole Home Remodel in The Heights.
A whole-home renovation is the only point at which you can fix the things you cannot see — wiring, ducts, insulation, and foundation movement — without paying twice for demolition and finishes. In The Heights that matters most on homes built before the current energy code.
Whole Home Remodel in The Heights, Texas typically costs $150–$275 per square foot for a full renovation, or $85–$130 per square foot for a cosmetic refresh, and takes 10–16 weeks of design and permitting, then 6–12 months on site. Novara Construction is a licensed, insured design-build contractor serving The Heights, Houston and surrounding Harris County, handling design, permitting, and construction under one fixed-price contract.
$150–$275 per square foot for a full renovation, or $85–$130 per square foot for a cosmetic refresh.
Greater Houston market ranges, not a quote. Your number depends on scope, finish level, and existing conditions.
10–16 weeks of design and permitting, then 6–12 months on site.
Permitting duration varies by jurisdiction — see below for who reviews work in The Heights.
What's included
- Architect-led floor plan reworks and structural changes
- Full mechanical, electrical, and plumbing replacement
- Windows, insulation, and envelope upgrades for Gulf Coast humidity
- Kitchen, baths, flooring, millwork, and paint under one contract
- Foundation evaluation and leveling before finishes go in
The Heights homes
The Heights is bungalows and cottages from the 1910s–1940s: pier-and-beam foundations, shiplap, original longleaf pine, small kitchens, and one bath. The work is almost always a combination of preservation and modernization — leveling and reinforcing the foundation, replacing knob-and-tube wiring and galvanized plumbing, insulating, then rebuilding the kitchen and baths and often adding to the rear.
Design and documents first, then a single fixed-price contract, then a sequenced build with one project manager and a live schedule you can check any day of the week.
Who reviews it
Much of the area sits inside a City of Houston historic district, where exterior changes and additions require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission before a building permit is issued. We prepare those applications and design additions that will actually get approved.
- Houston Heights
- Norhill
- Woodland Heights
- Sunset Heights
- Shady Acres
77007 · 77008 · 77009
Not listed? Call and we'll confirm coverage for your address.
The Heights questions
Should we move out during the work?
For a full renovation, yes — it is faster, safer, and usually cheaper than phasing around an occupied house. For a partial remodel we can phase the work and keep a functioning kitchen and bath.
Is it cheaper to renovate or build new?
In most established The Heights neighborhoods, renovating is cheaper per square foot than tearing down and rebuilding, and it preserves the lot value. Once you are replacing the foundation and the entire envelope, the math moves toward new construction.
Can I add on to a home in a Heights historic district?
Usually yes, with the addition set back and subordinate to the original structure. It requires a Certificate of Appropriateness, which we prepare and submit.
Do you do foundation work on pier-and-beam bungalows?
Yes. Leveling, sill and joist replacement, and new piers are common first phases before finish work begins.