How Much Does a Whole-House Remodel Cost?
Understanding the Investment Behind a Truly Custom Renovation
Remodeling your entire home isn’t just a financial decision; it’s a lifestyle one. Whether you're adapting to a growing family, reworking an outdated layout, or simply wanting your space to feel like it reflects you, a full-home renovation can offer more flexibility and personal impact than moving or building from scratch.
But what does it actually cost?
We get it…when you're planning a remodel, one of the first things you want to know is the cost. But comparing remodels by dollar amount alone is like comparing a basket of groceries without looking at what’s inside. Sure, two carts might hold the same number of items, but one contains frozen dinners and the other contains lobster. The quality of what you’re getting matters, and it can vary dramatically.
That’s why we don’t throw out generic numbers. Every home and every homeowner will be different. We take the time to understand your goals, your space, and your expectations before offering a clear, custom estimate rooted in experience and transparency. It’s not about avoiding the question; it’s about giving you an honest answer that means something.
Remodeling Isn’t Just About Price…It’s About Priorities
We work with clients who care deeply about quality, longevity, and value. That doesn’t mean ignoring the budget. It means making every dollar count.
In a custom remodel, every dollar has a job, and we help you make sure it’s doing something that matters. That might mean opening up a floor plan so your family can enjoy meals together, investing in long-lasting finishes that won’t need replacing in five years, or rethinking your layout entirely to create better function and flow.
This isn’t about spending more—it’s about spending with intention.
Where the Money Actually Goes
A quality remodel goes far beyond paint colors and countertops. Here's where most of your investment is truly going:
Structural Reconfiguration: Moving walls, raising ceilings, opening layouts
Mechanical Work: Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC updates to meet modern needs and codes
Custom Craftsmanship: Millwork, cabinetry, tile installation, built-ins, and those details you can feel
Design + Permitting: Architectural drawings, code compliance, site planning
Labor: Skilled teams that know how to do it right the first time
Materials + Fixtures: Quality selections that match your lifestyle and design goals
We don’t do cheap shortcuts, and we don’t hide costs behind generic numbers. What you do get is clarity, quality, and a team that treats your investment like their own.
What About the Economy?
Just like groceries and gas, the cost of building materials and labor has gone up…and it affects everything from drywall to delivery schedules. That’s the reality of remodeling today.
But it doesn’t mean you should settle or delay. It means you need a prepared contractor. At Howland Homes, we keep you informed at every stage, communicate changes early, and use recent job data to create budgets that reflect current market conditions.
Your budget should be protected, not ignored.
That’s why we build a preliminary estimate within 10% of your actual scope, using real numbers, not guesses.
What You’re Really Investing In
Let’s be honest: no one dreams of demo days or budget meetings.
What you're investing in is the feeling of living in a home that finally works for you. A home that reflects who you are, how you live, and where you're headed. A home where:
Rooms flow naturally and serve a purpose
Light fills the right places at the right times
Details spark joy every time you walk past them
Spaces support your routines, not disrupt them
This is more than renovation. It’s renewal.
The Cost-Plus Model: Clarity, Not Confusion
We don’t sell fixed-price dreams wrapped in vague fine print. Instead, we operate on a cost-plus model; an approach built on transparency, flexibility, and partnership. You see exactly what things cost, with estimates grounded in real-time market data and actual job history. You approve every step before we move forward, so surprises are minimized and expectations stay clear.
This isn’t a blank check. It’s a process designed to keep you in control, with full visibility into where your money is going and why.
Final Thoughts
If you’re exploring a full-home remodel in North Georgia, don’t settle for generic answers or vague estimates. The truth is: the right remodel isn’t about how much you spend, it’s about how well it’s spent.
At Howland Homes, we approach every project with a simple goal: to build something that makes sense for your life, your budget, and your future. And we take that responsibility seriously.
What Comes Next?
Understanding the cost of a whole-house remodel is just the beginning. If you’re wondering how that investment gets broken down—and how we help you plan realistically without compromising what matters most—stay tuned!
In our next blog, we’ll show you how we build a preliminary budget after the first site visit and how we refine that estimate as we move through the planning phase.
