A whole-home remodel in the Clearwater area generally runs between $100,000 and $400,000 or more. The range is wide because a whole-home project can mean anything from a cosmetic refresh of every room to a full gut renovation that touches the plumbing, wiring, and structure. This guide breaks down what changes the number and how to plan a big project so it stays under control.
What a whole-home remodel actually includes
Whole-home means different things to different people. Here are the three common levels.
Cosmetic whole-home refresh: $100,000 to $175,000
Every room gets attention, but the bones stay. New flooring throughout, fresh paint, updated kitchen and bathrooms, new lighting and fixtures, and new trim and doors. The layout and the systems stay as they are. This makes an older home feel completely new without the cost of a full gut.
Mid-level renovation: $175,000 to $275,000
This tier changes some of the layout and updates the systems. Opening up a floor plan, remodeled kitchen and bathrooms with moved plumbing, some new windows, updated electrical, and higher-end finishes. Common in older Clearwater homes that need modernizing but are worth keeping.
Full gut renovation: $275,000 to $400,000 and up
The home is taken back to the studs. New plumbing, new wiring, new HVAC, new insulation, reworked layout, and all-new finishes throughout. This is common with vintage Clearwater homes that have great character but decades-old systems. When it is done, you essentially have a brand-new home inside the original shell.
What drives the price up or down
- ▸Square footage. More space costs more, simple as that.
- ▸How much you gut. Keeping the plumbing and wiring where they are saves a lot. Ripping it all out and starting over is the biggest cost.
- ▸Kitchen and bathrooms. These rooms carry the most cost per square foot, so how many you have and how nice they are matters.
- ▸Finishes. The difference between builder-grade and high-end runs through every room and adds up fast.
- ▸Home age and condition. Old Clearwater homes often hide surprises like knob-and-tube wiring, old galvanized plumbing, or settled foundations.
- ▸Permits. A whole-home project involves multiple permits and inspections, which we handle and build into the estimate.
How to plan a big remodel so it stays under control
- Set a real budget with a cushion. Build in a contingency of ten to twenty percent for the surprises that older homes always have.
- Decide the scope before demolition. Changing your mind after the walls are open is what blows budgets and timelines.
- Pick your finishes early. Some materials have long lead times. Choosing early keeps the job moving.
- Consider phasing. If the full project is more than the budget allows now, a good contractor can phase it so you spread the cost.
- Plan where you will live. A full gut usually means moving out for part of the project. Know that going in.
How long a whole-home remodel takes
A cosmetic whole-home refresh can take two to four months. A mid-level renovation runs four to six months. A full gut usually takes six months to a year, including design, permits, and inspections. We give you a realistic schedule and keep you updated the whole way.
Why the exact price comes after a free on-site estimate
A whole-home project has too many variables for an honest phone quote. Until we walk the home, understand your goals, and see the condition of the systems behind the walls, any number is a guess. Our on-site estimate is free and you get a clear written scope with no pressure.
On a big remodel, the plan is worth as much as the crew. Decide the scope before the demolition starts.
Planning a whole-home remodel? Get a free on-site estimate. Call Ares Construction at (727) 600-1040.