WHOLE-HOME RENOVATION
Whole-Home Renovation in Tampa Bay
A whole-home renovation is the most involved thing a homeowner can take on short of building new — multiple trades, live permits, and a house you may be living in while it happens. We've been running these across Tampa Bay for more than twenty years. One contractor, one schedule, one person accountable for the whole thing. Renovation is the majority of what we do, and it's the work we know best.
Request a ConsultationFlorida Certified General Contractor · CGC1519826
SCOPE OF WORK
What's included.
Design and planning
Layout changes, structural feasibility, and material selections before demo starts.
Permits and inspections
We pull them, schedule them, and meet the inspectors. You never call the county.
Structural work
Wall removal, load-bearing modification, foundation and framing repair.
Full trade coordination
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical, sequenced so nobody waits on anybody.
Interior finishes
Flooring, drywall, trim, cabinetry, tile, paint.
Exterior work
Windows, doors, siding, roofing, and stucco when the scope calls for it.
PROCESS
How long does a whole-home renovation take in Tampa Bay?
Most whole-home renovations run 4 to 9 months from contract to final walkthrough, depending on square footage and how much structural work is involved. Design and permitting take 4 to 10 weeks of that before a single wall comes down — Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco each move at their own pace, and coastal or flood-zone properties add review time. Demolition is fast. Rough-in and inspections are the long middle. Finishes take longer than anyone expects because that's where selections and lead times bite.
Consultation
We walk the property, talk through what you're after, and give you a straight answer about whether it's feasible and roughly what it runs.
Design & Estimate
Plans, selections, and a line-item estimate. You see where every dollar goes before anything is signed.
Build
Permits pulled, crews scheduled, one point of contact. You get updates without having to chase them.
Walkthrough & Warranty
We walk the finished work with you, fix the punch list, and back it in writing.
COST
What does a whole-home renovation cost in Tampa Bay?
Whole-home renovations in the Tampa Bay area generally run $100 to $250 per square foot, which puts a typical 2,000 square foot home somewhere between $200,000 and $500,000. The spread is wide because the phrase covers everything from new finishes throughout to gutting a house to its frame and rebuilding the interior.
Targeted Renovation
$100–$150 per sq ft
One or two primary areas — typically kitchen or bathrooms — with limited structural changes and mechanical updates.
Mid-Range Whole-Home
$150–$200 per sq ft
Most rooms updated, one or two bathrooms and the kitchen remodeled, electrical and plumbing brought to current code.
Comprehensive Renovation
$200–$250+ per sq ft
Full layout reconfiguration, all systems replaced, structural changes, and high-end finishes throughout.
What moves the number
Structural changes
Removing load-bearing walls or reworking the roofline adds engineering and framing cost.
Kitchens and baths
These two rooms routinely account for 40–50% of a whole-home budget.
Age of the house
Pre-1980 homes in Tampa and St. Pete often need electrical, plumbing, or asbestos work that isn't visible until demo.
Flood zone requirements
Coastal Pinellas and Pasco properties can trigger FEMA's 50% rule, which changes the entire scope.
Selections
Stock cabinetry versus custom is a five-figure swing on its own.
We quote every project line by line after walking the property. You'll see what each piece costs before you commit to any of it.
GALLERY
Related work.
FAQ
Questions about home renovation.
Do I need to move out during a whole-home renovation?
Usually yes, for at least part of it. If the project involves the kitchen, all bathrooms, or major structural work, the house won't be livable during those phases. Some homeowners stay through finish work and move out for demo and rough-in. We'll tell you honestly at the estimate stage what your realistic options are.
Is renovating cheaper than building new?
Often, but not always. Renovation typically costs less per square foot than new construction because the foundation, frame, and roof already exist. But if a house needs new electrical, plumbing, roofing, and windows on top of a full interior rebuild, the math can flip — and we'll tell you when it does rather than sell you the bigger job.
What is FEMA's 50% rule and does it apply to my house?
FEMA's 50% rule states that if improvements to a structure in a designated flood zone exceed 50% of the building's market value, the entire structure must be brought up to current flood code — which usually means elevating it. It applies to a lot of coastal Pinellas and Pasco properties, and it's the single most important thing to determine before planning a major renovation on a waterfront home.
Who handles permits?
We do. We pull every permit, schedule every inspection, and meet inspectors on site. Permitting on a whole-home renovation in Tampa Bay generally takes 3 to 8 weeks depending on the jurisdiction and scope.
Can I live somewhere in the house while you work?
Sometimes. On phased renovations we can seal off completed zones and work section by section, which lets some homeowners stay put. It extends the timeline and costs somewhat more, but for families who can't relocate it's a real option.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. McHugh's Residential Construction holds Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC1519826 and carries full general liability and workers' compensation coverage. We'll provide current certificates before work begins.
GET STARTED
Tell us about your project.
Send your name and number and we'll call you back — usually the same day, always within one business day. No pressure, no sales script. Just a conversation about whether we're the right fit for what you're building.
Or call now: 727-420-3727READY TO START?
Ready to talk about your project?
Remodel, addition, renovation, or new build — twenty years of Tampa Bay construction and a straight answer about what yours will actually take.
Florida Certified General Contractor · CGC1519826