Whole-Home Renovation · Dallas–Fort Worth
Whole-home renovation in DFW
A DFW whole-home renovation costs between $82 and $300+ per square foot, depending on whether the project is a cosmetic refresh or a down-to-studs rebuild. TrueForm Remodeling quotes three fixed-price tiers in writing before any demo starts: a Cosmetic Refresh tier at $82–$107 per sq ft (surface finishes, paint, flooring, light fixtures, mid-grade cabinets), a Targeted Reconfigure tier at $110–$150 per sq ft (full mechanical updates, mid-high finishes, layout tweaks), and a Down-to-Studs tier at $150–$300+ per sq ft (luxury custom finishes, structural changes, designer-led selections). A single project manager runs the job start to finish, with weekly progress updates and a 3-year workmanship warranty on every project across Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Southlake, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Arlington, Carrollton, and Fort Worth.
Fixed-price tiers
Pricing reflects 2026 DFW market ranges. Final price is set in writing after the walkthrough, with separate allowances for foundation, abatement, and structural work that depend on discovery.
| Tier | Price range | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Good — Cosmetic refresh | $82–$107 / sf | Surface finishes · paint · flooring · light fixtures · mid-grade cabinets |
| Better — Targeted reconfigure | $110–$150 / sf | Full mechanical updates · mid-high finishes · layout tweaks |
| Best — Down-to-studs | $150–$300+ / sf | Luxury custom · structural changes · high-end finishes · designer-led |
What's included at each tier
Good — Cosmetic refresh ($82–$107 / sq ft)
Paint throughout, new flooring (LVP, engineered hardwood, or mid-grade tile), new light fixtures, new interior doors and trim, cabinet refinish or replacement with stock-tier lines (Kith, Wellborn Premier, IKEA Sektion), new counters in mid-grade quartz, new plumbing and lighting fixtures throughout. Existing mechanical systems stay unless they're failing. Existing layout stays.
Better — Targeted reconfigure ($110–$150 / sq ft)
Everything in Refresh, plus full mechanical updates: new HVAC (16 SEER2 two-stage, see HVAC service page), water heater, electrical panel upgrade if needed, replumbing of failing supply lines, all-new insulation in remodeled areas. Mid-high finishes throughout — semi-custom cabinets, quartz or quartzite counters, mid-tier appliances. Layout tweaks: open a wall between kitchen and dining, expand a bath, convert an unused room. Designer-led paint and material palette.
Best — Down-to-studs ($150–$300+ / sq ft)
Gut to framing. Structural changes — wall removal with engineered beams, second-story additions, kitchen relocation, primary suite expansion. All-new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC including variable-speed equipment and zoning. Custom cabinetry, premium appliance package (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador, Miele), honed quartzite or marble counters, designer-led lighting plan, smart-home integration, custom millwork. Interior designer and architect coordination from day one. Full Manual J / D HVAC design.
How we run the project
- Walkthrough + written scope. On-site visit, photos, measurements, scope captured in writing the same week.
- Fixed-price tier. We give you Good / Better / Best with clear inclusions for each tier. You pick.
- Schedule + materials. Start date locked, materials ordered, change-order policy spelled out before demo.
- Build with weekly updates. Same project manager start to finish. Weekly progress photos and clear next steps.
- Punch list + handoff. Final walkthrough, punch list closed, 3-year workmanship warranty on file.
DFW-specific considerations
North Texas expansive clay soil is the single biggest source of mid-project surprises on whole-home work. Slab movement shows up as cracked tile, separating crown, and sticking doors. On any project where we'll touch flooring or substantial trim, we recommend a licensed structural engineer's evaluation before demo; pier work from a qualified foundation contractor runs $5,000–$15,000 for a typical job and is scoped as a separate allowance. Pre-1978 homes (much of East Dallas, M-Streets, Oak Cliff, and older Fort Worth) may carry lead paint; pre-1985 homes may have asbestos in popcorn ceilings, mastic, or duct wrap — we test before demo and bring in Texas-licensed abatement when results require it. Permit timing in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, and Southlake adds 2–6 weeks to whole-home schedules depending on scope and plan-review queue; we file early and run engineering and material orders in parallel.
Frequently asked
How much does a whole-home renovation cost in DFW?
A DFW whole-home renovation runs $82–$107 per square foot for a cosmetic refresh, $110–$150 per square foot for a targeted reconfigure with full mechanical updates, and $150–$300+ per square foot for a down-to-studs luxury rebuild. We quote a fixed-price scope after walkthrough, with separate allowances for foundation work, abatement, and structural changes.
How long does a whole-home renovation take?
A cosmetic refresh on a 2,500 sq ft home runs 8–14 weeks. A targeted reconfigure with mechanical updates is 4–6 months. A down-to-studs rebuild with structural work, plumbing relocation, and new finishes runs 6–12 months. We sequence trades and order long-lead items (cabinets, windows, tile) before demo so the project doesn't sit idle.
Do you handle clay-soil foundation issues common in DFW?
Yes. North Texas expansive clay soils cause slab movement that often surfaces during whole-home work — cracked tile, sticking doors, separating trim. We bring in a licensed structural engineer for evaluation and a foundation contractor for pier work when needed. Foundation work is scoped as a separate allowance because it's discovery-driven; the research range is $5,000–$15,000 for a typical pier job.
Will you handle lead and asbestos abatement on older Dallas homes?
Yes. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint; pre-1985 homes may have asbestos in popcorn ceilings, vinyl tile mastic, or duct insulation. We test before demo on any home in that age range and bring in a Texas-licensed abatement contractor when results come back positive. Abatement is scoped as a separate line item, not buried in the per-square-foot rate.
Can we live in the home during a whole-home renovation?
On cosmetic refresh and targeted reconfigure scopes we can usually phase the work so one wing or floor stays habitable. On down-to-studs rebuilds it's typically not safe — the home is open framing, no HVAC, no functioning kitchen or bath. We'll talk through phasing options at the walkthrough so you can plan housing.
Do you work with our interior designer or architect?
Yes. On the Best tier most clients come in with a designer or architect already engaged. We coordinate directly with them on selections, drawings, and submittals. If you don't have a designer, we can bring one in — TrueForm has working relationships with several DFW residential designers and one full-service architecture firm.
Who manages the project day-to-day?
A single project manager runs your whole-home renovation start to finish. Same person from walkthrough through punch list. You get a weekly update with progress photos and the upcoming week's schedule, plus their direct cell number. Subs report to the PM, not to you.
Ready to start the project?
Same-day response on every inquiry. We come to your home, do a full walkthrough, write the scope, identify allowance items up front, and quote three fixed-price tiers — all before you commit.