A whole-home renovation transforms every major system and finish — kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, paint, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, windows, and doors. When well-planned, it can cost 30–50% less than buying an equivalent updated home.
Georgia: $80–$200/sq ft. A typical 2,000 sq ft home runs $160,000–$400,000. Florida: $90–$230/sq ft, with hurricane-rated requirements driving the premium.
Non-load-bearing wall removal costs $1,000–$3,000 per wall. Load-bearing walls require engineering, temporary support, and beam installation at $5,000–$15,000+. Structural engineering evaluation runs $500–$1,500 in Georgia.
Electrical upgrade (new 200-amp panel, rewiring): $8,000–$20,000. Plumbing repipe (galvanized to PEX): $5,000–$15,000. HVAC replacement: $6,000–$15,000. These are essential safety and reliability investments for older homes.
Most homeowners living through a whole-home renovation phase the work to maintain at least one functional bathroom and a temporary kitchen setup throughout the project. A practical sequence: start with structural and mechanical work (framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) in the areas you use least, then move through the house systematically. Kitchens and master bathrooms are typically last because they’re the most complex and benefit from having all other systems already upgraded.
If budget allows, renovating while living elsewhere simplifies everything. Work proceeds faster without the constraint of keeping spaces habitable, and contractors can run multiple trades simultaneously rather than sequentially. A 2,000 sq ft whole-home renovation that takes 5–7 months with occupants can often be completed in 3–5 months without.
Whole-home renovations in homes built before 1990 frequently uncover issues that add to the budget. Common discoveries include: aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring requiring complete replacement ($8,000–$20,000), galvanized or polybutylene plumbing that’s corroded or failing ($5,000–$15,000), inadequate insulation that should be upgraded while walls are open ($3,000–$8,000), and asbestos in floor tiles, pipe insulation, or ceiling texture requiring licensed abatement ($2,000–$10,000). The EPA’s asbestos program provides guidance on testing and abatement requirements. Budget a 15–20% contingency for whole-home projects in homes over 30 years old.
A whole-home renovation is the most cost-effective time to replace windows and exterior doors because labor is already on site and adjacent finishes are being replaced anyway. In Georgia, double-pane Low-E windows run $400–$800 installed per window. In Florida, impact-rated windows required in many coastal zones cost $600–$1,500 per window but qualify for insurance premium reductions that can save $1,000–3,000 annually — making them one of the strongest long-term investments in any Florida renovation. Energy Star’s window guide helps identify the right performance rating for your climate zone.
Whole-home renovations require a different level of project management than single-room remodels. You need a general contractor who acts as a single point of accountability — coordinating demolition crews, structural engineers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, drywall installers, painters, flooring installers, cabinet installers, and finish carpenters. Look for weekly progress meetings, a detailed schedule with milestones, and a payment structure tied to completion of defined phases rather than calendar dates.
For whole-home renovations, Bowser Construction Group provides the phased project management that large-scale projects require. Licensed in Georgia and Florida, they coordinate demolition, structural, mechanical, and finish trades with detailed scheduling, transparent budgets, and weekly progress updates.
Bowser Construction Group →Use our free cost calculator for an instant estimate, or browse our renovation guides to learn everything you need to know.