Stock cabinetry is manufactured in fixed sizes and priced accordingly. Custom cabinets are built to your walls, cost more, and waste zero space.

Most Central Texas kitchens can go either way. The categories below are where the difference shows up:

Before you go either direction, there’s also a middle tier worth knowing about: semi-custom cabinets. But before we get to that third option, let’s compare these two options in detail.

Cost

Cabinetry is usually the largest line item in a kitchen budget, and the range can be wide. 

In our projects, stock cabinets generally land between $3,000 and $8,000, while full custom starts around $25,000. Both sit inside overall kitchen remodels of $18,000 to $100,000 and up. 

The higher number buys better fit and construction quality.

Fit and Sizing

Stock lines are built in three-inch width increments, so your kitchen gets fitted to the nearest box and the leftover inches get covered with filler strips. 

In a long, regular run, that’s barely noticeable. In a galley kitchen or a space with a bumped-out chimney, those fillers can eat a foot of storage.

Custom cabinetry is measured to the actual wall, including the out-of-square corners older Central Texas homes have plenty of.

Lead Time

Stock wins here without much argument. 

Many stock lines sit in a warehouse and arrive in days or a couple of weeks. Custom is built from scratch after your drawings are approved, which adds weeks before anything ships.

If a move-in date or a family event drives your schedule, a quick lead time may make the choice for you.

Materials and Construction

Quality shows in the box. Stock boxes commonly use particleboard or MDF with a laminate skin. Custom shops typically build plywood boxes with dovetailed drawers and solid hardwood face frames.

Keep in mind that composite panels aren’t automatically a problem. Under TSCA Title VI, hardwood plywood, MDF, and particleboard in finished goods like cabinets must meet federal formaldehyde emission standards and carry compliant labeling.

Style and Finish Options

Stock catalogs offer a limited set of door styles and color options, which can help when decision fatigue sets in. 

Meanwhile, custom gives you complete control to go after the look you want: you pick the wood species, the paint or stain colors, and the door profile. 

See our breakdown of Shaker-style cabinets, one of the most popular door profiles.

Storage and Interior Features

Stock cabinets come with adjustable shelves and standard drawers. Add-ons exist, but they’re catalog items that have to fit the standard box.

Custom is where storage issues get truly solved. You can get a pull-out pantry sized to your cans, drawers deep enough for stock pots, or appliance garages that hide counter clutter. 

In a small space, that’s the strongest argument for spending up.

Durability

Both options last a long time when the installation work is done well. The difference shows in the moving parts and the moisture zones. 

Plywood handles a dishwasher leak better than particleboard, and full-extension soft-close hardware outlasts basic slides by a wide margin.

Going stock? Put the upgrade money into hinges and glides. It buys more longevity than the door style will.

Resale Value

Buyers notice a kitchen that fits its space. Cabinetry running to the ceiling with no awkward gaps reads as intentional, and good design achieves that within any tier. 

Custom pays off most in higher-end homes where a stock kitchen looks undersized.

Semi-Custom: The Middle Ground Most Kitchens Land On

The comparison above leaves out the tier most homeowners actually buy. 

Semi-custom sits between the two and solves the specific problems that push people toward custom in the first place.

You get catalog cabinets in standard sizes, with real modification available: adjusted depths and heights, a much wider selection of colors and finishes, and most of the interior organizers. 

Typical spend runs $8,000 to $20,000, and lead time lands in the middle, since the order goes into a production queue.

FAQ

Can I mix stock and custom cabinets in one kitchen?

Yes, and it’s a smart budget move. Use stock on the long, regular perimeter walls and go custom on the island or the one tricky corner where fit matters. Matching colors across both takes a careful eye, so handle it during design.

Are custom cabinets worth it in a small kitchen?

Usually, yes. Small kitchens benefit most because custom cabinets remove filler space and maximize storage.

Do cabinets have to be ordered before demolition?

They should be. Cabinet lead time drives the whole schedule, and gutting a kitchen before the boxes are confirmed is how 4-week projects become 10-week ones.

Talk to the People Who Upgrade Cabinets Every Week

Call us at or message us here. We’ll show you what stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets can look like in your actual space, with a fixed cost for all three options. 

Our kitchen remodeling service covers design, cabinetry, and installation with a 5-year workmanship warranty.

Here’s what we’d tell any Bell County homeowner a few weeks out from starting a kitchen renovation.

1. Name the Problem Before You Name the Style

Every kitchen has one thing that drives you up the wall: a fridge door that blocks the walkway, two feet of usable prep counter, an island that pushes traffic into the cooking zone.

Write that down before you consider a design style. A layout that fixes the real complaint feels right in ten finish schemes, and it’s the first thing your contractor should hear.

2. Let Cabinets Set the Budget Ceiling

Cabinetry takes the biggest bite of the budget, so it sets what’s realistic for everything else. 

Our recent kitchen projects range from $18,000 to $100,000 and up, with cabinets alone landing around $3,000 to $8,000 for stock, $8,000 to $20,000 for semi-custom, and $25,000 and up for full custom.

Choose your cabinet tier in week one, and you’ll skip three rounds of re-pricing.

3. Order Long-Lead Items Before Demolition

Cabinets, countertops, and appliances are the materials most likely to sit in a queue, and none of them care that your kitchen is already gutted. 

A good contractor won’t start demo until the slow items are confirmed.

4. Do the Rough-In Work While Walls Are Open

Adding island circuits, relocating a gas line, or moving a drain costs a fraction of what it does once drywall is up again.

List every electrical and plumbing change you might want in the next decade, then use that list to decide with your contractor what’s worth doing now. 

Texas requires licensed trades for electrical work, so ask who’s pulling the wire and confirm their credentials before the drywall goes back up.

5. Plan Lighting in Three Layers

Most dim kitchens have one light source in the middle of the ceiling. Three layers of lighting fix that:

• Ambient light spreads brightness across the room, usually recessed cans or a flush-mount fixture on a dimmer.
• Task light goes where you’re cooking and reading recipes: under-cabinet strips over the prep counter, plus dedicated lighting above the range and sink.
• Accent light picks up what you spent money on, like glass-front uppers or a tile wall you’d rather not lose in shadow.

6. Check the Home’s Age Before Anyone Sands Anything

If your house was built before 1978, painted surfaces may contain lead. 

The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires that anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing be certified in lead-safe practices.

Ask early. It affects containment, cleanup, and how the demo phase gets priced.

7. Set Up a Temporary Kitchen

Plan on several weeks without a working kitchen, and consider where you’ll set one up. 

A folding table, the microwave, a coffee maker, and a bin of the twenty items you use daily covers most of it.

8. Get the Scope in Writing, Including What Happens When Things Change

The biggest source of remodel friction is the mid-project surprise. Read how the contract price changes, and make sure nothing moves without your written sign-off.

We built our Gill Guarantee around that problem. The contract price is fixed, and we don’t bill for changes without your written approval. Every project also carries a 5-year workmanship warranty, well past the 1-year term common in the industry.

Questions We Get Asked Every Week

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

Most kitchen projects take 6 to 12 weeks of active work once materials are on site. Design, ordering, and permitting happen before that clock starts.

Should flooring go in before or after cabinets?

For most tile and engineered flooring, cabinets set on top of the finished floor. That costs slightly more material and makes future appliance swaps much easier.

Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?

If you’re moving walls, plumbing, or electrical, then the answer is yes. Bell County cities each run their own building department, and we handle filing and inspections as part of the job.

Are custom cabinets worth it in a smaller kitchen?

Often, yes. In small kitchens, stock sizes waste space with filler strips, while custom cabinets make use of every inch.

Show Us Your Kitchen, and We’ll Tell You What’s Possible

Call us at or message us here to tell us what your kitchen gets wrong every morning. We’ll measure the space, design a layout that solves it, and give you a fixed number before demo starts. 

Our kitchen remodeling work covers design, permits, and construction under one roof. When you get to materials, our guide to choosing a kitchen backsplash is a great next stop.

Whales: Giants of the Ocean

Whales are among the largest and most remarkable animals on Earth. These marine mammals live in oceans around the world, from warm tropical waters to the cold seas surrounding the poles.

Life Beneath the Surface

Although whales spend their lives in water, they breathe air through blowholes located on top of their heads. They must regularly return to the surface to breathe before diving again in search of food or traveling through the ocean.

Whales are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and nurse their calves with milk. A thick layer of fat called blubber helps protect them from cold water and stores energy during long migrations.

Two Main Groups

Whales are generally divided into baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales filter small animals from the water using flexible plates inside their mouths. This group includes blue whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.

Toothed whales use teeth to catch fish, squid, and other prey. Many of them also use echolocation, producing sounds and listening for returning echoes to understand their surroundings. Sperm whales, belugas, and orcas belong to this group.

The Blue Whale

The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived. An adult can grow longer than a city bus and weigh well over one hundred tonnes. Despite its enormous size, it feeds mainly on tiny crustaceans called krill.

Communication and Migration

Whales communicate using clicks, whistles, pulses, and complex songs. Some sounds can travel across great distances underwater. Humpback whales are especially famous for their long, patterned songs.

Many species migrate thousands of kilometres each year. They often feed in cold, nutrient-rich waters before traveling to warmer regions where they mate and give birth.

Protecting Whales

Commercial hunting once caused severe declines in many whale populations. Today, whales also face threats from fishing gear, ship collisions, underwater noise, pollution, and changes to ocean ecosystems.

Conservation programs, safer fishing practices, protected habitats, and international cooperation can help whale populations recover. Protecting whales also supports healthier oceans because these animals play an important role in marine food webs and nutrient cycles.

Whales: Giants of the Ocean

Whales are among the largest and most remarkable animals on Earth. These marine mammals live in oceans around the world, from warm tropical waters to the cold seas surrounding the poles.

Life Beneath the Surface

Although whales spend their lives in water, they breathe air through blowholes located on top of their heads. They must regularly return to the surface to breathe before diving again in search of food or traveling through the ocean.

Whales are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and nurse their calves with milk. A thick layer of fat called blubber helps protect them from cold water and stores energy during long migrations.

Two Main Groups

Whales are generally divided into baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales filter small animals from the water using flexible plates inside their mouths. This group includes blue whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.

Toothed whales use teeth to catch fish, squid, and other prey. Many of them also use echolocation, producing sounds and listening for returning echoes to understand their surroundings. Sperm whales, belugas, and orcas belong to this group.

The Blue Whale

The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived. An adult can grow longer than a city bus and weigh well over one hundred tonnes. Despite its enormous size, it feeds mainly on tiny crustaceans called krill.

Communication and Migration

Whales communicate using clicks, whistles, pulses, and complex songs. Some sounds can travel across great distances underwater. Humpback whales are especially famous for their long, patterned songs.

Many species migrate thousands of kilometres each year. They often feed in cold, nutrient-rich waters before traveling to warmer regions where they mate and give birth.

Protecting Whales

Commercial hunting once caused severe declines in many whale populations. Today, whales also face threats from fishing gear, ship collisions, underwater noise, pollution, and changes to ocean ecosystems.

Conservation programs, safer fishing practices, protected habitats, and international cooperation can help whale populations recover. Protecting whales also supports healthier oceans because these animals play an important role in marine food webs and nutrient cycles.

Whales: Giants of the Ocean

Whales are among the largest and most remarkable animals on Earth. These marine mammals live in oceans around the world, from warm tropical waters to the cold seas surrounding the poles.

Life Beneath the Surface

Although whales spend their lives in water, they breathe air through blowholes located on top of their heads. They must regularly return to the surface to breathe before diving again in search of food or traveling through the ocean.

Whales are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and nurse their calves with milk. A thick layer of fat called blubber helps protect them from cold water and stores energy during long migrations.

Two Main Groups

Whales are generally divided into baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales filter small animals from the water using flexible plates inside their mouths. This group includes blue whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.

Toothed whales use teeth to catch fish, squid, and other prey. Many of them also use echolocation, producing sounds and listening for returning echoes to understand their surroundings. Sperm whales, belugas, and orcas belong to this group.

The Blue Whale

The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived. An adult can grow longer than a city bus and weigh well over one hundred tonnes. Despite its enormous size, it feeds mainly on tiny crustaceans called krill.

Communication and Migration

Whales communicate using clicks, whistles, pulses, and complex songs. Some sounds can travel across great distances underwater. Humpback whales are especially famous for their long, patterned songs.

Many species migrate thousands of kilometres each year. They often feed in cold, nutrient-rich waters before traveling to warmer regions where they mate and give birth.

Protecting Whales

Commercial hunting once caused severe declines in many whale populations. Today, whales also face threats from fishing gear, ship collisions, underwater noise, pollution, and changes to ocean ecosystems.

Conservation programs, safer fishing practices, protected habitats, and international cooperation can help whale populations recover. Protecting whales also supports healthier oceans because these animals play an important role in marine food webs and nutrient cycles.

The difference usually comes down to a handful of decisions made early, before a single cabinet is ordered.

Most of these mistakes aren’t dramatic. They’re small oversights, like a peninsula that eats up circulation space or a misplaced outlet. But they add up fast, and fixing them after the fact costs far more than getting them right the first time.

1. Underestimating How Much Storage Space You Need

Homeowners tend to plan storage around what they own today, not around how a kitchen actually gets used week to week. 

A few things worth building around from the start:

• Pull-out organizers for corner cabinets instead of a fixed shelf you have to crawl into
• Deep drawers near the cooktop for pots, pans, and lids, so they land within arm’s reach of where you’ll use them
• A dedicated spot for small appliances like a toaster or mixer, so the counter doesn’t become permanent storage

If cabinetry and organizers are the piece you’re still deciding on, our granite and marble comparison also touches on how countertop choice affects how much usable counter space you keep long term.

2. Placing Appliances and Outlets Without Thinking Through the Layout

This is one homeowners rarely catch until the kitchen is finished and they’re standing in it. 

Whether it’s a refrigerator door that swings the wrong way or electrical outlets placed for looks rather than for where the coffee maker or stand mixer is, these common issues make it important to plan carefully.

Cooking is also the single biggest cause of house fires nationwide, which makes appliance placement more than a convenience question. Keeping stovetops clear of flammable materials and outlets properly rated for kitchen appliances isn’t optional.

3. Skimping on Task Lighting Over the Workspace

General overhead lighting looks fine in photos, but it leaves the counter, sink, and food preparation zones dim exactly where you need to see what you’re doing. 

Under-cabinet task lighting is one of the cheapest additions during a remodel and one of the most noticeable once it’s missing.

4. Forgetting That the Kitchen Island Needs Room to Breathe

A kitchen island can be the best thing you add to a kitchen or the reason two people can no longer pass each other while cooking. 

Before committing to size, walk off the space around it with the appliances open, dishwasher door down, oven door open, and cabinet doors swinging. 

If it feels tight on paper, it will feel tighter in real life.

5. Not Setting Aside Budget for Change Orders

Plumbing, electrical, and structural surprises show up behind walls more often than homeowners expect, especially in older homes. 

A remodel with zero cushion for change orders tends to stall the moment something unexpected turns up. Building in a buffer from the start keeps the project moving.

Once you’ve nailed down the layout, flooring is usually the next decision homeowners get stuck on. Our guide to choosing the best flooring for a kitchen remodel breaks down what actually holds up to daily cooking and cleaning. And if you want a full walkthrough of the process start to finish, our kitchen remodel checklist covers each phase in order.

FAQ: Kitchen Renovation Mistakes 

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

Costs vary widely based on scope and materials. Gill Construction’s kitchen remodels have ranged from around $18,000 for smaller updates to $100,000 or more for full, high-end renovations.

Do I need to move out during a kitchen remodel?

Most kitchen remodels require full access to the space, so setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the home for the duration of the project is the standard approach.

How long does a full kitchen remodel take?

A smaller refresh typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. A full kitchen remodel usually runs 6 to 8 weeks from start to finish.

What’s the biggest mistake homeowners make when planning a remodel?

Skipping the layout planning stage. Rushing straight to cabinet colors and countertop samples before mapping storage, appliance placement, and circulation space is what causes most of the regrets later.

Or Skip the Guesswork and Let Us Map It Out for You

Reading through all of this is one option. Handing the planning to a team that’s done it 50+ times across Central Texas kitchens is another. 

Gill Construction’s kitchen remodeling services cover the full design-build process, from layout and cabinetry to permits and final walkthrough, backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty.

Call us at or message us here to talk through your kitchen and skip straight to the part where it actually works for how you live.

If your yard gets brutal afternoon sun and you want the space usable rain or shine, lean toward a patio cover. If you want a lighter, airier structure that still defines the space, a pergola is probably a better fit. 

The right answer really comes down to your climate, your budget, and how you plan to use the space day to day.

Pergola vs. Patio Cover: Key Differences at a Glance

What is a Pergola?

A pergola is an open-air structure built with vertical posts and a slatted or open roof design. Instead of blocking the sun completely, it filters it. 

You get dappled, filtered shade rather than a hard shadow, which keeps a patio bright without turning it into a sauna.

Wood pergolas remain popular for their warmth and texture, and they pair beautifully with climbing vines like jasmine or wisteria. Metal and aluminum versions have picked up steam too, mostly because they hold up longer with less upkeep.

Some homeowners take it a step further with a louvered pergola. Motorized louvers let you rotate the slats and control sunlight on demand, so you get adjustable shade instead of a fixed amount. 

When you add a retractable canopy underneath, you’ve basically built a shade structure that adapts to whatever the day throws at you.

What is a Patio Cover

A patio cover works differently. Instead of an open roof structure, you’re looking at a continuous roof, often with insulated panels, that provides complete protection from rain, wind, and direct sun. 

If your priority is full weather protection rather than partial shade, patio covers excel.

In Central Texas, where summer heat sticks around for months, the difference between filtered light and full coverage isn’t just cosmetic. It changes how often you actually use the space.

Cost, Upkeep, and Long-Term Value

A pergola is generally cheaper to build since it uses fewer materials and a simpler frame. Fewer support posts, less roofing, less structural engineering. 

A solid patio cover, with its continuous roof and insulated panels, usually requires a larger upfront investment, but it also delivers superior protection against rain and intense sun.

Either way, low maintenance matters. Most homeowners want something that maintains its structural integrity for decades, not something that needs to be restored or patched every other summer. 

Aluminum and TEMO fiberglass and insulated panel systems are built for exactly that. Both options tend to boost curb appeal and home value too, since a well-built outdoor structure signals that a house has been cared for.

Matching the Structure to Your Outdoor Living Goals

Think about how you actually want to use the space before you pick a side. 

A pergola works well as a decorative focal point over a seating area, especially once you add string lights, ceiling fans, or an outdoor kitchen nearby. It stays open, airy, and connected to the rest of the yard.

A patio cover suits homeowners who want a defined outdoor area they can use no matter the forecast. Built-in lighting, recessed lighting, and a freestanding structure with real weather protection turn that covered patio into a second living room.

If you’re also weighing a deck into the mix, our deck building services pair naturally with either option and give you a solid foundation to build the whole outdoor space around. 

And if you’re still torn between an open structure and something more enclosed, our blog on pergolas vs. gazebos walks through a related comparison worth reading before you commit.

FAQ: Pergola vs. Patio Cover

How do I know which one is right for my yard?

It depends on your local climate and how much sun your patio gets. Yards with intense, direct afternoon sun usually do better with a solid roof. Yards that just need a little relief and a defined outdoor area often do fine with an open pergola.

Can a pergola offer more protection?

Yes. Adding a retractable canopy or upgrading to a louvered pergola with motorized louvers gives you more control over sunlight and some protection from light rain, without committing to a fully enclosed roof.

Which one adds more to my home’s value?

Both add value when built well. A patio cover often reads as a bigger investment because of the complete protection it offers, but a well-designed pergola with quality materials holds its own, especially as a decorative focal point.

Let Us Help You Make the Call

Reading through roof styles, materials, and cost breakdowns is one way to spend an afternoon. Talking to someone who’s built pergolas, patio covers, and outdoor structures across Central Texas for years is another. 

We’ll walk your property, talk through your outdoor living goals, and help you land on whichever option fits your yard, your budget, and how you actually plan to use the space, not just what looks good in a photo. 

Check out our pergolas and patio covers page for pricing details and finished projects, or call us at or message us here to get a straightforward quote.

Ask the right questions early, and you’ll walk into your first meeting already knowing whether a contractor is the right fit. Here are ten to bring with you.

1. How Many Kitchen Remodels Have You Completed?

Anyone can call themselves a general contractor. What separates experienced contractors from someone learning on your dime is a track record you can verify. 

Ask for a rough count of completed projects from the last year or two, not just a career total, since materials and codes shift over time. If the answer is vague, that’s worth noticing.

2. Do You Pull the Necessary Permits and Handle Local Building Codes?

Building permits protect you, not just the city. They confirm that plumbing, electrical, and structural work meet current standards, and skipping them can create real headaches when you sell your home later. 

A professional contractor should pull permits themselves and walk you through what your project needs. Licensing rules vary by trade too. 

3. Who Will Be My Main Point of Contact?

Once demo starts, your kitchen becomes a construction zone, and you’ll want one person to call when questions come up, not a rotating cast of subcontractors. 

Ask whether you’ll have a dedicated project manager for the entire process, and find out their communication style. Some contractors send daily texts, others prefer a weekly call. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you’re getting before you sign.

4. What Does Your Payment Schedule Look Like?

A detailed contract should tie your payment schedule to actual project milestones, not arbitrary dates. What to look out for:

• Upfront deposit: Ten to thirty percent to secure materials is standard. A demand for full payment before work starts is not.
• Mid-project payments: These should line up with completed stages, like demo or rough-in, not vague requests for more cash.
• Final payment: This is due once work meets your approval, not before the punch list is finished.

5. What’s a Realistic Timeline for My Kitchen?

Timelines depend heavily on scope, so ask for a range instead of a single date. A cabinet refresh might wrap in two to three weeks. A full remodel involving a new layout, plumbing moves, and custom cabinetry can run six to eight weeks or longer. 

Also, ask what could push the date out. Backordered appliances and old wiring behind a wall are common culprits, and a good contractor will tell you about these possibilities up front.

If you’re reconsidering your existing layout entirely, our kitchen layout ideas guide walks through how different footprints affect both cost and build time. 

6. How Do You Handle Change Orders?

Change orders come up in almost every remodel. Maybe you decide to upgrade your countertops, or the crew finds an issue once the walls are open. 

Ask how these get documented, what the approval process looks like, and how quickly you’ll see updated costs. 

7. Can You Provide Proof of Insurance and Workers’ Compensation?

Confirm the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage, and ask for documentation rather than taking their word for it. It’s a small ask that helps protect your own home if someone gets hurt on-site.

8. Can I See Photos of Similar Projects and Talk to Past Clients?

Look for a portfolio with projects similar in scope to yours, whether that’s a full gut job or a lighter refresh. Then, ask for two or three references you can actually call. 

Reviews online are useful, but a five-minute conversation with a past client tells you far more about how a contractor communicates and solves problems mid-project.

9. What Happens If Something’s Missing from the Contract?

Before you sign anything, walk through the scope of work line by line. A detailed contract should cover materials, finishes, the timeline, and payment terms clearly enough that nothing gets left to memory.

 Our kitchen remodel checklist is a solid starting point for organizing your must-haves and budget before that meeting.

10. How Will You Communicate with Me During Construction?

Clear communication is the difference between a smooth remodel and a stressful one. Ask how often you’ll get updates, whether that’s a quick text after each workday or a scheduled call, and who to reach if something feels off. 

You’re inviting people into your home for weeks. It’s fair to know exactly how that relationship will run.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a contractor is trustworthy?

Check reviews, ask for proof of insurance, and confirm they pull their own permits. A trusted kitchen remodeling contractor won’t hesitate to answer these questions.

Should I choose the lowest bid?

Cutting corners on materials or labor to hit a low number often costs more in repairs down the road. Compare scope of work first, then price.

Or, Skip the Interview Process Entirely

Reading through ten questions is a good exercise, but it’s also exactly the kind of legwork we handle for our clients every day. 

If you’d rather talk through your own home’s project with a team that already checks every one of these boxes, call us at or message us here.

Those numbers vary widely depending on square footage, how much plumbing, gas line, and electrical work is involved, and whether you’re after laminate countertops or custom cabinetry.

What a Home Remodel Costs, Room by Room

Real project numbers tell a better story than averages. Here’s what recent remodels by Gill Construction have looked like across different project types.

Want to run your own numbers before you call anyone? Our kitchen remodel cost calculator and bathroom remodel cost calculator can give you a starting estimate based on your own square footage and finish level.

Why Home Remodeling Pricing Ranges Are So Wide

Two homeowners can describe the same project, a kitchen remodel, say, and land $60,000 apart. It’s just the nature of construction. 

A kitchen with new cabinets and countertops in the existing footprint costs far less than one where a wall comes down and the plumbing moves across the room. 

Structural changes touch electrical systems, gas lines, and sometimes the load-bearing walls holding up the rest of the house.

Material choices swing things, too. Laminate countertops and stock cabinetry sit at one end. High-end materials, custom cabinetry, and energy-efficient appliances sit at the other. 

Scope, structural work, and finish level are the three biggest levers, and all three are personal decisions that only get made once you sit down and talk through the project.

Financing a Home Renovation Project

Most homeowners don’t pay for a remodel entirely out of pocket, and that’s normal. 

• A home equity loan or line of credit lets you borrow against the value you’ve already built, often at a lower rate than other options. 
• A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a larger one and hands you the difference in cash. 
• Personal loans work well for smaller projects like a bathroom refresh, since they close faster and don’t touch your mortgage at all. 

Whichever route fits your situation, it helps to know your total project cost range before you apply, so you’re not guessing at a lump sum.

Always Budget for the Unexpected

Every renovation budget needs room for the unplanned. Older Bell County homes, in particular, tend to hide a few surprises once the walls open up. 

A smart budget usually sets aside:

• 10-15% of the total cost for unexpected costs, like the electrical wiring nobody knew was outdated
• Building permits and inspections, which your contractor should handle rather than leaving that on you
• Labor costs and labor rates, which shift depending on how much plumbing work or electrical work the project needs

If you’re not sure where to begin sorting all of this out, our guide on where to start with a home remodel walks through prioritizing your must-haves before you request a single bid. 

And if a kitchen is next on your list, our kitchen remodel checklist breaks down the whole process, room by room.

FAQ: Home Remodeling Cost in Central Texas

How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Central Texas?

Most bathroom remodels here run $8,000 to $70,000. A simple tub-to-shower conversion sits toward the lower end. A full renovation with custom tile, new cabinetry, and a walk-in shower runs closer to the top.

Does a kitchen or bathroom remodel add more value?

Both add real value. Which one returns more depends on your local market, your home’s current layout, and how outdated the space was to begin with. It’s worth asking a local pro rather than assuming either room wins by default.

Do I need a building permit for a whole house renovation?

Yes, in most cases. Structural changes, new plumbing, and electrical work all require permits through your city’s building department, and a licensed contractor should pull them on your behalf.

Get a Number You Can Plan Around

Ranges are useful for setting expectations, but they can’t tell you what your specific kitchen, bathroom, or addition will cost. 

If you’d rather skip the spreadsheet and get a real number, call us at or message us here, and we’ll help you turn all of this into an actual plan for your home.