Renovations & Additions
Transform your existing home with precision renovations — from historic restorations and whole-home remodels to modern additions that seamlessly blend with original architecture. Because a great renovation shouldn't look like one.
Transform Your Space
Renovation is harder than new construction — and more rewarding when it's done right. New construction starts with a blank slate; renovation starts with whatever a previous builder left behind, often decades ago. You're working within existing walls, around existing foundations, through existing systems. The skill isn't in demolition — it's in knowing what to keep, what to replace, and how to make the transition between old and new invisible.
Southern Shore's renovation team brings the same craftsmen who build our custom homes — the same carpenters, same tilers, same finishers. When we add a second story to a 1970s ranch in Denton or gut-renovate a kitchen in a McKinney colonial, the finished work should read as though it was always there — not as an addition that happened later. That's the standard. It's why our renovation clients become our custom home clients, and vice versa.
We take on a limited number of renovation projects each year — typically 4–6 — so every job receives dedicated project management and crew attention. We're not a volume renovator running a dozen jobs simultaneously with rotating subcontractors. Your project gets our full focus.
Renovation Services
Whole-Home Renovations
Complete transformation of an existing home — reconfiguring floor plans, replacing systems, upgrading finishes, and modernizing the envelope. We open walls where they should be open, add windows where light is needed, and create flow where the original layout fights itself. The result is a home that lives like new construction with the character and setting of an established property.
Historic Restorations & Preservation
Older homes in established North Texas neighborhoods — particularly in Denton, Sherman, and Gainesville's historic districts — deserve renovation that honors their era while delivering modern comfort. We restore original millwork, match historic trim profiles, rehabilitate wood windows where possible, and source period-appropriate hardware — while quietly upgrading insulation, wiring, and mechanicals to 21st-century standards behind the walls.
Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels
Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms where renovation ROI lives. We approach both as integrated design challenges — cabinetry (built by our own shop), stone, tile, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and ventilation — all specified as a cohesive package. The difference between a Southern Shore kitchen remodel and a typical one is in the details: flush cabinet reveals, continuous backsplash patterns across outlets, lighting that makes food and faces look good simultaneously.
Additions & Expansions
Adding square footage without making it look added is an art form. We handle second-story additions, bump-out expansions, sunroom additions, garage conversions, and detached ADU/pool house construction. Roof lines, eave details, brick or stone matching, and foundation integration are where the skill shows — and where we excel.
Interior & Exterior Transformations
For homes that need a comprehensive refresh without structural changes: new flooring throughout, custom millwork and trim, paint, lighting, hardware, and exterior facade updates. Often combined with kitchen/bath remodels for a complete transformation that touches every surface.
Renovation vs. New Construction: Which Is Right for You?
Choose Renovation When:
- You love your location and neighborhood
- Your home has architectural character worth preserving
- Your lot is irreplaceable (views, acreage, mature trees)
- Your foundation and structure are fundamentally sound
- You want to stay in your home during construction (possible with phasing)
- Your budget aligns with luxury renovation scope
Choose New Construction When:
- •You want a completely custom floor plan from scratch
- •Your existing home has major structural or foundation issues
- •The renovation scope exceeds most of the home's value
- •You can find or already own a buildable lot
- •You're willing to move out for 12–18 months
- •Your budget aligns with luxury custom construction
Not sure which path is right? We'll evaluate your home and help you decide — no obligation, no sales pressure. Sometimes the honest answer is "your existing home is a great candidate for renovation." Other times, it's "you'd be better served by building new." We'll tell you which.
Frequently Asked Questions
What North Texas homeowners ask before starting a renovation.
How much does a luxury renovation cost in North Texas?+
Luxury renovation costs depend entirely on scope, existing conditions, finish level, and the condition of existing systems. Every project receives a detailed line-item proposal after a site evaluation. We never provide estimates without seeing the home — it's dishonest, and the range is too wide to be meaningful without understanding what we're working with.
How long does a renovation take?+
Timeline depends entirely on scope: kitchen remodels typically run 8–14 weeks, primary bathrooms 6–10 weeks, whole-home renovations 6–12 months, and large additions 4–8 months. Living in the home during construction adds time because work must be sequenced around occupied zones. We provide a detailed Gantt-chart timeline at contract signing and update it weekly — you'll always know where your project stands and what's happening next.
Can we live in the home during a renovation?+
For partial renovations (kitchen, bathroom, single-room additions), yes — most clients do. We set up temporary kitchens, seal off work zones with zip walls and negative air pressure, and sequence work to minimize disruption. For whole-home renovations where every room is touched, it's usually better to relocate for the bulk of construction (3–6 months). We'll give you an honest assessment during the planning phase.
Will a renovation increase my home's value?+
Quality renovations in desirable North Texas neighborhoods — McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Denton — consistently deliver strong ROI. Kitchen remodels, primary bathroom additions, and outdoor living spaces return 60–80%+ of their cost at resale, plus the years of enjoyment while you live there. Whole-home renovations in great locations often return more than they cost because the improved home competes with new construction at a lower total price point. We're happy to share data on recent comparable sales in your area.
How do you handle surprises — what's behind the walls?+
Every renovation reveals surprises — it's not a question of if, but what. We build a 10–15% contingency into every renovation budget specifically for the unknown. When we find aluminum wiring that needs replacement, cast-iron drain pipes on their last legs, or framing that doesn't match the plans, we document it, explain your options, and provide a change order with clear pricing before doing any work. No surprise invoices at the end of the project — you'll know about every discovery and every decision in real time.
Your Home, Reimagined
The best homes aren't always built from scratch — sometimes they're already standing, waiting for someone who sees what they could become. Let's talk about yours.