Remodeling Contractor in Houston Heights, TX
Renovating a century-old bungalow is a different job than renovating a house built ten years ago, and if you live in the Heights, you probably already know that. Original hardwood, older plumbing runs, plaster walls, and in some cases historic district guidelines all factor into how a project gets planned and built. Brito Remodel & Construction has worked inside enough older Houston homes to know how to update a space without fighting the character that made you buy the house in the first place.
We’re a residential remodeling contractor focused on bathroom remodeling and kitchen remodeling in Houston Heights, along with whole-home renovations, additions, and garage apartments. The owner supervises every project personally and is on site every day.
We’re licensed and insured, and After a free in-home visit, you get a detailed, itemized estimate, and your final bill matches it. Before we ever pick up a tool, we walk through your home together during a free in-home consultation, and once we understand the space, we put together a written estimate that lays out the real cost and scope, not a rough number that changes later.
If your Heights home needs an updated bathroom, a kitchen that works better for how your family actually lives, or a larger renovation, reach out for a free estimate and let’s talk about your house specifically.
✔ One Project at a Time ✔ Owner On-Site Every Day ✔ Your Final Bill Matches Your Estimate
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Professional Home Remodeling in Houston Heights
Few Houston neighborhoods have a housing stock quite like the Heights. Craftsman bungalows and Queen Anne Victorians from the early 1900s still line streets like Arlington, Harvard, and Heights Boulevard, often sitting on lots close to 7,500 to 9,900 square feet, larger than what you’ll find in most inner-loop neighborhoods. Mixed in among those original homes are newer builds, from townhomes to custom two-story houses, put up over the last two decades as the neighborhood’s popularity grew. That combination, old and new sitting side by side, is part of what gives the Heights its identity.
Remodeling here comes with its own set of considerations. A lot of original bungalows still have their first-generation plumbing and electrical, updated in patches over the decades. Most original bungalows also sit on raised pier-and-beam foundations, which means floors may need leveling, but plumbing can often be rerouted from underneath without cutting concrete. Rather than all at once, and kitchens or bathrooms that were laid out for a much smaller household than the one living there now.
Heights families want kitchens that open up for entertaining, primary bathrooms updated to modern standards, and more usable space, without losing what made the home distinct.
Our Services
Our Remodeling Services In Houston Heights
Brito Remodel & Construction takes on residential remodeling projects throughout Houston Heights, with a specialty in bathrooms and kitchens. We also provide general contracting for homeowners managing renovations that span more than one part of the house. Here’s how we approach each type of project in a Heights home.
Bathroom Remodeling In Houston Heights
Bathrooms in older Heights homes were often built small, sometimes as an afterthought when indoor plumbing became standard decades ago. We handle full bathroom remodeling projects, shower remodeling, tub remodeling, tub-to-shower conversions, and shower-to-tub conversions. Working around whatever plumbing configuration your home already has. A well-planned bathroom remodel can improve comfort, add usable storage, and make the space more accessible, all of which matter in a home you plan to keep living in.
What Adds the Most Value to a Heights Bathroom
In small bungalow bathrooms, the biggest gains come from function: a walk-in shower in place of a cramped tub-shower combo, built-in storage where a linen closet never existed, better lighting and ventilation, and a second vanity in the primary bath. Accessibility features like curbless showers and grab bars add long-term value for homeowners planning to stay.
How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?
Most Heights bathroom remodels take a few weeks, depending on size and what’s behind the old plaster. Pier-and-beam foundations often make plumbing changes faster, because we can reroute lines from underneath. You get a realistic timeline in your written estimate.
Kitchen Remodeling in Houston Heights
Original Heights kitchens tend to be closed off from the rest of the house, a layout that made sense a century ago but rarely suits how families cook and gather today. Our kitchen remodeling work includes cabinet installation, countertop installation, and backsplash installation, along with layout adjustments where the structure allows an opening between rooms.
We check every wall for load before planning. In historic district homes, original shiplap in the walls can’t be removed, but it can be covered with drywall, so we plan openings and finishes around it. Custom cabinetry built to fit an older home’s exact dimensions works better than off-the-shelf options in kitchens with uneven original walls.
Improved lighting and better storage come up in nearly every conversation we have with Heights homeowners, since older kitchens rarely had enough of either. Whether you’re refreshing finishes or reworking the whole footprint, the goal is a kitchen that feels more open, works better for everyday life, and still fits the character of your Heights home.
Whole-Home Renovations & General Contracting in Houston Heights
Bigger renovations, especially in older homes, often involve more than one trade working at the same time. Our general contracting services in houston heights cover planning, scheduling, and quality control across the entire project, so you have one point of contact instead of managing several contractors on your own. That includes steady communication and a schedule built around the realities of working in a historic home.
General Contractor vs. Remodeling Contractor
A remodeling contractor focuses on updating rooms in an existing home, while a general contractor manages an entire project and coordinates every trade. For whole-home renovations, Brito does both: we plan the scope, sequence the electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, and handle the permits.
What to Do First in a Heights Renovation
Start with what’s behind the walls. In century-old homes, that means checking the wiring, plumbing, and foundation level before choosing finishes. Fixing systems first prevents tearing open a finished room later. Hardwood flooring restoration usually comes near the end.
Home Additions, Second Stories & Garage Apartments in the Heights
Heights lots often have room to grow. We build home additions, second-story additions, garage apartments and ADUs, and sunrooms that match your home’s original character.
If your home is in a historic district, placement matters. One-story rear additions must be inset at least one foot from the side walls, and two-story rear additions at least two feet. Second stories should sit as far back from the front facade as possible. Detached garage apartments of 600 square feet or less at the rear of the lot are among the additions the city must approve. We design within these rules from the start.
Historic District Rules: What Needs Approval and What Doesn’t
The Heights includes seven historic districts: Woodland Heights, Houston Heights East, West and South, Norhill, Freeland, and Germantown. All require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before exterior work. Only Houston Heights East, West, and South have written design guidelines.
Usually no COA needed: Most interior remodeling, including kitchens and bathrooms. Light fixtures, HVAC units, gutters, and in-kind reroofing with no change in roof shape are also exempt.
COA needed: Window replacement, exterior changes, and additions. Window replacements require approval from the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission.
The shiplap rule: Original shiplap can’t be removed in historic district homes, but it can be covered.
We confirm your home’s district status before design starts and prepare the materials a COA application needs.
Why Choose Us
Why Homeowners in Houston Heights Choose Brito Remodel & Construction
Homeowners in the Heights have plenty of contractors to pick from, so we don’t take it for granted when someone chooses us. A few things tend to come up in those conversations.
One Project at a Time
When your project is underway, it’s the one we’re working on.
Your Final Bill Matches Your Estimate
You get an itemized written estimate before work begins, and your final bill matches it. If you change the scope, we price the change in writing first.
In Your Home the Next Day
Call us, and we can be at your home the next day.
Licensed, Insured & Cleaned Daily
We’re licensed and insured, and we clean the work area every day.
Our Process
Our Remodeling Process
Phone Call or Photos
We begin with a phone conversation to hear what you’re hoping to change and answer any early questions about scheduling or how we operate. From there, we go deeper into your goals, whether that’s a full kitchen remodel or an isolated bathroom update, so we have a clear picture before the first site visit. Tell us what you want to change, or send photos for a ballpark first.
Budget Conversation
In-Home Consultation
Next, we come to your home and walk the space with you. In the Heights, this step often includes a closer look at existing plumbing, wiring, and structural elements common in older homes, so we understand what we’re working with before recommending changes. We can usually be there the next day.
Written Estimate
After the consultation, we put together a detailed written estimate covering materials, labor, and scope, so you know exactly what’s included before deciding whether to move forward. Your Final Bill will match it.
Contract & Scheduling
Once the estimate is approved, we finalize a contract and set a construction schedule that works with your household’s timeline.
Historic District Check & Permits
We confirm your district status, prepare COA materials if needed, and pull City of Houston permits.
Construction Begins
Work gets underway, with the owner checking in regularly to keep the project on track and consistent with what was discussed at the consultation.
Final Walkthrough
When the project wraps up, we walk through the finished space together, handle any final adjustments, and make sure everything meets what we agreed to before calling it complete.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Remodeling Contractor in the Heights
Have you worked on homes in a historic district?
Ask whether they know what needs a COA and what doesn’t.
Will you pull the permits?
Electrical, plumbing, and structural work needs City of Houston permits.
Who will be on site every day?
The person you hired, or a crew you’ve never met?
How do you handle surprises behind the walls?
Century-old homes have them. Ask how they’re priced and approved.
Red flags to watch for:
- An estimate with a single total and no itemized scope.
- Suggesting you skip permits or COA approval.
- Removing original shiplap or windows without checking district rules.
- Large upfront cash deposits.
- Choosing finishes before checking wiring, plumbing, and the foundation.
What Drives the Cost of a Remodel in a Heights Home
Original systems: Rewiring, replacing old plumbing, and leveling pier-and-beam floors are common in century-old homes.
Layout changes: Moving walls or plumbing costs more than updating within the existing layout. In kitchens, cabinetry and layout changes usually take the biggest share of the budget. In bathrooms, it’s plumbing, tile labor, and waterproofing.
Historic district requirements: COA approval can affect window choices, addition placement, and exterior materials.
Material choices: Cabinets, countertops, tile, and fixtures vary widely.
We give you an itemized estimate, and your final bill matches it.
Services Areas
Serving the Houston Heights and Nearby Neighborhoods
Don’t see your neighborhood listed? Contact us – we likely still serve your area.
Remodeling Contractor in Houston Heights FAQs
Do you remodel homes in the Houston Heights?
Yes. We remodel kitchens and bathrooms, renovate whole homes, and build additions and garage apartments throughout the Heights, in original bungalows and newer homes alike.
Can you open up a closed-off kitchen in a Heights bungalow?
Yes, in most homes. We check whether the wall is load-bearing before planning, and a properly sized beam can usually open even a load-bearing wall. We then install custom cabinetry, countertops, and backsplashes built to fit the original walls, which are rarely straight or square.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in an older Heights home?
It depends on the scope. A kitchen updated within its existing layout moves faster than one where walls or plumbing move. We order cabinets before demolition, so your kitchen is out of service only as long as necessary.
Can you make a small bungalow bathroom more functional?
Yes. We often replace a cramped tub-shower combo with a walk-in shower, add built-in storage, and improve the lighting and ventilation, usually within the original footprint.
Can you add a second bathroom to my Heights home?
Often, yes. Many original bungalows have only one bathroom, and pier-and-beam foundations make new plumbing easier because we can work from underneath. We check your layout and foundation during the in-home visit.
How long does a bathroom remodel take in a Heights home?
Most bathroom remodels take a few weeks, depending on size and what’s behind the old plaster. You get a realistic timeline in your written estimate.
Do I need historic district approval to remodel my kitchen or bathroom?
Usually not. Interior kitchen and bathroom remodels generally don’t need a Certificate of Appropriateness, but windows, exterior changes, and additions do. We confirm your home’s district status before design starts.
Can you remodel a century-old bungalow?
Yes. We plan around original plumbing, wiring, plaster, shiplap, and pier-and-beam foundations. We check them during the in-home visit so they’re in your estimate, not discovered mid-project.
Do you build second stories and garage apartments in the Heights?
Yes. We build rear additions, second-story additions, and garage apartments, designed to meet historic district placement rules where they apply.
Will my final bill match the estimate?
Yes. Your final bill matches your itemized estimate unless you choose to change the scope, and any change is priced in writing before work begins.
Ready to Remodel Your Home in Houston Heights?
If your Heights home needs a bathroom that fits how you actually use it, a kitchen that finally works with the rest of your house, or a larger renovation project, we’d like to hear about it. Brito Remodel & Construction brings owner-supervised projects, honest written estimates, and real experience working inside Houston’s older homes to every job we take on.
Scheduling a free in-home consultation doesn’t come with any pressure or obligation. We’ll walk your home, talk through what’s realistic for your space and budget, and leave you with a clear written estimate to consider.
Reach out today to schedule your free estimate and start planning a remodel that respects your home’s character while making it work better for how you live now.