Full Gut Remodel & Complete Home Renovation Experts in Central Texas: Transforming Homes Strip to Studs

Sometimes the best home for your family is the one you're already in—just completely reimagined. As full gut remodel specialists serving Bastrop County, Williamson County, Hays County, and throughout Central Texas, Niesen Construction transforms existing homes through comprehensive strip-to-studs renovations that address every system, every surface, and every detail. Whether you're a homeowner staying in a beloved neighborhood, a real estate investor maximizing property value, or a realtor seeking reliable renovation contractors, we bring 33 years of expertise to complete home renovations that turn outdated houses into modern dream homes.

33

Years Renovation Experience

100%

Complete Transformations

Preferred

Contractor for Realtors

Understanding Full Gut Remodels:
What Strip-to-Studs Renovation Really Means

Definition

A full gut remodel—also called a gut renovation or strip-to-studs renovation—means exactly what it sounds like: taking a home down to its bare bones and rebuilding it completely from the inside. We remove everything: all interior finishes, all fixtures, all cabinets and flooring, all existing electrical wiring and plumbing, often the HVAC system, sometimes even drywall and insulation. What remains is the home's structural frame (the 'studs'), foundation, and exterior shell. Then we rebuild everything with modern systems, updated layouts, and contemporary finishes. The result looks and functions like a brand new home while staying within your existing home's footprint and location.

Scope Explanation

Full gut remodels represent the most comprehensive residential renovation possible short of complete demolition and new construction. This approach makes sense when a home has good bones—solid foundation, sound structure, desirable location—but outdated or failing systems, inefficient layouts, or finishes that need complete replacement. Rather than trying to work around existing conditions or making compromises, we address everything at once: upgrading electrical to modern capacity and code, replacing aging plumbing that's prone to leaks, installing energy-efficient HVAC systems, reconfiguring layouts for contemporary living, and finishing with materials and fixtures you select. It's transformative renovation requiring expertise across every construction discipline.

Differentiation

Many contractors use 'remodel' and 'renovation' interchangeably, creating confusion about what you're actually getting. A kitchen remodel might mean new cabinets and countertops while keeping existing layout and appliances. A full gut remodel means removing everything in that kitchen—and the rest of the house—down to studs, replacing all wiring and plumbing, possibly reconfiguring the space entirely, then finishing with all new materials. The scope, complexity, investment, and results differ dramatically. As specialists in complete home renovations throughout Central Texas, we help homeowners understand exactly what full gut remodels entail before starting projects, preventing misunderstandings about timeline, investment, or disruption level.

Full Gut Remodel

  • Cosmetic updates (paint, flooring, fixtures)
  • Some systems upgraded as needed
  • Existing layout mostly preserved
  • Work around existing conditions
  • Faster timeline, lower investment
  • Standard Remodel

  • Strip to studs (or further if needed)
  • ALL systems completely replaced
  • Layout can be reconfigured entirely
  • Address all hidden issues
  • Essentially new home inside existing walls
  • What a Full Gut Remodel Includes

  • Complete Demolition

    Strip interior to studs, remove all finishes, fixtures, systems
  • All New Systems

    Complete HVAC, electrical, plumbing replacement
  • New Drywall

    Fresh drywall throughout, professionally finished
  • Kitchen & Baths

    Complete kitchen and bathroom renovations
  • Structural Work

    Structural Repairs & Reinforcements
  • Modern Insulation

    Energy-efficient insulation throughout
  • All Finishes

    Flooring, tile, paint, trim, doors—everything new
  • Exterior Updates

    Often includes windows, doors, sometimes siding
  • Why Full Gut Remodel Makes Sense:
    The Case for Complete Transformation

    Homeowners considering major changes face difficult decisions: renovate, relocate, or buy new construction? Full gut remodels offer compelling advantages over alternatives—but only when done comprehensively by contractors with expertise handling the complexity. Here's why Central Texas homeowners and real estate investors choose complete home renovations through Niesen Construction.

    Stay in Your Beloved Location

    The most common reason homeowners choose full gut remodels over relocating: keeping the location they love. Maybe it's proximity to excellent schools your children already attend. Perhaps it's the mature trees and established neighborhood character new developments lack. Maybe you're close to work, near family, or in a community where you've built friendships and connections. Full gut renovations let you transform your home completely while staying exactly where you want to be—in the neighborhood, school district, and community you've chosen to call home.

    Better Economics Than Buying New

    In many Central Texas markets, completely renovating your existing home costs significantly less than buying comparable new construction—especially when you factor in selling costs, moving expenses, higher property taxes on new purchases, and the premium new homes command. Your existing home's property tax basis remains lower than newly assessed construction. You avoid real estate commissions on selling. You're not competing in tight housing markets where inventory is limited. The economics often favor comprehensive renovation over relocation, particularly in established areas where location premium outweighs newer construction elsewhere.

    Complete
    Customization

    Full gut remodels offer customization new home buyers rarely achieve unless building custom. You control every decision: layout configuration, ceiling heights, window placements, material selections, fixture choices, and every finish detail. Unlike buying existing homes where you compromise on layout or finishes, or buying from production builders with limited options, gut renovations let you create exactly what you want within your existing home's exterior footprint. It's custom home building inside an existing structure—the best of both approaches.

    Superior to Piecemeal Renovations

    Attempting to renovate homes gradually—new kitchen this year, bathrooms next year, HVAC later—costs more long-term through duplicated labor, repeated disruption, design inconsistencies, and missed opportunities for comprehensive improvements. Full gut remodels address everything at once: all systems coordinated properly, all finishes cohesive, all construction completed in one timeline, all disruption condensed into manageable period rather than spread across years. The comprehensive approach proves more efficient, more economical, and delivers superior results compared to incremental renovations.

    Maximum Property Value Increase

    Real estate professionals understand that comprehensive renovations deliver better returns than surface-level updates. Full gut remodels transform properties from dated to desirable, often enabling sales prices comparable to new construction in the same neighborhoods. For investment properties and home flips, complete renovations maximize profit potential by creating homes that compete effectively against all alternatives. For homeowners planning to stay, you're building equity in something perfectly tailored to your needs rather than hoping to find the right existing home on the market.

    Address All Hidden Issues

    Older homes hide problems behind walls: outdated electrical not meeting modern capacity needs, galvanized plumbing prone to leaks, insufficient or deteriorated insulation, hidden water damage or mold, structural issues covered by finishes. Piecemeal renovations leave these problems festering. Full gut remodels expose everything, letting us address all issues simultaneously rather than discovering problems years later requiring additional work. You gain peace of mind knowing every system and structure has been inspected, repaired if needed, and replaced with modern, code-compliant materials that will last decades."

    Sometimes the best home for your family is the one you're already in, just reimagined. Whether you've outgrown your layout, inherited a fixer-upper, or found a property with great bones but outdated everything, a full gut renovation can transform an existing house into your dream home while keeping you in the neighborhood and school district you love.

    - Charles Niessen, Founder & Owner

    Why Full Gut Remodels Require Exceptional Expertise

    Full gut remodels present challenges new construction never encounters. You're working within existing structures with hidden problems, unknown conditions behind walls, foundations that may need attention, and constraints new builds avoid. Success requires contractors with deep experience anticipating problems, solving them efficiently, and keeping projects moving forward despite obstacles. After 33 years performing complete home renovations throughout Central Texas, we've encountered every challenge—and developed systematic approaches for handling them.

    Full Gut Remodel Transformations
    Throughout Central Texas

    These dramatic before-and-after transformations represent full gut remodels across Bastrop County, Williamson County, Hays County, and throughout our Central Texas service area. Each project demonstrates what's possible when older homes receive comprehensive renovation by experienced contractors. From outdated to outstanding, from dated to desirable—this is the transformation power of complete home renovation.

    1970s Ranch Complete Transformation - Kyle, TX

    • Bastrop, TX
    • 2,800 sq ft | 4 bed, 3 bath | Modern Farmhouse
    • Saturday by appointment

    This 1970s ranch in Kyle required complete systems replacement, layout reconfiguration, and updated finishes throughout. We removed walls creating open-concept living, replaced all MEP systems, installed modern insulation and energy-efficient windows, and finished with a re Read More materials. The transformation turned an outdated, compartmentalized home into a bright, open, modern space perfect for contemporary family living. Completed in 9 weeks.

    1970s Ranch Complete Transformation - Kyle, TX

    • Bastrop, TX
    • 2,800 sq ft | 4 bed, 3 bath | Modern Farmhouse
    • Saturday by appointment

    This 1970s ranch in Kyle required complete systems replacement, layout reconfiguration, and updated finishes throughout. We removed walls creating open-concept living, replaced all MEP systems, installed modern insulation and energy-efficient windows, and finished with a re Read More materials. The transformation turned an outdated, compartmentalized home into a bright, open, modern space perfect for contemporary family living. Completed in 9 weeks.

    1970s Ranch Complete Transformation - Kyle, TX

    • Bastrop, TX
    • 2,800 sq ft | 4 bed, 3 bath | Modern Farmhouse
    • Saturday by appointment

    This 1970s ranch in Kyle required complete systems replacement, layout reconfiguration, and updated finishes throughout. We removed walls creating open-concept living, replaced all MEP systems, installed modern insulation and energy-efficient windows, and finished with a re Read More materials. The transformation turned an outdated, compartmentalized home into a bright, open, modern space perfect for contemporary family living. Completed in 9 weeks.

    1970s Ranch Complete Transformation - Kyle, TX

    • Bastrop, TX
    • 2,800 sq ft | 4 bed, 3 bath | Modern Farmhouse
    • Saturday by appointment

    This 1970s ranch in Kyle required complete systems replacement, layout reconfiguration, and updated finishes throughout. We removed walls creating open-concept living, replaced all MEP systems, installed modern insulation and energy-efficient windows, and finished with a re Read More materials. The transformation turned an outdated, compartmentalized home into a bright, open, modern space perfect for contemporary family living. Completed in 9 weeks.

    Serving Homeowners & Real Estate
    Professionals Throughout Central Texas

    Full gut remodels serve two distinct audiences with different motivations and priorities. Homeowners transform homes they plan to live in for years, focusing on personal vision and long-term satisfaction. Real estate professionals—realtors, investors, flippers—renovate properties for resale, prioritizing budgets, timelines, and maximizing property values. We serve both audiences excellently because we understand their different needs and adapt our approach accordingly.

     Segment 1

    For Homeowners

    Homeowners choosing full gut remodels are typically staying in homes and neighborhoods they love, inherited properties with good bones but dated everything, or found perfect locations in homes needing complete transformation. Your investment is personal—you'll live with results for years or decades. You prioritize quality, communication, and creating spaces perfectly suited to how your family lives. We work with homeowners who want partners in transformation, not just contractors executing plans.

    Why Homeowners Choose Full Gut Remodels:

    • Stay in beloved neighborhoods and school districts
    • Transform inherited homes or fixer-uppers
    • Create exactly the layout and finishes they want
    • Address all deferred maintenance at once
    • Gain peace of mind with all-new systems
    • Achieve better economics than buying new

    We inherited my parents’ 1960s home in Bastrop and wanted to stay in the neighborhood where I grew up, but everything needed updating. Niessen Construction completely transformed the interior—new everything—while keeping the exterior character. It’s our dream home now, in the exact location we wanted. The communication was excellent and the quality exceeded expectations.

    Jennifer Martinez,

    Bastrop County, TX
     Segment 2

    For Real Estate Professionals

    Real estate investors, realtors managing client properties, and home flippers need contractors who understand that renovations are business investments requiring reliable timelines, strict budget adherence, and quality work that maximizes resale values. You're evaluating projects based on return on investment, not personal preferences. We're preferred contractors for multiple realtors precisely because we deliver predictable results: we stay within budgets through accurate estimates and careful cost management, complete projects on promised timelines, and deliver quality that commands premium sale prices.

    Why Realtors Trust Us for Investment Properties:

    • Reliable timelines critical for investor budgets
    • Budget adherence preventing profit erosion
    • Quality work maximizing resale values
    • Comprehensive renovations minimizing surprises
    • Preferred contractor status with multiple realtors
    • Experience with occupied and vacant properties

    I’ve worked with Niesen Construction on multiple investment property renovations and they’re my go-to contractor. They provide accurate estimates upfront, manage budgets carefully, complete projects on schedule, and deliver quality that helps my clients maximize profits. Reliable contractors make all the difference in real estate investing—Niesen Construction is reliable.

    Michael Thompson

    Realtor

    Understanding Full Gut Remodel Investment & Timeline

    Full gut remodels represent significant investments—both financial and time. Homeowners and investors deserve transparent information about what projects cost, what influences those costs, and how long transformations take. Here's honest guidance based on decades of complete home renovations throughout Central Texas.

    Investment Considerations

    Full gut remodel costs vary dramatically—from $75,000 for smaller homes with straightforward renovations to $200,000+ for larger homes with extensive structural work, high-end finishes, and complex system installations. Rather than providing misleading 'starting at' prices, we discuss your specific situation: home size, condition, what you want changed, finish preferences, and budget parameters. Then we develop accurate proposals based on actual scope, not optimistic estimates that explode through change orders.

    What Influences Renovation Costs:

    • Home size (square footage)
    • Structural issues requiring attention
    • Systems complexity and upgrades
    • Finish selections and materials
    • Layout changes and reconfigurations
    • Unforeseen conditions discovered

    While full gut remodels require substantial investment, they typically cost 30-50% less than purchasing equivalent new construction in the same neighborhoods—particularly in established areas where location premium is significant. You’re not just renovating a house; you’re creating substantial equity in property you own, in location you’ve chosen, with results perfectly tailored to your needs.

    Timeline Expectations

    Most full gut remodels complete in 8-12 weeks from demolition to certificate of occupancy, with planning and permitting adding 2-4 weeks upfront. This timeline assumes straightforward projects without extensive structural complications. Our systematic approach and 22-person team covering all construction trades allows faster completion than contractors dependent on subcontractor availability.

    Typical Full Gut Remodel Timeline:

    • Planning & Permitting: 2-4 weeks
    • Demolition: 1-2 weeks
    • Structural/Foundation: 1-2 weeks
    • New Systems: 2-3 weeks
    • Drywall & Insulation: 1-2 weeks
    • Finishes: 3-4 weeks
    • Total: 8-12 weeks typical

    We complete full gut remodels faster than many contractors by controlling all trades rather than waiting for subcontractors to schedule your project between their other jobs. Our experienced team works systematically: as soon as one phase completes and passes inspection, the next phase begins immediately. This coordination minimizes delays and delivers completed renovations in reasonable timeframes.

    Full Gut Remodel FAQ

    Full gut remodels raise many questions—especially for homeowners and investors considering this comprehensive approach for the first time. Here are answers to the questions we hear most often about complete home renovations.

    Ready to Transform Your Home?

    Whether you're a homeowner staying in a neighborhood you love, a real estate investor maximizing property value, or a realtor seeking reliable renovation contractors—full gut remodels transform dated houses into desirable homes. As complete home renovation specialists serving Central Texas for over three decades, we bring the expertise, quality craftsmanship, and transparent communication your transformation deserves. Let's discuss how we can transform your property.

    Schedule Free Consultation

    Talk directly with Charles about your full gut remodel vision and property. We'll discuss your goals, assess your home's condition, and provide honest guidance about what's possible, what it requires, and what it costs. Free consultation, no obligation.

    Call (XXX) XXX-XXXX

    Request Project Assessment

    Prefer to start online? Complete our contact form with details about your property and renovation goals. We'll respond within 24 hours to schedule an in-person assessment and discuss your complete home renovation possibilities.

    Contact Us Online
    • Niesen Construction
    • Based in Red Rock, Texas
    • Serving 75-Mile Radius Across Central Texas

    Licensed • Insured • 33 Years Experience

    Preferred Contractor for Multiple Realtors

    “Links to major service area pages with renovation emphasis”