--- title: "Whole House Remodel in San Jose | Full Home Remodeling | QA Builders" description: "A whole house remodel in San Jose: layout, structure, wiring, plumbing, kitchens and baths, phased so you can often stay home. One licensed contractor." url: "https://qabuilders.com/full-home-remodeling/" updated: "2026-10-03" --- Complete home transformations # Whole House Remodeling in San Jose A whole house remodel in San Jose with QA Builders rebuilds the rooms, systems and layout of your home under one licensed general contractor (CSLB #1073096): structural changes, electrical and plumbing, kitchens and baths, phased so you can often stay in the house. Call [(669) 213-8077](tel:+16692138077) to walk through your home with us. At QA Builders, we coordinate every aspect of your whole-home renovation to ensure a cohesive design that flows naturally from room to room. No more piecemeal updates that don't quite match. ## When a whole-house remodel beats moving In the Bay Area, remodeling is often significantly more cost-effective. You avoid moving costs, real estate fees, and higher property taxes while getting exactly the home you want. It is the stronger choice when most of these are true: - You want to stay in the neighborhood, near the same schools, commute and neighbors. - The house is structurally sound, even if the layout, finishes and systems are dated. - More than two or three rooms need work, so doing them together saves opening the same walls twice. - What you are missing can be solved inside the house, or with an addition the lot and zoning allow. Moving makes more sense when you need much more space than your lot and zoning permit, or when the foundation or structure would take most of the budget. Our guide to [remodeling versus buying](https://qabuilders.com/home-remodeling-vs-buying-a-new-home-experts-advice/) works through the decision in more detail. ## Structural work, systems and permits ### Opening up the floor plan Many whole-house remodels change the layout: a wall between kitchen and living room comes out, a hallway disappears, a bedroom becomes a primary suite. Load-bearing wall removal, foundation work, and structural engineering are handled safely and to code. A load-bearing wall is replaced by a beam and posts sized by a structural engineer, and the posts need footings below them. ### Electrical, plumbing and heating Bring your home's systems into the 21st century with updated wiring, panels, plumbing, and smart home integration. A whole-house project is the simplest moment to re-pipe old supply lines, add circuits for a modern kitchen or induction range, and replace heating and cooling equipment, because the walls and ceilings are already open. Windows, doors and insulation follow the same logic: energy-efficient windows and doors paired with modern insulation for comfort and lower utility costs. ### Permits and plan review In San Jose, structural changes, new plumbing and most electrical and mechanical work need permits, and a remodel of more than 750 square feet on a one-story house, or a remodel of any size on a multistory house, goes through the City's standard plan review. If the project also adds floor area, it becomes an addition and the zoning limits on our [home additions](https://qabuilders.com/home-additions/) page apply, including the Single-Family House Permit above a 0.45 floor area ratio. We handle all permits, engineering, and city inspections; you never have to deal with the bureaucracy. ### Older houses: lead paint If your house was built before 1978, EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in it to be certified, with workers trained in lead-safe work practices, because sanding and demolition of old paint can create lead dust. The rule exempts minor repair and maintenance that disturbs six square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside, but window replacement and demolition of painted surfaces are always covered, so a whole-house remodel of an older home falls under it. Ask any contractor how they will contain and clean up that work before it starts. Sources: EPA [Renovation, Repair and Painting Program](https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program) and, for the minor-repair exemption and the window and demolition exclusion, [40 CFR 745.83](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/745.83), read October 2026. ## Phasing: living at home during the remodel We understand that living through a renovation is stressful. That's why we develop phasing plans, maintain clean job sites, and communicate proactively about schedules and any changes. A phasing plan splits the house into zones and orders them so the family always has a working bathroom, somewhere to sleep and somewhere to prepare food. Examples of how a phasing plan can work: - **Bedrooms and baths first, kitchen second:** you live around a temporary kitchen while the bedroom wing is finished, then move into the finished rooms while the kitchen is built. - **Two bathrooms, never both at once:** one stays in use until the other passes inspection. - **Whole-house work last:** floor refinishing throughout, a full re-pipe or a panel change may need time away from the house, so they are best grouped together. Can you stay in the house? In many cases, yes. We phase the work to keep portions of your home livable. For extensive renovations, we'll discuss temporary housing options during planning. > "They were accommodating with the fact that we needed to stay in the house while the work was being done." > > Gates W., on a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel (Google review) ## Timeline of a whole-house remodel A whole-house remodel has no standard length: it depends on how many rooms change, whether structure moves, how long design and plan review take, and how many phases you choose for living at home. Fewer phases finish sooner; more phases keep more of the house usable. On the permit side, the City's published first round of plan review for alterations without structural calculations is about 10 working days, with about 5 for each later round (City of San Jose [Plan Review Time Frames](https://www.sanjoseca.gov/businesses/development-services-permit-center/building-permit-services/standard-plan-review-service/plan-review-time-frames), read October 2026). One client's full interior remodel, estimated at three months, finished early: > "The original estimate was three months, but the project was completed in about 2.5 months from demolition to final delivery." > > Raymond L., on a full interior remodel including the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and office (Yelp review) 1. **Discovery & Vision.** We spend time understanding how you live, what you love, and what frustrates you about your current home. 2. **Comprehensive Design.** Our design team creates detailed plans for every room, ensuring a cohesive vision from start to finish. 3. **Budgeting & Phasing.** We develop a detailed budget and construction phasing plan, with options to stage work so you can stay in your home. 4. **Permit Management.** Engineering for structural changes, plan review and the City's inspection schedule. 5. **Construction & Updates.** Regular progress updates, weekly check-ins, and a dedicated project manager keep you informed at every stage. 6. **Completion & Warranty.** Final walk-through, punch list completion, and our comprehensive warranty ensure your satisfaction. ## What drives the cost of a whole-house remodel Costs vary widely based on scope, from $100,000 for cosmetic updates to $500,000+ for extensive renovations. We provide detailed estimates after an in-home consultation. A cost per square foot is a poor guide for a whole-house remodel, because two houses of the same size can need completely different work: one gets paint, floors and fixtures, the other a new kitchen, two new bathrooms, a re-pipe and a structural wall change. What actually sets the price: - **The number of kitchens and bathrooms:** they carry most of the plumbing, tile, cabinetry and fixtures. - **Structural changes:** beams, posts, footings and the engineering and plan review that come with them. - **Systems:** re-piping, rewiring, a panel upgrade, new heating and cooling. - **Shell:** windows, exterior doors, insulation, and interior and exterior painting. - **Condition of the house:** age, earlier unpermitted work, and damage found once walls are open. - **Finishes:** flooring throughout, cabinetry, counters and fixtures. - **Phasing:** each extra phase adds setup, protection and cleanup. Knowing which of these apply to your house is the first thing the walk-through settles. On the return side, a comprehensive renovation can dramatically increase your home's market value, often by 50-70% of the investment. ## Why one contractor for the whole house A full home remodel requires a contractor who can manage complexity. With 15+ years and 500+ projects, QA Builders has the experience to coordinate multiple trades, handle unexpected challenges, and deliver beautiful results. Our team includes specialists in every trade from structural engineering to interior design so you get expert-level work in every room of your home. The rooms inside a whole-house remodel are covered in detail on our [kitchen remodeling](https://qabuilders.com/kitchen-remodeling/) and [bathroom remodeling](https://qabuilders.com/bathroom-remodeling/) pages, and our list of [common remodeling mistakes](https://qabuilders.com/home-remodeling-mistakes/) is worth reading before you plan the order of work. ## Whole-house remodel questions ### Is a whole-house remodel the same as a full gut? Not always. A gut takes every room to the studs; many whole-house remodels keep sound walls, floors or rooms and rebuild the rest. The walk-through decides what stays. ### Do I need an architect for a whole-house remodel? Not always. San Jose accepts plans prepared by anyone for remodels of conventional wood-frame one- and two-story houses, but any part that departs from conventional framing must be designed, stamped and signed by a licensed architect or engineer, and the City's building official can require a registered professional for any project. A remodel that moves load-bearing walls usually ends up with an engineer on the plans for that reason. ## Plan your whole-house remodel Contact us today for a free consultation and detailed estimate for your full home remodel project: call [(669) 213-8077](tel:+16692138077) or use our [contact page](https://qabuilders.com/contact/).