Projects we can help with
Additions & ADUs
Second units under HOME, primary suites, second stories.
Kitchen Remodeling
Layout changes, cabinets, counters and appliances.
Bathroom Remodeling
Showers, primary baths and accessibility.
Roofing
Hail repairs, replacements and metal roofs.
HVAC & Insulation
AC replacement, heat pumps, attic insulation.
Outdoor Living & Patio Covers
Shade structures, patios, outdoor kitchens.
Foundation Repair
Slab and pier-and-beam repair, drainage.
Windows
Low-E replacement windows for heat control.
Fencing
Cedar, horizontal and metal fences.
Hardscaping & Xeriscape
Pavers, limestone, water-wise yards.
Austin's building landscape in 2026
Austin's HOME code amendments changed what you can build on a single-family lot. Phase 1, adopted in December 2023 and taking applications since February 2024, allows up to three dwelling units on lots zoned SF-1, SF-2 and SF-3. Phase 2, effective November 2024, allows a single home on a lot as small as 1,800 square feet. More homeowners are now adding second units, splitting lots, or building larger additions.
Building is still harder here than in much of Texas. Austin protects large trees, and protected trees (19 inches in diameter or more, measured 4.5 feet above grade) need a permit to remove. Heritage trees (24 inches or more, of listed species such as oaks, pecans, cedar elms and bald cypress) can't be removed without an approved variance. Homes in mapped wildfire-risk areas fall under the City's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code, adopted in April 2020 and in effect since January 1, 2021.
Climate and soils
- Long, hot summers make HVAC sizing, attic insulation and shade critical
- Expansive clay east of MoPac and limestone in the west cause different foundation problems
- Hail and the occasional hard freeze, like Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, which burst pipes across the city
Ballpark your budget
Planning ranges for Austin. See the full cost guide.
Austin project cost estimator
Planning estimate
$142,800 – $204,000
Rough planning range only — not a quote. Real bids depend on site conditions, permits, materials and the contractor.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a contractor?+
No. Austin Home Projects is a free referral service. We connect you with independent contractors, and you hire them directly.
Can I build an ADU or second unit?+
Under HOME Phase 1, lots zoned SF-1, SF-2 and SF-3 can have up to three units. Site rules, trees, utilities and deed restrictions still apply, so check your parcel with the Development Services Department (DSD) or a designer.
Do Austin contractors need a license?+
Texas doesn't license general contractors or roofers. Trades like HVAC, electrical and plumbing are licensed, and Austin requires contractors to register before pulling permits.
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