West Lake Hills, TX
Remodeling on wooded hillside lots, planned around the city's tree, septic and permit requirements.
Hill Country estates
West Lake Hills incorporated in 1953 and is known for large, wooded lots and custom estate homes, with much of its growth in the 1970s and 1980s. Many houses here are mature enough that kitchens and baths no longer match how the owners live, while the lots themselves are often steep, tree-covered and, in some cases, served by septic. A good remodel plan accounts for all of that before design begins.

Scope
Our recent Westlake-area work includes a dark stone kitchen, and we scope each West Lake Hills project from the house and lot outward.
Rebuilding kitchens in mature homes with new layouts, cabinets, stone and lighting. See our dark stone kitchen from recent Westlake-area work.
Primary suites and guest baths, with licensed plumbing and electrical professionals handling their trades.
Multi-room updates for owners reworking an older estate-style home as a single, coordinated project.
Built-ins, millwork and custom storage sized to the larger rooms found in custom homes.
Framing, flooring, drywall and foundation coordination, which matters on hillside lots.
Before you start
West Lake Hills is its own city with its own building department, and we do not assume a permit is or is not required. We confirm your scope, fees and timing with the city before scheduling work. Press coverage has reported that the city caps the duration of building permits and charges higher fees to extend them, so a realistic schedule matters here.
The city adopted local septic rules in 2009, citing steep terrain, shallow soils and nearby Edwards Aquifer features. A 2001 agreement with the City of Austin allows some properties to receive centralized wastewater service. If your home is on septic, adding bathrooms or bedrooms can raise capacity questions, so we ask about wastewater before the design is final and coordinate with the proper reviewer.
Tree preservation is part of planning on a wooded lot. The city has a tree ordinance and has been reported to inspect for oak wilt, so tree work and equipment access need to be planned deliberately. If your home has an HOA or deed restrictions, we can help assemble a submission, but approval belongs to the HOA.
West Lake Hills FAQ
No. West Lake Hills is a separate incorporated city, so its building department and rules apply rather than Austin's. We confirm the process directly with the city for each project.
It can. If a remodel adds bathrooms or bedrooms, the existing system's capacity and the city's local septic rules may come into play. We ask early whether your home is on septic or centralized sewer.
The city has a tree ordinance and oak wilt concerns, so tree pruning, removal and equipment access need to be planned before work begins. We review these with you during pre-construction.
Yes. We coordinate framing, flooring and foundation work with the appropriate professionals and review that scope before the contract is signed.
Keep exploring
See the service closest to your project, or look at recent Westlake-area work.
Recent Westlake-area work.
Kitchen planning and construction.
Primary suites and guest baths.
Whole-house coordination.
Built-ins and millwork.
See every community we serve.
Ask about your West Lake Hills project.
West Lake Hills homeowners
Tell us about the lot, the house and what you want changed. Your first 30-minute consultation is free.