Howard's Home Improvements in Oklahoma City: General Contractor for Residential Remodels and Additions

Howard's Home Improvements is a licensed residential general contractor based in Oklahoma City that handles kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, and structural repairs. The company operates as a single-owner firm rather than a large multi-crew operation, which shapes both its capacity and its approach to project management.

What Howard's Home Improvements actually does

This is a general contractor focused on interior and structural work rather than roofing, HVAC, or electrical as standalone services. The owner pulls permits, coordinates subcontractors, and manages timeline and budget from bid through final inspection. Projects range from $15,000 kitchen updates to $100,000+ additions. The company does not advertise as a handyman service for single repairs; jobs typically involve multiple trades and run at least several weeks.

Services and typical project costs

Kitchen remodels start around $35,000 for cabinet and countertop work with existing layout, rising to $60,000 to $85,000 when plumbing or electrical relocation is involved. Bathroom remodels run $15,000 to $40,000 depending on fixture upgrades and whether tile work requires a specialist. Room additions and bump-outs begin at $50 per square foot for framing and drywall in the Oklahoma City market, not including foundation work or mechanical upgrades. The owner provides written estimates that break labor, materials, and subcontractor fees into separate line items. Verify current pricing by phone, as material costs fluctuate and labor rates adjust seasonally.

The company requires a deposit equal to material costs at signing, with the balance due upon substantial completion and municipal inspection approval. Payment is typically due before the final walkthrough.

How Howard's Home Improvements compares to other Oklahoma City general contractors

Large regional firms like Lippert Homes and Cavco Industries operate primarily in new construction and manufactured home setup, making them poor fits for existing home remodels. Local competitors closer in scale include Apex Remodeling, which specializes in high-end kitchens with designer cabinetry and carries higher price points (typically $80,000 to $150,000 for full kitchen work), and Cornerstone Contractors, which takes on mixed residential and light commercial work and may deprioritize smaller residential jobs.

Howard's Home Improvements sits between the high-end showroom remodelers and generalist contractors who bid anything from drywall patching to foundation repair. Choose Howard's if your scope is clear (a kitchen or bathroom remodel, a defined addition), you want transparent billing, and you prefer a contractor who has done similar work repeatedly rather than one handling 20 simultaneous projects. Choose Apex if design consultation and premium finishes are your priority. Choose a different general contractor if your project involves major structural concerns or significant mechanical system replacement, as the owner sometimes partners with specialists rather than housing that expertise in-house.

Who this contractor suits and does not suit

Howard's Home Improvements is a practical choice for homeowners with defined remodel budgets, a willingness to make decisions on timeline, and realistic expectations about disruption. The owner typically manages one or two projects at a time, reducing scheduling delays but also meaning your project may not start immediately if capacity is booked. It suits mid-range projects; a $12,000 partial bathroom refresh may be too small to justify the administrative overhead, and a $200,000 luxury addition with structural engineering may require a larger firm's resources.

Avoid this contractor if you need extensive design work before bidding, demand a guaranteed completion date in writing, or require financing through the contractor. The company does not hold a home improvement license that allows it to finance work directly.

What the first visit and estimate process involve

The owner meets at your home, tours the space, asks about your timeline and budget range, and takes measurements and photos. He typically returns a written estimate within five to seven business days. The estimate includes a schedule (in weeks, not specific dates), a materials list by category, and a breakdown of which work his crew handles versus subcontracted work. Negotiations on scope and timeline happen at this stage; you can request a revised estimate if the initial bid exceeds your comfort level. Once signed, the contractor pulls all required permits; you do not need to manage that step.

Hours, contact, and logistics

Howard's Home Improvements operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with occasional Saturday work for project closeouts. Confirm current availability and hours by phone before your first meeting, as seasonal demand shifts his schedule. The company is licensed by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board and carries liability insurance; verify current license status and coverage limits before signing any contract. On-site parking during construction is your responsibility; the owner coordinates crew schedules to minimize disruption to neighboring properties.

Howard's Home Improvements has built a client base in Oklahoma City through repeat work and referrals, not through extensive advertising. For a homeowner ready to commit to a defined remodel project with a contractor who handles the permitting and day-to-day coordination, this is a straightforward choice.