A main level remodel in the Twin Cities typically runs $75 to $400 per square foot depending on how much of the layout changes, with most full main level projects landing between $150,000 and $500,000 total. The number moves the most based on whether you are refreshing finishes in the existing footprint or opening up walls to reconfigure the kitchen, dining and living space into one connected area.
How Much Does a Main Level Remodel Cost in the Twin Cities?
Most South Metro and Twin Cities homeowners land in one of three cost bands: a cosmetic refresh, a layout reconfiguration, or a full structural main level remodel. The band you fall into depends less on square footage and more on whether plumbing, electrical or load-bearing walls move.
New Spaces has more than 40 years of experience as a family owned design-build remodeler in the Twin Cities, and a closed-off 1980s or 1990s kitchen in Burnsville, Lakeville or Eden Prairie almost always needs at least a layout reconfiguration to get the open-concept feel most homeowners are asking for now, which is why the middle tier is where most main level projects land.
What Are the Three Cost Tiers of a Main Level Remodel?
The table below reflects design-build main level projects in Burnsville, Lakeville, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Prior Lake and the broader South Metro, where most of New Spaces’ main level work happens.
| Scope | Typical cost per sq ft | Typical total project range |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (new finishes, same layout) | $75–$125 | $60,000–$150,000 |
| Layout reconfiguration (wall removal, moved plumbing or electrical) | $150–$250 | $150,000–$350,000 |
| Full structural main level remodel (open-concept conversion, kitchen relocation, structural beam work) | $250–$400 | $300,000–$600,000+ |
A cosmetic refresh keeps the kitchen, dining and living room where they already are and updates cabinets, flooring, lighting and finishes. A full structural remodel removes load-bearing walls, relocates the kitchen and re-routes mechanical systems to create one open main level, which is why it costs closer to what a home addition runs per square foot even though no new footprint is added.
What Drives the Price Up or Down?
Structural changes drive the price more than finishes do. Removing a load-bearing wall between the kitchen and living room means a new beam, possibly new footings, and an engineer’s sign-off before a permit is issued, and that work happens before a single cabinet is ordered.
Kitchen scope inside the remodel matters just as much. A kitchen remodel concentrates plumbing, ventilation and higher-end finishes into a small footprint, so a main level project that relocates or fully rebuilds the kitchen costs more per square foot than one that leaves the kitchen footprint alone and focuses on the living and dining areas around it.
Home age and mechanical condition also move the number. A home built before central air or with knob-and-tube wiring still in the walls needs electrical and HVAC upgrades that a newer home in Chanhassen or Medina would not, and that work is invisible until the walls are open. According to the Cost vs. Value report published annually for the remodeling industry, midrange projects that touch structure and systems consistently return less of their cost at resale than a cosmetic update, which is a real tradeoff worth weighing against how long you plan to stay in the home.
How Is a Main Level Remodel Different From a Whole-Home Remodel in Cost?
A main level remodel focuses the budget on one connected space and usually costs less in total than a whole-home remodel, which extends the same structural and finish decisions into bedrooms, bathrooms and lower levels. Homeowners who are happy with their upstairs but want the kitchen, dining and living space opened up and modernized are the best fit for a main level scope rather than a whole-home project.
The cost per square foot can look similar between the two once a main level project reaches the full structural tier, but the total project cost is smaller because the scope stops at the main level rather than continuing through the rest of the house.
How Does New Spaces Help You Land on the Right Number Early?
New Spaces walks every main level remodel through a Needs, Wants and Wishes discovery process before pricing is finalized, then presents a minimum of three design options at different budget levels so you can see what each tier of scope actually buys before committing. The design fee is refunded if the project cannot land inside the agreed budget, which keeps the early planning conversation honest instead of optimistic.
You can see the range of finished main level projects, including several in Burnsville, Lakeville and Eden Prairie, in the project gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a main level remodel cheaper than a home addition?
Usually, yes, because a remodel works inside the existing footprint and does not require new foundation, roofline or exterior walls. A full structural main level remodel can approach addition-level pricing per square foot, but the total project cost is typically lower since less square footage is involved.
Do I need a permit for a main level remodel in Minnesota?
Any project that moves a load-bearing wall, relocates plumbing or changes electrical circuits needs a permit in every Twin Cities metro city. A cosmetic refresh that only replaces finishes in place may not, but it is worth confirming with your city before work starts.
How long does a main level remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh can wrap in six to ten weeks. A full structural main level remodel that includes engineering, permitting and a kitchen relocation typically runs four to seven months from design to move back in, depending on how much of the mechanical system needs to change.
What is included in a New Spaces main level remodel quote?
Every quote reflects a fixed-price commitment once design is finalized, so the number you approve is the number you pay barring changes you request. Call (952) 898-5300 or contact New Spaces to start the Needs, Wants and Wishes conversation for your home in Minneapolis, Edina, Eden Prairie or anywhere in the South Metro.