First floor transformations are one of the most impactful remodeling investments a Summit County homeowner can make. Opening up a closed floor plan, installing new flooring throughout, updating trim and lighting, and reconfiguring how the main living space flows: these changes affect how your family experiences your home every single day. Here's what these projects actually cost.
The Short Answer: $30,000 to $120,000+
That range covers everything from a focused flooring and lighting refresh with no structural work to a complete first floor reconfiguration including wall removal, new hardwood throughout, coffered ceilings, custom built-ins, and a stone fireplace. The scope is what drives the number.
| Tier | Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Focused Update | $30,000 – $50,000 | New flooring throughout, updated trim and baseboards, lighting refresh, fresh paint. No structural changes. The main floor looks cohesive and current without a full gut. |
| Full First Floor Remodel | $50,000 – $90,000 | Wall removal and open-concept reconfiguration, new hardwood or LVP flooring, complete trim update, recessed lighting redesign, drywall, and paint throughout. The most common scope for Summit County homes built in the 1980s and 1990s. |
| Complete Transformation | $90,000 – $120,000+ | Major structural reconfiguration, premium flooring, coffered or vaulted ceiling work, custom built-ins and millwork, stone fireplace addition or surround rebuild, full lighting design, entryway and staircase update. |
What Drives the Cost
Structural Work (Wall Removal)
Removing a wall between the kitchen and living room is the most requested structural change in first floor remodels. If it's a non-load-bearing wall, the cost is relatively modest: $3,000 to $8,000 for demo, patching, and finish work. If it's load-bearing, an engineered beam is required, and costs typically run $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the span and beam type.
Flooring
New flooring throughout a main floor is typically 800 to 1,500 square feet. Costs vary significantly by material:
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): $8 to $14 per square foot installed
- Solid or engineered hardwood: $12 to $22 per square foot installed
- Custom tile: $15 to $35+ per square foot installed
Trim and Millwork
Updating baseboards, door casing, crown molding, and adding built-ins or a fireplace surround is skilled carpentry work. A full trim update for a 2,000 square foot main floor runs $8,000 to $20,000 depending on profile complexity and whether built-ins are included.
Lighting Redesign
Replacing recessed cans, adding pendant zones, and installing under-cabinet or accent lighting throughout the main floor typically runs $4,000 to $12,000 in materials and electrician labor.
"The projects that deliver the most value are the ones where we open the floor plan, unify the flooring, and update the lighting all at once. The transformation is immediate and dramatic. Homeowners always say they wish they'd done it sooner."
Adam Kilgore, Owner, AK Renovations
What You Won't Pay For: Surprises
AK Renovations provides fixed pricing before work begins. Every element of the first floor transformation is documented: structural decisions, flooring material and square footage, trim profile, lighting plan, paint colors. You know what you're getting before construction starts.
Get a Real Number for Your First Floor
Call Adam for a free in-home consultation. He'll walk your main floor with you, assess what's possible, and give you an honest budget range for your specific home.
Request a Free Consultation Or call directly: (330) 942-4242