Twin Cities Bathroom Remodeling: Historic Charm, Modern Luxury
In the suburbs, bathroom remodeling is often a simple “rip and replace.” In Minneapolis and St. Paul, it is an architectural challenge.
At Prima Construction, we specialize in high-end bathroom transformations for older homes. While we can certainly update a standard bathroom, our true expertise lies in the complex projects: creating Master Suites where none existed, finishing attics with difficult rooflines, and moving walls to fundamentally change how you live in your home.
See What’s Possible (And What It Costs)
We believe in transparency. Browse our portfolio of finished bathrooms—from attic suites to main-floor overhauls—complete with 2026 pricing estimates.
Architectural Solutions for Difficult Spaces
We don’t just pick tiles; we solve geometry problems.
Mastering the Attic Expansion
Converting an unfinished attic into a bath is one of the best ways to add value to a Minneapolis story-and-a-half, but the rooflines are unforgiving.
The Soffit Solution: Building code requires specific ceiling heights over sinks that sloped roofs often violate. We design custom soffit “pop-outs” that allow us to recess vanities further back into the wall. This gains you precious floor space and meets code without altering the exterior roofline.
Structural Layout Changes
Many vintage homes have bathrooms that were afterthoughts—cramped, dark, or oddly placed. We are comfortable doing the heavy structural lifting required to fix them.
- Moving Walls: We frequently remove partitions or steal space from adjacent closets to turn a cramped water closet into a spacious bathroom.
- Floor Leveling: Older homes settle. We correct sagging floor joists and level subfloors before tiling, ensuring your heavy glass shower doors hang perfectly plumb.
The “Invisible” Expertise (Safety & Mechanics)
A luxury bathroom is worthless if the pipes leak or the demo damages your home. We handle the risks inherent in pre-1970s construction.
Surgical Demolition (Plaster & Asbestos)
You cannot take a sledgehammer to a 1920s wall. The vibration alone can crack the plaster in the room next door. We use “surgical” demolition techniques to protect the craftsmanship in the rest of your home. We also manage the mitigation of asbestos (common in old pipe wrap) and lead, ensuring your home’s air quality remains safe for your family.
Updating the “Guts”
If you are investing in a high-end remodel, you shouldn’t rely on 80-year-old plumbing. We replace corroded galvanized water lines and rotting cast-iron waste stacks with modern materials. This ensures your new rainfall shower has the pressure it was designed for. This is a photo of Kim (Owner) installing a subfloor in a bathroom.
The Prima Difference
Builder-Led Design
Kim Studham (Owner) brings an architect’s eye and a builder’s hands to every project. This means we don’t design things that can’t be built. We spot the mechanical hurdles—like a radiator stack blocking your dream layout—during the design phase, not demolition day.
Fixed-Price Contracts
Complex remodels are notorious for “change orders.” Because we specialize in older homes, we know what to look for. We investigate the structure and mechanicals upfront, allowing us to offer a fixed-price contract. You get the luxury finish you want with the financial predictability you need.
Guildmaster Award Winner (2021–2024 & 2026)
Client satisfaction is our only metric. We are proud to be the only kitchen and bath remodeler in the Twin Cities to win the Guildmaster with Highest Distinction Award for four consecutive years (2021–2024) and again in 2026.
(Note: In 2025, we took a scheduled sabbatical to travel and recharge our creative batteries. We are now back, refreshed, and our design queue is open!)
Serving the Entire Metro
We manage high-end remodels across the Twin Cities, with deep expertise in:
- Minneapolis Remodeling: Attic conversions and master suites in Southwest, Northeast, and Nokomis.
- St. Paul Remodeling: Structural updates in Highland Park, Summit Hill, and Como Park.
- Suburban Luxury: Modernizing large bathrooms in Edina, Minnetonka, and Golden Valley.
Ready to Transform Your Bathroom?
If you have a complex space that requires more than just a handyman, we would love to discuss your vision.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in the Twin Cities?
It depends on the size, whether the layout moves, and the finishes — but to be transparent: our bathroom remodels generally run from about $30,000 for a midrange refresh up to $80,000+ for a high-end, gut-to-studs remodel. We work on a fixed-price contract, so you know the number before construction starts.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Typically 4–8 weeks of construction, plus the design phase and a permit window (roughly 2–6 weeks in the Twin Cities).
Do you remodel bathrooms in older or historic homes?
Yes — older Twin Cities homes are our specialty, including the surprises a vintage bath can hide: cast-iron and galvanized plumbing, plaster and lath, and the “concrete sandwich” of cement and wire mesh under old tile. We plan for them rather than treat them as emergencies.
Can you remodel a small or condo bathroom?
Yes — many of our bathrooms are compact or in condos. Smart layout, frameless glass, and the right tile go a long way toward making a small footprint feel open and bright.
Do you offer fixed-price contracts?
We do. Because we specialize in older homes, we know what to look for at the site visit, which lets us put a fixed price in writing before construction begins — so the surprises of an old house don’t become surprises on your invoice.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes — Minnesota Home Builder License #BC792052, fully insured, and a multi-year Guildmaster with Highest Distinction award winner. Prima is woman-owned, and Kim does much of the hands-on building herself.