Whole-Home Remodeling in Highlands Ranch, CO

Whole-Home Remodeling for Highlands Ranch’s Builder-Grade 1990s-2000s Houses

Highlands Ranch is a large master-planned community where most two-story homes date to the 1990s and 2000s, built with standard builder-grade kitchens, bathrooms, and often unfinished basements. A whole-home remodel is how homeowners here update dated finishes, open up compartmentalized layouts, and finally put that basement square footage to use.

How much does whole-home remodeling cost in Highlands Ranch? Whole-home remodeling in Highlands Ranch typically runs $100,000–$450,000+ depending on scope, usually 3 to 6 months (gut remodels longer).

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Why Highlands Ranch Homeowners Choose PrimeStone for Whole-Home Remodeling

Structural engineer on staff: PrimeStone is structural engineer-owned, which matters when a whole-home remodel involves removing walls between the kitchen and living areas in these two-story floor plans.
Design-build under one roof: As a design-build contractor, PrimeStone carries the project from layout planning through construction without handing off between separate design and build firms.
Douglas County permit experience: Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, so permits are issued through Douglas County rather than a city building department, and PrimeStone manages that process directly.
HOA design review handled: Most Highlands Ranch neighborhoods fall under HRCA and sub-association design review, and PrimeStone prepares the documentation needed for exterior and structural changes.

Whole-Home Remodeling for Highlands Ranch Homes

Many Highlands Ranch houses were built in phases from the 1980s through the 2000s, and a large share still have the original builder-grade kitchen and bathroom finishes along with basements that were never finished out. A whole-home remodel in this city commonly combines a kitchen and bath overhaul, removal of load-bearing walls to open up the main floor, and finishing the basement to add livable square footage. Because the region sits above a mile high in elevation, furnace, water heater, and gas appliance sizing needs to be re-evaluated whenever systems are replaced as part of the remodel. Expansive clay soils common along the Front Range are also a factor when a remodel involves foundation work, basement waterproofing, or structural changes tied to the lower level.

Structural wall removal: Opening up the boxed-in layouts typical of 1990s and 2000s two-story homes requires engineered beam and support calculations, which PrimeStone handles in-house.
Basement finishing as part of the remodel: Unfinished or partially finished basements are common here, and bringing them into the whole-home scope adds bedrooms, bathrooms, or living space without expanding the footprint.
Systems updates at elevation: HVAC, water heating, and gas appliance replacements are sized for Highlands Ranch’s elevation above a mile, which affects equipment selection during a full remodel.

Whole-Home Remodeling Cost in Highlands Ranch

Whole-home remodeling in Highlands Ranch typically costs $100,000–$450,000+ depending on scope, usually 3 to 6 months (gut remodels longer). Projects that stay at the higher end usually involve full gut remodels, structural wall removal, basement finishing, and complete systems replacement, while more limited scopes that keep existing layouts and systems cost less. Expansive clay soils and any foundation or basement-related work can also add cost when they require additional structural engineering or waterproofing measures.

Planning your budget? Read our home renovation cost guide for a full breakdown.

Permits for Whole-Home Remodeling in Highlands Ranch

Because Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, building permits for a whole-home remodel are issued by Douglas County rather than a city building department. Most neighborhoods also belong to HRCA or a sub-association, so structural changes, additions, and exterior modifications typically need HOA design review approval in addition to the county permit. Water and sewer connections are managed through the Highlands Ranch Metro District, which can factor into plumbing changes during a full remodel.

PrimeStone confirms current permit and HOA design review requirements with Douglas County and the applicable association before work begins.

Full Whole-Home Remodeling Details

This page focuses on whole-home remodeling specifically in Highlands Ranch. For our complete breakdown of process, costs, timelines, materials, and code requirements, see our main Whole-Home Remodeling page (linked here).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does whole-home remodeling cost in Highlands Ranch?

Whole-home remodeling in Highlands Ranch typically runs $100,000–$450,000+ depending on scope, usually 3 to 6 months (gut remodels longer). The low end generally covers kitchen, bath, and cosmetic updates, while the high end includes structural changes and basement finishing.

Do I need a permit for a whole-home remodel in Highlands Ranch?

Yes, because Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, permits come from Douglas County, and HOA design review is typically also required for structural or exterior changes. PrimeStone confirms the current requirements with both the county and the applicable association before starting.

How long does a whole-home remodel take in Highlands Ranch?

Most whole-home remodels take 3 to 6 months, though gut remodels that involve full structural changes and basement finishing take longer. Scheduling can be phased or done as one continuous project depending on whether the home is occupied during construction.

Can walls be removed in these builder-grade two-story homes?

Many 1990s and 2000s floor plans in Highlands Ranch have load-bearing walls separating the kitchen from living areas, and removing them requires structural engineering to size the replacement beam. PrimeStone’s structural engineer ownership allows this analysis to be done in-house as part of the design-build process.

Should an unfinished basement be included in the remodel?

Many Highlands Ranch homes still have unfinished or partially finished basements, and including that space in a whole-home remodel is a common way to add bedrooms or living area without a home addition. It also allows systems work, like plumbing rough-ins, to be coordinated across the whole house at once.

Does Highlands Ranch’s elevation affect remodeling decisions?

Yes, the area sits above a mile high, which affects how HVAC equipment and gas appliances are sized when systems are replaced during a whole-home remodel. This is factored into planning whenever a remodel includes furnace, water heater, or other mechanical replacements.

Helpful Guides: Whole-Home Remodeling Guides

Ready to Start Your Highlands Ranch Whole-Home Remodeling Project?

Contact PrimeStone Construction Group to discuss a whole-home remodel for your Highlands Ranch house, including structural wall removal, basement finishing, and permit and HOA coordination.

Get a Free Consultation → 720-468-0686 · info@primestonecg.com