Live Project Series (Ep1 - One Week In)
In this 3-part series, Mike walks us through a complete main floor renovation. Episode 1 showcases what to expect after the first week of work.
When homeowners picture a renovation, they usually imagine the finished kitchen, the new fireplace, or the completed stairs. What they don’t always see is what the home looks like in the early stages, when walls are open, beams are going in, and the layout is being completely reworked. In this Burlington project, we’re one week into a major main floor renovation, and this is the stage where the real transformation starts. As a renovation contractor, Bosch Services handles this part of the process carefully because the structural and mechanical work sets up everything that comes next.
This kind of project is a great example of what happens during a major home renovation. At one week in, the finishes are still a long way off, but the most important decisions are already being built into the structure of the home.
Completely restructuring the main floor
From the start, this project involved more than updating finishes. The entire main floor is being restructured and all of the key functions are being relocated. That means load-bearing walls have come out, beams are being installed, and the house is being temporarily supported while the new structure goes into place.
Once the beams are installed and properly shored up, inspections take place before the project moves on to the next stage. This is one of the most important parts of a major renovation because it ensures the new layout is not only open and functional, but also built correctly and safely.
Moving the kitchen to a completely new location
One of the biggest changes in this home is the kitchen relocation. Originally, the kitchen was on the right side of the house. In the new plan, it is being moved completely over to the left side. That kind of change affects far more than cabinetry and countertops.
To make the new kitchen work, all of the mechanical systems have to move with it. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical all need to be transferred or re-run to the new kitchen location. The sink, dishwasher, stove, and the rest of the kitchen layout are all being planned around this new arrangement. Even the window in this area will be changed to better suit the final layout and support the new counter and sink location.
This is why a well-planned kitchen renovation starts with more than design selections. The unseen work behind the walls is what allows the finished kitchen to function properly once everything is complete.
Reworking the fireplace wall and family room
Before the renovation began, the original fireplace sat in the corner of the room. With the main floor being reconfigured, that setup no longer made sense for how the room would work in the finished layout. So the plan is to install a new fireplace in a new location that better supports the room.
We’re also removing the existing windows in this space, changing their height, infilling the exterior below, and cladding the inside with drywall. That creates the right conditions for built-ins to go on both sides of the new fireplace. These kinds of layout changes help turn a room from something awkward and dated into a space that feels balanced, practical, and ready for real family use.
How structural work happens at this stage
At one week in, there is still a lot of temporary support in place. The temporary walls you see are there to hold the house up while we restructure it and install the new beams. This is part of the process whenever major load-bearing walls are removed and replaced.
We also use lifting equipment to raise the beams into place. Depending on the beam size and weight, we use as many of these lifting devices as needed. They help us safely position the beam before it is secured and the temporary supports can eventually come out. It may not be the most polished stage of the project, but it is one of the most important.
Fixing the stairs that never worked properly
The stairs were a major pain point for the homeowner in this project. At the top, there was a tight twist that made the staircase feel awkward and uncomfortable to use. Rather than trying to work around it, we are completely removing the stairs and rebuilding them in a way that makes far more sense.
The new plan includes building a landing so the stairs can go straight up to that point, then turn left and continue to the second floor. We’re doing something similar with the basement stairs by creating another landing and eliminating the turn there as well. In both cases, the goal is to create a cleaner, safer, and more natural path through the home.
Why the first week matters so much
At this point, the house may look messy, but this is where the direction of the whole renovation gets set. Structural changes, relocated mechanicals, window adjustments, and new stair plans all happen before finishes ever go in. If these decisions are handled well, the finished space will feel natural and work the way it should.
That is what makes the early stage of a renovation so important. The beauty you see at the end only works because the planning and construction behind the walls were done properly from the beginning.
Thinking about a main floor renovation?
If you're planning a main floor renovation that involves removing walls, moving a kitchen, or rebuilding stairs, it helps to work with a renovation contractor who understands both the structure of the home and the finished result you're trying to achieve. Bosch Services helps homeowners in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Waterdown transform outdated interiors into spaces that feel better laid out, easier to live in, and built to last.
You can learn more about our kitchen renovations, explore our broader home renovations, find out why homeowners choose Bosch, or contact Bosch Services to talk about your own renovation.