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Remodeling a parlor into an existing structure can potentially save money compared to building a new facility. A remodeled parlor can also contain many design compromises that may negatively affect cow throughput. A carefully and well thought out plan for the remodeling can alleviate some potential design problems. Wisconsin still has 15,000 small farms with an average herd size of 65 cows housed and milked in tie stall or stanchion barn systems. Cows are housed and milked in the same barn. There is a movement on these farms to increase herd size to increase income and quality of life but continue to use the existing labor force. This necessitates adopting more labor efficient milking, housing and feeding systems. A remodeled parlor placed into the tie stall or stanchion barn can reduce the capital outlay for making the transition to a parlor milking system. It allows the use of the existing building shell including the milk house. Reusing the existing milking equipment in a highline swing equipment system or buying used equipment can save costs. This paper will discuss the process and design guidelines that have been used to remodel many stall barns into an elevated parlor system at relatively low cost compared to new facilities.