Got my SMD components this week - soldered the updated SMD PCB - from the outside the ErgoDox EZ looks like a shine now 
The SMD PCB is about half as wide:
It fits perfectly into the case:
The entire source code as well as all gerber/ eagle files are hosted on Github.
So, successful mod - costs for SMD parts are as follows:
1x Atmega168pv 2.42 CAD
1x 16 mhz crystal 1.39 CAD
3x 10K res. 0.09 CAD
2x 22pF cap 0.2 CAD
1x 10uF cap 0.45 CAD
so 5 CAD for the components and another 12 CAD for the SMD PCB.
If anybody wants to build the same mod or follow along - I still have 2 LED strip PCBs flying around as well as a number of I2C SMD PCBs. Ping me and Iām happy to ship them in exchange for shipping fees + component price according to mouser.ca