When planning a basement renovation, consider these pricing estimates in the South Metro.
If you're a homeowner in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Rosemount, or anywhere in the South Metro Minneapolis area, you've probably looked at your unfinished basement and wondered what it would cost to transform that empty space into something amazing. Maybe you're dreaming of a home theater, a guest suite, a recreation room with a custom wet bar, or simply additional living space for your growing family.
The truth is, basement finishing costs can seem like a mystery. Many contractors are reluctant to provide clear pricing information, leaving homeowners in the dark until they've invested time in consultations and design meetings. At Country Creek Builders, we believe in transparency from the start. After finishing hundreds of basements across the South Metro over 25+ years, we're sharing exactly what you can expect to invest in your basement finishing project.
Basement finishing projects in the South Metro Twin Cities typically start at $85,000 and can exceed $140,000 for larger, more elaborate designs. The final cost depends on several critical factors including size, design complexity, material selections, and the features you want to include.
Here's what you need to understand: every home is different and unique. The size of your remodeling project, your final design, and your material selections will all affect the final cost. However, Country Creek Builders provides transparent pricing tiers to give homeowners a realistic picture of what different investment levels include.
Approximate Finished Size: 800-1000 Square Feet
This entry-level tier is perfect for South Metro homeowners who want a quality finished basement without extensive custom features. Here's what's included:
Structural and Framing Work:
Plumbing and Bathroom:
Electrical and HVAC:
Finishing Details:
What This Tier Is Best For: Homeowners in Lakeville, Apple Valley, or surrounding areas who want to add functional living space, a bathroom, and basic entertaining features without breaking the bank. This tier provides the essentials done right, with quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Explore basement finishing ideas to see what's possible at this investment level.
Approximate Finished Size: 1000-1200 Square Feet
The mid-level tier adds significant entertainment and design features that elevate your basement from functional to impressive:
Everything from Tier 1, Plus:
Enhanced Entertainment Features:
Upgraded Finishes:
What This Tier Is Best For: South Metro families who regularly entertain and want dedicated spaces for watching sports, movies, or hosting gatherings. The larger custom bar and TV cabinets make this tier popular with homeowners in Prior Lake and Rosemount who love bringing friends and family together. See more basement wet bar ideas that work at this tier level.
Approximate Finished Size: 1200-1400 Square Feet
This tier represents a significant upgrade in both size and luxury features:
Everything from Previous Tiers, Plus:
Premium Bathroom Features:
Superior Entertainment Space:
Enhanced Materials and Finishes:
What This Tier Is Best For: Apple Valley and Lakeville homeowners who want a true "wow factor" basement that feels like a high-end retreat. The tiled shower, stone fireplace surround, and wet bar create a space that rivals anything in new construction homes, but customized specifically to your preferences.
Approximate Finished Size: 1400+ Square Feet
The premium tier includes our most elaborate designs with extensive custom features:
Everything from Previous Tiers, Plus:
Luxury Wet Bar:
Premium Heating and Ambiance:
Expanded Living Space:
Premium Materials Throughout:
What This Tier Is Best For: Rosemount, Prior Lake, and Savage homeowners who want to create a complete lower-level living suite that could function as a separate entertainment wing, in-law suite, or ultimate family gathering space. This tier often includes features like home theaters with tiered seating, full guest suites, and commercial-grade wet bars.
This is the most obvious factor. A 1,400-square-foot basement costs significantly more to finish than an 800-square-foot space simply because there's more area to cover with materials, flooring, lighting, HVAC, and finishes.
South Metro homes vary widely in basement sizes. A typical Lakeville ranch might have 1,000-1,200 square feet, while newer construction in Apple Valley could offer 1,500-2,000 square feet of basement space. Your usable square footage after framing, soffits, and mechanical areas determines your base project scope.
Simple, open-concept basements with minimal walls cost less than complex layouts with multiple rooms, hallways, and defined spaces. However, more complex layouts often provide better functionality.
Consider these design elements that impact cost:
At Country Creek Builders, our in-house design services help optimize your layout to maximize functionality while respecting your budget constraints. We've designed hundreds of basements and know how to make your vision work within your home's existing structure.
Bathrooms are one of the biggest cost variables in basement finishing. Consider the differences:
Basic Bathroom (included in lower tiers):
Upgraded Bathroom (mid-to-upper tiers):
Minnesota building codes require separate plumbing permits for bathroom work, and proper rough-in plumbing is critical. At Country Creek Builders, we handle all permitting ourselves, ensuring your bathroom meets code and functions perfectly. Learn more about Minnesota basement finishing permits.
Wet bars range from simple dry bars with cabinetry to elaborate entertainment centers with full plumbing, sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators, and extensive granite or quartz countertops.
Dry Bar Features:
Wet Bar Features:
A large custom wet bar with seating, as featured in our Tier 4, provides functionality similar to a full kitchen and becomes the centerpiece of your entertainment space. Prior Lake and Rosemount homeowners particularly love wet bars for hosting Vikings game days and family celebrations. Get inspired by creative basement bar designs.
Fireplaces create ambiance and focal points in basement spaces:
Electric Linear Fireplaces (lower tiers):
Gas Linear Fireplaces (upper tiers):
Stone surrounds add significant cost but transform a simple fireplace into an architectural feature. Custom stonework by skilled craftsmen elevates the entire space.
Basement flooring choices significantly impact both cost and functionality:
Carpet:
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile):
Combination Approach: Most Country Creek Builders projects use a combination, with LVT in wet areas (bathrooms, bars) and carpet in living and bedroom spaces. This balances comfort, practicality, and cost-effectiveness.
Proper lighting transforms basements from dark, dungeon-like spaces into warm, inviting areas:
Basic Lighting (lower tiers):
Enhanced Lighting (mid-tiers):
Premium Lighting (upper tiers):
Minnesota electrical codes require GFCI outlets in bathrooms and wet areas, proper circuit loading, and potentially updated electrical panels. Licensed electricians, like those employed full-time by Country Creek Builders, ensure all work meets or exceeds code requirements.
Minnesota basements require proper heating and cooling integration. Your finished basement must connect to your home's existing HVAC system with:
Proper HVAC design prevents the common problem of cold basements in winter and ensures comfortable temperatures year-round. The investment in HVAC ducting (included in all Country Creek tiers) pays dividends in comfort and energy efficiency. Learn more about avoiding common basement finishing mistakes.
TV cabinets, entertainment centers, bars, and storage solutions require skilled carpentry and quality materials:
Country Creek Builders' full-time craftsmen build custom solutions designed specifically for your space and needs, rather than relying on pre-fab units that rarely fit perfectly or match your vision.
A finished basement dramatically increases your home's value in the competitive South Metro market. While you won't necessarily recoup 100% of your investment, basement finishing typically returns 70-75% of costs in increased home value, and provides immediate quality-of-life improvements.
Apple Valley, Lakeville, and Prior Lake buyers actively seek homes with finished basements, especially those with bathrooms and quality finishes. Your investment makes your home more marketable when you eventually sell.
Finishing your basement essentially doubles your usable living space. A 1,200-square-foot main level with a finished basement becomes a 2,400-square-foot home. Where else can you add that much space for $85,000-$140,000?
This additional space solves real problems for growing families:
Beyond numbers and square footage, a finished basement transforms how you live in your home:
For Entertainers: A custom wet bar and entertainment area means you can host game-day parties, holiday gatherings, and summer barbecue overflow without cramping your main level.
For Families: Separate space for different activities means kids can be loud downstairs while adults relax upstairs. Multiple generations can visit comfortably with a guest suite.
For Work-From-Home Professionals: A dedicated basement office provides privacy and separation from home distractions.
For Fitness Enthusiasts: A home gym means no excuses about driving to the fitness center in January snowstorms.
For Growing Families: As kids grow, their need for space grows. A finished basement provides room to spread out without moving from your beloved South Metro neighborhood.
Many contractors provide low initial estimates, then hit you with change orders and surprise costs throughout the project. Our tier-based pricing provides realistic expectations from the start. While every project requires customization for your specific home, our transparent framework helps you plan and budget accurately.
All Country Creek craftsmen are full-time employees, not subcontractors. This matters because:
Consistent Quality: Our employees are trained to our exact standards and take pride in building our company's reputation with every project.
Clear Accountability: When you have questions or concerns, you're talking to Country Creek Builders employees who answer to us, not independent subcontractors juggling multiple companies.
Scheduling Reliability: We control our employees' schedules, meaning your project progresses predictably without waiting for subcontractors' availability.
Long-Term Relationships: Many of our craftsmen have been with Country Creek for 10+ years, bringing deep experience to your basement.
This full-time employee model costs more to maintain than the subcontractor approach many competitors use, but it delivers superior results and accountability that South Metro homeowners consistently value.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is skipping the design phase or working with contractors who don't offer in-house design services. This leads to:
Country Creek Builders' design-build approach means designers and builders work together under one roof. We design your basement completely before construction begins, so you know exactly what to expect and what the results will be.
This comprehensive design process is built into our pricing. You're not paying separately for design services, then paying again for construction. It's one streamlined process with one point of accountability: Country Creek Builders.
Since 2000, we've completed 586+ design-build remodeling projects across Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Savage, Burnsville, and surrounding communities. We understand South Metro homes, local building departments, Minnesota building codes, and the specific challenges basements in this area present.
This experience allows us to:
Home improvement contractors are one of the most complained-about industries in America. We've built our reputation on doing what we say we're going to do:
Iron-Clad Quotes: Once we've completed the design and provided your quote, that's your price. We don't hit you with surprise costs or change orders unless you request changes to the design.
Strict Schedules: We provide realistic timelines and stick to them. Our craftsmen show up on time every day and work until your basement is 100% complete.
Complete Accountability: We take full responsibility for everything we do. If something goes wrong, we own it and fix it immediately.
This accountability is built into our business model and reflected in our pricing. You're paying for reliability, not just materials and labor.
To provide accurate expectations, here's what typically falls outside the base project cost:
All our tiers include "installation of homeowner-provided appliances." This means you purchase:
This approach gives you control over appliance brands, features, and warranties while keeping our pricing competitive.
Our pricing assumes your basement is structurally sound with:
If your basement has moisture issues, these must be addressed before finishing. Country Creek Builders can coordinate waterproofing or foundation repairs, but these are separate from finishing costs.
Minnesota requires radon testing or mitigation for all basement finishing projects due to high radon incidence statewide. If your home doesn't have an existing radon mitigation system and testing reveals elevated levels, you'll need to install one.
Radon mitigation systems typically cost $1,200-$2,500 installed. This is a non-negotiable safety requirement in Minnesota and must be completed before your basement is considered finished.
Our pricing includes built-in features like bars, TV cabinets, and bathroom vanities, but not movable furniture. You'll need to budget separately for:
Each tier includes specific material grades (like "Tier 4 granite or quartz"). If you fall in love with premium materials beyond the tier specification, upgrades are available but affect your final cost.
Our design process includes material selection meetings where you'll see actual samples and understand upgrade costs before making decisions.
Based on our 25+ years of experience, here's what we recommend:
For Basic Functionality: Budget at least $85,000-$100,000 to create a properly finished basement with bathroom, basic entertainment features, and quality materials.
For Enhanced Entertainment: Plan $100,000-$125,000 to add custom bars, TV cabinets, and upgraded finishes that make your basement the home's social hub.
For Luxury Features: Expect $125,000-$140,000+ for tiled showers, wet bars, stone fireplaces, and premium materials throughout.
Many South Metro homeowners finance basement projects through:
Consult with your financial advisor about the best approach for your situation. Remember that your finished basement adds value to your home, potentially making financing more attractive than depleting savings.
While Country Creek Builders provides iron-clad quotes, it's wise to budget an additional 5-10% for:
Basement finishing is a long-term investment in your home and lifestyle. Consider:
Cost Per Year: A $110,000 basement that you enjoy for 15 years costs about $7,300 per year, or $608 per month. When you think about it that way, adding 1,000+ square feet of living space for $600/month becomes incredibly affordable compared to moving to a larger home.
Avoiding Moving Costs: Finishing your basement lets you stay in your beloved South Metro neighborhood instead of incurring realtor fees (6% of sale price), moving costs ($5,000+), and the stress of selling one home while buying another.
Quality of Life: How much is it worth to have space for your family to spread out, a place to host gatherings, a guest suite for visiting relatives, or a home office that lets you close the door on work?
The first step is understanding what's possible with your specific basement. Country Creek Builders offers no-pressure consultations where we:
This consultation is absolutely no-pressure. We never push you into something you don't want or need. We simply provide our expert opinion based on 25+ years of experience and offer fair pricing.
Once you decide to move forward, here's what happens:
1. Discovery and Design: We sit down with you to explore what you want from your basement. Our designers create detailed plans with 3D visualizations so you can see exactly what you're getting.
2. Material Selection: You'll visit our showroom to select countertops, flooring, fixtures, and finishes. We help you understand options at different price points and how choices affect your total investment.
3. Final Design and Quote: Once the design is complete and materials are selected, we provide your iron-clad quote. This is your price—no surprises, no change orders unless you request design changes.
4. Permitting: We handle all permitting with your local building department in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Rosemount, or wherever you're located. You don't have to navigate this process yourself.
5. Construction: Our full-time craftsmen begin work, showing up on time every day and working systematically until your basement is complete. We maintain clean worksites and minimize disruption to your daily routine.
6. Final Walkthrough: We don't consider the project complete until you're 100% satisfied. We walk through every detail together and address any final items.
"We do what we say we're going to do." This simple statement defines our business. In an industry known for delays, surprise costs, and poor communication, we've built our reputation on accountability and reliability.
586+ Completed Projects: Over 25 years, we've designed and built hundreds of basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and additions across the South Metro. Our track record speaks to our consistency and quality.
Award-Winning Service: We're humbled by our recognition and customer reviews, which consistently mention our professionalism, quality craftsmanship, and on-time completion.
Family-Owned Values: As a family-owned business, we treat every project like we're working on our own home. Our craftsmen take pride in their work because they're building Country Creek Builders' reputation with every project.
Q: Why do some contractors quote much lower prices?
Lower quotes often mean cut corners, subcontractors instead of full-time employees, and surprise costs later. They might be quoting just framing and drywall while our pricing includes complete design-build services, all permitting, quality materials, and skilled craftsmanship.
Q: Can I save money by doing some work myself?
While we appreciate homeowner involvement, basement finishing requires licensed professionals for electrical, plumbing, and structural work to meet Minnesota building codes. DIY work can actually cost more if it needs to be redone or causes code compliance issues.
Q: How long does basement finishing take?
Most projects take 6-12 weeks from start to finish, depending on size and complexity. Our streamlined processes and full-time employee model keeps projects moving efficiently.
Q: What if I want features from multiple tiers?
Our tiers provide frameworks, but every project is customized. You might want Tier 2 size with Tier 3 bathroom features—we'll work with you to create the perfect combination within your budget.
Q: Does basement finishing require homeowners insurance adjustments?
Adding finished square footage may affect your homeowners insurance. We recommend notifying your insurance company when the project is complete to ensure proper coverage.
Whether you're in Lakeville dreaming of a home theater, an Apple Valley homeowner wanting a guest suite, or a Prior Lake family needing a recreation space, Country Creek Builders is ready to help you transform your basement into something special.
Our transparent pricing, full-service design-build approach, and commitment to accountability means you'll know exactly what to expect from start to finish. With 25+ years of South Metro experience and 586+ completed projects, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life within your budget.
Contact Country Creek Builders today to schedule your no-pressure consultation. Let's explore what's possible with your basement and create a space that enhances your lifestyle, increases your home's value, and gives you the additional living area you need—all without leaving your beloved South Metro neighborhood.
Country Creek Builders: Transforming South Metro basements since 2000. We design and build your dream basement with amazing craftsmanship and trustworthy execution—done right, on time, and within budget.
We're based out of the South Metro Twin Cities, and we serve both
