Your basement represents hundreds of square feet of untapped potential. For most Omaha homeowners, finishing the basement is one of the most cost-effective ways to add living space without the expense and complexity of an addition.
But here's the problem: basement finishing projects have an unusually high regret rate. We regularly meet with homeowners who want us to redo basement work completed just a few years earlier—work that looked good initially but has since developed problems, or work that simply doesn't function the way the family hoped.
After completing hundreds of basement finishing projects throughout Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, and the surrounding area, we've identified the most common mistakes that lead to these regrets. Even better, we know how to avoid them.
In this guide, we'll walk through the eight biggest basement finishing mistakes—and show you how our design-build process eliminates each one.
The Problem: This is the most costly mistake homeowners make. Basements are inherently prone to moisture issues because they're below grade, surrounded by soil that holds water. Many homeowners or contractors treat basement finishing as if it's identical to finishing above-grade space—and that's a recipe for disaster.
We've seen beautiful finished basements with thousands of dollars in tile, carpet, drywall, and millwork completely destroyed by water intrusion that could have been prevented with proper moisture mitigation.
Common Moisture Mistakes:
The Solution: Before finishing any basement, we conduct a thorough moisture assessment:
Exterior Drainage: We evaluate your home's grading, downspouts, and perimeter drainage. Water should drain away from your foundation, not toward it. Sometimes simple improvements like extending downspouts or regarding soil can eliminate moisture problems.
Interior Drainage: For basements with persistent moisture issues, we may recommend interior drainage systems, sump pumps, or drain tile installation before finishing work begins.
Moisture Barriers: We install appropriate vapor barriers between foundation walls and finished walls, ensuring moisture doesn't penetrate your living space.
Material Selection: We use mold-resistant drywall, appropriate insulation types, and flooring materials suitable for below-grade installation. Not all materials that work beautifully in main-level rooms perform well in basements.
Ventilation and Dehumidification: Finished basements need adequate air circulation and humidity control. We design HVAC systems accordingly and recommend dehumidification strategies.
Warning Signs Assessment: Before beginning any basement finishing project, we look for water stains, efflorescence (white powdery deposits on concrete), musty odors, previous flooding, and foundation cracks. Addressing these issues before finishing is essential.
In Omaha's climate, with our clay soils and seasonal precipitation patterns, moisture control isn't optional—it's fundamental. Our clients in Bellevue, Bennington, and throughout the metro area appreciate that we take moisture control seriously, even when it adds upfront cost. It's far less expensive than replacing destroyed finishes later.
You can see examples of our moisture-conscious basement work in projects like our 1,400 sq ft basement remodel in Logan, IA and our basement finishing project in La Vista.
The Problem: Basement ceiling height dramatically affects how the space feels. Many homeowners don't realize that finishing will reduce their ceiling height by several inches—and they're disappointed with the cramped feeling that results.
Standard basement ceiling height in Omaha-area homes built in the last 30 years is typically 8 feet of concrete-to-concrete height. However, once you account for:
Your finished ceiling height might be only 7 feet or even less in areas with mechanicals. This feels oppressively low for most people.
Common Ceiling Height Mistakes:
The Solution: During our design phase, we carefully plan ceiling strategies:
Ceiling Height Mapping: We identify where ceiling height can be maximized and where obstructions require accommodation.
Strategic Ceiling Approaches:
Mechanical Coordination: Sometimes relocating a duct run or plumbing line during the design phase prevents a significant ceiling drop. While this adds some cost, it's usually worth it for an additional 6-12 inches of headroom.
Material Selection: Using thinner materials (like resilient channel vs. furring strips) preserves every possible inch.
Code Compliance: We ensure all finished areas meet or exceed minimum code requirements, but we push for the maximum practical ceiling height throughout.
Our small basement remodel in North Omaha demonstrates how careful planning can make even modest basement spaces feel open and inviting.
The Problem: Basements are naturally dark spaces with limited natural light. Many homeowners or contractors install generic recessed lights on a basic grid pattern and call it done. The result is a space that feels dim, depressing, and nothing like the warm, inviting rooms they envisioned.
Poor lighting makes basements feel like basements—even when everything else is beautiful.
Common Lighting Mistakes:
The Solution: We design comprehensive lighting plans during the design phase, considering how each space will be used:
Layered Lighting Approach:
Ambient Lighting: Overall illumination from recessed lights, ceiling fixtures, or even LED strip lighting behind valances. This provides your baseline light level.
Task Lighting: Focused illumination for specific activities—pendant lights over a bar, under-cabinet lighting in a wet bar area, reading lights near seating areas, bright lighting over workout equipment or craft tables.
Accent Lighting: Highlighting architectural features, art, or creating visual interest—wall sconces, picture lights, or LED strips highlighting a textured wall or ceiling detail.
Natural Light Maximization:
Strategic Fixture Placement: We align lighting with your furniture plan and anticipated activities, not just a generic grid. Pool table? You need focused lighting overhead. Home theater? You need dimmable, indirect lighting that doesn't create screen glare.
Color Temperature: We typically recommend 2700K-3000K (warm white) for living spaces to create a cozy feeling, with cooler temperatures (3500K-4000K) for areas where you need alertness (home gym, workshop).
Dimming Capability: Installing dimmers (or smart home integration) lets you adjust lighting for different activities and times of day.
Emergency Egress: Code requires egress windows in basement bedrooms, which have the happy side effect of providing natural light and emergency exit capability.
The difference proper lighting makes cannot be overstated. It's the distinction between a basement that feels like a basement and a basement that feels like a destination space your family actually wants to use.
The Problem: Many homeowners want to add bedrooms in their finished basement—for kids, guests, aging parents, or even rental income potential. However, they discover too late that bedrooms require egress windows (emergency escape windows) that meet specific size and height requirements.
Installing egress windows after finishing is expensive and disruptive. Failing to install them at all creates serious safety issues and code violations that will surface during home sales.
Code Requirements for Egress Windows: While specific codes should be verified with your local building department, typical requirements include:
Common Egress Mistakes:
The Solution: During our design consultation, we identify whether your basement plan includes bedrooms and plan for proper egress from the beginning.
Egress Window Planning:
Basement Bedroom Alternatives: If egress installation is prohibitively expensive or impossible due to your home's configuration, we explore alternatives:
Budget-wise, egress window installation (including excavation, window well, drainage, and window) typically costs $3,000-$6,000 per window. It's a significant expense, but it's essential for safety and resale value if you're creating basement bedrooms.
The Problem: Not all flooring materials perform well in basements. The wrong choice can lead to mold growth, warping, buckling, moisture damage, or simply uncomfortable spaces that feel cold and uninviting.
We've removed beautiful hardwood flooring and expensive tile that was ruined by basement moisture—all because the wrong materials were installed without proper subfloor preparation.
Flooring Materials to Avoid in Basements:
Common Flooring Mistakes:
The Solution: We help you select appropriate basement flooring based on your budget, aesthetic preferences, and each room's intended use:
Best Basement Flooring Options:
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT):This is our most recommended basement flooring. Modern LVP looks remarkably like hardwood or tile but is 100% waterproof, installs directly over concrete (with proper underlayment), stays warmer underfoot than tile, and is durable and easy to maintain. It's available in countless styles and price points.
Engineered Hardwood (with proper subfloor system):Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood is dimensionally stable and can work in basements when installed correctly over a proper subfloor system with moisture barrier. It provides the warm look of real wood with better performance characteristics.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: Tile is inherently water-resistant and works beautifully in basements, especially in wet bar areas or bathrooms. However, it's cold underfoot (consider radiant heat systems for comfort) and requires proper crack isolation membranes over concrete to prevent tile cracking from concrete movement.
Carpet with Proper Padding: Carpet creates warmth and comfort but should be installed over a vapor barrier with moisture-resistant padding. We typically recommend carpet tiles rather than wall-to-wall carpet in basements—if a section gets water damaged, you can replace individual tiles rather than entire rooms.
Stained and Sealed Concrete: For modern, industrial aesthetics or high-traffic areas, stained concrete is durable, moisture-proof, and can be quite beautiful. Area rugs can add warmth where needed.
Proper Installation: Regardless of material, proper installation is crucial:
The flooring selection happens during our design phase, ensuring your choices are both beautiful and appropriate for basement environments. Our large basement remodel in Nebraska City showcases how proper flooring choices contribute to a finished space that feels elevated, not "basement-like."
The Problem: Life changes. The home theater you need today might need to become a bedroom for aging parents in ten years. The playroom your young kids use today will eventually need to transform into something else.
Many homeowners finish basements with highly specific, inflexible designs that don't adapt to changing needs. They lock themselves into configurations that require expensive renovations when life circumstances change.
Common Flexibility Mistakes:
The Solution: During our design process, we discuss not just your current needs but your 5-10 year vision:
Future-Proofing Strategies:
Flexible Room Configurations: We design spaces that can serve multiple purposes. A room can function as a home office now and convert to a bedroom later if you've included proper egress. A play area can transform into a teen hangout space with minimal changes.
Rough-In Plumbing: Even if you're not installing a bathroom immediately, roughing in plumbing during the initial finish is far less expensive than breaking up concrete later. Future bathroom rough-ins typically cost $1,500-$3,000—a fraction of what full bathroom addition costs later.
Pre-Wiring: We can pre-wire for future needs—additional electrical circuits, data/networking, home theater surround sound, etc. Running wire during construction is simple; running it through finished spaces later is expensive and disruptive.
Modular Furniture vs. Built-Ins: While beautiful, extensive built-ins reduce flexibility. We help you balance custom elements with flexibility.
Aging-in-Place Considerations: If you might live in this home long-term, we consider:
Room Sizing: Creating rooms that meet bedroom egress and size requirements—even if not used as bedrooms initially—preserves future options and home value.
Electrical Capacity: Installing sufficient electrical circuits initially prevents limitations later when you want to add an electric fireplace, home gym equipment, or additional technology.
The slight additional investment in flexibility pays huge dividends when your needs change—and they will.
The Problem: Basement finishing seems simpler than it is. Many homeowners attempt DIY basement finishing or hire the lowest-bid contractor—and end up with:
We're regularly called in to fix botched basement finishing projects. In many cases, homeowners spend more correcting problems than they would have spent hiring qualified professionals initially.
Common Contractor Selection Mistakes:
Why DIY Often Fails: Basement finishing involves multiple skilled trades:
Most DIYers lack expertise in all these areas. Even if you're skilled in one trade, coordinating multiple contractors while maintaining your day job becomes overwhelming.
The Solution: Choose a design-build contractor who specializes in basement finishing:
What to Look For:
Our Design-Build Advantage: When you work with Davis Contracting, you get:
Single-Source Accountability: We handle design, permitting, construction, and project management. You have one point of contact, one contract, one warranty.
Basement-Specific Expertise: We've completed hundreds of basement projects and understand Omaha-area building codes, soil conditions, moisture challenges, and homeowner preferences.
Professional Design: Our designers help you avoid the mistakes outlined in this article and create spaces that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Quality Trade Partners: We work with the same electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and other trades repeatedly. They know our standards and deliver consistent quality.
Project Management: We coordinate all trades, manage the schedule, handle inspections, and ensure work proceeds efficiently.
Communication: You'll know what's happening at each stage, when workers will be in your home, and how the project is progressing.
Warranty: Our work is warranted, giving you recourse if problems arise.
You can learn more about selecting the right contractor in our guide to hiring the ideal contractor.
The Problem: This might be the most costly mistake of all—and it's often invisible until after construction is complete.
Many homeowners (or contractors) jump straight into construction with only a vague idea of layout and no detailed design. The result:
After completing the project, these homeowners realize what they should have done differently—but making changes to finished spaces requires destroying work and starting over.
Why People Skip Design:
The Hidden Cost of Skipping Design: A comprehensive design process typically costs $2,000-$4,500 for a basement finishing project. Many homeowners balk at this investment.
But consider what proper design prevents:
Professional design doesn't cost money—it saves money.
The Solution: Our Design-Build Process
At Davis Contracting, we insist on comprehensive design before construction begins. Here's why:
Step 1: Initial Consultation (Free)We visit your home, see your basement, discuss your goals, lifestyle, budget, and timeline. We assess structural conditions, identify potential challenges, and determine if we're a good fit for your project.
Step 2: Design Agreement ($2,000-$4,500)This is where the magic happens. You'll work with our professional designers to:
Lifestyle Discovery: We ask detailed questions about how you'll use the space:
Space Planning: We create detailed floor plans showing:
Design Options: We typically present 1-2 design directions with:
Material Selections: We help you select:
Budget Refinement: After design development, you'll have a budget range that's typically within 15-30% of final costs—far more accurate than initial rough estimates.
Step 3: Final Plan and Selections Once you approve the design direction, we create:
At this point, you know exactly:
Step 4: Construction With detailed plans finalized, construction proceeds smoothly:
Step 5: Final Walkthrough and Warranty When construction is complete, we:
This process takes more time upfront, but it eliminates regrets and creates basement spaces that truly enhance how you live in your home.
You can see examples of our design-driven results in our portfolio, including projects like our bathroom redesign in Omaha and complete bathroom upgrade in Fremont, which demonstrate the same design principles we apply to basement projects.
After thousands of square feet of basement finishing, we've identified what separates projects homeowners love from projects they regret:
Successful Projects Have:
Failed Projects Have:
If you're considering basement finishing in Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, Bellevue, or surrounding areas, we'd love to discuss your project.
Our design-build process eliminates the eight mistakes outlined in this article, ensuring you'll be thrilled with your finished basement for decades to come—not just the first few months.
Next Steps:
Your basement can become your family's favorite space—a place where memories are made, where guests want to gather, and where functionality meets beauty. Our design-build process makes that happen.
Don't let your basement finishing project become a regret. Let's create a space you'll love for years to come.
Davis Contracting LLC specializes in basement finishing throughout the Omaha metro area. Our design-build approach eliminates common basement finishing mistakes and creates beautiful, functional spaces that enhance how you live in your home. Learn more about our services.
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