You've decided to finally finish your basement. It's an exciting decision—you're about to unlock hundreds of square feet of valuable living space without the cost and complexity of a home addition.
But here's what keeps many homeowners up at night: Will I regret my design choices? Will costs spiral out of control? Will the contractor disappear mid-project? Will I end up with a "basement-y" basement instead of beautiful living space?
After completing hundreds of basement finishing projects throughout Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, and surrounding areas, we've perfected a design-build process that eliminates these fears. This comprehensive process ensures you'll know exactly what your basement will look like, exactly what it will cost, and exactly what to expect—before construction even begins.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every phase of a professional basement finishing process, explain why each step matters, and show you how this approach prevents the regrets and surprises that plague so many basement projects.
Before diving into the process, let's clarify what "design-build" actually means—and why it's superior to traditional approaches.
Traditional Approach (Design-Bid-Build):In the traditional model, you:
Problems with Traditional Approach:
Design-Build Approach: In design-build, a single entity handles both design and construction:
Benefits of Design-Build:
For basement finishing specifically, design-build is particularly valuable because basements present unique challenges that require both design sophistication and construction expertise.
Before explaining our process, let's identify why basement projects so often lead to regrets:
Common Basement Project Failures:
1. Rushed Design Leads to Functional Problems Homeowners sketch layouts on napkins, contractors build what's drawn, and the family discovers too late that the furniture doesn't fit, the TV placement is wrong, or the bathroom is in an awkward location.
Design-Build Solution: Comprehensive design phase with professional designers who understand how families actually use spaces.
2. Budget Surprises Derail Projects Contractors give vague estimates with large "allowances," then actual costs exceed estimates by $20,000-$50,000, leaving projects incomplete or heavily compromised.
Design-Build Solution: Detailed budgeting after complete design and material selections—you know exact costs before committing.
3. Poor Material Choices Create Problems Homeowners select beautiful materials that aren't appropriate for basements—hardwood that warps, carpet that mildews, finishes that don't match home's style.
Design-Build Solution: Professional designers guide material selections appropriate for basement environments and your home's aesthetic.
4. Contractors Disappear or Do Shoddy Work Horror stories abound of contractors taking deposits and disappearing, or delivering work so poor it must be redone.
Design-Build Solution: Work with established design-build contractors with portfolios, references, and accountability.
5. Permit and Code Problems Many basement projects aren't properly permitted or don't meet code, creating problems during home sales and safety issues.
Design-Build Solution: Professional contractors handle all permitting and ensure full code compliance.
6. No Professional Design Leadership Homeowners make design decisions they later regret because no one provided professional guidance.
Design-Build Solution: Designers provide leadership, offering professional opinions about what works and what doesn't.
Our design-build process specifically addresses each of these failure points. Let's walk through it step by step.
Your basement finishing journey begins with a conversation—and it costs you nothing.
What Happens During Initial Consultation:
We Visit Your Home: We come to you at a time that's convenient. There's no pressure, no obligation—just a conversation about possibilities.
We See Your Basement: Walking through your actual basement lets us assess:
We Discuss Your Vision: We ask questions to understand:
We Identify Initial Considerations: Based on what we see and hear, we might identify:
We Explain Our Process: We walk through our complete design-build process (what you're reading now), explain timelines, and answer your questions.
We Assess Fit: Not every client is right for every contractor. We're looking to see:
You're assessing us too:
What This Consultation Costs: Nothing. We offer initial consultations free because we want you to make informed decisions. Even if you choose a different contractor or decide not to proceed, you'll leave with valuable information about your basement's potential.
What Happens Next: If we're a mutual good fit and you'd like to proceed, we'll schedule the next phase: the design agreement.
You can see examples of our completed basement work, including our basement finishing project in La Vista and our 1,400 sq ft basement remodel in Logan, IA.
This is where the magic happens—and where our process differs dramatically from contractors who rush straight to construction.
What is the Design Agreement?
The design agreement is a limited-scope contract covering the design phase only. You're not yet committing to construction—you're investing in thorough planning that will prevent regrets and surprises later.
Design Agreement Investment: $2,000-$4,500
Why the range? Design complexity varies:
What This Investment Includes:
1. Comprehensive Lifestyle Discovery
Our designers don't just draw rectangles on paper. They conduct detailed discovery interviews to understand how you actually live:
Questions We Ask:
This discovery prevents us from designing a basement that looks beautiful in drawings but doesn't function for your actual life.
2. Professional Space Planning
With lifestyle understanding established, our designers create detailed floor plans showing:
Layout Options: We typically provide 1-2 layout options exploring different approaches:
Detailed Dimensions: Every room sized appropriately for its function:
Mechanical Integration: How do we work around (or relocate):
Ceiling Height Strategy:
Storage Solutions:
3. 3D Renderings and Visualization
Floor plans are helpful, but most people struggle to visualize spaces from two-dimensional drawings. That's why we create 3D renderings showing:
What You'll See:
Why This Matters:3D renderings let you "see" your basement before it's built. You can identify issues like:
Making these discoveries in 3D costs nothing. Making them during construction costs thousands.
4. Preliminary Material Selections
During design, we help you select general material directions:
Material Categories:
These aren't final selections yet (that comes in Phase 3), but they inform the design and help refine budget estimates.
5. Engineering and Code Review
Our architects/engineers review the design for:
This technical review catches potential problems before construction, when they're easy and inexpensive to address.
6. Budget Refinement
After design development, we provide a refined budget estimate that's far more accurate than the initial ballpark:
Budget Breakdown by Category:
Accuracy Level: At this stage, the budget is typically within 15-30% of final costs—much more accurate than initial estimates, but not yet exact because final material selections haven't been made.
What You Can Expect: If the initial ballpark was "$60,000-$80,000," the design-phase estimate might be "$68,000-$77,000 depending on final selections."
7. Timeline Projection
We provide realistic timeline expectations:
The Design Agreement Deliverables:
At the end of the design agreement phase, you receive:
The Decision Point:
With these deliverables in hand, you can make an informed decision:
Option 1: Proceed to Final Planning and Construction If you love the design and the budget works, we move to Phase 3—finalizing all details and creating your construction contract.
Option 2: Pause or Adjust If timing isn't right or budget needs adjustment, you can:
Option 3: Choose Not to Proceed If you decide basement finishing isn't right for you after all, you've invested $2,000-$4,500 rather than committing to a full project you'd regret.
Why This Investment is Worth It:
The design agreement investment prevents:
In our experience, clients who invest in thorough design save 2-5 times the design cost by avoiding problems.
You can see more about our design approach on our about page.
You've approved the design direction from Phase 2. Now we finalize every detail so you know exactly what you're getting and exactly what it costs.
What Happens in Phase 3:
1. Final Material Selections
We guide you through selecting specific materials in every category:
Flooring Selections:
Paint and Wall Finishes:
Trim and Millwork:
Lighting:
Plumbing Fixtures (if applicable):
Electrical:
HVAC:
Doors and Hardware:
2. Design Guidance and Trade-Off Discussions
This is where professional design leadership is invaluable. We help you navigate:
Quality Tier Decisions: For each category, there are good/better/best options at different price points. We explain:
Example Conversation: "For basement flooring, you're considering luxury vinyl plank. You could spend $3.50/sq ft for good quality LVP that looks nice and performs well, or $6.50/sq ft for premium LVP with superior wear layer and ultra-realistic wood appearance. For 1,200 sq ft, that's a $3,600 difference. In a basement where kids will play, the mid-tier option might be smarter, saving that $3,600 for better lighting or built-in storage that adds more long-term value."
Aesthetic Cohesion: We ensure your basement selections harmonize with:
Functionality Checks: We verify every selection works for your intended use:
3. Detailed Construction Documents
With selections finalized, we create comprehensive construction documents including:
Architectural Drawings:
Specifications:
Permit Documents:
4. Precise Budget with Line-Item Costs
Now we can provide an exact budget:
Sample Budget Format:
DEMOLITION & PREPARATION
- Demolition and disposal: $2,400
- Moisture barrier installation: $1,800
FRAMING & DRYWALL
- Framing materials and labor: $8,500
- Drywall materials and finishing: $7,200
- Ceiling work and soffits: $3,100
ELECTRICAL
- Rough-in wiring and boxes: $4,800
- Fixtures and devices: $2,200
- Panel upgrades (if needed): $1,500
PLUMBING (if applicable)
- Rough-in plumbing: $3,500
- Fixtures and finish: $2,800
HVAC
- Ductwork modifications: $2,400
- Additional registers and returns: $800
FLOORING
- LVP in main areas (950 sq ft @ $5.50): $5,225
- Carpet in bedrooms (400 sq ft @ $4.50): $1,800
- Tile in bathroom (60 sq ft @ $8.50): $510
PAINTING
- Wall and ceiling painting: $4,200
- Trim painting: $1,600
TRIM & MILLWORK
- Baseboard and casing: $2,800
- Doors and hardware: $1,900
- Built-in shelving: $2,400
MISCELLANEOUS
- Permits and fees: $800
- Materials contingency (3%): $1,750
SUBTOTAL: $63,485
CONTRACTOR FEE & OVERHEAD: $12,697
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $76,182
What This Budget Includes:
What This Budget Doesn't Include: We're transparent about what's not included:
Budget Confidence: At this stage, the budget is 95%+ accurate. The only variables are:
5. Construction Timeline
We provide a detailed timeline:
Actual timelines vary based on project scope and complexity. This timeline helps you plan around construction.
6. The Construction Contract
With everything finalized, we prepare your construction contract including:
Payment Schedule Example: Most basement projects use a payment schedule like:
This protects both parties—you don't pay too much upfront, and we have necessary funds for materials and labor as work progresses.
The Go/No-Go Decision:
With complete plans, exact budget, and detailed contract, you make the final decision:
Proceed with Construction: Sign the contract, make your deposit, and we schedule your start date.
Adjust and Refine: If budget is higher than comfortable, we can value-engineer to reduce costs while maintaining functionality.
Postpone: If timing isn't right, you have complete plans ready when you're ready to proceed.
This decision point gives you complete confidence before committing to construction. You know exactly what you're getting, exactly what it costs, and exactly what to expect.
Plans are finalized, contracts are signed, and it's time to build your new basement spaces.
What Happens During Construction:
Pre-Construction Meeting: Before work begins, we meet to:
Week-by-Week Construction:
Week 1-2: Demolition and Preparation
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 3: Mechanical Rough-Ins
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 4: Inspections
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 5-6: Drywall
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 7: Painting
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 8: Flooring
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 9: Trim and Millwork
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 10: Final Fixtures and Details
What to Expect:
Communication:
Week 11: Final Inspection and Completion
What to Expect:
Throughout Construction: Our Commitments
Professional Project Management:
Proactive Communication:
Site Cleanliness:
Quality Workmanship:
Issue Resolution: Construction inevitably involves some unexpected challenges. When they arise:
Example Issues and How We Handle Them:
Scenario: Concrete floor has more slope than anticipated
Scenario: Old wiring behind walls is unsafe
We never proceed with changes without your approval. While these situations add cost, they're handled transparently with clear communication.
Change Orders:
If you decide to make changes during construction:
Example Change Order:
Change: You decide to add a wet bar that wasn't in original plans
Our goal is to minimize change orders through thorough planning (Phases 1-3), but we accommodate reasonable changes professionally when they occur.
Construction is complete. Now we ensure you're completely satisfied.
The Final Walkthrough:
We schedule a comprehensive walkthrough where:
Room-by-Room Review: We visit every space together, checking:
Punch List Creation: If we identify any items needing attention:
We document everything and commit to completion timelines (typically 1-3 days for minor items).
System Operation Review: We show you:
Documentation Provided:
Punch List Completion:
Within days, we return to complete any punch list items, then schedule a final confirmation visit to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Your Satisfaction is Required:
We don't ask for final payment until you're completely satisfied. If something isn't right, we correct it—period.
Warranty Coverage:
We provide comprehensive warranty:
One-Year Workmanship Warranty: We warranty our workmanship for one year from completion. If installation issues arise from our work, we correct them at no cost.
What's Covered:
What's Not Covered:
Manufacturer Warranties: Products installed carry their own warranties:
We provide all manufacturer warranty information and assist with claims if needed.
How to Request Warranty Service:
If issues arise:
Post-Project Support:
Even after warranty expires, we remain available for:
We build long-term relationships, not one-time transactions.
Let's review how each phase prevents common basement finishing problems:
Problem: Rushed design leads to functional spaces that don't work
Solution: Phase 2's comprehensive lifestyle discovery and professional space planning ensures spaces function perfectly for how you actually live.
Problem: Budget surprises and cost overruns
Solution: Phase 3's detailed selections and line-item budgeting means you know exact costs before committing to construction.
Problem: Poor material choices
Solution: Phase 2 and 3's professional design guidance ensures materials are appropriate for basements and match your aesthetic.
Problem: Contractor disappears or delivers poor work
Solution: Working with established design-build contractor with portfolio, references, and professional project management.
Problem: Code violations and permit issues
Solution: Proper permitting and inspections handled professionally throughout process.
Problem: Design regrets after completion
Solution: 3D renderings in Phase 2 let you see and adjust design before construction begins.
Problem: Living with unfinished project
Solution: Complete budgeting prevents running out of money mid-project.
Problem: Surprise moisture problems
Solution: Phase 1 identifies moisture issues; Phase 4 addresses them properly before finishing.
Our process specifically addresses every common failure point. The result: basements our clients love for decades.
Phase 1: Initial Consultation Investment: Free
Phase 2: Design Agreement Investment: $2,000-$4,500 Deliverables: Floor plans, 3D renderings, preliminary selections, refined budget
Phase 3: Final Planning Investment: Included in construction contract Deliverables: Final selections, construction documents, exact budget, contract
Phase 4: Construction Investment: $45,000-$125,000+ depending on scope, size, and finishes Deliverables: Completed basement finishing to exact specifications
Phase 5: Warranty Investment: Included Deliverables: One-year workmanship warranty, ongoing support
Total Investment Examples:
Basic Basement Finish (900 sq ft):
Mid-Range Basement (1,200 sq ft with bathroom):
High-End Basement (1,500 sq ft, bathroom, wet bar, premium finishes):
The design investment (2-4% of total project cost) prevents problems that would cost far more to correct.
**Total Timeline from Start to Finish: 3-5 Months**
Factors That Extend Timeline:
Factors That Speed Timeline:
We communicate expected timelines clearly and update you on any changes.
Q: Do I have to use your design services, or can I provide my own plans? A: We require design involvement for basement projects. We've found that construction-only arrangements lead to problems when plans don't consider construction realities. However, if you have preliminary plans or ideas, we'll incorporate them into our design process.
Q: What if I find the design phase and I decide my budget doesn't work? A: That's exactly why we have a design agreement phase—to discover this before committing to full construction. You'll have plans you can save for when budget allows, or we can value-engineer to reduce costs while maintaining functionality.
Q: Can I do some of the work myself to save money? A: We generally don't recommend this for several reasons: (1) It creates warranty complications (what's our work vs. yours?), (2) It disrupts scheduling, (3) It can void permits if you're not licensed for certain trades. However, you could handle post-construction tasks like painting or decorating.
Q: How much of a mess will construction create in the rest of my house? A: We use dust containment systems and daily cleanup to minimize impact. Some dust migration is inevitable during demolition and drywall sanding, but we work hard to contain it. Most clients report less mess than expected.
Q: What if we discover problems during demolition? A: We notify you immediately, explain the issue clearly, present options with cost/timeline impacts, and wait for your decision before proceeding. We handle surprises transparently and professionally.
Q: Do you work on weekends? A: Standard construction is Monday-Friday, typically 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM. We can sometimes accommodate weekend work for specific situations, but prefer not to for our crews' work-life balance.
Q: How much mess and noise should I expect? A: Demolition (Week 1-2) is noisiest and dustiest. Drywall sanding (Week 5-6) creates fine dust. Most other phases have moderate noise during work hours. We communicate loudest/dustiest days in advance so you can plan accordingly.
Q: What happens if I'm not satisfied with something? A: Tell us immediately. We'll assess the concern, determine if it's within scope or a change request, and address it promptly. Our goal is your complete satisfaction.
Q: Can I make changes during construction? A: Yes, though changes are easier and less expensive early in the process. We'll price any changes as change orders, obtain your written approval, and adjust schedule and budget accordingly.
If you're considering finishing your basement in Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, Bellevue, or surrounding areas, our design-build process ensures you'll love the results for decades to come.
Next Steps:
Your basement can become the space your family uses and loves most—where memories are made, where guests want to gather, and where functionality meets beauty. Our design-build process makes that happen without the regrets and surprises that plague so many basement projects.
Let's create a basement you'll love for decades to come.
Davis Contracting LLC specializes in design-build basement finishing throughout the Omaha metro area. Our comprehensive process eliminates common basement finishing mistakes and creates beautiful, functional spaces perfectly suited to your lifestyle. Learn more about our design-build approach.
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