Basement Finishing in the Twin Cities
Premium basement finishing from your licensed, family-run Twin Cities contractor — designed, built and backed by a written warranty by one local team.
What’s Included in Your Basement Finishing
Every project is custom — here’s what our team handles in-house, start to finish.
Egress & Permits
Code-compliant egress windows and permits for legal bedrooms.
Family & Rec Spaces
Open living spaces, home theaters, gyms and play areas.
Baths & Wet Bars
Add a full bathroom, wet bar or kitchenette below grade.
Moisture & Insulation
Proper vapor control, insulation and warm finishes for MN basements.
Finished Basement Ideas
A finished basement is the most cost-effective way to add real living space to a Twin Cities home. Whether you want a big family room, a basement bar, an extra bedroom with an egress window, or a full basement bathroom, we design the layout around how you’ll actually use the space.
Family & Rec Rooms
Open lounge and play space with durable flooring, recessed lighting, and built-ins — the heart of most basement remodeling projects.
Basement Bars & Kitchenettes
Wet bars, beverage centers, and full kitchenettes for entertaining, complete with plumbing and cabinetry.
Bedrooms & Guest Suites
Legal bedrooms require a code-compliant egress window — we handle the cutting, well, and finish so it’s safe and to code.
Basement Bathrooms
Add a half or full bath downstairs with proper rough-in, venting, and waterproofing.
Home Theaters & Gyms
Pre-wired media rooms, soundproofing, and durable gym flooring for a true bonus space.
Home Offices & Flex Rooms
Quiet, well-lit work-from-home spaces and flexible bonus rooms that adapt as your family changes.
Egress Windows, Waterproofing & Minnesota Code
Finishing a basement the right way means handling what’s behind the drywall first. Minnesota code requires a proper egress window in every basement bedroom for safe escape, and a dry foundation is non-negotiable in our freeze-thaw climate. We address moisture and basement waterproofing before any framing goes up — and pull every permit.
Egress Windows
We cut the foundation, install a code-sized basement egress window and window well, and finish it cleanly so any basement bedroom is legal and safe.
Waterproofing & Drainage
Interior drain tile, sump pumps, crack repair, and vapor management to keep the space dry year-round.
Permits & Inspections
As your licensed general contractor (MN #BC760638) we pull permits and schedule every inspection — framing, electrical, plumbing, and final.
Radon & Air Quality
We can integrate radon mitigation and fresh-air solutions, important in many Minnesota basements.
Insulation, Moisture & Flooring for MN Basements
Minnesota winters punish a poorly built basement. The right basement insulation, moisture control, and basement flooring keep the space warm, dry, and comfortable instead of cold and musty. We build assemblies designed specifically for below-grade concrete in our climate.
Proper Wall Insulation
Continuous rigid foam or spray foam against the foundation prevents condensation and meets Minnesota energy code — not just batts against bare concrete.
Moisture & Vapor Control
Sealed assemblies and the right vapor strategy stop the damp, musty basement problem before it starts.
Warm, Durable Flooring
Luxury vinyl plank, tile, and engineered options that tolerate humidity, with optional sub-floor systems and in-floor heat for warm feet.
Comfortable Heating & Lighting
Extended HVAC, baseboard or in-floor heat, and layered recessed lighting that makes a basement feel like real living space.
What Basement Finishing Costs in the Twin Cities
You’ll get a fixed written quote before we start, covering your full basement finishing cost. A straightforward open rec room at the lower end, a finished basement with a bedroom and bathroom in the middle, and a full build with a bar, theater, and egress at the top. The factors that drive your basement remodel cost:
Square Footage & Layout
Total finished area and how many separate rooms you’re building.
Bathrooms & Wet Bars
Plumbing for a basement bathroom or bar is one of the larger line items.
Egress & Waterproofing
Cutting an egress window or adding drain tile and a sump adds cost — but is essential for bedrooms and dry space.
Finishes & Features
Flooring grade, built-ins, lighting, theaters, and ceiling treatments scale the budget.
Our Basement Finishing Process
One local, licensed team takes your basement from bare concrete to finished space — framing, egress, plumbing, electrical, insulation, and finish carpentry — with inspections at every stage. Most basements take about four to eight weeks on site depending on size and scope.
1. Design & Quote
We plan the layout, address moisture and egress, and give you a clear fixed price.
2. Waterproofing & Egress
Any drainage, sump, and egress window work happens first so the space stays dry and safe.
3. Framing & Rough-In
Framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in with insulation and inspections.
4. Drywall & Finishes
Drywall, flooring, trim, doors, paint, and built-ins by our own crews.
5. Final Walkthrough
Final inspection, cleanup, and a walkthrough of your new finished basement.
Family rooms, bedrooms with egress, baths, and wet bars — dry, warm, code-compliant lower levels built by your licensed Twin Cities general contractor.
Yes. Minnesota code requires a compliant egress window (and well, if below grade) for any basement room used as a bedroom. We handle the cutting, window, and waterproofing.
One Local Team for Your Whole Home
Beyond basement finishing, our licensed crews handle everything inside and out.
Built on Trust, Backed by Warranty
Local & Family-Run
Rooted in the south metro — your neighbors, not a national chain.
One Licensed Team
Design, build and finish under one MN-licensed GC (#BC760638).
Quality Materials
Name-brand products and craftsman installation, built to last.
Written Warranty
A written workmanship warranty and registered product warranties.
What Our Customers Say
From start to finish, the entire team was outstanding—especially Megan. She ensured we had clear, timely information at every stage of the process. With multiple parties involved—the public adjuster, contractors, and insurance company—Megan’s guidance was invaluable. She answered every question promptly and made sure we understood next steps, which gave us confidence throughout the project.
The roof itself looks fantastic. Sean, the project manager, was patient and thorough in explaining our options, and the crew completed the installation in just one day. They were respectful of our property, which was especially important since I work from home. The process was smooth, efficient, and caused minimal disruption to our daily lives.
Three Rivers Contracting offers reasonable pricing for the quality of work delivered. They go above and beyond to ensure clients only pay what they’re responsible for and strive to make the experience positive. Having heard countless contractor horror stories, I approached this project with skepticism—but I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.
I highly recommend Three Rivers Contracting for any home repairs or updates. Their professionalism, transparency, and commitment to client satisfaction set them apart.
Everything from choosing the right materials to fit our needs and budget, to the exceptional care and craftsmanship they showed, I would highly recommend working with them.
When it came to the planning and actual work, they were an absolute pleasure to work with. The subcontractors were professional and friendly. Their work is top of the line! We would hire them again and again, and we recommend them to everyone we know.
Our solar array consists of 48 365-watt Longi solar panels, mounted on Omco ground mount solar racking, and 2 SolarEdge SE7600H-US inverters. In the first year of operation, we generated 27,701 kWh.
To be even more carbon neutral, we also installed a Waterfurnace 5-ton, Series 7 geothermal heat pump. During the first heating season, the heat pump used 7,178 kWh x $0.10 /kWh = $718 to heat our 3,400 sq. ft. home.
Looking at our kWh production and consumption history, in that first year, we sold 20,612 kWh to the power coop, we purchased 10,541 kWh, for a net 10,071 kWh sold to the power coop. In the winter months when there are shorter daylight hours, we purchase more power than we sell. But starting about in February, we sell the Coop more than what we purchase. Since we installed the solar array, we haven’t had to pay any electric or heating bills, and as of the end of 2022, we have a credit of $756 on our electric bill. The solar array provides all our power, including what is needed to heat the house. Going solar is the best purchase we’ve ever made.
He set the date for our roof and by 8 am that morning we had a team of workers ready to go.
The entire team was so nice and polite. When my wife would have to take our dog out the workers on the ground made sure that it was clear and she was good to go.
Our roof was not up to code so additional work needed to be done and Shawn was on top of that working with our insurance. The guys did a fantastic job with our roof.
They cleaned everything up. They raked the yard, they picked through the mulch so that there was no roof pieces left behind. They even made sure that the yard displays were protected and put back.
I cannot say enough about Three Rivers Contracting and the job they did for us.
We are so pleased with the outcome and will make sure to recommend them in the future and if we have any other projects that need to be done we will be calling them.
Common Questions
How much does basement finishing cost?
How long does a project take?
Are you licensed and insured?
Where do you work?
Do I need an egress window to finish my basement?
How long does basement finishing take?
How do you keep a finished basement from getting damp or musty?
What does it cost to finish a basement?
Can you add a bathroom or bar to my basement?
Ready to Start Your Basement Finishing Project?
Get a free, no-pressure estimate from a licensed local team that does it all — and stands behind every job in writing.