What Does a $100K Basement Remodel Look Like in Omaha?
Where a $100,000 Basement Investment Actually Goes
One of the most common questions we get is simple: what does it actually cost to finish a basement, and where does that money go? So instead of talking in generalities, let me walk you through one we just finished.
This is a fully designed, roughly 1,100 square foot basement in the Omaha area that came in around $100,000. It includes a custom built-in office behind heavy steel and glass doors, a three-quarter bath with a glass shower, a living room with a fireplace bump-out, and a bedroom. Here is the thing most people do not expect: so much of that investment goes behind the walls, into finishing the basement the right way before a single finish goes in.
The Project at a Glance
- Size: about 1,100 square feet, fully designed in 2D and 3D before construction
- Office: custom built-in cabinetry and shelving with a custom backdrop, closed off with heavy steel and glass doors
- Three-quarter bath: an upgraded shower insert (not builder grade) finished with a glass door, plus a furniture-style vanity and matching sconces
- Living room: a fireplace bump-out with a wall-mounted TV
- Bedroom: a flexible room the homeowners are using as an additional working space, with plans to add a sauna
- Flooring: LVP throughout, installed over a properly leveled slab
- Investment: around $100,000
What Is Behind the Walls: Standard on Every Platte + Pine Basement
A finished basement is more than the details you see. Before we get to finishes, every basement we build includes the same foundation of work, because this is what makes a basement comfortable and keeps it lasting for decades.
- Our Forever Wall System. Rigid foam goes on the foundation walls first as a moisture barrier, so moisture stays out of your finished space. Wall framing is laser-measured so walls are straight and true, and we add batt insulation in the framing cavities on top of the rigid foam.
- Sound-dampening insulation in the ceiling and interior walls, so footsteps and TV noise from upstairs, and from room to room, are not a constant issue.
- 5/8″ drywall on the ceiling, which is thicker and stiffer than standard drywall and helps with sound and a flat finished ceiling.
- Moisture-resistant drywall in every wet space, like bathrooms, wet bars, and laundry rooms.
- Floor leveling as needed for LVP or any other hard-surface flooring. On this project we ground down the seams in the slab and added leveling compound where it was needed so the LVP has a solid, flat surface to sit on.
None of this shows up in the photos, but it is the difference between a basement that feels like part of your home and one that feels like a converted storage area. For a deeper look at each step, see our Omaha basement finishing guide.
The Finishes: Where Design Drives the Number
Once the space is built right, the rest of the budget comes down to finishes and what you want on the design side. On this project, the showpiece is the built-in office: full custom cabinetry and open shelving with a custom backdrop, closed off by heavy steel and glass doors that let light through while still giving you a quiet place to work.
A Three-Quarter Bath Without the Builder-Grade Look
For the bathroom, we used a shower insert. That is a smart way to manage cost, but we do not use builder-grade inserts. We bring in much nicer inserts and finish them off with a glass door, so the shower looks clean and custom. Pair that with a furniture-style vanity and matching sconces, and you get a bathroom that feels finished without the cost of a fully tiled shower.
What Drives the Cost of a Basement Remodel
Every basement starts with the same standards above. From there, these are the factors that move the price the most:
- Plumbing. Adding a bathroom, wet bar, or laundry room is one of the biggest cost drivers. It matters whether your basement already has plumbing rough-ins. If it does not, the slab may need to be cut for new drain lines, and some layouts need an ejector pump.
- Customization. Built-ins add a lot of function and character, and they add cost. Think office built-ins, TV and media walls, custom storage and closet systems, under-stair storage, wet bar cabinetry and countertops, decorative wall paneling and millwork, and specialty doors like the steel and glass doors on this office.
- Size. Square footage adds up. More space means more framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, and paint.
- Bathroom finish level. A fully tiled shower is the most labor-intensive and typically the most expensive option. A quality shower insert is the most budget-friendly. Composite or solid-surface wall panels sit in between, with a clean, grout-free look.
- Egress windows. Any basement bedroom needs a code-compliant egress window. If one is not already there, it means cutting the foundation, excavating outside, and installing a window well.
- Feature walls and fireplaces. A fireplace bump-out, stone or tile surrounds, and built-in TV walls add design impact and cost.
- Ceiling conditions. Low ceilings, ductwork, beams, and plumbing lines often need soffits or rerouting, which adds framing and labor.
- HVAC and electrical. Extra heating and cooling runs, additional lighting, dedicated circuits, and panel capacity all factor in, especially for offices, gyms, and media rooms.
- Specialty spaces. Saunas, home gyms, theaters, golf simulators, and wine storage each come with their own requirements.
- Flooring choice. LVP, carpet, and tile all price differently, and any hard-surface floor needs a properly leveled slab underneath.
So, What Does a Basement Remodel Cost in Omaha?
Most basement finishes we build in Omaha fall between $80,000 and $150,000 or more. This roughly 1,100 square foot project, with a built-in office, a three-quarter bath, a fireplace bump-out, and a bedroom, landed around $100,000. Where your project lands depends on the size of the space, how much plumbing is involved, and how custom you want to go.
Every project starts with a full design phase, so you see your basement in 2D and 3D and get a fixed price before construction starts. That price only changes if you change the scope. If you are thinking about finishing your basement, learn more about our basement finishing process or schedule a free consultation.
FAQ: Basement Remodel Costs in Omaha
How much does it cost to finish a basement in Omaha?
Most basement finishes we build in Omaha fall between $80,000 and $150,000 or more, depending on size, plumbing, and how custom the design is. This 1,100 square foot project came in around $100,000.
What do you get in a $100,000 basement remodel?
On this project, about $100,000 covered roughly 1,100 square feet with a custom built-in office behind steel and glass doors, a three-quarter bath with a glass shower, a fireplace bump-out, a bedroom, and LVP flooring, plus all of the behind-the-wall work that comes standard on our basements.
What is the Forever Wall System?
It is our standard wall build for every basement: rigid foam on the foundation walls as a moisture barrier, laser-measured wall framing, and additional batt insulation in the framing cavities.
How long does it take to finish a basement?
Most of our basement finishes take about 90 days once construction starts. We set the schedule before work begins.
Is a tiled shower more expensive than a shower insert?
Yes. A fully tiled shower is typically the most expensive option because of the labor involved. A quality insert is the most budget-friendly, and composite panels fall in between.