*Limited Time Offer* 0% Financing for 60 Months. Learn More
*Limited Time Offer* 0% Financing for 60 Months. Learn More
Your basement may be the biggest untapped space in your home. Maybe you picture a cozy family room for movie nights, a guest bedroom, a second bathroom so nobody’s waiting in line upstairs, or a bar for game day. A basement remodel gives you the room you need without adding on to your house.
For 40 years, Hometown Restyling has helped Eastern Iowa homeowners get more out of the homes they already love. From Cedar Rapids and Marion to Iowa City, Waterloo, and Dubuque, we handle your basement from the first sketch to the final coat of paint: design and renderings, framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and custom built-ins. We’re 100% employee-owned, so our team has a real stake in getting it right, and every project is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty.
Most basements already have the bones for great living space. The projects Eastern Iowa homeowners ask us about most are:
We manage every part of your basement remodel:
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It depends on the size of your basement and what you’d like to add, but it’s usually a bigger investment than people expect. Finishing a full unfinished basement in Eastern Iowa often runs $40,000 to $100,000 or more. Bathrooms, bars, and egress windows each add to the total, and so can repairs the space needs first, like foundation cracks or moisture problems. The best way to get a real number is a free in-home consultation, where we can see your space and talk through your plans.
Read more: Basement Remodeling Costs in Eastern Iowa
It depends on the scope of your project. Refreshing an existing living room could take as little as a month from consultation to completion. A full remodel that adds a bathroom and a bar can take several months, since it involves more design decisions, more trades, and inspections at several stages. We’ll give you a timeline for your specific project before any work begins.
In most basements, yes. A legal bedroom needs an egress window large enough for emergency escape, adequate ceiling height, heating and cooling, and smoke alarms. Egress requirements are set by building code, and we’ll make sure your new window and window well meet them. Because we install windows as well as finish basements, your egress window is part of the same project instead of a job for a separate contractor.
Yes, it just takes more planning. Basement bathrooms come with a unique challenge: gravity. If your basement sits below your home’s main sewer line, a new shower or toilet can’t drain on its own, so we install a sewage ejector pump to move water up and out. We may also need to cut into the concrete floor to run drain lines. If your basement already has rough-in plumbing, the project is simpler and usually costs less.
Read more: Bathroom Transformations in Eastern Iowa
A wet bar has a sink with running water, which means plumbing. A dry bar skips the sink and usually includes a counter, cabinets or shelving, and a beverage fridge. Dry bars are simpler and often all you need. If you think you’ll want a sink someday, we’ll position your dry bar so plumbing can be added later without starting over.
Read more: Father’s Day Home Upgrades
Any water problems need to be solved before framing and drywall go up. During your consultation, we’ll look for signs of moisture, like dampness, staining, or foundation cracks, so any issues are taken care of before construction begins. As we build, we also waterproof new bathrooms and bar areas to protect your investment.
Almost always. Finishing a basement usually involves new electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling work, which means permits and inspections at several stages, from framing and rough-ins through a final inspection. Requirements vary by city and county, and we pull the permits for you, so you don’t have to navigate the paperwork yourself.
Read more: Basement Remodeling Costs in Eastern Iowa
Because basements sit below grade (below ground level), flooring needs to handle moisture. Waterproof vinyl is a popular, budget-friendly choice for living areas, bars, and bathrooms, and sound-rated options help keep noise down. Some homeowners prefer carpet in bedrooms or theater rooms for warmth. We install basement flooring and will help you choose the right material for each space.
Yes. Soundproofing in walls and ceilings keeps music, movies, and game-day noise from carrying upstairs, and it’s much easier to add while the walls are open. We can also plan and build out your home theater, including wiring, electrical, lighting, shelving, and a room layout designed around your screen.
Look for a full-service remodeler who can handle design, plumbing, electrical, drywall, and flooring together, offers renderings so you can see the space before construction starts, and stands behind the work for the long haul. Ask how long they’ve been in business, whether they handle permits, and what their warranty covers.
Read more: How to Choose a Contractor for Your Basement Finishing Project
Don’t let the budget keep your basement in “someday” territory. Hometown Restyling offers zero-interest financing to help you create the space you’ve been picturing.