The lower level of this Lynnhurst home in Minneapolis had moisture problems, and the original plan was simply to dry it out and put the space back the way it was. However, before framing started, Ryan looked at the footprint and suggested something better: swap the bedroom and living room areas to open up one large room.
Our client was already part of the Waterstone family. We had remodeled her lake cabin first, and she brought us back for her city house. The basement she was living in had a tired, divided layout, a very old bathroom in the wrong spot, and water finding its way in — the kind of conditions we see often in older South Minneapolis homes, where a basement has to be rebuilt from the slab up to be worth finishing.
Key Takeaways
- THE CHALLENGEA Minneapolis basement with ongoing moisture issues, an outdated bathroom, and a chopped-up floor plan that wasted the best part of the space.
- THE BUILDWe installed a full sump pump and drain tile system with dimple board and spray foam, then reconfigured the walls into an L-shaped plan with a theater, bedroom, and new 3/4 bath.
- THE RESULTA dry, bright lower level anchored by an open home theater, a tucked-away exercise zone, a new bedroom, and custom built-in storage.
Water had to be handled first, because no finish work holds up over a basement that still takes on moisture. Once we knew the waterproofing plan, the layout question opened up: by moving the bedroom to where the living room had been, we could clear the entire opposite end of the basement for a single open room. Our client liked the idea when we showed it to her, and that one decision shaped everything else about the project.
Project Summary
| Client Profile: | Returning homeowner — a repeat client whose lake cabin we remodeled first |
| Project Location: | Lynnhurst neighborhood, Minneapolis, MN |
| Primary Objective: | Eliminate basement moisture and rebuild the lower level as a comfortable, everyday living space through full Basement Remodeling Services |
| Scope of Work: | Sump pump and drain tile system, dimple board, spray foam insulation, central dehumidifier, new underground plumbing, framing, electrical, HVAC, plus a brand-new 3/4 Bathroom Renovation |
| Key Outcome: | An open home theater with an exercise zone, a relocated bedroom, a new 3/4 bath, and a custom built-in cabinet, completed in about five months |
Diagnosing Basement Moisture in this Lynnhurst Home
The basement was taking on moisture, which is a common condition in century-old Minneapolis houses and one we address regularly. It isn't a mystery to solve so much as a system to install correctly, because every finish that follows depends on it being done right the first time.
The existing layout added a second problem. A separated bedroom with a small, unattractive window sat at one end, an old bathroom took up space on the right, and the living area occupied the bottom of what was essentially an L-shaped floor plan. None of it worked together, and the old bathroom was well past its service life.
How We Rebuilt the Lower Level
We started below the slab. We removed the plumbing under the concrete and replaced it with new underground lines, then installed a full sump pump and drain tile system. Dimple board—a bumpy plastic panel—went up the exterior walls, and we sprayed foam over it, creating a dependable assembly against basement water problems. A central dehumidifier tied into the furnace handles the humidity that remains.
"Dave and Ryan are awesome—great communicators, trustworthy, honest, dependable, and truly excellent at what they do. They listen, bring creative ideas to the table, and take real pride in their work. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend them. We’ll definitely be calling them again for our next project!" - (Nancy, Lynnhurst homeowner)
From there, we moved walls. We removed the old bedroom wall, the dated bathroom, and the entire upper leg of the L to create the theater. The bedroom moved to the former living room area, with the new 3/4 bath beside it—and because an egress window was already in place, we avoided the cost of cutting a new egress opening elsewhere.
We enlarged the smaller window, added new windows at the back through our Window Replacement crew, and drew the whole plan in Chief Architect so our client could see the new configuration in 3D before we built it. Dave and Ryan stayed hands-on throughout, pulling the permit and walking the inspector through nearly 10 sign-offs — the same owner-led approach you get from our Home Remodeling Experts on every job.
A Dry Basement Home Theater
The standout is the theater. Clearing out the old bedroom and bathroom created one big open room, finished with a dark blue accent wall and a deep blue carpet our client chose, with a small exercise zone tucked in behind the couch by the enlarged window. Everything above the slab is new — framing, insulation, electrical, HVAC, paint, and carpet.
The other end of the basement reads as a private zone. You pass a custom-built cabinet we fit into a leftover nook, then the door to the bath on one side and the bedroom on the other, which keeps the sleeping and bathing areas separate from the theater. The project ran about five months from permit to final inspection, and the finished lower level is bright and dry rather than dark and damp — exactly what a basement in an older Minneapolis home should feel like.
Planning a Basement Remodel in Minneapolis?
We've spent more than 30 years remodeling homes across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, and basements like this one are a big part of that work. You'll work directly with Dave and Ryan, from the first walkthrough and 3D design through the final inspection, with clear estimates and no surprises along the way.
Have a damp, unfinished, or outdated basement in Minneapolis you'd like to use better? Reach out for a Free Remodeling Estimate and let's talk about what's possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can basement moisture be fixed during a basement remodel in Minneapolis?
Yes, and you should handle it before any finish work begins. On this Lynnhurst project, we installed a full sump pump and drain tile system, applied dimple board up the exterior walls, sprayed foam over it, and tied a central dehumidifier into the furnace. It's a routine part of how we finish basements in older Minneapolis homes.
How long does a full basement remodel take in Minneapolis?
This one took about five months, and four to five months is typical for a basement rebuilt to this level. The timeline includes new underground plumbing, framing, insulation, electrical, and HVAC, plus city permitting and nearly 10 inspections that have to be scheduled and signed off as the work progresses.
Do you need a new egress window for a basement bedroom?
A basement bedroom needs an egress window, but you don't always have to cut a new one. On this project, an egress window was already in place, so we planned the bedroom location around it and saved our client the cost of a new opening. We review existing window conditions during design so the layout works with what your home already has.