Moisture check
We inspect foundation walls, floor, sump pit, exterior grading, and gutters. Moisture readings and 48-hour plastic squares help show where water is coming from.
The Kjelstad process
A basement gets finished in the right order.
There’s no rush past the parts behind the walls. We keep the details visible, the inspector involved, and your plan practical from day one.
What to expect
Most basements take 6 to 10 weeks from permit to final.
The crew is on site about 5 to 7 of those weeks. Most projects land between $40 and $70 a finished square foot. A full bathroom adds $18,000 to $28,000, and an egress window adds $4,200 to $6,500.
Layout and drawings
We plan the room around the mechanical room, sump, shutoffs, and cleanouts so each one stays reachable.
Permit
We pull the permit from the City of Rochester or your township. It usually takes one to two weeks.
Insulate and frame
Two inches of rigid foam goes against the foundation wall with sealed seams, followed by framed walls and fire blocking.
Rough-in work
Electrical, plumbing, and heating work gets completed before walls close.
Rough inspections
Framing, electrical, plumbing, and insulation are inspected before drywall.
Drywall and access
We leave access panels at shutoffs and cleanouts, then finish drywall.
Finish the room
Luxury vinyl plank works well in most basement rooms because it handles damp better than many alternatives. Then come doors, trim, and paint.
Final inspection
You get the signed-off permit, drawings, and paint colors in a folder when the work is complete.
A clear first step
Walk through the plan in your own basement
The best way to estimate a basement is to see the walls, floor, mechanicals, and daylight in person.