Featured basement remodel
Overland Park, KS
A finished lower level with a custom bar, lounge, game space, bathroom, gym, and everyday room to spread out.
BASEMENT REMODELING
Basement Remodeling in Kansas City
A finished basement should feel like part of the home, not leftover square footage. Built by Design plans high-end lower levels around layout, comfort, storage, entertaining, code needs, and the details that make the space feel finished.
PROJECT PROOF
Completed basement projects
Explore real basement projects that show how layout, lighting, storage, bathrooms, bars, gyms, and gathering spaces come together when the lower level is planned with real use in mind.
Lenexa basement with bar and gym
Lenexa, KS
A finished basement with a custom bar, lounge, gym, bathroom, built-ins, brick detail, and warm modern finishes.
Overland Park basement and outdoor living
Overland Park, KS
A finished lower level with a custom media wall, bar, bathroom, exterior updates, and outdoor living space.
LOWER-LEVEL FEEDBACK
Basements homeowners actually live in
Theater spaces, gathering areas, and finished lower levels that feel like part of the home, not an afterthought.
The theater is hands-down our favorite part of the basement.
“The theater is hands-down our favorite part of the basement. Kristen turned it into the perfect place to watch movies, games, and everything in between. The setup feels high-end but still super comfortable. It's like having a private cinema at home. She really thought of everything, and now it's where we spend most of our evenings as a family.”
Mike and Kristen did an incredible job on our basement, and they made the behind-the-scenes so easy.
“Mike and Kristen did an incredible job on our basement, and they made the behind-the-scenes so easy. We weren't expecting such clear communication during the process, but we certainly got it! The blue island is the centerpiece and we get compliments on it every time someone comes over. The space feels open, inviting, and perfect for hosting. The team was so easy to work with and made sure every detail came together just right. It honestly feels like we added another level to our house, not just a basement. Couldn't be happier with the outcome.”
Our basement remodel turned out better than we imagined.
“Our basement remodel turned out better than we imagined. The mix of textures, the stone countertops, and the way the space flows all make it feel really special. It's comfortable for everyday use but also perfect when we have people over. BBD was great to work with from start to finish. They kept us in the loop, made sure details were right, and gave us a space that feels like part of the home, not just a basement. We absolutely love it. We get home from work and race to the basement!”
MORE THAN FINISHED SQUARE FOOTAGE
A better basement starts with what the space is supposed to do
For Johnson County and Kansas City homeowners, a basement remodel can take pressure off the rest of the house. It can create a place to entertain, give kids room to spread out, add a guest suite, support a home gym, hold a media room, or finally give the lower level a proper bar and lounge.
But the best lower levels aren't just packed with features. They're planned around how people will actually use the space, how the basement connects to the main level, and what the existing conditions will allow.
For a look at how an open lower level can support gathering, games, and a theater area, explore our Parkville basement project. Our honest guide to basement finishing cost in Kansas City explains what moves the number. Every Built by Design remodel uses our design-build process, bringing planning and construction together before work begins.
COST AND SCOPE
What affects basement remodeling cost?
Square footage is only the starting point. Two basements of the same size can have very different budgets because of what goes into them.
PAST BBD BASEMENT PROJECTS
$80,000to$550,000
Historical range across BBD's service area
Past BBD basement projects across our service area have ranged from $80,000 to $550,000. Your investment will depend on the scope, existing conditions and selections for your home.
Explore the basement cost guideSpace & structure
Size and layout
The number of rooms and how they're connected affect framing, drywall, flooring, and the overall build.
Egress, code, and existing conditions
Ceiling height, moisture, stairs, bedroom egress, and mechanical access can change what's possible.
The systems
Plumbing and bathrooms
Bathrooms, wet bars, and laundry areas bring plumbing, drainage, fixtures, and ventilation into the scope.
Lighting and electrical
Layered lighting, outlets, media wiring, and power needs depend on how each space will be used.
Your selections
Bars and built-ins
Custom cabinetry, sinks, counters, refrigeration, and shelving add detail and construction work.
Finish level
Flooring, tile, trim, doors, fixtures, and wall treatments shape the material and installation costs.
POSSIBILITIES DOWNSTAIRS
What your lower level can become
Movie nights, overnight guests, a place to work out. Start with how you want to use the space, then combine the features that fit your home.
Gather & unwind
Custom bar and lounge
A place to host, watch games, pour drinks, and settle in with good company.
Home theater or media room
Movie nights planned around comfortable seating, sound, lighting, and the screen.
Wine room or speakeasy
Distinctive finishes, thoughtful bottle storage, and a room with its own character.
Make room for life
Guest suite
A welcoming place for overnight guests, with privacy, storage, and bathroom access.
Kids' hangout space
Room for friends, movies, and play that doesn't take over the main level.
Home office or flex space
A quieter place to work, enjoy a hobby, or handle whatever the week brings.
Play & recharge
Home gym
A fitness space with flooring, lighting, ventilation, and room to move.
Game room
Bring pool, cards, screens, and seating together with storage close at hand.
Golf simulator
A practice space planned around ceiling height, screen placement, and equipment.
What Built by Design helps plan
Before finishes, we plan how rooms connect around stairs, support posts, and ducts. We check moisture, ceiling clearance, plumbing locations, egress, mechanical access, layered lighting, and storage so the lower level stays comfortable and useful.
Layout, traffic flow, and ceiling clearance
Custom bar and cabinetry planning
Lighting layout and fixture coordination
Plumbing, bathroom, and guest suite planning
Flooring, trim, and finish selections
Moisture and comfort considerations
Egress and code planning
Mechanical access and storage planning
Sound and media room considerations
MEDIA ROOMS AND HOME THEATERS
Theater spaces need planning before the walls close up
Media lounges and home theaters work best when sound, lighting control, seating layout, screen sightlines, wiring, and storage are planned early. The finishes matter, but the quiet decisions behind the walls are what make the room comfortable once the movie, game, or projector turns on.
A CLEAR PATH FORWARD
From your brief to a finished lower level
Talk it through
We respond within 24 hours to discuss your goals and agree on the next step.
Get the plan right
Layout, selections, existing conditions, budget, and permits come together in one plan.
Bring it to life
Coordinated trades, progress updates, inspections, and a final walkthrough.
BUILT BY DESIGN · LENEXA
See this bar, lounge, and workspaceYOUR HOME, YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Is BBD the right fit for your basement?
Rooms with a purpose
A bar, bathroom, lounge, gym, or guest space that works with the rest of your home.
One connected process
Layout, selections, and construction coordinated by one team.
A clear starting brief
Your location, priorities, timing, and any budget range you have in mind.
Before we build
We'll review moisture, ceiling and stair clearance, mechanical access, plumbing, and egress. Permit requirements depend on your address and planned use.
Built by Design / Completed spaces
Real basements.
Three different scopes.
A vintage bar. A place to gather. A whole level for entertaining. See the work and the published duration behind each project.
11weeks
Lenexa
Vintage bar & lounge
A basement bar, lounge, and coordinated finish details.
Explore the project
13weeks
Leawood
Lower-level living
A finished basement bar and lounge, plus an upstairs kitchen refresh.
Explore the project
14weeks
Overland Park
Bar, theater & gym
A wet bar, drink cellar, theater lounge, gym, and bathroom.
Explore the projectEvery scope has
its own schedule.
These durations come from the published case studies. Their start and end dates don't separately document design, permitting, procurement, and move-in, so they aren't total-project promises. Your written schedule will define the phases for your scope.
Your planning library
Good decisions.
A better basement.
Before construction, connect the big picture with the details. Start with your brief, then explore the decisions that shape the space.
Start here
Prepare your basement brief
Use the practical checklist for layout, features, and site questions.
Open the planning guideCompare basement scope and cost
Read BBD historical ranges and what changes the scope.
Moisture and drainage planning
Address existing conditions before choosing finishes.
Electrical planning
Coordinate lighting, outlets, media, and equipment requirements.
Lighting selection
Choose fixtures for each room alongside the electrical plan.
FAQAnswers, by design
Questions homeowners ask first
Practical planning context for your project. Your project team confirms what applies after a walkthrough and written scope review.
How long does a basement remodel usually take?
Timeline depends on the basement size, layout, bathroom or bar work, selections, permitting, and existing conditions. Built by Design talks through schedule expectations once the scope is clearer.
What should we consider before finishing a basement?
Start with moisture, ceiling height, mechanical access, lighting, egress, plumbing locations, storage, and what the space actually needs to do.
Can Built by Design add a bar, bathroom, theater, or guest suite?
Yes. Those features can be part of a basement remodel when the layout, plumbing, code requirements, and budget support them.
Do basement remodels need permits?
Many basement projects require permits, especially when electrical, plumbing, framing, bathrooms, or egress are involved. The project team checks requirements with the department responsible for your actual address and proposed work.
What kind of budget should we expect for a luxury basement remodel?
Past BBD basement projects across our service area have ranged from $80,000 to $550,000. Your investment will depend on the scope, existing conditions and selections for your home. Our basement finishing cost guide explains the decisions that affect the investment.
Does Built by Design remodel basements in Overland Park, Lenexa, and Kansas City?
Yes. Built by Design works with homeowners across Johnson County and the Kansas City area, including basement remodeling and basement finishing projects in communities such as Overland Park and Lenexa.
READY TO TALK?
Ready to make the lower level worth showing off?
Tell us what you want the basement to become, what's currently down there, and which features matter most. We'll help you understand whether the project is a fit and what the next step should be.