"We had a water leak in an upstairs bathroom that damaged a downstairs ceiling and the subfloor. He brought in his subs to replace the flooring, subfloor, toilet flange, sheetrock, ceiling, popcorn texture, and painting. Everything he did and all of his subcontractors were fantastic. Highly recommend Luke and his professionalism."
"I called Jeff to get his thoughts on some asbestos duct insulation in the basement of a house we were making an offer on. He was out with an appointment, but called back ASAP and asked for all the details, then walked me through what he would do in my situation. Incredibly, even though his livelihood is asbestos mitigation, he recommended I leave it alone (he said since there was so little asbestos, and the insulation tape was in good enough shape, it'd actually be worse to try and remove it). He was extremely courteous and knowledgeable, and even though his advice meant that I wouldn't be hiring him, he has my recommendation for anyone who actually DOES have an asbestos problem. "
"They did a good job. The roof looks good and is holding up so far. They cleaned up the yard when they were done and were not too noisy while they were doing the job.
"I did not go with this company, they refunded my money because I didn't like their design. I've reviewed this before. Please can you stop these requests to do a review. "
Fair Repair and Remodel - one call does it all! With 25 years experience in full remodels, repairs, and new installations, we're excited to deliver a level of quality and craftsmanship unrivaled in the area. Please call us today to see how we can help! \n
"The team was prompt and very detailed, was able to pivot and suggest little changes that improved the overall look. They reconstructed a soffit and several bathroom and bedroom walls to enhance the appearance. I asked for non textured ceilings and they are flawless. Great communication throughout the job…I will rehire again in the future!!"
We are a 3rd generation family owned and operated construction company. Briggs and Rabehl Builders LLC is a licensed general contractor in MN, that specializes in home remodeling, additions, garages and post frame buildings. With well over 30+ years in the trades, we have the experience and know how to complete all of your projects.
"I would have to say this is one of the best companies out there if I was to hire anyone again, it would definitely be Phil he does quality workmanship, very honest, very professional. We have used him for several bathroom remodels and we are never disappointed would highly recommend hiring this company."
You should plan on waiting at least a year and ideally two to three years after construction before finishing your basement. This will give the foundation time to settle in response to the weight of your home and the expansion of the surrounding soil. You can then repair your foundation and seal any cracks as needed before finishing it to reduce your risk of future leaks or other issues.
Professional remodelers streamline the process, manage permits, and handle renovations efficiently—significantly mitigating risk while maintaining standards.
A finished basement must have a heat and electrical supply with an entrance that meets building code requirements, such as a stairwell to the home's main living space. It often must include finished walls, ceilings, and floors. If the finished basement includes a bedroom, it should have a heat source, an egress window, and a closet.
Remodeling, as opposed to finishing, means altering an already finished basement by adding a bathroom, bedroom, or living area.
The time it takes to finish or remodel a basement can vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even up to a year. On average, the construction phase can take four to eight weeks, but the total project time can extend to three or four months when including planning and permits. The timeline depends on several factors, including the basement's size, design complexity, the scope of the work, and your contractor's availability. A more detailed breakdown for an average-sized basement might include: framing (3-5 days), electrical and rough-in plumbing (3-5 days), drywall installation (5 days), flooring (2-3 days), and final touches like painting and trim (about a week). If preliminary work like installing a waterproofing system or addressing structural issues is needed, the timeline could extend to six to twelve months. Factors like difficult access, material transport, and ventilation needs can also add to the project's duration.
If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between $40,000 and $90,000 on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.
The Lewiston, MN homeowners’ guide to basement remodels
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Hiring a bad basement remodeler can wreak havoc on the look and longevity of your unfinished space. Here are red flags to look for as you vet basement contractors.