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Basement Oasis with Massive Wrap-Around Bar with Prep Sink, Appliances, and Living Area | Compelling Homes Remodeling + Design

Basement Remodeling in Des Moines, IA

 

Custom Basement Remodels Designed and Built for Central Iowa Families

2725 144th St-4

A Top-Rated Local Basement Remodeling Contractor Serving the Des Moines Metro


If your basement feels unfinished, dated, or underused, you’re not alone. With the right plan, it can become one of the most functional spaces in your home—whether that means a family room, guest suite, home office, workout area, or custom bar.

At Compelling Homes, we specialize in designing and building basements that feel like a natural extension of your home. Our in-house design-build team handles everything—from layout planning and selections to construction and final finishes—so the process stays organized and the results feel intentional.

Because we’re a locally owned design-build firm serving the Des Moines metro, you’ll work with one team from start to finish. No hand-offs. No confusion. Just clear communication and a basement built to last.

 

3515 149th St-2 (1)
2725 144th St-3 (1)
12064 NW 142nd St-4
3

OUR 5-STEP DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS

01 | PRE-PLANNING

Phone interview to discuss wants & needs. In-home meeting after reviewing our online pricing guide. Discuss possible options and what can be done. Follow-up with free budget range email and scope of work.

02 | DESIGN
We'll let you know what the design fees will cost before anything is measured - we want to keep education up, and expenses down! We'll collaborate with you on our concept to ensure it captures your wants and needs, and make changes to that concept before we estimate.
03 | SHOPPING
Enter into a construction agreement based on design, drawings, and scope of work. SHOPPING DAY! Our favorite day. We spend the day shopping with you and assisting you in selections for your dream space.

Standard design inclusions:

select_check_boxRecessed lighting
select_check_boxMatch or exceed the finishes in your home
select_check_boxCeiling fans in all bedrooms
select_check_boxZoom room/home office design

See the Basements We’ve Built for Des Moines–Area Families

 

Remodeling Homes Across the Des Moines Metro

We design and remodel basements for homeowners throughout Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Ankeny, Clive, and surrounding communities.

Our Service Area

  • Des Moines
  • Urbandale
  • West Des Moines
  • Johnston
  • Clive
  • Grimes
  • Adel
  • Waukee
  • Ankeny
  • Polk City
  • South of Grand
Get Started
Blue Bathroom featuring Vertical Blue Backsplash Accent Walls and Freestanding Tub | Compelling Homes Remodeling + Design

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

I cannot say enough good things about Compelling Homes. We are nearly complete with a 4th remodel job using this fine company and the service just keeps getting better. The owner (Rusty Green) will go to any length to keep his customers informed, satisfied and happy. He is a real pro at what he does! Even more, he is a man of the highest values and integrity.

Use this company for your next remodel - big or small. They will not disappoint.

Mike

Johnston, IA

Chad Kitchen | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

The Compelling Homes team designed an amazing remodel for our entire first floor. The attention to detail created an awesome finished product that we absolutely love. We are not the creative types, but when the team came back with their ideas for the space we were blown away and now we have a more functional space that is worth every penny. We always recommend them to any of our friends thinking about starting a remodel project because we know the CH team will make sure that every detail is perfect. Other positives is that were open and honest with the cost and timeline so there were no surprises along the way and we felt fully informed about the entire process. Everyone on the team was excellent to work with and we would definitely use them again.

Chad

Johnston, IA

Stephanie Bathroom | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

We love Rusty and the Compelling Homes team. We first worked with them to turn an unfinished basement into a family area, bar, workout room. We had some pretty complex requests but they turned our unfinished basement into a fabulous rustic hangout space. Rusty has great ideas and is has an eye for details. They just completed an addition over our garage and it turned out awesome inside and out. We can not wait to work with them again on a new master bath and kitchen. I would never go anywhere else. They deliver what they promise and more. They take time to get to know you and make sure your personality shows up in the final product. Love them!!

Stephanie

Altoona, IA

Ron Kitchen | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

The Compelling Homes team is second to none. Many companies talk about customer service and looking at things from a customer's perspective, but few follow through — the entire team from the owner on down lives it. In addition, their ability to adapt and deliver is extraordinary. Add in the talented people they bring in to complete all aspects of the construction and remodel project, and we couldn’t be more happy with the results.

Ron

Urbandale, IA

Saffin Basement | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

We are repeat clients. This is the second time, second house, where Compelling Homes has done remodeling for us. Rusty is a character, who knows his business and is passionate about every project he takes on. He and his team make remodeling fun and exciting, and the transformations are WOW!

Saffin

Johnston, IA

Tamara First Floor | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

Rusty and the entire Compelling Homes crew were amazing! Our kitchen is better than we ever imagined and we couldn’t be happier. We highly recommend Compelling Homes!

Tamara

Johnston, IA

Boo Laundry Room | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

Rusty and gang did a great job with our remodel! They were always very responsive and accommodating with last minute changes and adjustments. We love our new kitchen, family room, laundry room, stairway.....the list goes on!

Boo

Johnston, IA

Deb Kitchen | Compelling Homes

What Des Moines-Area Homeowners Are Saying

So pleased with the kitchen, bath and fireplace remodel! Professional & punctual with a great team!!!

Deb

Johnston, IA

Why Choose Compelling Homes for Your Basement Renovation

At Compelling Homes, basement projects are a source of pride. Whether it's taking on a totally unfinished basement or renovating a basement space that needs an upgrade, we work closely with you to create a plan that aligns with your vision.

Here's why so many homeowners choose Compelling Homes for their basement remodel:

  1. Client Experience-Centered Approach: Our entire firm is dedicated to providing exceptional service built around your needs. We take the time to understand your vision for your basement living space, and we put all of our effort into ensuring your satisfaction.

  2. Expert Design Team: Our in-house design team can bring your ideas to life. Whether it's a home gym, extra bedroom, playroom, home theater, new space for entertaining, or any other idea you're dreaming of, we can make it a reality.

  3. Quality Craftsmanship: With top-tier craftsmanship, we deliver high-quality remodels that suit your lifestyle. We want to make your home feel like the perfect place, and we have the skills to do it.

  4. Comprehensive Services: Our fixed-price remodeling services are all-inclusive, so you can rest easy and know that there aren't going to be inflated costs or other unwelcome surprises.

  5. Transparent Communication: Collaboration requires communication, which is why we make it a priority to listen and understand from the very start. We also make it easy for you to have access to a dedicated project manager who can address your questions and concerns.

  6. On-Time Delivery: Our experienced team knows how to complete a remodeling project both on time and on budget.

If you want to enrich your home or just enhance its resale value, Compelling Homes is your ideal remodeling partner in the Des Moines area. Together, we can transform your basement's underutilized square footage into a beautiful, functional, and enjoyable space.

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FAQs

Your questions. Our answers.

Our basement projects fall into three tiers, with square footage being the biggest variable. A finished basement with the basics (framing, drywall, paint, lighting, flooring) typically runs $70,000 to $91,000. A finished basement with added scope (bar, media area, bathroom rough-in) typically runs $99,000 to $149,000 (SF plays a HUGE role here). A high-end basement with multiple rooms (bedroom + bath + custom bar + workout space, plus premium finishes) runs $160,000 to $250,000+. For a complete breakdown including egress windows, sump pump, and waterproofing add-ons, and eight real project costs from across the metro, download our Basement Remodel Pricing Guide. To see what each tier looks like, browse our before-and-after basement gallery.

Yes — adding an egress window is one of the most common things we do during a basement finish. Iowa code requires a properly sized egress and a window well of the right dimensions for any bedroom below grade. We coordinate with our masonry crew to cut the foundation, install the window, and pour or set the well — all permitted and inspected. Plan on adding around $3,500 to $6,000 per egress depending on conditions. For a full list of basement add-on costs (waterproofing, sump pump, bar, fireplace, theater), see our Basement Remodel Pricing Guide.

We always start with a moisture assessment before we frame anything. If your basement has any history of water (or could in the future — and most Des Moines basements can during a heavy spring storm), we get the perimeter drainage, sump pump, and any sealing taken care of before we close up walls. Building over a moisture problem is the fastest way to ruin a finished basement, and we won't do it. Browse the basements gallery to see how the finished result looks when waterproofing is handled right from the start.

Absolutely, and we do it often. The big variable is your existing plumbing. If your home has a roughed-in stub for a basement bath, we can usually tie in without too much excavation. If not, we need to break the slab to run drain lines and possibly install a sewage ejector pump (since gravity drainage often isn't possible below the main sewer line). Both work — we just want you to know which scenario you're in before we quote. See our bathrooms gallery for examples of basement bathrooms we've completed, and the Bathroom Pricing Guide for the bathroom portion of the project cost.

For a standard 800 to 1,200 square-foot basement finish, plan on ten to fourteen weeks from demo through final walkthrough. Larger basements or projects with multiple rooms (bedroom + bath + bar + workout area) can stretch to four or five months. The biggest scheduling variables are usually inspection timing and any electrical or plumbing relocations. Our design-build process includes a detailed schedule before construction starts so you can plan around the key milestones.

Basement Remodeling Costs

In the Des Moines Metro Area for 2026

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As a local design-build basement remodeling company serving the Des Moines metro, we track real project costs every year. Here’s what homeowners are investing in 2026 for finished basements—based on size, layout complexity, and finish level.

View Pricing