The Best Room in the House Might Be Below Your Feet
Basement Refinishing in Minnesota & Western Wisconsin | Designed Around How Your Family Loves to Spend Time
Go Ahead and Dream Bigger
Your lower level isn't tied to the routines of the rest of your home. It can become almost anything you can imagine. Picture a theater where the lights dim and the seats are the most comfortable in the house. A play space where the kids climb, build, and disappear for hours. Or a guest suite that makes you proud to host the people you love. This is the floor where your passions finally have a home.
What basement refinishing looks like at Knollwood Builders:
We start by asking a question most people do not expect: what do you like to do for fun? Your answer is where the whole design begins, because a lower level is a rare chance to design a space around exactly what you love.
From there, the possibilities open up: A home theater or media room. A play area that grows with your kids. A guest suite for visiting family. A home gym, a hobby room, or a bar built for hosting. For many families, it becomes several of these at once, woven into one lower level with a zone for everyone. Whatever the mix, we design each space to feel like a destination, so heading downstairs feels like stepping into a different world.
Why Families Choose Us for Their Basement Refinishing
Promises from Our Family to Yours
Every lower level is different because every family spends time differently. Here is what stays the same on every project:
The People Who Design It Are the People Who Build It
A great basement takes both imaginative design and the construction know-how to pull it off. Because your designer and your builder are the same team at Knollwood, the big ideas and the practical realities are weighed together from day one. What we dream up with you is what we know we can build, so nothing gets lost between the vision and the finished space.
Design That Includes Everyone
We believe every person in your family deserves a space that feels like it was made just for them. We learn what each of you loves to do, and that's where the fun really starts. Sometimes that means a shared basement where the whole family gathers. Other times, it means a quiet corner that becomes someone's favorite part of the whole house.
Creative Solutions for Fixed Conditions
Every lower level comes with realities that can’t be changed: set ceiling heights, mechanicals poured directly into the concrete, and support posts that have to stay exactly where they are. Getting a beautiful result out of those constraints takes real construction knowledge. With decades of hands-on experience, we treat those fixed conditions as the starting point for the design, so the finished space feels built around you, not around what was already there.
Bringing Light and Warmth to a Lower Level
The most common concern we hear is that a basement will feel dark. Even where windows are not possible, thoughtful lighting design and the right finishes can completely transform how a space feels. We plan the layers of light and the material palette together, so your lower level feels bright, warm, and welcoming.
A Lower Level That Feels Like a Destination
We want the bottom of the stairs to feel like you have arrived somewhere. That means thinking through the whole experience: the colors that greet you first, the lighting that sets the mood before you even reach the last step, and the layout that makes every zone feel like its own reason to be there. Whether it opens into a theater, a play area, or a room built just for one person, the result is a basement that always feels worth the trip.
Family at the Core of Every Project
Knollwood Builders is a family business, and that shapes everything about how we work. You will always reach us directly, always know who is making decisions about your home, and always feel like a priority. We care about the families we work with as much as the work itself, and that is something you will feel from the very first conversation.
Trusted Brands & Associations
How Your Basement Refinishing Comes Together
Our Proven Design-Build Process
A great basement starts with what you love to do, and grows from there. From the first call to the final walkthrough, we guide you with honest communication, thoughtful design, and hands-on care every step of the way.
Discovery Call
Everything starts with a conversation. Before we get started, we want to understand your family, how you spend time at home, and what you would love your lower level to make possible. We talk through your vision, your goals, and the ways you hope to use the space now and as your family grows. It is also a chance for both of us to make sure we are the right fit for each other.
On-Site Meeting
We come to your home to walk the lower level together. We take in the ceiling heights, the mechanicals, the existing conditions, and the real opportunities of the space while listening to how you picture using it. Design and construction expertise are in the same conversation from the start, so we leave with everything we need to put honest numbers together.
Preliminary Budget
After the on-site visit, we put together a preliminary budget built from your vision and what we found in your lower level. Real numbers, drawn from real project experience, are delivered before any commitment is made. We give you time to sit with it and ask every question you have. There is no pressure to move forward before you are ready and confident.
Design
Once you decide to move forward, the design work begins. We develop a layout, the zones that matter to your family, and a full set of material and lighting selections tailored to how you want to use the space. We guide you through every choice at our design studio in White Bear Lake, where you can see real materials installed and in use before anything is committed.
Project Schedule and Procurement
With design complete and selections finalized, we lock in a final contract price based on actual materials and confirmed labor. We handle any permitting your project requires, order everything before work begins, and place a detailed construction schedule in your hands, so you always know what is happening in your home and when.
Production and Construction
This is where your basement comes to life. We are on site regularly throughout the build, managing our long-standing team of trusted subcontractors who handle specialty trades. From day one, we set up protection and containment to minimize disruption to the rest of your home while we work. We stay in close contact with regular updates, and if something unexpected comes up, you hear about it from us directly and right away.
Project Completion
We finish your project the same way we started it, with care and attention to every detail. The final step is a walkthrough of your completed lower level together, a chance to see how the space came to life. Every project ends with a professional construction cleaning, so your new space is ready to enjoy from day one. We stand behind our work with a warranty on craftsmanship, and our door stays open long after the project is done.
Preferred Installer Partnerships
Frequently Asked Questions About Basement Refinishing
What can I turn my basement into?
Almost anything you can imagine. Because a lower level is bonus space, it gives us the freedom to design around what your family loves to do at home. Some of the most popular are home theaters, play areas that grow with the kids, guest bedrooms for visiting family, exercise rooms, hobby spaces, and bars, often blended together in one thoughtful layout. We start by asking what you like to do for fun and build the space around that answer.
How much does it cost to finish a basement?
Every basement is different, so cost comes down to the scope of your project and the selections you choose along the way. A single room built around one purpose, like a home theater or a play area, is a different investment than a full lower level with multiple zones and custom finishes throughout. We put together a preliminary budget early in the process, before any commitment is made, so you always have real numbers to plan around.
How long does basement refinishing take?
Timelines vary based on the size of the project and how many zones you are building out. We build a detailed schedule before work begins and keep you updated throughout, so you always know what is happening and what comes next.
My basement feels dark. Can it still feel welcoming?
Yes. This is the most common concern we hear. While we cannot always add windows below grade, thoughtful lighting design and the right finishes make a dramatic difference in how bright and inviting a lower level feels. We plan the lighting and materials together so the finished space feels warm and inviting.
What about the plumbing and mechanicals already down there?
Most basements come with mechanicals already poured into the concrete, from plumbing lines to ductwork to electrical, but none of it has to hold your design back. We map out exactly what is fixed in place early on, then design the layout to work with it from the very first sketch.
Will we work directly with the owners throughout the process?
Yes, always. Sara and Josh are present from the first conversation through the final walkthrough, with design and construction expertise working together on your project every step of the way. When you reach out, you reach us.
How do you handle unexpected issues during construction?
Finishing a lower level can occasionally reveal surprises once work begins, and we always aim to stay ahead of them. If something comes up, you will hear from us directly and right away, along with a clear explanation of what we found and how we plan to address it. Transparent communication is one of the most important commitments we make on every project.
What Our Clients Say
We couldn’t be happier with our experience working with Knollwood Builders! They recently completed a porch build-out and deck for our home, and the results exceeded our expectations in every way.
From the start, their communication was outstanding—they took the time to walk us through the plan, timeline, and what to expect throughout the project. Once things got underway, we were kept informed every step of the way, which gave us great peace of mind.
The craftsmanship is top-notch. Every detail, from the structure to the finishing touches, reflects a level of care and quality that’s hard to find. It’s clear they take great pride in their work.
Pricing was also more than fair for the level of professionalism and quality delivered. There were no surprises, and we truly feel we received excellent value.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable, skilled, and communicative builders. We’re thrilled with the finished product! We will reach out to them when we have our next project (master bathroom).
We cannot say enough great things about Knollwood Builders! From the very first consultation to the final touches, they transformed our outdated kitchen into an absolute dream space. The design process was smooth and collaborative, with Sara and Josh taking the time to listen to our needs and preferences. The attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship is unmatched. Every part of the project was handled with professionalism, meticulous details, and they kept us informed every step of the way.
What really stood out was their commitment to delivering exactly what we wanted while staying within our budget and timeline. Our kitchen (main living area) is stunning – it’s stylish, functional, and now the heart of our home. The whole team worked efficiently, and they left the space spotless once everything was finished (and during the process). If you're looking for the best remodeler and designer around, we highly recommend Knollwood Builders!
Knollwood Builders constructed a new garage for us a year ago. We highly recommend them!! Do yourself a favor and reach out to Josh and Sara for your next project. We contacted a couple of other construction companies on the project, those companies were medium-sized. There is an obvious advantage to working with a small, family-owned business like Knollwood Builders. The planning, communication, and execution aspects were absolutely seamless. Pride in a job well done, as promised and on time is obviously very important to them.
Thank you for the great experience!!
Knollwood Builders just completed a master bath remodel for us. We could not be more impressed with Sarah and Josh. From the introductory meeting through the design, planning, and work stages the project was as stress-free as could be. Their professionalism, knowledge, experience, quality work and attention to detail, care for and cleanliness to our home, responsiveness to questions, and the daily progress updates by Sarah, Josh and/or their excellent subcontractors created an atmosphere of total confidence in our decision to contract with them. As important, Sarah and Josh were personally courteous, genuine friendly people, as were their subs, which created a comfortable atmosphere of familiarity for a first-time partnership. All of this was seamless even when we had to be out of town for two and a half weeks in the middle of the project. We are very pleased with our beautiful new bathroom and highly recommend Sarah and Josh for your design/build dreams.
Knollwood Builders was nothing short of amazing from the first telephone call to the final inspection. They were professional, timely and did an amazing job. Not only did Josh listen to my ideas, but he gave me a couple of ideas that we brought into the final project and I couldn't be happier. The only downside is we are coming up on cold weather and I won't be able to use it again until spring!
I highly recommend Knollwood Builders and suggest that if you have a project in mind to reach out to them and get on their schedule. You won't be disappointed!
We connected with Knollwood Builders, LLC (Josh Chouinard) last October to provide us with a quote for a remodeling project. From the start my wife and I were impressed. Josh provided us with an initial timely estimate. He mentioned that his wife Sara and he partner on certain projects- he handles construction and she works on providing decorative design choices... paint color/tile, solid-surface style/fixtures. For us, their combination was very effective. We also liked the communication we received. Josh and Sara were both very responsive to our questions returning emails and voice mails. Once we had our selections made Knollwood provided us with a project plan and milestone/payment schedule that was easy to understand. House cleanliness during the project was important. Also we had previous plans to be away during part of the project. Both concerns were shared with Josh and he assured us that they spend time prepping the house before his team goes on site. They also cleaned up daily after project work before they left and did a full detailed cleanup at end of project. We had a very positive experience with Knollwood Builders, LLC. In fact, we already have started to discuss further projects in our home.
We would highly recommend giving them a call if you are considering projects in your home.
From the first meeting, we knew we had the contractor dream team with Josh and Sara. They did an amazing job of taking our basement finishing vision and marrying it with their own experience and creativity. Here are some of things we appreciated most.
📱 Excellent communication and updates throughout the project.
🕐 The construction process ran like clock-work and stayed on time.
🧹 A well organized and clean job-site.
💡 Josh & Sara had brilliant ideas on how we could make the space feel unique while also working towards our goals.
🌌 Sara understood our desired design aesthetic and offered amazing suggestions.
😌 When there was problem-solving required, Josh brought a sense of calm and understanding to those situations.
To sum up working with Knollwood, the process and the product were both top notch. We are planning on working with them again and highly recommend them to others.
We had Knollwood put in a new bay window and replace our old oak railing into updated, beautiful railings! We couldn’t be happier with the work. There was a bit of a delay with the leadtime on the windows, but we are extremely happy with the finished product! You can’t see a nail hole and everything was impeccably done!
We’ve had projects done by other contractors, and although we were also happy with them, Knollwood Builders went above and beyond, and The completed project was better than we ever expected! Josh and Sara clearly pay attention to every detail and it was great working with them!
Sara and Josh were great to work with. Great communication before and during the project. Our deck looks amazing! Great quality materials and craftsmanship. Thank you!
The bathroom remodel, replacement of outdated interior doors and replacement of the deck flooring and railings for my home turned out beautifully. Josh and Sarah were wonderful to work with. They provided helpful guidance with the details of the projects, stayed on schedule, and got everything completed to my satisfaction. I appreciated their attention to detail and care taken while working in my home.
Wow! It is extremely rare to find a company like Knollwood Builders who treat their clients like family.
Over the last 20 years, many of my clients come to me and ask for referrals to builders. I am so glad to have met Josh and Sara and to have a builder whom I can recommend with confidence.
When I think of Josh, Sara, and the team at Knollwood Builders, I see a team who can turn home dreams into reality. If you are looking for a company who treats their clients like family and who values integrity and hard work, feel confident that you will find that in Knollwood Builders.
Sara and Josh have creative ideas and provide lots of options for making a project work well for the needs of the clients. They both have easy to understand processes that complement one another when planning and implementing the project. Style, enthusiasm and commitment are the words that come to mind when I reflect on my experience with Knollwood Builders.
Unbelievable service and quality of work. Always extremely responsive with calls or texts, extremely professional, kind and very reasonable on all prices. Will trust them for all my home improvement needs and projects. Josh and his crew are so good. Have had several home improvement contractors and they are far and away the best. Very glad we found them!
Knollwood Builder is an amazing company. They work and help you design an amazing space. They listen to your ideas and what you want and give wonderful suggestions to make your project your vision. They are always on time and very honest! They are wonderful people and it shows in their dedication to your project. We highly recommend them to anyone that needs a contractor. We will be using them again for other project.
Let's Start Your Basement Refinishing Project Together
Tell us what you love to do. We'll help you build the room for it.