Claremore, Oklahoma
Basement Renovation in Claremore, OK
Unlock Your Home’s Hidden Potential Below Grade — serving Claremore, Rogers County, and the surrounding area since 2000.
Basement Renovation in Claremore, Oklahoma
Cornerstone Homes & Properties is proud to call Claremore home. With over 20 years of building experience in Rogers County, we design and build custom homes, barns, additions, and renovations tailored to the Claremore lifestyle.
Claremore, Oklahoma is more than just a dot on the map for Cornerstone Homes & Properties — it is our home. Our office sits on E 430 Road, right in the heart of Rogers County, and every custom home, barn, addition, and renovation we build reflects a deep understanding of this community. When you choose Cornerstone as your Claremore home builder, you are partnering with a team that knows the local soil conditions, understands Rogers County building codes, and has cultivated trusted relationships with area subcontractors and suppliers over more than two decades.
Claremore has grown steadily over the past twenty years, evolving from a quiet railroad town into a vibrant community of more than 19,000 residents. Named after the Osage chief Clermont, the city blends rich Oklahoma heritage with modern amenities. Residents enjoy easy access to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, Claremore Lake, and the historic downtown district along Will Rogers Boulevard. The combination of strong schools, affordable land, and proximity to the Tulsa metro area makes Claremore one of the most desirable places to build a new home in northeastern Oklahoma.
At Cornerstone Homes, we specialize in custom home construction that honors the character of Claremore while incorporating contemporary building science. Whether you are envisioning a sprawling single-story ranch on five acres east of town, a craftsman-style home in one of the established neighborhoods near Claremore High School, or a modern farmhouse overlooking the rolling hills off Highway 20, we bring an in-house design team, transparent pricing, and hands-on project management to every build.
Our design-and-build process starts with a personal consultation at our Claremore office or on your lot. We walk the property together, discuss your family's needs, your aesthetic preferences, and your budget. Because we handle both design and construction under one roof, there are no surprises when the blueprints move to the job site. You will work with the same team from the initial sketch all the way through the final walk-through, ensuring continuity, accountability, and a finished home that matches your vision.
One of the advantages of building in Claremore is the variety of lot options available. Rogers County offers generous acreage tracts with rural water and electric, platted subdivisions with city utilities, and everything in between. If you need a home with space for a shop, a horse barn, or simply room for the kids to roam, Claremore provides that opportunity at a fraction of the cost you would pay closer to Tulsa. Cornerstone Homes can help you evaluate lot conditions, assess well and septic requirements, and plan site work so construction proceeds smoothly from day one.
Beyond new-home construction, Cornerstone is Claremore's go-to contractor for whole-home renovations and additions. Many homeowners in the historic neighborhoods near downtown or along Country Club Road own beautiful mid-century homes that need updated kitchens, expanded master suites, or energy-efficient windows and insulation. Our renovation team approaches each project with the same precision and care we bring to a ground-up build, protecting existing finishes while transforming the spaces that matter most.
Kitchen renovations are among our most popular projects in Claremore. Oklahoma families spend a lot of time gathered around the kitchen island, and a thoughtful remodel — new cabinetry, quartz countertops, a center island with seating, upgraded appliances, and improved lighting — can dramatically change how a home feels. Cornerstone designs kitchens that balance aesthetics with function, ensuring ample storage, efficient work triangles, and materials that stand up to the demands of daily life.
Outdoor living is another area where Claremore homeowners turn to Cornerstone. Our screened-in porches, covered patios, and outdoor kitchen additions let you enjoy Oklahoma's long spring and fall seasons while staying protected from summer sun and unpredictable weather. We also build detached garages, workshops, and barndominiums — a popular choice among Rogers County homeowners who need functional outbuildings that complement the style of their primary residence.
Building codes and permitting in Rogers County and the City of Claremore have evolved over the years, and Cornerstone stays current with every change. We handle all permit applications, coordinate required inspections, and ensure your project meets or exceeds the International Residential Code as adopted by Rogers County. Our familiarity with the local permitting process means fewer delays and fewer headaches for you.
Claremore sits at the crossroads of Highway 66, Highway 20, and the Will Rogers Turnpike, providing convenient access to Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, and the Grand Lake region. Many of our clients commute to jobs in the Tulsa metro while enjoying the lower cost of living, larger lots, and strong sense of community that Claremore offers. It is the best of both worlds — rural charm with urban accessibility.
The Claremore Public Schools district consistently ranks among the top systems in Rogers County, with Claremore High School, Will Rogers Junior High, and multiple elementary campuses offering strong academics and extracurriculars. Families with school-age children frequently cite the quality of local education as a key reason for choosing to build in Claremore. Cornerstone has built homes for many of these families, and we understand how school attendance zones, bus routes, and neighborhood character factor into the home-building decision.
When you partner with Cornerstone Homes & Properties for your Claremore project, you get more than a contractor — you get a neighbor. We live here, our kids attend school here, and we have a vested interest in every home we build contributing positively to the community. From the first consultation to the final punch list, our commitment is simple: deliver a high-quality, custom-built home or renovation at a fair price, on a timeline you can trust. If you are ready to build in Claremore, we would love to sit down and talk about your vision.
Our Basement Renovation Process
Cornerstone Homes designs and builds custom basement renovations in Claremore, Rogers County, and the Tulsa metro area. From finished family rooms and home theaters to guest suites, home gyms, and storm shelters, our team transforms underused below-grade space into the most valuable square footage in your home—backed by 20+ years of craftsmanship and a comprehensive warranty.
At Cornerstone Homes, we believe a basement should be more than an afterthought. Too many homeowners in Claremore and across Rogers County treat their below-grade space as little more than a dumping ground for holiday decorations and forgotten furniture. But that unfinished concrete box beneath your feet represents hundreds—sometimes thousands—of square feet of untapped potential. A well-designed basement renovation can add a fully functional living level to your home without expanding your footprint, increasing your property value while giving your family the room it needs to grow. Our approach starts with understanding how you actually want to use the space. Maybe you need a quiet home office away from the upstairs activity, or a recreation room where the kids can spread out without taking over the living room. Perhaps you have been dreaming of a dedicated home theater, a private guest suite for visiting family, or a home gym that saves you a monthly membership. Whatever the vision, our in-house design team works with you to develop a layout that maximizes every square foot, accounts for structural realities, and integrates seamlessly with your home’s existing mechanical systems. We do not sell cookie-cutter finishing packages—we design custom basement living spaces built specifically for how your family lives in northeastern Oklahoma.
Waterproofing and moisture management are the foundation of every successful basement renovation, and nowhere is that more critical than in Rogers County. Oklahoma’s clay-heavy soils expand dramatically when saturated during spring rains and contract during the dry summer months, creating hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls that can push moisture through even hairline cracks. Add the region’s high water table in low-lying areas near Claremore Lake and the Verdigris River corridor, and you have conditions that demand a comprehensive moisture control strategy before a single wall is framed. Cornerstone addresses this from the outside in: we evaluate exterior grading and downspout discharge, inspect and repair any existing foundation cracks, apply interior waterproofing membranes, and install drainage systems—including interior French drains and sump pumps with battery backup—to ensure your finished basement stays dry through the heaviest Oklahoma storms. We also monitor relative humidity levels during and after construction and specify vapor barriers, dehumidification capacity, and insulation assemblies that prevent condensation on cold foundation walls during Tulsa metro summers when outdoor dew points routinely exceed seventy degrees.
The design possibilities for a finished basement are virtually limitless, and our team has built them all across Rogers County and the greater Tulsa metro area. Family rooms with open layouts, recessed lighting, and luxury vinyl plank flooring create inviting gathering spaces that feel nothing like the dark, damp basements of decades past. Dedicated home theaters with stepped seating platforms, acoustic wall treatments, and pre-wired surround sound deliver a cinematic experience steps from your bedroom. Guest suites with full bathrooms, walk-in closets, and private entries give visiting family the comfort and privacy of a hotel without the cost. Home gyms with rubberized flooring, mirrored walls, and dedicated HVAC zones let you train year-round regardless of Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather. We have also designed and built basement kitchenettes with wet bars, craft rooms with extensive storage, wine cellars with climate-controlled cabinetry, and dedicated playrooms with built-in storage systems that keep toys organized and out of sight. Whatever combination of uses you envision, Cornerstone’s design team creates a cohesive floor plan that balances open living areas with private rooms, maximizes natural light from egress windows, and incorporates the mechanical and storage spaces every basement still needs.
Building code compliance is a non-negotiable part of any basement renovation, and Cornerstone handles every detail so you never have to worry. In Rogers County and the City of Claremore, finished basement bedrooms require code-compliant egress windows—openings large enough for an adult to climb through in an emergency and for firefighters to enter from outside. Our team sizes and installs egress window wells with proper drainage, step-in access, and weather covers that meet or exceed International Residential Code requirements adopted by Oklahoma municipalities. We also ensure that ceiling heights meet the minimum seven-foot clear requirement for habitable space, coordinate fire-rated assemblies where the basement connects to an attached garage, and install interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level. Electrical work is permitted and inspected to current National Electrical Code standards, including dedicated circuits for high-draw appliances, GFCI protection in wet areas, and arc-fault breakers where required. If your basement renovation includes a bathroom—and most of ours do—we handle the plumbing tie-ins, sewage ejector systems where gravity drains are not available, and proper venting to ensure everything passes inspection the first time. Our familiarity with Rogers County and Claremore inspection processes means we know exactly what inspectors look for, and we build to those standards from the start.
Northeastern Oklahoma sits squarely in Tornado Alley, and a basement renovation offers a unique opportunity to integrate a safe room or storm shelter directly into your home’s living space. Rather than relying on a standalone above-ground shelter or a cramped garage-floor unit, Cornerstone can design a reinforced safe room within your finished basement that doubles as a closet, storage room, or utility space during everyday life and provides FEMA-compliant protection when severe weather strikes. We build these rooms with poured concrete or reinforced concrete masonry walls, steel doors rated for EF5-level wind speeds and debris impact, and independent ventilation so occupants can shelter safely for extended periods. For families in Claremore, Owasso, Catoosa, and throughout Rogers County, knowing that your storm shelter is ten steps from your bedroom—not a sprint across the yard in the dark—provides genuine peace of mind. We coordinate safe room construction with the overall basement floor plan so the reinforced space integrates naturally into the design, and we can help you explore FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding that may offset a portion of the construction cost for qualifying safe rooms in Oklahoma.
Ready to transform your basement into the most useful space in your home? Contact Cornerstone Homes for a free consultation. We will visit your property, assess your existing basement conditions—including foundation integrity, moisture levels, mechanical system locations, and available ceiling height—and discuss your vision for the space. From there, our design team develops a custom floor plan with realistic budgets and timelines tailored to your project. Hundreds of families across Claremore, Rogers County, and the Tulsa metro area have trusted Cornerstone to renovate and finish their basements, and we would be honored to help you unlock the full potential of yours. Whether you are converting a raw concrete shell into a finished living level or updating an outdated basement from the 1980s with modern finishes and improved waterproofing, our team has the experience, the local knowledge, and the craftsmanship to deliver a result you will enjoy for decades.
What Sets Our Basement Renovation Apart in Claremore
Waterproofing & Moisture Control
Rogers County’s expansive clay soils and seasonal water table fluctuations make comprehensive moisture management essential for any finished basement. Cornerstone installs interior waterproofing membranes, French drain systems, and sump pumps with battery backup to keep your space dry year-round. We evaluate exterior grading, downspout discharge, and foundation crack repair before framing begins, and we specify vapor barriers and dehumidification strategies that prevent condensation on cold concrete walls during Oklahoma’s humid summers—protecting your investment from the ground up.
Egress Windows & Safety
Every finished basement bedroom in Claremore and Rogers County requires a code-compliant egress window large enough for emergency escape and firefighter access. Cornerstone sizes, cuts, and installs egress window wells with proper drainage, step-in access ladders, and weather-resistant covers that meet International Residential Code standards adopted across Oklahoma. We also install interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire-rated assemblies between the basement and any attached garage, and arc-fault circuit breakers—ensuring your renovation passes inspection and keeps your family safe.
Custom Living Spaces
From open-concept family rooms and home theaters to guest suites, home offices, and dedicated playrooms, Cornerstone designs basement living spaces that feel as bright, comfortable, and intentional as any above-grade room in your home. We use recessed LED lighting, luxury vinyl plank and engineered hardwood flooring, and carefully planned ceiling treatments to create spaces that defy the old stereotype of a dark, cramped basement. Our design team optimizes furniture layouts, traffic flow, and natural light from egress windows so your finished basement becomes your family’s favorite level.
Electrical & HVAC Integration
A finished basement demands properly sized electrical and climate control systems to function comfortably. Cornerstone installs dedicated electrical panels or sub-panels with circuits sized for home theater equipment, kitchen appliances, and high-draw gym equipment. We extend or zone your existing HVAC system—or install a dedicated mini-split system—to maintain consistent temperatures below grade throughout Oklahoma’s extreme seasonal swings. Every installation is permitted and inspected to current National Electrical Code and mechanical code standards enforced in Rogers County.
Bathroom & Kitchenette Additions
Adding a bathroom or kitchenette to your basement dramatically increases both functionality and resale value. Cornerstone handles plumbing rough-ins, sewage ejector pump installation for below-sewer-line connections, proper waste venting, and finish work including tile, vanities, and fixtures. Our kitchenette builds include wet bar plumbing, under-counter refrigeration, dishwashers, and countertop selections that complement your home’s style. We coordinate every trade so the plumbing, electrical, and finish carpentry come together seamlessly in your Claremore or Tulsa metro basement.
Soundproofing & Insulation
Proper insulation and soundproofing transform a basement from a noisy echo chamber into a quiet, energy-efficient living space. Cornerstone installs closed-cell spray foam or rigid foam board insulation on foundation walls to eliminate thermal bridging and prevent condensation. For home theaters, music rooms, and bedrooms, we add resilient channel, sound-dampening drywall, and acoustic insulation in ceiling and wall assemblies to minimize noise transfer between levels. The result is a basement that stays comfortable year-round and keeps sound exactly where you want it—critical for families in Rogers County who want a true retreat below grade.
How We Build Your Basement Renovation in Claremore
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Assessment & Consultation
We visit your home to evaluate your existing basement conditions, including foundation integrity, ceiling height, moisture levels, mechanical system locations, and available access points. We discuss how you want to use the space—family room, home theater, guest suite, gym, storm shelter—and review your budget and timeline expectations. This no-obligation visit gives us the information we need to develop an accurate scope of work for your Claremore or Rogers County basement renovation.
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Design & Planning
Our in-house design team creates a detailed floor plan with room layouts, lighting plans, electrical and plumbing locations, and finish selections. You review 3D visualizations of the finished space and refine every detail before construction begins. We also prepare a transparent line-item budget and handle all permitting with Rogers County and Claremore municipal authorities so you have complete clarity on cost and schedule before we start work.
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Waterproofing & Prep
Before framing begins, we address the most critical element of any basement renovation: moisture control. Our crew repairs foundation cracks, installs interior drainage systems and sump pumps, applies waterproofing membranes, and verifies that exterior grading directs water away from your foundation. We also rough in any below-slab plumbing for bathrooms or kitchenettes and install egress window wells. This preparation phase ensures a dry, code-compliant shell ready for finishing.
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Construction & Finishing
With waterproofing complete, our experienced crews frame walls and soffits, run electrical and HVAC, insulate, hang drywall, and install flooring, trim, and fixtures. A dedicated project manager coordinates every trade and provides regular progress updates. We build to the same quality standards we apply to our custom homes—because your basement deserves the same craftsmanship as any other room in your Claremore or Tulsa metro home.
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Final Inspection & Handover
We conduct a thorough quality walkthrough with you to verify that every detail—finishes, fixtures, lighting, HVAC performance, plumbing function—meets your expectations and our standards. All required municipal inspections are completed and approved. We hand you a finished basement backed by our comprehensive warranty covering structural elements, waterproofing systems, and workmanship, plus ongoing post-construction support for anything that comes up after you start enjoying your new space.
Why Homeowners in Claremore Choose Cornerstone
- ✓County seat of Rogers County with a population of over 19,000
- ✓Home to Rogers State University and Claremore Public Schools
- ✓Located along historic Route 66 with easy Turnpike access to Tulsa
- ✓Affordable acreage and lot options with rural water available
- ✓Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore Lake, and Claremore Expo Center
- ✓Low cost of living compared to the Tulsa metro area
- ✓Growing retail and dining corridor along Lynn Riggs Boulevard
- ✓Active community events including Bluegrass & Chili Festival
Basement Renovation FAQs for Claremore Homeowners
- How much does a basement renovation cost in Claremore, Oklahoma?
- Basement renovation costs in the Claremore and Rogers County area vary based on square footage, scope of work, and finish level. A basic finishing package with framing, drywall, flooring, and lighting costs significantly less than a full renovation with a bathroom, kitchenette, home theater, and storm shelter. During your free consultation, we assess your existing conditions and discuss your goals to provide a detailed, line-item estimate before design begins. Our transparent budgeting process means no hidden fees or surprise change orders—you know exactly what to expect at every phase of your northeastern Oklahoma basement project.
- Does my basement need waterproofing before finishing?
- In almost every case, yes. Rogers County’s clay-heavy soils expand and contract with moisture changes, creating hydrostatic pressure that can force water through foundation walls and floor joints. Even basements that appear dry may have elevated humidity levels that will cause mold, mildew, and material damage once walls are enclosed. Cornerstone evaluates every basement for moisture intrusion, foundation cracks, and drainage deficiencies before framing begins. We install interior waterproofing systems, vapor barriers, and dehumidification solutions tailored to your specific conditions—protecting your renovation investment for decades.
- Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Rogers County?
- Yes. Finishing a basement in Claremore and Rogers County requires building permits for structural framing, electrical work, plumbing, and mechanical systems. If you are adding bedrooms, you will also need to install code-compliant egress windows. Cornerstone handles all permit applications, scheduling, and inspections on your behalf. Our team is familiar with local building department requirements and inspection timelines, which means fewer delays and a smoother process. We ensure every aspect of your basement renovation—from fire-rated assemblies to GFCI-protected circuits—meets current International Residential Code standards as adopted in Oklahoma.
- How long does a basement renovation take from start to finish?
- Most basement renovations in the Claremore area take six to twelve weeks from the start of construction to final walkthrough, depending on size and complexity. Projects that include bathrooms, kitchenettes, or storm shelters typically fall on the longer end of that range due to additional plumbing, concrete, and inspection requirements. Add two to four weeks of design and permitting before construction begins. We provide a detailed project timeline during the planning phase and keep you updated throughout, so you always know when your new living space will be ready to enjoy.
- Can you add a bathroom to my basement?
- Absolutely. Adding a basement bathroom is one of the most popular upgrades we perform in Claremore and Rogers County homes. If your home’s main sewer line exits above the basement floor level, we install a sewage ejector pump system to handle waste removal—a reliable and code-compliant solution we have used in dozens of local projects. We handle all plumbing rough-in, venting, tile work, vanity installation, and fixture selection. A finished basement bathroom adds significant convenience and resale value, especially when paired with a guest bedroom or home gym.
