Finishing a basementadds space for living or entertaining.
What Is Basement Finishing?
Basement finishing turns an unfinished basement into a climate-controlled, lighted space.
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With an optional kitchen and bathroom, the finished basement can be used for permanent living.
The cost of refinishing a large 3,200-square-foot basement can be close to $74,000.
Kitchen
Akitchen costs$100 per square foot to $300 per square foot.
Bathroom
Installing a basement bathroomcosts $8,000 to $15,000.
On average, you’ll spend about $11,500 to install a bathroom when finishing a basement.
Abasement bathroomwith a bathtub or shower transforms the finished basement into a habitable space.
Permits and Legal Requirements
Permits to finish a basement can cost up to $2,000.
Some municipalities may bundle all subproject permits under one larger basement remodeling or finishing permit.
Other areas may require you to apply for each building permit individually.
In this case, it is especially valuable to have a contractor coordinate the permitting and inspection.
Tip
A basement is a blank canvas.
Consider building abasement baror adding aDIY home theater.
Or, keep it simple and functional with abasement laundry room.
On average, waterproofing a basement costs $5,500 or around $3 to $10 per square foot.
Basement moisture must be fixed before basement flooring can be installed.
Mold and mildew are frequently found in basements due to the moisture and lack of light.
Mold must be remediated and its source addressed before the basement walls are built.
Basements often contain many columns or load-bearing walls as structural supports for the house above.
It costs about $250 tobuild a false wallto hide these items.
Foundation walls comprise the lower half or third of a finished basement’s exterior walls.
Call afoundation repair companyto fix the foundation walls before you dive in finishing the basement.
Add Insulation
Insulating a finished basementcosts about $200 per 8-foot-long section of wall.
One method is to applyrigid foamsheets to the basement concrete walls with adhesive and then install drywall on top.
Another method is to place rigid foam sheets behind a wood or metal stud wall system.
to control moisture and temperatures.
Thin floor coverings like vinyl and tile add more ceiling room to basements with low ceilings.
A popular basement flooring choice also happens to be the thinnest: apainted concrete floor.
It’s important tomake a basement warmersince it’s always cooler below ground-level.
If the basement does need extra cooling, aceiling fan costsaround $250 for professional installation.
Just ensure that the basement ceiling is high enough (7-1/2 feet or higher).
Install Windows
Slidingwindows costfrom $660 to $2,245.
Installing a glass block windowcosts from $470 to $$1,000.
Long runs ofglass blocks can costup to $5,000 to install.
Painting the basement yourself is one way to control the cost of finishing it.
If you own paint equipment, you’re free to paint each room for around $415.
Add Plumbing
Adding a new toiletcosts about $470.
Tomove a toileta few inches in a finished basement can cost $300 to $600.
Going the luxury route for a largewalk-in shower costs$700 to $14,000.
Additional Costs
Pest Control
Below-grade spaces experience more insect activity than above-grade spaces.
Sump Pump
Unfinished basements often already have sump pumps to keep the basement dry from rising groundwater.
Thecost of a new drivewaystarts at $2,880 and ranges up to $11,520.
Finished Basement vs. Finishing a basement costs slightly less than building a small addition.
It costs about $3,000 more than a finished basement.
Finished Basement vs.
Tiny Home
Mosttiny houses costfrom $30,000 and $60,000, for an average cost of $45,000.
A tiny house costs about $2,000 to $3,000 less than a finished basement.
But on a per-square-foot basis, it is far more expensive than a finished basement.
Finishing vs.
Renovation or Remodel
What’s the difference between basement finishing and basement remodeling or renovation?
Basement finishing encompasses nearly all house-building trades, many involving experienced, licensed tradespeople such as electricians and plumbers.
But this raises the level of scrutiny from local authorities.
Finishing a basement, while based on individual needs, tends to be worth it, overall.
Drywalling a 1,000-square-foot basement takes a full work week or about five days.
Around 30 sheets of drywall or other 8-foot by 4-foot sheets are required.
Installing drywall, subflooring, and flooring are three projects that take the longest when finishing a basement.
Remodeling by JLC Cost vs. Value Report.
How We Calculate the Fair Market Value of a Home.
Los Angeles County Tax Assessor.
How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement?Angi.
How Much Does Mold Removal Cost?HomeAdvisor.
Section R305.1 Ceiling Height Minimum, International Residential Code (IRC).
Section R311 Means of Egress, International Residential Code (IRC).
More homeowners in Salt Lake County could build Granny Flats if this proposal passes.The Salt Lake Tribune.
Mayor Adams Launches Historic Effort to Build “A Little More Housing in Every Neighborhood.
“City of New York.
