Finishing a basement costs an average of $32,000
Finishing a basement costs between $2,800 and $100,000, or $32,000 on average.
Costs vary based on factors like size, finishing tasks, labor, permits, and more.
Expect to spend between $7 to $23 per square foot to finish your basement.
Hiring a professional ensures the project is completed safely and up to code.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Finishing your basement costs between $15,000 and $75,000, with an average cost of $32,000. Prices vary depending on your location, basement size, and desired finishes, ranging from as low as $2,800 up to $100,000. On average, expect to spend between $7 and $23 per square foot to finish your basement.
By finishing your basement, you're not only adding valuable living space but also potentially increasing your home's value. One of the most critical steps is waterproofing, which protects your investment and ensures a long-lasting result. Other important factors influencing the cost include framing, insulation, drywall installation, and flooring. Proper budgeting and hiring a professional will make sure your project is completed safely and up to code.
There are many factors that make up the cost of finishing a basement, such as square footage, installation tasks and systems, permits, labor, and more. Here is a breakdown of the cost factors that impact your final basement finishing price.
The cost of finishing a basement can range from $7 to $23 per square foot. Here is a breakdown of the costs for various basement sizes.
Size (Square Feet) | Cost Range |
---|---|
500 | $3,500–$11,500 |
700 | $5,250–$17,250 |
1,000 | $7,000–$23,000 |
1,500 | $10,500–$34,500 |
General contractor or professional basement remodeler fees usually account for about 20% of the total project cost and are included in the overall quote.
A building permit costs an average of about $1,200 to $2,000, depending on your home’s location, basement size, and the scope of the work. The permit cost usually includes inspection fees.
Any project involving electrical, plumbing, or turning the basement into a livable space requires permits. The plumbing must remain up to code for proper drainage and to effectively flush waste back into the sewer or septic system. Keeping your electrical work up to code is also important to prevent short circuits, blown breakers, and fires.
If you do not get the proper permits, you may receive a stop work order that halts your project in its tracks. This order also typically results in double the fees once you do apply for permits. Your city could even issue fines or orders to remove all the unpermitted work. If you have to file an insurance claim and can't produce permits, the insurance company may deny the claim. Finishing a basement without permits can also affect the home's resale value.
Here’s a breakdown on some common basement finishing tasks:
Finishing Task | Average Cost |
---|---|
Sump pump | $575 |
Waterproofing | $4,400 |
Framing | $1,800 |
Insulation | $2,000 |
Dywall | $1,750 |
Paint | $1,800 |
Electrical | $5,300 |
Flooring | $3,000 |
Basement waterproofing costs an average of $4,450 for homes with leaky foundations. A sump pump installation costs about $575 and can protect your basement from floods.
Though it adds to the cost, waterproofing is essential. Basement water leakage can cause serious problems. Standing water leads to mold growth, posing health risks and attracting pests. Leaking water can also cause hairline cracks in your foundation and concrete blocks, which can develop into significant structural issues. Early repair and prevention are key to protecting your investment.
The price of framing a basement is about $1,800 on average, which does not include insulation or drywall. On its own, framing is about $7 to $16 per linear foot, but it is closer to $20 to $30 per linear foot with drywall. Insulation costs add $2,000 when using 3 1⁄2-inch batt and roll barriers.
Installing drywall costs an average of $1,750, or about $2 per square foot. Finishing basement walls in a 400-square-foot space may run you $800, while 1,500 square feet is closer to $3,000. Contractors include labor in the total, along with the price of drywall panels, which are $12 to $20 each.
A ceiling costs about $1,700 to build and drywall in the basement. Contractors often include the price of a basic drywall ceiling in the room framing and drywalling costs when doing the whole room at once.
Other designs may cost extra and are often necessary since pipes and ductwork hang lower than the joists. This makes a smooth ceiling impossible, but you still have a few options to choose from:
Spray Painting: You can hire a pro for around $300 to $500. Many repurposed urban spaces mask pipes and ductwork by painting them and the ceiling the same color.
Drop Ceiling: Drop ceilings cost $2 to $6 per square foot and cover the pipes, ductwork, and wiring. The most popular ones are acrylic panels that look like wood and other materials or have attractive patterns.
Tongue and Groove: Tongue and groove wood paneling is $1 to $3 per square foot and is quick to install. The lightweight panels are easily cut to fit around exposed ductwork and more to give the space a modern look.
The price of flooring for a basement ranges from $1,500 to $4,500. Expect to pay $3,000 for about 500 square feet of flooring. Hardwood costs up to $22 per square foot, and laminate and carpet cost around $3 to $11 per square foot.
Basements are where you find your home's comfort systems. Plumbing for sinks, baths, and toilets run along the ceiling and down the walls to boilers or water heaters. Sump pumps, furnaces, and HVAC systems are usually here, too. You need to design around these systems since moving them may not be possible or affordable. Placing a water heater in a closet is a possibility, but be sure to check local codes before doing this. Large systems, like boilers and HVAC units, are not so easy to tuck away.
Take a closer look at the elements that put the finishing touches on your basement project.
To keep the space up to code, you must cover the average cost of an egress window, which is $4,215.
The way you plan to use the basement determines how to best build out the space. You can turn it into a:
Playroom
Rec room
Home theater
Wet bar
Home office
Workshop
Will you need a Wi-Fi router downstairs? Home offices, theaters, and workshops all need high-tech lighting and plenty of outlets, for example, while a wet bar needs water lines and a sink drain.
The price of a basement remodel is $4,200 to $45,000, or $20,200 on average. You might frame it out to create different rooms or just add a wet bar to break up the space. Adding a kitchenette and laundry room significantly increases the cost.
Finishing a basement is a complex project with many steps, and it's best left to professionals like general contractors or finish carpenters near you. While you might consider DIY to save on labor costs, remember that you'll still need to hire an electrician or plumber for specialized work. Hiring a professional ensures your basement is finished correctly, safely, and up to code.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Yes, finishing your basement is a good investment. It expands your home's usable space and boosts resale value, with an average return on investment of up to 70%. By transforming an underutilized area into a functional space, you can enjoy enhanced comfort now and potentially higher sale prices in the future.
Yes, basements are not allowed in homes built along swamps and other wetlands. The ground in these areas holds far too much water, which could leak through the foundation and flood your home. Not even sump pumps can keep up, making it better to build up or out rather than down.
Finished basement building code requirements mandate that the space must have proper heating and electrical supply, code-compliant entryways including approved egress windows or doors, and safety provisions for any bedrooms. Additionally, proper insulation, ventilation, and fire separation are required. These standards ensure that the space not only meets local safety regulations but also provides a secure and comfortable environment for occupancy.