How much to redo a basement

David Perrotti. Remodeling your basement is a great project. You can dramatically change the flow of your home and increase your practical living space. You might be able to create a separate living area for your college students, your parents, or future tenants. Although there are a lot of factors involved in finishing or renovating a basement, you can get some basic figures to help you plan. Keep in mind that the actual cost of finishing may not include much more than framing, walls, flooring, electrical wiring, and HVAC.

Custom millwork , high-end flooring options, and plumbing lines can cost extra. If you already have the walls in place, the price to refinish a basement may be significantly different. Not sure what your budget ought to be? Our consultation process helps you define what you expect from your basement remodel and provides a much more precise estimate.

From home offices to second kitchens, there are only a handful of limitations in the ways that you can remodel your basement. It mostly depends on your home, your budget, and how you plan to use the basement.

What drives the cost? Do you want a full kitchen? A basic set of furniture or a pool table, exercise machine and wet bar? Will you stick with concrete floors or add carpeting or hardwood? Your answers to these questions will help determine the cost of finishing your basement.

Another feature that can add to the cost is compliance with local building codes. The International Code Council, which many communities use as their default code for basement emergency egress rules, requires that any basement with one or more bedrooms have emergency exits and rescue openings in each sleeping room.

You may also be required to include emergency openings in living rooms. You may cringe at the cost, but these requirements help keep you safe and ensure that first responders can access the basement in the event of an emergency. Always double-check with your contractor to be sure of how they charge. Before proceeding with your finished basement ideas, there are several factors to consider that will affect the overall cost.

It typically lacks plumbing, drywall, and insulation, and it usually has concrete flooring. Finished basements are defined as move-in ready, and they will look as complete as the other areas of your home.

A remodel takes a finished basement and guts it for a total transformation. Usually, a remodel will alter the design and the structure of the space. A remodel will involve adding or getting rid of walls and changing the functionality of the area or the layout of the room. Basement remodeling almost always requires a permit. A renovation commonly involves painting, installing new flooring, or changing out lighting fixtures. Calculating how much it costs to finish a basement depends on a few factors.

Prices can differ from the national average due to labor costs, permit fees, basement size, the scope of the project, your geographic location, the quality of materials, and compliance.

Keep in mind that the price of labor varies due to geographic location. Labor prices are higher in densely populated urban areas where living costs are much higher than in more rural areas. The price depends on your geographic location, basement size, and the scope of the project. The price of a permit usually includes any required inspection fees. Plumbing and electrical work need to be up to code to ensure proper drainage and prevent blown fuses, short circuits, and fires.

Beginning a basement remodel without a permit risks being issued a stop-work order from the city and paying fines and additional fees. You may even have to remove the unpermitted work before you can resume the work. If you ever need to file an insurance claim on the remodeled area, the insurance company may request copies of the work permits, or they might deny the claim.

The process of selling the property may also require copies of any remodeling permits. The larger the area to finish, the more expensive it will be. Many homeowners will want to divide larger basements into separate areas by adding walls or partitions, which will drive up the cost.

The scope of the overall project includes all the renovations that will be included. Will there need to be concrete work to reroute pipes? Are you adding a bathroom, kitchen, or wet bar to the basement and need plumbing and electrical work?

Additional lighting, ceiling fans, and light switches will also require extra electrical work. Other considerations include HVAC, framing, drywall, flooring, painting, ceiling work, tile, and cabinetry. The cost of living in your city or town will affect labor prices for your basement remodel or renovation. Your location will also affect the quality and type of materials and how accessible the materials are.

Using lower-quality materials is one way to save on the cost of finishing a basement, but you risk compromising the integrity and longevity of the work. Communicating with your contractor is the best way to know in which areas you can cut costs. Since contractors know how to finish a basement, they will be able to give you sound advice. In the long run, it usually pays to use higher-quality materials so your remodel or renovation will last longer.

When finishing a basement, one big concern is compliance with local building codes. The electrical system in your home must be able to handle the increased demand from the finished basement. Your contractor should know if the current amperage, or strength of the electrical current, is strong enough. A contractor will be aware of the codes and ensure the project is compliant and safe. When budgeting for the cost to finish a basement, there are usually additional costs and considerations.

These can include electrical, plumbing, and flooring; cosmetic upgrades like painting; or protective concerns like sump pumps and waterproofing. Many cities do not allow homeowners to install wiring or plumbing on their own. A professional electrician or a contractor who is licensed to do electrical work will install new wiring to finish a basement. On average, the more outlets and switches installed, the cheaper the cost per item. All household plumbing passes through the basement.

When you renovate or remodel, you need to design around the plumbing.