This Is The Average Cost To Remodel a Basement
Basement finishing seems like a sure deal. You get to "add" space to your house without all the mess and expense of actually adding--no quotes--space via a house addition.
House additions are the granddaddy of space-adders, as well as frustration-provokers. Few homeowners have enough cash in pocket to pay for an addition (high five figures but more likely six figures), so you're stuck with taking out a line of credit.
Basement finishing offers the tantalizing hope of being able to pay for the project out-of-pocket.
Not that it's cheap--as we will see in just a moment--but because you can spread out the project over time as your reserves replenish. But a house addition is like hopping on a fast-moving train. Once you start it, you're pretty much committed to finishing it within a reasonable timeframe--unless you want weather-tattered Tyvek® flapping in the wind and dirty looks from your neighbors.
Because no two houses are the same, let's posit a few different scenarios that reflect average basement finishing costs.
Basement finishing systems typically are franchised operations that use proprietary materials and place heavy emphasis on controlling moisture and, in general, providing you with a tight, dry, warm space. Appointments are minimal.
This estimate is based on a 1,350 sq. ft. basement, with costs ranging from $35-$40 per square foot.
Cost: $47,250 to $54,000
Sky is the limit. Since this is a bespoke basement, it's up to you to go as high as you want. But what about low end?
The estimate for this finished basement is predicated on a well-furnished, highly-appointed 640 square foot basement with full electrical work, bathroom installed, 24 foot partition wall, six doors, wet bar, 15 ceiling lights, and laminate floor.
Cost: about $70,000. What about the cost to finish off the "envelope"--no bathroom, wet bar? This would bring the costs down to the
Once again, it depends on how much moisture and temperature control you have to take on; how much of the work you end up hiring out; how well-appointed the place will be.
I have looked at a lot of DIY basement finishing costs and have yet to see anything below $10,000, for even the most minimal, plain remodel. Basement refinishes are material-heavy, in terms of cost, and your DIY project will undoubtedly cost at least $10,000 in materials.
Cost: $12,000 to $25,000
House additions are the granddaddy of space-adders, as well as frustration-provokers. Few homeowners have enough cash in pocket to pay for an addition (high five figures but more likely six figures), so you're stuck with taking out a line of credit.
Basement finishing offers the tantalizing hope of being able to pay for the project out-of-pocket.
Not that it's cheap--as we will see in just a moment--but because you can spread out the project over time as your reserves replenish. But a house addition is like hopping on a fast-moving train. Once you start it, you're pretty much committed to finishing it within a reasonable timeframe--unless you want weather-tattered Tyvek® flapping in the wind and dirty looks from your neighbors.
Because no two houses are the same, let's posit a few different scenarios that reflect average basement finishing costs.
A basement finishing system does not allow for DIY work and runs about $50,000.
Basement finishing systems typically are franchised operations that use proprietary materials and place heavy emphasis on controlling moisture and, in general, providing you with a tight, dry, warm space. Appointments are minimal.
This estimate is based on a 1,350 sq. ft. basement, with costs ranging from $35-$40 per square foot.
Cost: $47,250 to $54,000
Working with a contractor allows for maximum flexibility and can run to $70,000 or higher.
Sky is the limit. Since this is a bespoke basement, it's up to you to go as high as you want. But what about low end?
The estimate for this finished basement is predicated on a well-furnished, highly-appointed 640 square foot basement with full electrical work, bathroom installed, 24 foot partition wall, six doors, wet bar, 15 ceiling lights, and laminate floor.
Cost: about $70,000. What about the cost to finish off the "envelope"--no bathroom, wet bar? This would bring the costs down to the
When you do it yourself, you can do an admirable job for about $10,0000
Once again, it depends on how much moisture and temperature control you have to take on; how much of the work you end up hiring out; how well-appointed the place will be.
I have looked at a lot of DIY basement finishing costs and have yet to see anything below $10,000, for even the most minimal, plain remodel. Basement refinishes are material-heavy, in terms of cost, and your DIY project will undoubtedly cost at least $10,000 in materials.
Cost: $12,000 to $25,000
