Basement Finishing
Turning a basement into usable space. The part that matters most happens before any framing goes up.
Water first, always
Finishing a basement that still takes water is the most expensive mistake in residential remodeling. Framing, insulation and finishes go in over a problem that has not been solved, and a year later it is all coming back out.
We deal with the water first. Sometimes that is exterior drainage and regrading, sometimes a sump and discharge, sometimes it turns out the basement is genuinely dry and we can get straight to work. Either way we establish it before anything gets covered up.
How we do it
Every job runs the same sequence. If something changes it, you hear about it the day we find it.
Establish the basement is dry
Look at the exterior grade, the downspouts, and any history of water. Fix the source before finishing over it.
Plan egress and code
A finished basement bedroom needs proper egress. That is a structural and excavation job if a window well has to go in.
Rough in
Framing goes up, then the licensed trades come in for their rough in work.
Inspections
Before anything is covered.
Finish out
Flooring, trim, and the finishes, with drywall subcontracted to the trade that does it.
What it costs
What moves the number
Priced by area and how much wet work and mechanical work is involved.
| Work | What changes the price |
|---|---|
| Basic finish, open room | Ceiling height, existing conditions, and finish level |
| Full finish with bathroom | Plumbing rough in and fixtures |
| Egress window and well | Excavation, cutting the wall, and the well |
| Drainage remediation before finishing | See the drainage page |
Drywall and electrical are subcontracted. They appear in your scope as coordinated trades, not as work we perform.
We price off a site visit, not off a photograph, so you will not find a number on this page. You will get a written scope with a fixed price in it, and it will say what is included and what is not before you are asked for anything.
The work
Photographs from our own jobs.
My basement gets a little damp. Can I still finish it?
Not until the damp is dealt with. A little damp becomes mold behind a finished wall. Solving it first is cheaper than solving it twice.
Do I need egress for a basement bedroom?
Yes. Any room used as a bedroom needs it. That normally means an egress window and a well, which is excavation and structural work.
How long does a basement take?
Commonly four to ten weeks depending on scope, mechanical work, and inspection scheduling.
Do you do the drywall?
No. Drywall is subcontracted to the trade that specializes in it and coordinated as part of the schedule.
Need basement finishing in the North Hills?
Send a few photos and what you have in mind. You get a straight answer about scope and what the job involves before anyone asks you for money.