How much does a basement remodel cost?
How much does a basement remodel cost?
$25 – $65 average cost per square foot
$12,500 – $37,500 average total cost
Basement remodeling cost
The average basement remodel costs $25 to $65 per square foot or $12,500 to $37,500 total with labor, depending on the size and scope of the project. Common basement remodeling jobs include adding or upgrading a bathroom, turning an unused space into a bedroom, and adding a home theater room.
| Square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 200 | $5,000 – $13,000 |
| 300 | $7,500 – $19,500 |
| 500 | $12,500 – $32,500 |
| 750 | $18,800 – $48,800 |
| 1,000 | $25,000 – $65,000 |
| 1,200 | $30,000 – $78,000 |
| 1,500 | $37,500 – $97,500 |
| 1,800 | $45,000 – $117,000 |
| 2,000 | $50,000 – $130,000 |
Average cost of a basement remodel
The following table shows the average basement remodel cost.
| National Average Cost | $25,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $3,500 |
| Maximum Cost | $150,000 |
| Average Range | $12,500 to $37,500 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to remodel basement rooms & additions
The cost of adding a room or special feature varies depending on the size and type. Make sure to follow local building codes to ensure your remodeled basement qualifies as a living space. Otherwise, the return on your investment (ROI) will drop.
| Room or addition | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Add bathroom | $2,500 – $12,500 |
| Remodel bathroom | $2,500 – $15,000 |
| Add home theater room | $2,000 – $42,000 |
| Install wet bar | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Add a sauna or steam room | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Install fireplace | $1,900 – $5,600 |
| Install wood stove | $1,200 – $4,500 |
| Install egress window | $3,000 – $7,000 |
To save money on your remodel, remove old materials and buy new materials on your own beforehand.
Cost to build a room in a basement
Common basement additions include bedrooms, home theaters, and wet bars.
Bedroom – Turning a basement into a bedroom may be as simple as adding furniture or as complex as installing a closet, wall, door, or window.
Closet install – Building a closet costs $25 to $35 per square foot or $1,500 to $4,500 total. A custom walk-in closet costs $1,000 to $8,000.
Egress window – An egress window costs $3,000 to $7,000 installed. All basement living areas need some type of egress window or emergency exit.
Home theater room – Adding a home theater costs $2,000 to $42,000, depending on the size, quality of the equipment, and number of seats.
Wet bar – Adding a wet bar costs $2,000 to $12,000 for the average prefabricated bar. A custom wet bar costs $10,000 to $30,000.
Cost of basement bathroom addition or remodel
Adding a bathroom costs $5,000 to $25,000 when using an existing space. Using luxury fixtures, custom designs, or building onto your house will cost more.
Remodeling an existing bathroom costs $120 to $275 per square foot or $5,500 to $15,000 for an average-sized bathroom. A small bathroom remodel costs $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the size.
Basement renovation costs
Basement renovation differs from remodeling because it involves repairs or restoration, as opposed to structural changes and additions.
| Construction | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Blueprint plans | $100 – $1,500 |
| Permits | $500 – $2,000 |
| Waterproofing | $1,900 – $6,300 |
| Insulation | $500 – $4,500 |
| Electrical wiring | $2,000 – $9,000 |
| Lighting | $700 – $1,650 |
| Flooring | $1,200 – $30,000 |
| Ceiling | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Drywall | $1,500 – $7,000 |
| Painting | $350 – $850 per room |
| Trim | $350 – $1,200 per room |
| Plumbing | $450 – $1,800 per fixture |
| Framing | $18 – $24 per linear foot |
Basement renovation permits & planning
Blueprints – Drafting blueprints costs $30 to $120 per hour, or $100 to $1,500 for remodeling and renovations.
Permits and inspections – Renovating or remodeling projects may require permits and relevant testing before work begins:
Building permits cost $500 to $2,000 for structural projects.
Radon testing costs $125 to $400 and is common whether your house is new or old.
A mold inspection costs $300 to $650 and is often recommended for basement projects.
Structural modifications or lowering the basement floor
A basement must be at least 7 to 8 feet tall to be considered a living space. Digging and lowering a basement floor costs $50 to $100 per square foot, while lifting a house costs $10,000 to $40,000.
Hiring a structural engineer costs $100 to $220 per hour or 1% to 5% of the renovation or remodel cost. An architect charges $100 to $250 per hour or 5% to 20% of the total construction cost.
Basement damage
If there is previous damage in the basement or the foundation needs repairs, the following fees may apply:
Mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot or $1,500 to $6,000 total, depending on the size of the affected area.
Asbestos removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot or $2,500 to $9,000 for an average basement remodel project of 500 to 600 square feet. However, costs can reach $20,000+ to remove asbestos from the entire basement.
Foundation repair costs $250 to $800 for minor cracks and $2,000 to $20,000 to fix major issues, depending on the size and scope of the problem.
Water damage repair costs $1,500 to $6,000 on average.
Instead of a full remodel, choose one or two affordable upgrades like new light fixtures, paint, or trim.
Basement finishing
Finishing a basement costs $30 to $50 per square foot or $15,000 to $75,000 total. Basement finishing typically includes the following services and costs:
Basement framing costs $18 to $24 per linear foot, depending on the layout and number of rooms.
Drywall costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot or $1,500 to $7,000 for a 1,000 square foot basement.
A drywall ceiling costs $2 to $4 per square foot or $1,000 to $4,000 for 500 to 1,000 square feet.
Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot or $350 to $850 per room, depending on the room size and type of paint.
Interior trim costs $4 to $10 per linear foot or $350 to $1,200 per room on average.
Basement waterproofing costs $6 to $15 per square foot or $4,000 to $15,000 total, including sealing walls and adding a pump and drain.
Replacing a subfloor costs $2.20 to $4.75 per square foot or $1,750 to $7,100 total for a typical basement.
Flooring installation costs $4 to $15 per square foot or $1,200 to $30,000 on average to redo a basement floor, depending on the material and size.
Adding electrical wiring costs $4 to $9 per square foot with labor or $2,000 to $9,000 for 500 to 1,000 square feet.
Adding new plumbing costs $450 to $1,800 per fixture or $4 to $6 per square foot to rough-in piping.
Insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot or $500 to $4,500 total for 500 to 1,000 square feet.
Recessed lighting costs $125 to $300 per light or $700 to $1,650 for 6 can lights.
Basement remodeling FAQs
How much value does a basement remodel add?
Remodeling a basement has a 65% to 70% return on investment (ROI). The value a basement remodel adds will depend on the scope of the project and the square footage.
How long does a basement remodel take?
A basement remodel takes 3 to 8 weeks on average, depending on the size and changes made. If any of the materials are on backorder, the project will take longer. Demolition and structural changes may also increase the timeline.
What’s the difference between remodeling, renovating, & finishing a basement?
Some people use the terms remodeling, renovation, and finishing interchangeably, but they're different from each other:
Remodeling – Remodeling means changing a room's look or function. Common remodeling jobs include adding rooms or walls.
Renovating – Renovations replace and often upgrade materials, but the structural layout stays the same.
Finishing – Finishing a basement means changing it from bare concrete to a livable space with floors, walls, and windows.
Do you need a permit to remodel a basement?
Yes, you need a permit to remodel a basement. Building permits cost $500 to $2,000 when structural changes are involved. Remodeling without a permit is not safe and can affect your home's resale value.
Getting estimates and hiring basement remodel contractors
Before hiring basement contractors near you, make sure to:
Compare several estimates from companies with 5+ years of experience.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Confirm that they are licensed, insured, and bonded.
Beware of the lowest bids, as they usually result in lower-quality work.
Ask for a written estimate and contract before any work starts.
Only make the final payment after the project is complete.
Questions to ask
Ask these questions to help you find the best basement contractor:
How much experience do you have remodeling basements?
Can I see photos of past remodeling projects?
How long will the job take?
Do you offer a warranty?
Does your estimate include materials, labor, delivery, and cleanup?
Will you hire any subcontractors to help you?
What unexpected costs normally come up for this kind of project?
Will you handle the necessary building permits?