How much does a basement remodel cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does a basement remodel cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does a basement remodel cost?

$25 – $65average cost per square foot
$12,500 – $37,500average total cost

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$25 – $65 average cost per square foot

$12,500 – $37,500 average total cost


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
Are you a pro? Get new customers
Jennifer Carlson
Written by
Jennifer Carlson
Edited by
Tara Farmer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa

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.

Basement remodeling cost by size
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

Get free estimates from basement remodeling contractors near you.

Average cost of a basement remodel

The following table shows the average basement remodel cost.

Average basement remodel cost - Chart
Average basement remodel cost - Chart
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.

Basement remodel cost by room
Room or addition Average cost
Add bathroom $2,500 – $12,500
Remodel bathroom $2,500 – $15,000
Add home theater room $5,000 – $30,000
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

A custom wet bar in a luxury home basement.
A custom wet bar in a luxury home basement.

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 $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the size 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.

Small 500 square foot basement refinished into home theater
Small 500 square foot basement refinished into home theater

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.

Full bathroom addition in a home basement.
Full bathroom addition in a home basement.

Basement renovation costs

Basement renovation differs from remodeling because it involves repairs or restoration, as opposed to structural changes and additions.

Basement renovation cost
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:

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.

A basement remodeled with a living room and new interior stairs.
A basement remodeled with a living room and new interior stairs.

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.

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:

Get free estimates from basement remodeling contractors near you.
A living room in a finished basement.
A living room in a finished basement.

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?