Do you feel like your house is shrinking over the years as your family is growing? You might not need to buy a bigger house. The average American home has 600-800+ square feet of un-utilized or underutilized space in the basement. You may be wondering what the average cost to finish a basement is to finish the basement. So, how much does it cost to finish a basement? Homeowners can spend as little as $1,000-$6,000 for a basic remodel and as much as $60,000 for extensive upgrades.
A great place to start is laying out a plan of what you want to accomplish in the space and then find the perfect contractor for your project and calculate your basement remodel cost. Use our simple Basement Remodeling Cost Calculator to estimate the cost of your basement remodel.
How do you find a good contractor?
- Do some online research check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Angie’s List
- Make sure company or contractor is Licensed and Bonded
- Request and check References
- Look into the Company’s History
- Find out if company has earned any Certificates or Awards
- Have a Written Contract spelling out details
Alternately you can save 20% or more by doing the work yourself, many tools can be rented from Home Depot or similar. You can also just hire contractors for the parts you need help with. If nothing else most everyone can paint.
Moisture Problems
Moisture in a basement is exceptionally common and where there’s moisture, there is mold. Mold can be very dangerous and cause many health hazards so its very important to take the proper actions regarding mold remediation since your going to be hanging out in your new basement.
The first step is to assess the extent of the mold: look for where it’s located; test to identify the strain. Secondly, you have to remove the mold. If you need to remove mold anymore than 10 square feet it’s critically important that you let mold professionals proceed with the remediation process. Thirdly, you want to prevent the mold from returning. This is where waterproofing comes in.
Waterproofing is very important when remodeling your basement. You should talk to your contractor and ensure that he (or she) has a very full-proof waterproofing system that will last the lifetime of the structure. The waterproofing system should seal all cracks, holes, surface pores, joints, walls and floors. Waterproofing your basement can vary in cost, anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 A strong waterproofing system will ensure a stable and health environment for your basement.
Bathrooms
Putting in a bathroom requires plumbing installation as well as installing a waste line to let bathroom water out. The labor and expenses of putting a bathroom in will jack up the cost of remodeling a basement significantly, anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000.
Flooring
I’m sure you want to watch the big game in your crash pad and you probably want a decent looking floor to wow your guests. The average cost of putting a new floor in is $2,000 if you go with carpet.
Wall Options
Drywall is the most common option for walls in remodels, but finishing the concrete or using pre-made wall panels are alternatives. The choice of wall type and need for insulation will impact the final cost to finish a basement, but the average is about $1,500.
Ceiling Choices
Ceiling height and options for materials may be influenced by the construction of your home and its systems, since the placement of plumbing and wiring overhead can affect installations. While drywall ceiling look higher end drop ceiling are often used in basements for their high flexibility, and easy access to electrical, and plumbing. The choice of ceiling will impact the price but the average is around $2,000.
Electrical and Lighting
Your electric installation can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000. Again, it just depends on what you want and how big of a project it is. Installing well-planned lighting is very important in basements, which often have little or no natural light. The average cost of of lighting is about $1300 for a basement remodel.
Now your ready to put in the good stuff! The home movie system, the big cozy recliner or recliners and lets not forget, the stocked bar. The average cost of this is around $2-3,000. Now this will vary of course, as furnishing your basement can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want it to be.
The scope of your remodeling job can be complex and expensive or simple and reasonable. Depending on what you want, what needs to be done, and how big the project but knowing where the money is being spent is key.
The Sani-Tred Solution
Don’t start a remodel without a good foundation. Permanently waterproof your basement this week! Sani-Tred is cheaper and more permanent than most waterproofing systems. The waterproofing solution trusted by over 100,000 customers. SANI-TRED waterproofing products can permanently waterproof your basement so you never have to worry about, moisture, mold, odors, or costly fixes after a remodel. We offer mini sample packs with a Double Your Money Back Guarantee and our products come with a lifetime warranty. Our products are also 99% effective at preventing harmful Radon Gas from entering foundations. Call 1-866-784-3308 or visit https://sanitred.com/basement-waterproofing/ to learn more.