Basement remodel costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Basement finishing in Los Angeles, CA, costs $30 to $75 per square foot.
Basic finishing of a half-finished basement costs up to three times less than full finishing or remodeling.
Permits can add between $1,200 and $3,000 to your total costs.
Hiring a local basement remodeling team ensures quality work, permit compliance, and a higher return on investment of 50% to 70%.
Los Angeles, CA, has one of the highest costs of living in the entire country, which means increased costs for home projects like finishing a basement. So, how much does it cost to finish a basement in Los Angeles? On average, you’ll pay $36,352 for this project, but prices can range anywhere from $17,040 to $85,200, depending on project scope, basement size, labor rates, and the finishes and add-ons you choose to invest in.
Project scope is the most important cost factor of finishing a basement, but other factors, such as permits, flooring, waterproofing, and adding doors and windows, will influence the final costs.
Your final basement finishing cost relies on your starting point. In some cases, you might not even have an unfinished basement to work with, so you’ll have to factor in the cost to build one. On the other hand, you might already have a built or semi-built space that just needs remodeling to turn it from an unfinished into a finished basement.
| Project Type | Average Cost | Cost per Sq. Ft. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finishing an unfinished basement | $20,000–$100,000 | $22–$50 | Includes a new foundation |
| Finishing a half-finished basement | $21,000–$36,000 | $7–$23 | Smaller scope (e.g., movie room or laundry area) |
| Remodeling a finished basement | $21,000–$50,000 | $25–$65 | Cost depends on rooms and additions like kitchenette or laundry room |
Basement finishing costs vary by size, with larger spaces increasing total project costs.
| Basement Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $15,000–$37,500 |
| 750 | $22,500–$56,250 |
| 1,000 | $30,000–$75,000 |
| 1,500 | $45,000–$112,500 |
| 2,000 | $60,000–$150,000 |
On average, basement finishing costs range from $30 to $75 per square foot in Los Angeles, CA, so the larger the space, the more you’ll spend to turn it into a cozy den or welcoming guest suite. A smaller, 500-square-foot basement will cost $15,000 to $37,500 total, while a large, 1,500-square-foot basement will cost $45,000 to $112,500 to finish.
The materials you choose will play a major role in your overall basement finishing cost, with prices varying based on quality, durability, and design preferences. Higher-end materials and finishes will raise your total cost, while standard options help keep the project within budget, so it’s important to balance where to spend and save.
Flooring: Typically costs $1,500 to $4,500 total (around $3,000 for 500 sq. ft.), with hardwood reaching up to $22 per square foot and carpet or laminate ranging from $3.50 to $8.50 per square foot.
Paint: A professional paint job costs $800 to $2,500, while DIY paint runs $20 to $80 per gallon (averaging $40 per gallon).
Egress Windows: Egress windows cost $2,500 to $8,000 each, including installation, though permits and excavation can increase costs, and they add natural light and value to the space.
Door Installation: Exterior basement entrances cost $1,100 to $6,000, while interior doors range from $350 to $1,100 each. Exterior access is particularly useful for guest suites.
A sump pump will cost between $550 and $2,500 to install. This system is crucial for, you guessed it, pumping out large volumes of water that might accumulate from rain, a bad plumbing day, or any other event that could lead to flooding.
To avoid soggy stuffed animals and wet carpet, waterproofing your basement will cost an additional $5,000 to $15,000, or $3 to $15 per square foot. Your final basement waterproofing cost depends on the method you use and the extent of work required. Depending on your local climate, there may be a best time of year to finish your basement, since waterproofing can’t always be done in all temperatures. For the best results, find a basement waterproofing contractor near you.
Acquiring the necessary building permits will make up $1,200 to $3,000 of your total cost to finish a basement. Some municipalities will charge additional permit fees of 1% to 2% of the project valuation of your basement remodel. A contractor will usually include this in your service package, but if you’re handling the building yourself, be sure to factor it into your budget.
To ensure proper work, adherence to finished basement building codes, and as high a return on investment (ROI) as possible, you should always work with a local basement remodeling company in Los Angeles, CA. Hiring basement finishing pros ensures you’ll have a beautiful, functional basement that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. On average, these pros charge between $45 and $200 per hour for their labor.
In addition to remodeling pros, there are a few other pros you should hire to finish a basement, including:
Electricians: Connect power to the basement, charging $50 to $150 per hour.
Plumbers: Install fixtures, water, and sewage lines for $100 to $200 per hour.
HVAC Techs: Install heating, air conditioning, and ventilation, costing $75 to $150 per hour.
Drywall Installers: Add walls and ceilings after framing is in place, costing $40 to $95 per hour.
Painters: Put the finishing touches on your finished basement for $40 to $75 per hour, per painter.
Finishing a basement can increase home value significantly in Los Angeles, CA. Your exact return on investment (ROI) will vary based on the finish quality, square footage added, and add-ons you choose to install. Depending on these factors, you could see an overall ROI of 50% to 70%. Your ROI will be on the higher end if you turn the basement into a separate, legal living area (like an in-law suite) or invest in luxury finishes to add value to the entire home.
To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.
Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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