How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement? [2025 Data]
The cost to finish a basement is around $32,000, with an average range of $15,000 to $75,000. Your project cost depends on the condition of your basement, materials used, and whether you need to install egress windows or doors.
The cost to finish a basement depends on the starting condition of the basement, added features, and required structural work.
You’ll need to hire a general contractor plus additional pros like an electrician, plumber, HVAC contractor, and insulation installer.
Finishing a basement offers an average return on investment (ROI) of 64% to 70%.
When you’re looking for more space to play foosball, catch a game, or just kick back, the answer is sometimes right beneath your feet. Your basement is an underground opportunity for a major transformation, but how much does it cost to finish a basement? Most basement finishing projects cost $32,000 on average, with a range between $2,800 and $100,000. Looking at your materials, labor, permit expenses, and any extras like appliances or decor will help you estimate your total cost.
Cost to Finish a Basement by Project Scope
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 to a finished basement.
Also, a very important factor is placement. If your sunroom faces south it’ll get more sun but might need more cooling. If it faces west it can get hot in summer afternoons, despite AC.
Cost to Finish an Unfinished Basement
Building an unfinished basement can cost $4,000 to $37,500. A full basement build, foundation included, might run about $30 to $100 per square foot.
Cost to Finish a Half-Finished Basement
A half-finished basement costs $7 to $23 per square foot, but the total project cost will be lower compared to a fully finished basement since the amount of space being renovated is smaller. This may involve creating one small movie den or laundry room in the basement rather than finishing the entire basement.
Cost to Remodel a Basement
Remodeling a finished basement costs an average of $20,000, with most projects ranging from $4,200 to $45,000. Your final price depends on how many rooms you’re finishing and what you’ll add to the space. Adding a laundry room or kitchenette will drive up your costs.
Cost to Finish a Basement Per Square Foot
| Basement Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost to Finish |
|---|---|
| 500 | $3,500–$11,500 |
| 750 | $5,250–$17,250 |
| 1,000 | $7,000–$23,000 |
| 1,500 | $10,500–$34,500 |
| 2,000 | $14,000–$46,000 |
Basement finishing costs about $7 to $23 per square foot, 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 about $3,500 to $11,500 total, while a large, 1,500-square-foot basement will cost $10,500 to $34,500 to finish.
General Contractor Costs
Professional labor makes up approximately 20% of the project’s total cost, but general contractors will include their fees in the project quote rather than charging hourly. When you hire a general contractor to finish your basement, they’ll handle the project from planning to completion. This should include advising on your plans, obtaining permits, hiring necessary subcontractors, overseeing the manual labor, and helping with any finishing touches you request.
Electrical
You’ll likely need to add outlets, light fixtures, light switches, or other electrical fixtures when you finish your basement. Hire an electrician for these common tasks:
Outlet installation: $100–$450 each
Light switch installation: $60–$300 each
Light fixture installation: $150–$900 each
Plumbing
If you’re finishing your basement to include a bathroom or a kitchenette, you’ll need to hire a plumber to extend pipes and install fixtures. Some tasks a plumber can complete for a finished basement include:
Toilet installation: $225–$530
Sink installation: $215–$660
Shower installation: $1,100–$8,500
Additional Contractors to Consider Hiring
Finishing your basement may require the expertise of some additional pros. Here are some of the additional contractors you might need to hire:
HVAC: $2,000–$3,000
Framing: $7–$16 per sq. ft.
Drywall: $1.50–$3 per sq. ft.
Ceiling: $9–$13 per sq. ft.
Insulation: $0.30–$6.75 per sq. ft.
Location
The cost to finish a basement can vary based on where you live. Areas where basements are common and easy to access will have lower basement finishing costs, while you’ll pay more in cities with hard-to-access basements and higher costs of living. Rural areas may also incur a premium charge to account for travel and material transportation.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $31,000–$60,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $26,000–$45,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $22,000–$36,000 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $21,000–$32,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $24,000–$37,000 |
Additional Cost Factors
The cost to turn a basement into a living space depends on a number of factors. Larger basements will add more square footage to your home, but that also means more money spent on materials and labor to cover the bigger space.
Tongue and groove wood paneling is easy to install and costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
Increasing basement headroom is expensive and requires raising your home’s foundation.
Sump Pump Install
A sump pump will cost around $575 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.
Waterproofing
To avoid soggy stuffed animals and wet carpet, waterproofing your basement will cost an additional $4,400 on average, or about $5 to $10 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.
Flooring
Flooring will usually make up about $1,500 to $4,500 of your basement cost, with about 500 square feet of flooring totaling $3,000. Hardwood floors can cost up to $22 per square foot, whereas carpet and laminate might only be around $3 to $11 per square foot.
Paint
A fresh paint job for your new drywall will cost around $1,800. If you’re the one holding the roller, paint usually costs about $15 to $40 per gallon, with most colors costing about $30 per gallon.
Windows
Because they are mostly underground, basements typically have egress windows. Egress windows cost about $200 to $950 per window for the materials and professional installation, but you’ll pay more for permits and for land prep if you need to excavate around the house to make space for these windows.
While this may seem like a steep addition to your project cost, natural light can increase the value of your finished basement and make it a more pleasant place to hang out.
Door Installation
Installing an exterior basement entrance costs $2,500 to $10,000. If you just plan to add doors between basement bedrooms or bathrooms, interior doors cost about $360 to $1,160 per door. If you are turning your basement into a guest suite, you may want to add an exterior entrance to allow guests to access their suite without coming in and out of your home.
Quality of Materials
Your final costs will also depend on the quality of materials you use. Premium materials and finishes can significantly increase your total project cost, while more budget-friendly standard materials will help keep costs down. Decide where you want to splurge and where you can save to keep material costs from exceeding your budget.
Building Permits and Code Requirements
Acquiring the necessary building permits will make up about $1,200 to $2,000 of your total cost to finish a basement. Some municipalities will charge permit fees of 1% to 2% of your basement remodel project. 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.
Finishing a Basement Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
DIY-ing your basement can save money on the final cost, but it’s quite the task. Finishing a basement requires the right tools, skills, and permits. For most homeowners, it’s not a good idea to try to finish a basement yourself. Instead, you should hire a local basement finishing contractor to do the job for you.
Even if you’re a seasoned DIY-er, there are several tasks that will likely require a special skill set. If you’re installing a sink or a wet bar, for example, then you’ll need to find a local plumber. Plus, you should hire a nearby electrician to handle any electrical work.
How to Save Money on Basement Finishing Costs
Finishing your basement represents a significant time and money investment. The size and scope of your project will pretty much dictate the time it will take to complete the job. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the amount of money involved.
Leave the technical stuff to the pros. But you can do some DIY tasks, such as demolition if hazardous materials aren't present.
You can also perform some finishing and trim work yourself if you're handy with the necessary tools.
Choosing a budget early in the planning stages and sticking to it throughout the project can eliminate impulse purchases that can add up quickly.
Balance inexpensive materials with items that you want to showcase. For instance, install a less expensive shower surround that few will notice in exchange for elegant lighting fixtures.
In the design stage, opt to place bathrooms or other water-dependent rooms within easy reach of your home's existing plumbing.
Does Finishing a Basement Add Value to a Home?
Finishing a basement can increase your home’s value by several thousand dollars since the project has a return on investment (ROI) of 64% to 70%. That means that if you spend $10,000 on your finished basement, your home value could increase by $6,400 to $7,000.
Some basement components that will particularly increase your home’s value are windows to bring in natural light, open floor plans, and high-quality flooring that can withstand cooler temperatures and moisture, which are two common challenges in basements. Adding a bedroom to a basement can increase your home’s value as well as making it appealing to potential buyers looking for more bedrooms.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
A finished basement must have a heat and electrical supply with an entrance that meets building code requirements, such as a stairwell to the home's main living space. It often must include finished walls, ceilings, and floors. If the finished basement includes a bedroom, it should have a heat source, an egress window, and a closet.
Remodeling, as opposed to finishing, means altering an already finished basement by adding a bathroom, bedroom, or living area.
Finishing a basement normally takes four to eight weeks, but the timeline depends on the size of your basement, your contractor's availability, and the extent of finishing work. Framing the basement will take three to five days, while adding electrical and rough-in plumbing can be another three to five days. Adding drywall can take five days, and floor installation can take two to three days. Final touches, like painting and adding trim, will take another week.
A finished basement does not always count as square footage, though this varies by state regulations. You may live in an area that allows for below-grade spaces to be considered in a home's official square footage. In those cases, the basement must meet certain conditions, like having a functional egress and being a livable space with flooring, finished walls, and temperature control. Your local assessor can confirm your area's policies regarding basement square footage.
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