Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

Get matched with top basement remodelers in Reading, MI

Q: Are walkout basements included in square footage?

• <div><p>Walkout basements are not generally included in a home&rsquo;s square footage, although they may be if they meet certain conditions that depend on local regulations. A finished walkout basement used as a living space may be counted toward square footage in some locations as long as all codes for livable space are met.</p></div>

Q: Does a finished basement count toward a home's square footage?

• <div><p>A finished basement does not always count as square footage, as this varies by state regulations. In areas that allow below-grade spaces to be included in a home's official square footage, the basement must typically meet certain conditions. These conditions often include having a functional egress and being a livable space with flooring, finished walls, and temperature control. To be certain, contact your local assessor to confirm your area's specific policies regarding basement square footage.</p></div>

Q: How much more expensive is finishing a basement than framing it?

• <div><p>The cost of finishing a basement is about <b>$18,400 on average</b>. As you can see, the framing portion of this project costs less, because you&rsquo;re essentially just dealing with laying the foundation for a finished basement. The finishing portion of the project involves a lot more intricate work and design, as well as high-end materials. </p></div>

Q: When should you not finish a basement?

• <div><p>Basements with persistent moisture problems or flooding shouldn&rsquo;t be finished until the moisture issues have been fixed. In addition, if your foundation is cracked, you have unmitigated radon levels, or you have asbestos or lead pipes, remediate the underlying problem before finishing your basement. Turning a basement into living space before fixing these issues can lead to serious health risks or structural damage. </p></div>

Q: Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less&mdash;between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you&rsquo;re not adding new finished square footage, you won&rsquo;t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Basement Remodel pros in Reading, MI

*The Angi rating for Basement Remodel companies in Reading, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Remodel needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Basement Remodel companies in Reading, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Remodel needs.

Last update on May 28, 2026

Reviewed in May 2026
We had our concrete redone for our sidewalk and in our basement. I am very happy with the results.
D and L Commercial Roofing, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2026
A1 Remodeling & More did two projects for us. Replaced our cedar siding with vinyl siding and did a roof replacement. Both projects went very well and they delivered exactly what they said they would.
A-1 REMODELING & MORE LLC
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Reviewed in May 2026
I only wanted an outside system and Everdry was the only one that was actually able to do it. I had another company coming out and tell me that you could do an exterior system when I was ready to proceed. They tried to make me do some sort of inside drain system, which wasn?t going to take care...
EverDry of Michiana
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Reviewed in August 2025
Owner did an amazing job finishing my basement. He was very professional, finished the job timely and within the budget discussed. Not only would I highly recommend but I would definitely hire this company again!
ES Construction
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Reviewed in April 2024
We hired Daryl to drywall our garage and it came out awesome! He also textured and primed the walls and it looks great. We will definitely be asking him to drywall our basement when it’s ready to be finished.
Crawford's Drywall
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Reviewed in August 2023
I hired them to do some home improvements inside my home including many small tasks from plumbing issues to interior work including painting and flooring. The experience was amazing, I have a large family and the worker was extremely polite and worked around the craziness I have. He was very...
Bable Construction
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Reviewed in June 2023
Very happy with the egress window that was installed in our basement. The company was very attentive to open communication and our needs as customers. The contractors kept me informed and ask for my approval/concerns throughout the project. Work was completed in a timely manner. The work site...
Crossroads Foundation Repair, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2020
Sun Control did multiple projects in our condo. We first hired them to replace our lanai. Patrick helped us design a beautiful lanai that now is the best looking in our complex. We remodeled our kitchen doing a majority of the work ourselves. After shopping around, Sun Control also installed...
Sun Control Aluminum and Remodeling Co., Inc.
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Reviewed in July 2020
We had a basement that always had water in it almost year round. We decided to sell the house and move to North Carolina. Still trying to sell the home we decided to have a French Drain System put in with a bleeder line, as it would not sell as it was. The Stay Dry team was excellent from start...
Stay Dry Basement Waterproofing Inc
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Reviewed in April 2019
HIGHLY RECOMMEND Leeâ s Plumbing! Returned home, our sump pump had failed. Basement soaked. Heavy rains were predicted. Received a call five minutes after posting! He came over within half an hour, was efficient and professional. After 8 pm! Saved the day! Great service!
Lee's Plumbing, Inc.
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Find Basement remodelers in Reading

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity, and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of services that are customization to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction!\n

+48

Response time8 hrs

Response rate100%

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Michael Gary Ottenbacher

New to Angi

Basement - Remodel

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business! Book with us online or feel free to give us a call today!

+22

Response time2 days

Response rate89%

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Credit card accepted

"Amanda was really very good! At first I was very skeptical, thinking why did I pay money to just speak with someone on the phone about my kitchen remodel project... but after just a few minutes of her addressing some of the issues/questions I emailed to her earlier, I knew it was worth it. It was very clear that she knew her business and she gave me several ideas that I had not even thought about. I told her that I would definitely recommend her to friends and I will very likely use her again myself for my next home project!

"

California Client Saves with HMD Designer Discounts

Recommended by54%of homeowners

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Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Basement - Remodel

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were good. They were pretty fast and came on time. My overall experience with them has been good."

Recommended by60%of homeowners

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Gothberg Construction and Design, Inc.

4.0(

)

Basement - Remodel

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Contractor was on time and completed the job as described, very easy to work with."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Johnston's Do All Service

New to Angi

Basement - Remodel

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Reliable, organized, accountable

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Darling Contracting and Restoration LLC

0.5(

)

Basement - Remodel

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

I'm a professional handyman specializing in various fields. I have done just about every aspect of building or remodeling you could ever think of. I'm very thorough and creative when dealing with customers issues and special requests. I'm very easy going and highly value customer relationships and trust. I will not be satisfied unless you are.

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

We specialize in roofing and all phases of remodeling for your home, business, bathrooms, kitchens, finishing basements. We also specialize in power washing , interior & exterior painting and more! We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out all the services we offer below and call -or- click to schedule a free estimate today!

Serving Reading, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 1994

Free estimates

Vargo Woodworking is locally and operated business with over 20 years of experience. We specialize in professional home improvement services. Our commitment is 100% guaranteed customer satisfaction on every project. Call today for a free estimate.

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Showing 1-10 of 13

Basement Remodel questions, answered by experts

Walkout basements are not generally included in a home’s square footage, although they may be if they meet certain conditions that depend on local regulations. A finished walkout basement used as a living space may be counted toward square footage in some locations as long as all codes for livable space are met.

A finished basement does not always count as square footage, as this varies by state regulations. In areas that allow below-grade spaces to be included in a home's official square footage, the basement must typically meet certain conditions. These conditions often include having a functional egress and being a livable space with flooring, finished walls, and temperature control. To be certain, contact your local assessor to confirm your area's specific policies regarding basement square footage.

The cost of finishing a basement is about $18,400 on average. As you can see, the framing portion of this project costs less, because you’re essentially just dealing with laying the foundation for a finished basement. The finishing portion of the project involves a lot more intricate work and design, as well as high-end materials.

Basements with persistent moisture problems or flooding shouldn’t be finished until the moisture issues have been fixed. In addition, if your foundation is cracked, you have unmitigated radon levels, or you have asbestos or lead pipes, remediate the underlying problem before finishing your basement. Turning a basement into living space before fixing these issues can lead to serious health risks or structural damage.

If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between $40,000 and $90,000 on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.

The Reading, MI homeowners’ guide to basement remodels

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Rachel Hoffman
•
Aug 24, 2026Aug 24, 2026
How Much Does a Basement Remodel Cost? [2026 Data]
A basement remodel can often cost as much as adding another room. However, homeowners should consider the usefulness and ROI of a remodel.
Haley Nothstein
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Frame a Basement? [2026 Data]
The first step toward a cozy finished basement is adding its framing. How much does it cost to frame a basement? Let's break down the numbers.
Amy Freeman
•
Jul 20, 2026Jul 20, 2026
Basement Remodel on a Budget: Yes, You Can Do It
Do you have a finished basement? If you want to give it a new lease on life, find out how you can do a basement remodel on a budget.
Melissa Graham
•
May 18, 2026May 18, 2026
5 Questions to Ask About Basement Remodels
These questions for professional contractors can help address your basement remodeling needs, design, and the best time to start the project.
Lawrence Bonk
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
These 8 Red Flags Will Help You Spot a Bad Basement Remodeler
Hiring a bad basement remodeler can wreak havoc on the look and longevity of your unfinished space. Here are red flags to look for as you vet basement contractors.
Deane Biermeier
•
Aug 4, 2026Aug 4, 2026
Your Guide to Renovating a Basement From Top to Bottom
Take the mystery out of renovating a basement by following a simple plan to ensure your remodel goes smoothly from start to finish.