What are the pros and cons of finishing a basement?

• <div><p>When considering finishing your basement, take into account a few pros and cons:</p><p>Pros</p><ul><li><p>Can increase the value of your home</p></li><li><p>Separate space from the rest of the house </p></li><li><p>Customize and personalize the basement to suit your needs and style</p></li><li><p>Increase the amount of living space in your home</p></li></ul><p>Cons</p><ul><li><p>May not regain enough value to cover the cost of finishing</p></li><li><p>Lack of natural light if it’s below ground level</p></li><li><p>Moisture or flooding can cause costly damage</p></li><li><p>Installing plumbing and electrical can be messy and costly</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Get matched with top basement remodelers in Waldron, MI

Q: What are the hardest parts of finishing a basement?

• <div><p>Roughing in and connecting utilities are the hardest parts of finishing a basement, and they&rsquo;re the parts we typically don&rsquo;t recommend doing as a DIY project. Unfortunately, your finishing timeline can be extended by weeks while you wait for contractors and inspectors to install electrical wiring, plumbing lines, and heating/cooling equipment and carry out inspections.</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: Is an extension less expensive than a loft conversion?

• <div><p>Adding an extension or addition to your home costs more than a loft conversion in all but the rarest cases where the home's structural integrity is lacking. Because a home addition requires a new foundation section or significant structural upgrades to handle a cantilevered portion, the cost compared to almost any loft conversion is significantly greater for the same square footage.</p></div>

Q: Why do some old houses have a toilet in the basement?

• <div><p>Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.</p><p>Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Basement Remodel pros in Waldron, MI

*The Angi rating for Basement Remodel companies in Waldron, 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 Waldron, 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
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 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 January 2023
Scott and Janessa took the time to hear my ideas and then gave great solutions to renovating 2 houses. The house they completely renovated sold in 3 days! I live in my childhood farm house that they updated for me. It's beautiful!
The Scottsman, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2017
I am DC of Pioneer, Ohio. We bought our house in 1987. It had a damp musty smelling basement that during the spring time when there was a lot of rain or during heavy rains would have water pooling on the floor, around the walls. After looking at EverDry's system at our local fair we had it...
Everdry Waterproofing Toledo
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Reviewed in May 2017
They did both inside tile work including an additional sump pump basin as well as sealing the outer foundation to keep water from entering. I was very pleased with the work performed. with the wet Spring that we've had this year it was defiantly worth the investment and not having to worry about...
EverDRY of Michiana
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Reviewed in November 2014
It was great. It looks really nice. The basement has a low ceiling and now it looks very homey. They have also installed a furnace and air conditioner. When we have called they will always come out.
Jordan Mechanical & Electric
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Reviewed in July 2013
I had called several roofing and remodeling companies, being a retired contractor I did have a clue of the process but was having not luck getting anyone to even bid the work. My niece found Carbon construction on your site. Rick came out measured out project and made several suggestions to...
Carbon Construction Company
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Reviewed in May 2008
We had to call them back twice to repair things that were not working properly after they left. i had to drive an extra 400 miles to meet them because of this. The adjustments to the toilets had to be done again and the flapper valve was the wrong size, and had to be replaced. Also the faucet...
Purity Environmental Plumbing, Inc.
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Serving Waldron, 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 Waldron, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

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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 Waldron, 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!

"

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Recommended by54%of homeowners

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Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Basement - Remodel

Serving Waldron, 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 Waldron, 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 Waldron, 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 Waldron, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Serving Waldron, 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 Waldron, 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 Waldron, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service that we provide to meet your needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

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Basement Remodel questions, answered by experts

Roughing in and connecting utilities are the hardest parts of finishing a basement, and they’re the parts we typically don’t recommend doing as a DIY project. Unfortunately, your finishing timeline can be extended by weeks while you wait for contractors and inspectors to install electrical wiring, plumbing lines, and heating/cooling equipment and carry out inspections.

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.

When considering finishing your basement, take into account a few pros and cons:

Pros

Can increase the value of your home
Separate space from the rest of the house
Customize and personalize the basement to suit your needs and style
Increase the amount of living space in your home

Cons

May not regain enough value to cover the cost of finishing
Lack of natural light if it’s below ground level
Moisture or flooding can cause costly damage
Installing plumbing and electrical can be messy and costly

Adding an extension or addition to your home costs more than a loft conversion in all but the rarest cases where the home's structural integrity is lacking. Because a home addition requires a new foundation section or significant structural upgrades to handle a cantilevered portion, the cost compared to almost any loft conversion is significantly greater for the same square footage.

Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.

The Waldron, 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.
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•
Sep 8, 2026Sep 8, 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.
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•
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.