Get matched with top basement remodelers in Amherst, VA

Q: Is it normal for a contractor to ask for a down payment, and how much should you pay up front?

• <div><p>It is common for a contractor to ask for a down payment before starting a project, especially for jobs that require purchasing materials and equipment or hiring a crew. The deposit amount can range from 10% to 50% of the total job cost. While a request for up to 50% is not unusual, a contractor should not ask for more than that, and you should never pay for a project in full before the work has begun. To protect yourself, always discuss payment terms before starting and have a written contract that outlines the project timeline and expectations. Additionally, be sure to hire reputable contractors and check their licensing and insurance before the project begins.</p></div>

Q: Is it OK to live in a finished basement?

• <div><p>Living in a finished basement is acceptable, but only if the space has the proper points of egress and includes smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to ensure the safety of the occupants. A good way to ensure your finished basement is suitable for use as living space is to get the basement finishing project properly permitted. </p></div>

Q: How do I budget for a basement remodel?

• <div><p>The average cost of remodeling a basement is <b>$30 to $75 per square foot</b>. If your space is unfinished and looks like it may need more help, use the higher number when calculating your estimated basement remodeling costs. A good rule of thumb is to add an additional 20% to the top of your estimate to cover any &ldquo;what if&rdquo; situations.</p></div>

Q: Is it less expensive to finish a basement or add an addition?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s less expensive to finish your basement than it is to build an addition to your home. The average cost to refinish a basement is <b>$32,000</b> (between $7 and $23 per square foot) while building an addition to your home costs $50,325 ($80 to $210 per square foot). Depending on the size of your basement and other factors, like moving plumbing and electrical, refinishing a basement is a more cost-effective option in most cases.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to finish or remodel a basement?

• <div><p>The time it takes to finish or remodel a basement can vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even up to a year. On average, the construction phase can take four to eight weeks, but the total project time can extend to three or four months when including planning and permits. The timeline depends on several factors, including the basement's size, design complexity, the scope of the work, and your contractor's availability. A more detailed breakdown for an average-sized basement might include: framing (3-5 days), electrical and rough-in plumbing (3-5 days), drywall installation (5 days), flooring (2-3 days), and final touches like painting and trim (about a week). If preliminary work like installing a waterproofing system or addressing structural issues is needed, the timeline could extend to six to twelve months. Factors like difficult access, material transport, and ventilation needs can also add to the project's duration.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your basement remodel project in Amherst, VA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Basement Remodel pros in Amherst, VA

*The Angi rating for Basement Remodel companies in Amherst, VA 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 Amherst, VA 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 February 17, 2025

Reviewed in February 2025
Excellent and reliable. Daniel worked very hard to finish the job and showed up on time everday. He built a deck, remodeled a lower level in our home and installed the flooring. He also painted the entire home. I would highly recommend him and would use him again.
Daniel Roberts
Request a quote
Reviewed in December 2024
Cleaned out my basement and needed some remaining larger items removed. The gentleman removed all items and hauled the extra items from the curb and left nothing behind. He was also very well mannered! Very respectful and refreshing!
Two Suns Hauling Co LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2024
Awesome work ethic and attention to detail. Brandon took our vision of what we wanted our kitchen and new floors to look like and brought it to life. He was very thorough and made sure everything was exactly the way we wanted it. He gave us realistic expectations and was very honest about...
Brandon Freeman
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2024
Yurt Construction is a reliable contractor company with great expertise in kitchen remodeling but they provide many other services as well. Their cabinets (imported from Europe) are top-notch quality. They do excellent cabinet installation, finish projects on time, and the prices are very...
Yurt Construction LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2024
Absolutely amazing! Brian and Kevin were reliable, kind and respectful of my home. There work was impeccable and done in a timely manner! I would highly recommend them to anyone. I am having them come back to do remodeling in my kitchen.
B&K Handyman Services
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2020
Mr. Derrick Schmidt, a JES service technician, came to our house today to rectify a gutter / drainage issue. He arrived on time and did a thorough inspection. He dealt with the immediate problem we had contacted JES about and addressed other potential issues I had not thought to raise. One...
JES Foundation Repair
Request a quote
Reviewed in March 2020
We used Bath Planet recently to remodel our custom sized master shower. They were able to give a quick on-site estimate. Wait time for remodel was almost two months. We were told it would take two days for demo and install--ended up taking three. They did not have the correct shower door at time...
Bath Planet of SW Virginia
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2019
I had drainage and sump pump added to my basement. The men, Brandon, Michael, Gabe, and Devin, worked VERY hard and the end product was great. I also appreciate their respectfulness in communicating to me about the project. Also, I received quick help anytime I called the office and spoke to...
JES Foundation Repair
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2018
Project started as "remove carpet glue from a concrete basement floor". The project evolved into removal of peel and stick tiles from the entryway, cleaning the glue from both the tile section as the carpet area, filled divets left by the carpet tack strips, painted the floor with...
A&M Cleaning
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2018
You can't get any better. They have knowledge and great personnel. I had water coming into the basement after being repaired earlier by a different group. Flint redid the work because some pipes had been crushed when the first group backfilled the dirt. The moral of the story is to always get...
L G Flint Inc
Request a quote

Find Basement remodelers in Amherst

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

4.6(

767

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"We had a great experience with the Lux Renovations and Owens Corning team. The whole process was very easy from designing the space, selecting colors, and having a contract manager who organized the entire basement remodel including all the trades and inspections. We were sold on the Owens Corning materials for the basement and that they were engineered specifically for a basement space. Would highly recommend this team for your basement remodel needs."

+42

Response time1 day

Response rate100%

165 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Colosseum Remodeling did exactly what they said they would do and for the price they quoted. We had remodels in our previous homes, but these guys were by far the best. They had great work ethic, they communicated clearly and professionally and they made sure everything was completed to and beyond code. This is the 2nd project they did for us and we will be calling them again."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Yurt Construction LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"I can highly recommend Hakan Ozturk and Yurt Construction for any construction needs. He has successfully completed numerous projects for me including frameup of new bathroom, replacement of two sets of outside steps, and replacement of outside patio ceiling. Hakan's pricing is very fair and market competitive. He is very detailed oriented, thorough and provides excellent customer service."

+35

Response time50 mins

5 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by50%of homeowners

Request Quote

Upgrade Remodeling LLC

4.5(

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Two of the Upgrade Remodeling pro's showed up and did the whole job in a excellent manner. The installed and cleaned up an in a superior manner. I would highly recommend for bathroom remodel or any other job you might have for them to do."

Response time2 days

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

"They’re perfectionist, very knowledgeable about requirements, options, would give me drawings of the type of staircase and that kind of thing. They were very professional."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Credit card accepted

"I sent pictures of my space, and talked with a designer on the phone.
But it was near the holidays and due to time constraints by the designer
and by myself, we never got back together for suggestions. After so much time had passed, and the deal had expired, I just never contacted them again."

California Client Saves with HMD Designer Discounts

Recommended by54%of homeowners

Request Quote

Livengood Electrical LLC

4.4(

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Jake and his team were great. They installed as agreed and did so in a professional manner. The project took a couple of days but they held to their word and did everything well. Very customer focused and will work until you are happy. Highly recommend."

Vanity lighting, fan, can lights, gfci receptacle and switches.

50 amp breaker panel with surge protector

+24

Recommended by93%of homeowners

Request Quote

Jo Hwa Construction, Inc. DBA Top Floor Masters

4.3(

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Top Floor Masters, Inc. is a client-focused company that strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Recommended by9%of homeowners

Request Quote

Copper Fox Home Solutions

5.0(

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We specialize in basement finishing 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!

+76

Request Quote

N H Stone Companies LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Amherst, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Highly recommend these guys! They are hardworking, reliable and highly skilled in all things home remodeling/repairs. Their craftsmanship in their woodwork is outstanding and they can build you beautiful additions to your home deck/porch!"

Response time3 hrs

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 26

Basement Remodel questions, answered by experts

It is common for a contractor to ask for a down payment before starting a project, especially for jobs that require purchasing materials and equipment or hiring a crew. The deposit amount can range from 10% to 50% of the total job cost. While a request for up to 50% is not unusual, a contractor should not ask for more than that, and you should never pay for a project in full before the work has begun. To protect yourself, always discuss payment terms before starting and have a written contract that outlines the project timeline and expectations. Additionally, be sure to hire reputable contractors and check their licensing and insurance before the project begins.

Living in a finished basement is acceptable, but only if the space has the proper points of egress and includes smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to ensure the safety of the occupants. A good way to ensure your finished basement is suitable for use as living space is to get the basement finishing project properly permitted.

The average cost of remodeling a basement is $30 to $75 per square foot. If your space is unfinished and looks like it may need more help, use the higher number when calculating your estimated basement remodeling costs. A good rule of thumb is to add an additional 20% to the top of your estimate to cover any “what if” situations.

It’s less expensive to finish your basement than it is to build an addition to your home. The average cost to refinish a basement is $32,000 (between $7 and $23 per square foot) while building an addition to your home costs $50,325 ($80 to $210 per square foot). Depending on the size of your basement and other factors, like moving plumbing and electrical, refinishing a basement is a more cost-effective option in most cases.

The time it takes to finish or remodel a basement can vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even up to a year. On average, the construction phase can take four to eight weeks, but the total project time can extend to three or four months when including planning and permits. The timeline depends on several factors, including the basement's size, design complexity, the scope of the work, and your contractor's availability. A more detailed breakdown for an average-sized basement might include: framing (3-5 days), electrical and rough-in plumbing (3-5 days), drywall installation (5 days), flooring (2-3 days), and final touches like painting and trim (about a week). If preliminary work like installing a waterproofing system or addressing structural issues is needed, the timeline could extend to six to twelve months. Factors like difficult access, material transport, and ventilation needs can also add to the project's duration.

The Amherst, VA 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
•
Jul 20, 2026Jul 20, 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
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 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.
Rachel Hoffman
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement? [2026 Data]
An unfinished basement has a lot of potential for a family room or guest suite. So how much does it cost to finish a basement? Read on for all cost factors.
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.