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>

What should I consider when designing a bar in my basement?

• <div><p>Envision the type of bar experience you'd like to create for your guests. For example:</p><ul><li><p>Does your basement have enough finished space for bar stools or seating?</p></li><li><p>What type of additional lighting would set the tone for the room?</p></li><li><p>Are there basement windows or an HVAC system?</p></li><li><p>Do you need new plumbing in your basement for a proper wet bar?</p></li><li><p>Could you be happy with a built-in wall cabinet bar rather than a full-scale wet bar?</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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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: Does a finished basement count as square footage?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

Q: Can you turn a regular basement into a walkout basement?

• <div><p>Yes, it is possible to turn a regular basement into a walkout basement. Doing so involves excavating the land around at least one side of your <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/basement-foundation.htm">basement foundation</a>, installing retaining walls to create a permanent below-grade area outside your home, and then cutting into the foundation to install an exterior door that leads out to the new space. This is an expensive and time-consuming project, but it can add a lot of value and utility to your home.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Basement Remodel pros in Oxford, WI

*The Angi rating for Basement Remodel companies in Oxford, WI 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 Oxford, WI 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 November 02, 2025

Reviewed in July 2025
Evan & his team recently completed our bathroom remodel, converting from a tub to a shower. We had HVAC in our old wet space which he had to relocate this as well. He was very informative of the process & made sure he had our input on where all hardware/shelving should be placed. They took...
Mad City Windows & Baths
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Reviewed in November 2024
Kip has been a huge help on water proofing my basement and installing steel beams all the way around. Helping out at ever step of the way. Really appreciate his service and professionalism he showed through out
Precise Repairs, Inc.
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Reviewed in December 2023
We are very pleased with our Empire quote from Alec. He did a great job explaining the process and product, I would highly recommend him and Empire Home Remodeling.
Empire Home Remodeling, Inc.
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Reviewed in June 2023
Great service, totally professional and a job well done. They get four stars for quality only because they didn't replace the ceiling tiles in the basement and the cat got stuck up there.
Double U Electric, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2022
Adam and his partner Pat did a thorough remodel of our basement. They did everything from woodwork to painting to building walls and laying down floors. They did a tremendous job. They are very flexible so we were able to make changes on the fly. Their rates are than fair. If we had hired...
Adam's Handyman & Remodeling Service
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Reviewed in August 2021
Keith did an outstanding job on the stone wall in our finished basement. He responded quickly to our call, scheduled and completed the project in the agreed amount of time and quoted a fair price. His craftmanship (and customer service) is excellent, and we highly recommend Keith/KC Masonry.
Kc Masonry LLC
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Reviewed in June 2020
This is the second time that I used Exact Exterior and Interior Remodelers, Inc., I recently had a patio door, front door, whole house window replacement and trim. They were awesome and I recommend them whole-heartily! Extremely high quality workmanship and products. They take pride in...
EXACT EXTERIOR & INTERIOR REMODELING INC
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Reviewed in March 2020
Drywall a basement addition
Adagio Drywall LLP
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Reviewed in August 2015
i had raw sewage in my new basement because he never put the pump in and then said it was never put in because I had not paid for it. Well of course it was not paid for charged for seen as it had not been installed. I had someone else finish the job.
Kerschner's Gas Service Inc.
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Reviewed in June 2013
Removed basement ceiling panels, removed defective part and replaced it.
Derek's Plumbing & Hydronic Heating LLC
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Triple R Construction LLC

Triple R Construction LLC

Quality Hardwood Furniture

Quality Hardwood Furniture

Ace Carpentry & Remodeling

Ace Carpentry & Remodeling

Handyman Mews and Renovations LLC

Handyman Mews and Renovations LLC

Best Bet

Best Bet

AMERICAN PROPERTY PRESERVATION, LLC

AMERICAN PROPERTY PRESERVATION, LLC

Toms Drywall and plastering

Toms Drywall and plastering

CL Designs

CL Designs

771 Roof & Construction

771 Roof & Construction

Behrens Home Improvements LLC

Behrens Home Improvements LLC

The Oxford, WI homeowners’ guide to basement remodels

How Much Does a Walkout Basement Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement Laundry Room? [2025 Data]

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Bar in a Basement? [2025 Data]

Do You Need a Permit to Finish a Basement?

How to Ventilate a Basement: 5 Potential Methods

What You Need to Know Before Refinishing a Basement

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