How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement? [2025 Data]
The cost to finish a basement is around $32,000. The cost depends on the state of your basement when you begin the project; some homeowners need to build the basement from the ground up, which could bring the final cost to $100,000.
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.
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 (Square Feet) | 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.
Factors that Impact the Cost to Finish a Basement
The cost to finish a basement 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.
Electrical
You’ll undoubtedly need some power for your pinball machine, computer, and other electronics in your newly finished basement. At the very least, you’ll need good lighting to make the space more inviting. Together, this usually makes up around $5,300 of your finished basement cost.
Here’s what the breakdown of these expenses looks like:
| Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New Lighting | $360 per fixture |
| New Electrical Wiring | $4,000 |
| New Outlets | $250 per outlet |
Plumbing
Hiring a plumber costs about $45 to $200 per hour. Whether you plan to add a bathroom or kitchen or just need someone to inspect the existing plumbing, this is an important cost to keep in mind if you want to turn your basement into a livable space and avoid any costly water damage down the line.
Framing
On its own, framing your basement will run an average of $1,800, or about $7 to $16 per linear foot. This number doesn’t factor in the cost to drywall the basement or add insulation.
Insulation
Your best picks for basement insulation are foam products, as these provide a barrier that stops mold from infiltrating your pad. Insulation costs around $2,000 to cover a 1,000-square-foot basement. Rigid foam board for the same-size space will cost about $700 to $840 for two-inch thick sheets. While foam board costs less, it is only suitable for installation before framing or on flat concrete or block walls.
Drywall and Ceiling
The cost to drywall your basement averages $1,750, or about $2 per square foot. If you’re installing it yourself, drywall panels cost $12 to $20 each. Building and drywalling the ceiling will cost about $1,610. For an industrial look, spray painting exposed ductwork costs about $400, while installing a drop ceiling runs $2 to $6 per square foot.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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 and 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.
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 costquotes@angi.com. 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 typically 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.
