Every day I’ve been on the job since I started in 1978 I’ve picked up the phone and heard the same question – “How much does a finished basement cost?”. And it breaks my heart to hear about some of the bad advice given out on the Web. So here are some brief tips to help you discover how much your finished basement job costs, ways to make sure you get the most out of every dollar spent, and even a cost calculator, courtesy of Brothers Construction.
What goes into your finished basement cost?
- Square Footage
- Materials
- Labor
- Number of Rooms
- Features (bathrooms, fireplace, bar, etc.)
Don’t go with the cheapest guy in town
Too often I find customers who are searching for the lowest estimate for a finished basement, and it always comes at a cost. Finished basements are not about installing some carpets and lighting, it’s about crafting the perfect addition to your home. And going with the cheapest option can come back to haunt you, years down the road. I can still remember getting a frantic call from an old friend about his DIY finished basement. After a long winter of leaving their basement vacant (it would hit freezing temperatures), they came back downstairs to discover that the moisture had utterly destroyed everything. The walls were growing mold, the carpets were ruined, and nearly every piece of furniture was damaged; it was a mess and cost quite a bit to fix. Just remember, when you’re considering how much a finished basement costs, paying more now might save you a from paying a fortune later.
Looking for ways to cut down on your finished basement cost?
If you’re working with a tight budget, but still want to walk into the basement of your dreams, here are a few areas that you can consider for maximum bang-for-your-buck:
- Avoid the gimmicks when making decisions about how to finish your basement. Unless there is very good reason for it, you won’t need to have radon retests, dehumidifiers, or dim lighting.
- Drop the extra features you’re not committed to. Having more than one bathroom or a walk-behind bar in your finished basement might be nice, but if you’re on the fence about it, you could easily save thousands of dollars.
- If you hire a contractor, find one with integrity. It may not seem connected to saving money, but a dishonest contractor will lead you into every money pit, sales trap, and inferior product he can. An honest contractor however, will take your desire to save money seriously. To tell the difference, always keep in mind (and ask about) the full cost of the job, look out for “unbelievable” discounts, and never agree to high pressure sales tactics.
Keep in mind, creating the perfect finished basement can add lasting value to your house. Cutting corners corners might work in the short term, but it can create lasting problems.
So how much does a finished basement cost?
Look no further! We’ve created a finished basement cost calculator to help you think through your dream basement. Once you’re done, just hit ‘submit’ and one of our team members will be in touch in the next 2 business days.
