Introduction

Lately, I’ve been getting several people reaching out about basement remodels. Since I have just put together several estimates for basement remodels in Southern Utah, I thought it would be a great time to make a blog post about this.

Just to finish your basement in the St. George area—without turning it into an ADU, rental space, or mother-in-law apartment—you’re looking at about $35,000 to $40,000 for a standard 900-square-foot basement. The biggest factors that could increase this price include not having window wells for your bedrooms, improper framing, and plumbing needs.

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.

In this post, I’m going to go over the factors that influence basement finishing costs, the difference in cost when finishing during vs. after home construction, and the pros and cons of DIY vs. hiring a contractor.

Factors That Affect Basement Finishing Costs

The biggest factor influencing the cost is square footage. Generally, the larger the basement, the lower the cost per square foot. Bulk pricing applies when contractors can work on a larger space at once, whereas smaller projects tend to have higher costs per square foot due to fixed expenses.

The cost difference between finishing your basement during initial home construction vs. after construction is significant. If you finish it later, it often costs almost double because contractors have to come back, materials are ordered in smaller batches, and extra work is required to modify existing structures.

Material selection also plays a big role in cost per square foot. Flooring, drywall, trim, and paint all contribute to the final price. For instance:

• Flooring: $10,000–$12,000
• Drywall: $6,000–$7,000
• Trim (doors, casing, and baseboards): $4,000–$5,000
• Paint: $3,000–$4,000 (varies based on tone choices)

If you add a bathroom, expect to pay $10,000–$12,000, with the cost rising if plumbing isn’t already in place. Moving walls or adding electrical and HVAC components also increase costs significantly.

You will need a permit if you’re moving electrical, plumbing, or framing walls. However, simpler finishing tasks like painting or flooring typically do not require permits.

Timing: Finishing Your Basement Before vs. After Home Construction

Finishing your basement during the initial home build is more cost-effective because contractors are already on-site. If they can do the upstairs and basement at the same time, it keeps costs lower. When they have to return later, expenses increase due to mobilization, separate project timelines, and higher material costs.

If you wait and finish your basement later, you could end up paying almost double the price. The biggest added costs come from:

• Mobilization fees for contractors
• Retrofitting plumbing and electrical systems
• Higher labor and material costs due to smaller batch orders

DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

Some aspects of a basement finish can be DIY-friendly, such as painting and flooring installation. However, other elements—like framing, electrical, and plumbing—should be left to professionals. Drywall is another area where I highly recommend hiring a contractor because it’s a specialized skill that affects the final appearance of your basement.

If you hire a contractor, the project will be completed much faster than if you try to DIY. A contractor works on this full-time, whereas if you DIY, you’ll be juggling your job, family responsibilities, and the project itself, leading to extended timelines.

Cheap is expensive, and expensive is cheap. If you go with the cheapest contractor, you may end up paying more in the long run due to poor quality work that needs to be redone. On the flip side, a high-quality contractor ensures efficiency, quality materials, and a smooth process.

Getting multiple quotes is important, but the lowest bid isn’t always the best choice. I spend hours on my bids to make sure I keep costs low while maintaining high quality. Many of my clients choose me after getting multiple quotes because they see the balance of price, quality, and transparency in my estimates.

Conclusion

To recap, the key cost factors in finishing a basement include:

• Square footage
• Material selection
• Adding bathrooms, electrical, or HVAC
• Whether you finish during initial construction or later
• DIY vs. hiring a contractor

To get an accurate estimate, make sure you know exactly what you want before starting the project. Having a detailed, itemized scope of work helps ensure that nothing is forgotten.If you’re thinking about finishing your basement, book a free estimate call with me today. I’d love to give you an idea of the price for your specific situation and help you get your basement finished with high quality, in a timely manner, and at a price that makes sense for you!