Level Up Group
Basement Finishing
Finishing your basement is a major renovation project. It brings a lot of benefits with it – added functional space, expanded living quarters, not to mention, added value to the house. Like all big projects, it requires meticulous planning and budgeting. Our expert team will make this process easy and straightforward, so there will be no unexpected surprises later in the process.
Basement Finishing Estimate
Our team at Level Up treats basement finishing estimates very seriously. We carefully go over the planned renovation steps and new space design. Our project manager takes into consideration the space, its current condition, and accurate measurements. We factor in labor, materials, and time to provide you with an accurate quote from the beginning.
Range of Basement Finishing Cost
Depending on how the space is going to be used later, you might want to add certain elements or use specific materials for the project. It will affect the overall cost and timeframe of the basement finishing cost.
There are the key elements to consider, that affect the cost of the basement renovation:
- Separate basement entry
- Fireplace
- Basement kitchen
- Sauna
- Bathroom
- Feature wall installation
- Custom built ins
- Theater room
- Bar
- Basement waterproofing
- Soundproofing
If you are upgrading the basement as an in-law apartment for potential added income you might want to keep your costs lower with budget materials and finishes. Renovating the basement with the plan to use it for yourself as a family room, home office, or recreation room you might want to splurge.
In GTA or CMR you are expecting to pay anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 for a basement renovation. Our team will work hard on delivering the best quality of work for the budget you are planning to spend. Together we will decide where to save and where to invest more, so that you will have the best result for your budget.
Basement Renovation Process & Average Project Timeframes
Basement renovation project starts way before the demolition or construction work. Planning, budgeting, working on design concepts is an important part of the project. The average basement renovation time frame depends on the size of the space, complexity of the elements, and the materials used.
We at Level Up have a full team of professionals, which makes further stages of coordination faster and easier. Our planning approach helps to significantly cut the construction time of the project. On average from the stage of getting the permit, most of our projects are completed within 3 to 6 weeks.
If you are planning to build a legal apartment in your basement it will require architectural plans and permits. This stage alone might require anywhere between 20 days to a couple of months (depending on the municipality).
Why Choose Level Up Team
Although finishing your basement is a big project, we believe that it should go without stress and be a great experience. To ensure this we offer:
- Team of trained professionals
- Efficient project management
- Years of experience in complex construction projects
- Assistance in architectural blueprints and permits
- Covered by materials and labour warranty
If you are planning your basement finishing project contact us for a free detailed quote. We will do our best to complete your renovation project within the specified time frame and you will enjoy your new space as soon as possible!
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Basement Finishing FAQs
These are the critical steps of finishing a basement:
- Clean the basement and remove the clutter
- Hire a professional basement renovation company to cover your project requirements A to Z.
- Work with the designer on the best layout option
- Use designer help to select all the finish materials
- Make sure that you have a project manager that is available 24/7 to take care of your PROJECT
The time needed to finish a basement will depend on the complexity of your project – overall scope of work and square footage required to be renovated. However, you can expect the renovation to take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. The project might take longer if you include customized furniture, replacing the staircase, or tiled shower.
Basement renos or basement finishes are going on all year round, there is no “cold weather” that can delay such a type of project. Some homeowners believe that during the winter they can achieve a better price but in fact it’s not exactly true. If you can find a small contractor who has no running project during the winter, in most of the cases it’s a sign of a new contractor who has low experience; or someone who’s reputation prevents him or her from acquiring new contracts.
So when is the best time to finish your basement? Anytime of the year, when you plan not to be at home. Try to hire a renovation team when you are going on vacation; and if you hire a company in advance, you really have the opportunity to negotiate the price, since basement reno teams like to book all projects for a few months in the future.
Basement finishing in Canada will cost $35 to $55 per square foot. If you have a 1000 square foot basement, expect to pay anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 for the renovation. A considerable part of the renovation cost falls on materials, such as studs, drywall, insulation, etc. Therefore, the total costs will depend on the materials you choose.
The most expensive part of finishing a basement are materials such as studs, drywall, flooring and tiling. These costs will consist of 15% of the total basement finishing costs. The second most expensive costs are electricity and plumbing, with 11% to 14%.
A basement is considered finished when the space has a wall, ceiling, and floor, similar to the living area. Therefore, the space will add to your home’s square footage. A finished basement will look like a liveable space with HVAC, electricity, a staircase, finished walls, and finished floors.
An unfinished basement comes with exposed pipes and beams, a bare concrete floor, and bare foundation walls. Therefore, the space doesn’t offer the needed amenities for a comfortable stay.
A finished basement is considered as an extension of the upstairs living area. The finished basement comes with air conditioning and heating, flooring such as tile, laminate, vinyl or carpet, and a staircase that leads to the basement. A basement won’t be considered finished if it is accessible by ladder, has plywood and concrete walls, or doesn’t have an HVAC system.
In many cases you need to obtain a permit to finish your basement in Ontario. Finishing a basement is considered a renovation, and a permit confirms that all renovation work adheres to safety rules.
You can expect about a 70% return on your investment upon sale. For every $1,000 you spend on basement finishing, you will recoup $700. The value per square footage depends on the level of finishing and the overall scope of work. A walk-out basement is the most desirable, so it comes with a higher appraisal value.
