How much does a basement finishing cost? (2026)

Convert unfinished basement to livable space with framing, drywall, and flooring.

Data · BLS OEWS · May 2025 National baseline below — your metro matters more; pick a city for local numbers.

National baseline · budget to premium

$13,525 to $33,789

For a typical 800 sq ft basement finishing, mid-range runs about $20,496 at national trade wages — roughly 36% labor, 62% materials. Local labor rates swing this by ±30% or more, which is why the metro pages below exist.

By metro

Basement Finishing cost in 100 US metros

Not listed? Estimate any ZIP in the app →

New York, NY $21,386 Los Angeles, CA $20,904 Chicago, IL $22,234 Houston, TX $20,905 Phoenix, AZ $20,343 Philadelphia, PA $20,336 San Antonio, TX $20,496 San Diego, CA $20,410 Dallas, TX $20,618 San Jose, CA $20,496 Austin, TX $20,496 Jacksonville, FL $20,496 Fort Worth, TX $20,618 Columbus, OH $20,496 Indianapolis, IN $20,496 Charlotte, NC $20,496 San Francisco, CA $22,863 Seattle, WA $22,370 Denver, CO $20,496 Washington, DC $21,162 Nashville, TN $20,740 Oklahoma City, OK $20,496 El Paso, TX $20,496 Boston, MA $20,455 Portland, OR $22,198 Las Vegas, NV $20,599 Memphis, TN $20,496 Louisville, KY $20,496 Baltimore, MD $20,381 Milwaukee, WI $20,496 Albuquerque, NM $20,496 Tucson, AZ $20,496 Fresno, CA $20,496 Sacramento, CA $20,496 Kansas City, MO $20,496 Mesa, AZ $20,343 Atlanta, GA $20,489 Omaha, NE $20,496 Colorado Springs, CO $20,496 Raleigh, NC $20,496 Long Beach, CA $20,904 Virginia Beach, VA $20,496 Miami, FL $20,240 Oakland, CA $22,863 Minneapolis, MN $21,217 Tulsa, OK $20,496 Bakersfield, CA $20,496 Wichita, KS $20,496 Arlington, TX $20,618 Tampa, FL $19,805 Aurora, CO $20,496 New Orleans, LA $20,496 Cleveland, OH $20,856 Honolulu, HI $20,496 Anaheim, CA $20,904 Lexington, KY $20,496 Stockton, CA $20,496 Henderson, NV $20,599 Corpus Christi, TX $20,496 Riverside, CA $20,270 Newark, NJ $21,386 Saint Paul, MN $21,217 Santa Ana, CA $20,904 Cincinnati, OH $20,496 Irvine, CA $20,904 Orlando, FL $20,045 Pittsburgh, PA $20,496 St. Louis, MO $20,948 Greensboro, NC $20,496 Jersey City, NJ $21,386 Anchorage, AK $20,496 Lincoln, NE $20,496 Plano, TX $20,618 Buffalo, NY $20,496 Chandler, AZ $20,343 Chula Vista, CA $20,410 Toledo, OH $20,496 Madison, WI $20,496 Gilbert, AZ $20,343 Reno, NV $20,496 North Las Vegas, NV $20,599 Irving, TX $20,618 Winston-Salem, NC $20,496 Chesapeake, VA $20,496 Scottsdale, AZ $20,343 Norfolk, VA $20,496 Boise, ID $20,496 Spokane, WA $20,496 Baton Rouge, LA $20,496 Richmond, VA $20,496 San Bernardino, CA $20,270 Tacoma, WA $22,370 Modesto, CA $20,496 Des Moines, IA $20,496 Rochester, NY $20,496 Fayetteville, NC $20,496 Birmingham, AL $20,496 Salt Lake City, UT $20,496 Providence, RI $20,496 Hartford, CT $20,496

Common questions

Basement Finishings — what homeowners ask

How much does it cost to finish a basement?

Finishing a basement costs $25-$60 per square foot. A basic finish with drywall and flooring costs $25-$35/sqft, a mid-range finish with bathroom and kitchenette runs $35-$50/sqft, and a high-end finish with wet bar and home theater can exceed $60/sqft.

Does finishing a basement add value?

Finishing a basement typically recoups 60-70% of costs in home value and adds usable living space. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to add square footage to your home without building an addition.

How long does it take to finish a basement?

A basement finishing project typically takes 4-8 weeks. Simple conversions with minimal plumbing can be done in 3-4 weeks, while full buildouts with bathroom, kitchen, and custom finishes may take 8-12 weeks.