Basement Finishing

Basement finishing in the Twin Cities

A finished basement is the cheapest square footage you will ever add — family room, office, guest suite, or a legal bedroom with an egress window. Done right, it is dry, warm, and permitted. Done wrong, it is mold behind new drywall.

Our order of operations

1. Moisture first. Grading, downspouts, gutters, drain tile, sump. We do not frame over an active water problem.
2. Layout and permit, including egress if a bedroom is in the plan
3. Framing held off the foundation, with a continuous rigid or spray foam layer against the concrete per Minnesota energy code
4. Electrical and HVAC rough-in — supplies, returns, code-count outlets, interconnected smoke and CO alarms
5. Rough and insulation inspections
6. Drywall, texture, paint, doors, trim, flooring, then final inspection

Typical cost

Scope	Range
Open rec room, basic finish	$35 – $65 per sq ft
Rec room plus a bedroom	$45 – $80 per sq ft
Adding a 3/4 bath	$12,000 – $25,000 more
Egress window (needed for a bedroom)	$4,500 – $10,000

Most full basements land between $30,000 and $80,000 depending on size, bath, and egress.

Ceiling height and ducts

You need 7 feet over the required area in living space. Where ductwork drops below, we soffit it or reroute it. We measure before we design so nothing gets framed that an inspector will make us tear out.