Cost to finish a basement

If you’re lucky enough to have a basement, there are many options open to you. Your basement could make an excellent games room, spare bedroom, playroom, living space… you name it. You’ll just need to get it finished first. Here, we’ve broken down the typical cost to finish a basement, to give you that nudge you need.

Average cost to finish a basement

The average cost to convert a basement from a storage space into a finished room is between £700 and £1,500 per square metre. However, there are lots of factors that will affect the overall cost, including what exactly your vision is for the new room you’ve created.

Bear in mind also that these costs assume you already have a basement. If not, you’ll need to pay to have a basement made from scratch – read our cellar conversion cost guide for a detailed breakdown.

Factors affecting the cost to refinish a basement

The overall cost to finish a basement will vary based on a number of factors. These include:

• The size of your basement.
• The cost of labour in your area.
• How easy your basement is to access.
• What condition your basement is in.
• What you want to do with the space.

The last two factors are probably the biggest considerations. You’ll need to think about what work (if any) your basement has already had done to it. Has it already been dampproofed, for instance? Have electrics already been installed?

You’ll also need to consider what you want to use the finished room for. If you want to use the space as a bathroom or kitchen, for instance, you’ll need to have plumbing fitted, which will come at an extra cost.

Similarly, the meaning of the word ‘finish’ will be different for one person than it will for another. For example, if you’re happy to stick with concrete flooring, you’ll be able to save money compared to someone who wants a high-spec finish like natural wood flooring. So, consider your budget and make decisions that will enable you to stick to it.

Basement remodel cost

There are lots of jobs that are typically involved in remodelling a basement, such as wiring, plastering, installing flooring, and more. Here’s how much you can expect a few of the most popular jobs to cost:

Cost to frame a basement

Framing a basement is what it’s called when you create frames for your basement’s walls. Normally, these are made of wood and will be covered with drywall.

To frame a basement, you can expect to pay between £20 and £40 per square metre. This includes both labour and materials.

Cost to wire a basement

If your basement doesn’t yet have any electrics installed, you’ll need to get an electrician in to wire it for you. On average, an electrician’s hourly rate will be around £45, but you can expect them to charge you around £225 for a full day’s work.

The total cost of rewiring your basement will normally depend on its size, as well as how many switches, sockets and electricity points you need.

Cost to drywall a basement

Drywall is also known as plasterboard or gypsum board. It’s essentially a thick board or sheet that’s normally screwed onto your walls and ceilings before plastering.

In the UK, the cost to drywall a basement will be around £2 to £3 per square foot. Our guide to drywalling costs has a more detailed price breakdown.

Basement renovation cost summary

• A basement renovation could be a great way to add usable space to your home.
• Your total basement renovation cost will depend on your vision for the space as well as its spec.
• Popular basement remodelling jobs include framing, wiring and drywalling.