While it’s somewhat true that the cost to finish a basement will differ from state to state, the price gap is not wide enough to consider location a critical factor that impacts the cost.
As with any home improvement project, the larger the space, the more it’ll cost to remodel. And the more premium materials you want, the more you’ll end up paying.
In short, it costs an average of $45 per square foot to finish a basement in Kansas City.
However, the implications are larger.
We’ll discuss how much it costs to finish a basement in Kansas, and we’ll uncover everything you need to know about your upcoming basement remodeling project.
Cost To Finish A Basement Breakdown
At Mortise & Miter, one of the most common projects you’ll find us working on is basement remodels. We love bringing these spaces to their full potential, transforming them into large living spaces equipped with a bedroom and a bathroom.
But to do that, a lot of things need to happen.
Let’s look at a breakdown of all upgrades for an open-space basement and for a basement with multiple rooms.
| 600 Sq Ft Basement | Open Plan | With Rooms |
|---|---|---|
| Framing | $796 | $1,485 |
| Trim | $306 | $572 |
| Drywall | $1,274 | $2,376 |
| Plumbing | $80 | $80 |
| Wiring Installed | $771 | $1,441 |
| Electrical Panel | $800 | $800 |
| Ceiling | $931 | $931 |
| Flooring | $582 | $582 |
| Doors | $60 | $240 |
| Bathroom | $2,500 | $4,134 |
| HVAC 1.5 TON | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Insulation | $2,756 | $4,134 |
| Egress Window | $600 | $600 |
Let’s talk more about some of the most significant upgrades.
Cost To Frame Basement Walls
When building interior basement walls, you first frame the concrete walls with a wood frame. The wood frame extends about 3” from the wall and is anchored to the basement subfloor.
Framing basement walls with 2’ x 4’ wood costs approx. $2.50 per sq ft of wall space installed.
Cost To Insulate Basement Walls
Insulation helps control the temperature and moisture of the room and acts as an additional soundproofing agent.
There are many options that you can use to insulate your basement walls. The most common method is spray-applied closed-cell foam insulation. Foam is the most popular option for basement insulation because it is not air permeable, so it won’t cause condensation between the insulation and concrete walls. Meaning you won’t get any mold or mildew.
For 1″ thickness sprayed it costs anywhere from $700 to $4,000 or $32 – $80.50 per cubic square foot.
Cost To Drywall A Basement
The cost to drywall your basement depends on how many walls there are.
To find out how much drywall you’ll need, add up the widths of all walls together and divide them by 4 feet (the panel width).
You’re best off installing moisture-resistant drywall in a basement. This is the green type of drywall. Note that the green board is not waterproof, so ensure that it is not set up in a place where it is going to be near water. It costs from $11 – $25 per standard panel.
Here are the other drywalls options:
- White Board - the most affordable
- Type X Drywall - fire-resistant drywall
- Blue Board - great mold and water resistance qualities
- Paperless Drywall - it shields the gypsum board from blight
- Purple Drywall - works well in areas with high levels of moisture
- Sound Proof Drywall - normally used in places where noise is an issue
Basement Ceiling Costs
Installing ceiling drywall is a complex process, and it often requires the use of additional tools to guarantee an easy installation.
There are three main materials used in basement ceilings.
- Wood or tile ceiling – Transform your ceiling with tongue and groove wood or tile panels for just $2.59 - $4.88 per square foot
- Popcorn ceiling – Achieve an aesthetically pleasing popcorn finish on your drywall for a fraction of the cost – $0.34 -$0.70 per square foot
- Textured ceiling – Give your surfaces an extra touch of character with a variety of textural options, ranging from just $0.33 to $0.89 per square foot
On average, it costs between $3.50 to $4.30 per square foot to install ceiling joists, add R-11 insulation batts, and ceiling drywall in a basement.
Cost To Install Basement Flooring
Let’s take a look at different types of flooring for a basement.
| Material | Cost per sq ft | 600 sq ft room |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $1 | $582 |
| Polished Concrete | $2 | $1,164 |
| Epoxy Paint | $2.50 | $1,455 |
| Ceramic Tile | $2.50 | $1,455 |
| Porcelain Tile | $3 | $1,746 |
| Vinyl or Linoleum | $3 | $1,746 |
| Laminate | $6 | $3,492 |
| Engineered Wood | $6 | $3,492 |
| Bamboo | $7 | $4,074 |
| Hardwood | $10 | $5,820 |
Cost To Waterproof A Basement
- Cracks - these can be around windows, in walls and joints, or in the foundation. While cracks around windows won't cost more than $100 to fix, cracks in the foundation will cost a lot more.
- Condensation - add slip foam insulation on your cold-water pipes to prevent condensation from building up. Put slip foam on the hot-water pipes to prevent heat loss. Tube pipe foam insulation costs approx. $1.50 – $3.70 per six-foot piece.
- Shower or Bath Moisture - if you have a bathroom basement, this is natural. To eliminate as much humidity as possible after a hot shower, install a vent ($50 - $100) or buy a dehumidifier (around $250).
- Poor Soil Drainage - you can level the earth by moving dirt, install a drain tile system for about $2,500 - $5,000, or add a sump pump or a water-powered backup pump.
- Flooding - install drainage pipes, clean debris from the gutters, or waterproof your walls with a masonry sealer.
What Else Goes Into A Basement?
This depends on what you are planning to transform this space into.
If you want the living space + bedroom + bathroom that many of our customers go for, you’ll need to look into different things.
- Adding a bathroom to a basement costs between $2,500 to $13,000. However, a basement bathroom can add 10% - 20% to the value of your home.
- New flooring throughout. Epoxy, luxury vinyl tiles or planks, carpet, or engineered hardwood are all viable flooring options.
- Furniture can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000.
Additional Costs When Finishing A Basement
This depends on what you are planning to transform this space into.
If you want the living space + bedroom + bathroom that many of our customers go for, you’ll need to look into different things.
Finishing a basement is an extensive renovation project, and you’ll most likely need a building permit to proceed with your basement remodel. The permit can cost anywhere from $50-$2,000, depending on your project size and state.
Plumbing and electrical repairs are required to ensure your basement is 100% functional and livable. It costs between $1,000 to $5,000 to have both these systems properly installed and good to go.
Foundation repairs are common, especially in older homes. Most homeowners spend on repairing these kinds of issues $2,320 and $6,750. Minor cracks cost around $600 to fix, but major repairs will require hydraulic piers, and these can cost between $10,000 to $15,000.
Conclusion
An unfinished basement doesn’t boost your property’s value in any way. In fact, it’s often a reason for potential buyers to ask for a lower price.
According to Remodeling magazine, a finished basement adds resale value to your home and gives you a return on investment of 70%.
So, if a basement remodel costs $70k, you’ll get to sell your home for $49,000 more!
Naturally, this price can go up or down depending on the size of your basement, your choice of materials, and what you are transforming the space into. If you’re only adding the living space with regular materials, you can spend as little as $30k.
At Mortise & Miter, we’re offering a complete basement remodeling service in Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, and the surrounding areas. We’re taking care of everything, so you won’t have to move a finger.
If you want to find out more about the cost of your basement finishing project, contact us today via our form or by phone, at (913) 214-6211. Get professional insights on your basement right from your local remodeler.