Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much does it cost to remodel a basement?
An average basement remodel costs $25 to $65 per square foot or $12,500 to $65,000 total with labor, depending on the size and scope of the project. Common basement remodeling jobs include:
Adding or upgrading a bathroom
Turning an unused space into a bedroom
Adding a home theater room
Adding a basement kitchen
How much value does a basement remodel add?
Remodeling a basement has a 65% to 70% return on investment (ROI). The exact value a basement remodel has will depend on the changes made and the square footage.
When selling a home, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) separates the above ground square footage from below grade square footage. Above ground spaces are worth about twice as much as lower-level rooms.
How long does a basement remodel take?
A basement remodel takes 3 to 8 weeks on average, depending on the size and changes made. The following factors may increase the project timeline:
Materials on backorder
Demolition
Structural changes
Mold or water damage mitigation
What’s the difference between remodeling, renovating & finishing a basement?
Some use the terms remodeling, renovation, and finishing interchangeably, but they're technically different from each other:
Remodeling means to change a room's appearance or function. Common remodeling jobs include adding rooms or walls.
Renovating means to restore a space to its original condition, not changing structures or adding rooms.
Finishing a basement means converting it from bare concrete to a livable space with walls, windows, and floors.
Do you need a permit to remodel a basement?
Yes, you need a permit to remodel a basement. Building permits cost$500 to $2,000 when structural changes are involved. Permits make sure your changes are done properly and up to code. Remodeling without a permit is risky and can negatively impact your home's resale value.
How do I hire a basement remodeling contractor?
First, search our list of basement contractors, then:
Compare multiple estimates from companies with 5+ years of experience.
Browse reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Confirm that they're licensed, insured, and bonded.
Beware of the lowest quotes, which can result in low-quality work.
Ask for a written estimate and contract before work starts.
Only make the final payment after the project is completed.
What questions should I ask basement remodeling contractors?
Ask these questions to help find the best basement contractor:
How much experience do you have with remodeling basements?
Can I see pictures of past remodeling projects?
How long will this job take?
Do you offer a warranty for your work?
Does your estimate include materials, labor, and cleanup?
Will you hire any subcontractors?
What unexpected costs can come up for this kind of project?
Will you handle any necessary building permits?
Reviews for San Jose basement remodelers
Recent success stories from people in the San Jose area.
GARY L F.
THE WORKERS WERE HERE ON TIME EACH DAY. THEY ALWAYS CLEANED UP BEFORE LEAVING. THE JOB WAS DONE ON TIME AND I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS..VERY NICE WORK.. GARY
Defersol building contractor
Vijay G.
Edgar Mr Shorty knows what he is doing!
I was amazed with the level 5 ceiling patch he did quickly and he also did a fantastic paint job that it looks like nothing happened! I am very blessed to have hired hes company.
Shorty's Handyman Services
Kimberly K.
They did a quality drywall and painting job. They showed up and got the job done on time.
Smart Quality construction inc
Evelyn P.
Masi of International Dateline is a pro! We had two important goals for the project: 1. We needed the old, broken up driveway removed and replaced with a new one and 2. we needed a way to move water from the backyard to the front curb. The end result was beautiful and showed the years of experience International Dateline has with projects like these.
Things you should know:
1. Masi keeps his quotes low. There's no built-in padding. That means you get the best price. It also means that if you make changes to your project, it may cost a bit more. We did that with our drainage solution and Masi was incredible at executing our vision, fabricating a perfectly-sized catchment and drain system. It cost a bit more and was worth every penny.
2. Your job site may not be perfectly clean every day, but your finished product will look fantastic. Like most contracting projects, job-critical tools may be left onsite while the project is ongoing. Masi finishes his projects with care and leaves the site clean at the end. With ours, he took care to back fill all the excavated edges of the concrete so every edge had a finished look.
3. Masi will communicate! Masi is not shy about talking with you, getting your thoughts and working with you to help achieve a result you will be happy with.
All of our new concrete looks fantastic and is very functional with a gentle grade to move water away from our home. The new drainage looks great, seamlessly integrates with the driveway and functions just the way we want it to. We would not hesitate to hire International Dateline Concrete again.
International dateline concrete
Deborah R.
He was a great guy his work was very professional and he got all of it done on time. I would hire him any other time I have referred him out to other clients of mine
World Electrical Contractors Inc
Jc B.
He’s a very good worker and gives good quality work.
JR Power LLC
Sharad K.
Fern with Bella Homes did a phenomenal job of our attic remodeling project. It was a complex construction project that involved reinforcing the foundation, replacing stud walls with shear walls, building a staircase, and fully converting the attic to a habitable space with a bathroom and a patio.
Fern’s communication was stellar and he kept us updated on the project status. He was on top of any issues that arose and addressed them timely. Fern is a perfectionist and supervised the project with a sharp eye for the details. His crew is very experienced and executes very well. Fern managed the city inspections in a professional manner and we passed all of them with no rework!
With a project as involved as ours, Fern was quite flexible in accommodating our input. He offered great advice on interior decoration decisions ranging from picking interior/exterior color of the house to setting up the fireplace with a distressed mantlepiece. Fern ensured that the layout, flow, and appearance of the house were in harmony and ultimately delivered the project to our utmost satisfaction.
BELLA HOME BUILDERS, INC.
Yaniv K.
Highly recommend these guys after doing a great job from start to finish !
I recently bought a house for investment and needed remodeling for the kitchen and 2 bathrooms , and a friend recommended Oria Builders and sent me to speak with Gilad the owner.
we clicked from the first call , Gilad was super friendly , professional and understood exactly what I was looking for without me having to explain too much and got me a price offer and work plan within a couple of days and by the next week the crew was already working on my property.
Gabriel the project manager was always polite and respectful, kept everything clean and did a raeally good job on keeping us updated at every point of the job .
they completed the job within the agreed upon time frame with no lagging , left everything clean and looking brand new , and I will absolutely use their services again in the future .
thanks again guys for doing a wonderful job!
Oria Builders
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Nearby basement remodeling contractors in and around San Jose
