 QuaffAPintA Big Thanks To The Troops
join:2001-01-10
Downingtown, PA | Finishing Basement - Costs We're looking to finish a portion of our basement. We are noobs, but we plan on doing the framing (whether wood or one of those composites), drywalling, flooring (prob laminate), painting, wiring ourselves. We will hire someone for the drop ceiling and punching in the electric. We've been here for 7 yrs and no water problems thus far.
The overall sq footage for what we're finishing is @ 640 sq ft. The height from floor to joists is 7.5ft.
Obviously there's other costs in construction as well as furnishing, etc. We'll need to take out a home equity loan and we're trying to figure out how much. We also need to get someone in to put in an egress window to meet code.
Anyone able to give ballpark figures of costs for this?
Appreciate any advice. Thanks.
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 dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ
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| said by QuaffAPint:We're looking to finish a portion of our basement. We are noobs, but we plan on doing the framing (whether wood or one of those composites), drywalling, flooring (prob laminate), painting, wiring ourselves. We will hire someone for the drop ceiling and punching in the electric. We've been here for 7 yrs and no water problems thus far.
The overall sq footage for what we're finishing is @ 640 sq ft. The height from floor to joists is 7.5ft.
Obviously there's other costs in construction as well as furnishing, etc. We'll need to take out a home equity loan and we're trying to figure out how much. We also need to get someone in to put in an egress window to meet code.
Anyone able to give ballpark figures of costs for this?
Appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Funny you ask this - sounds VERY similar to my basement. We're at about 800 square feet or so, with a similar height.
I just gutted my basement, and I'm in the middle of refinishing it.
I left the framing, but new walls, new drop ceiling, flooring, painting, and lighting.
Demo we did ourselves. That included all the flooring (carpeting and linoleum), paneling, the old drop ceiling, old lights, and the basement kitchen (cabinets, sink, wall oven, etc.) as well as the basement bar. Cost me $500 for dumpster rental and disposal.
I hired an electrician - the electrical has been about $2800 or so. That included 24 recessed lights and 2 new circuits for them. It's been quite a bit of work - money well spent if you ask me. (And yes, that's a LOT of light... but with the reduced ceiling height, I needed more lights to spread evenly.) Previously we had some industrial-grade fluorescent lights that were hideous and gave the whole room a dark, dank feeling. Problem solved now.
I hired a drywaller - cost me $1800 to have him hang all the drywall, frame out a soffit around one duct and another one around the main air ducts down the middle of the room. The $1800 included all materials, the sheetrock being hung, soffits being built, and 3 skim coats. Also money well spent - lots of work ensuring the walls were perfectly straight. I'm thrilled with the work!
Various plumbing repairs - $500. Found some NASTY stuff when we opened the drop ceiling... better to fix it now, than have a problem in the future.
We're also building a new bar/kitchen area. That's been $2k in cabinets so far. I'm anticipating $4k for the granite countertops. Also $200 or so for the lumber to build/frame it out right.
Flooring, we will go with carpeting. Probably $2k-2500 or so for the carpet, plus tiles for the bar/kitchen area. That's another $750 or so for materials (we'll put that in ourselves.)
Appliances - new range & microwave - $1k.
New drop ceiling - installed myself - parts have been $1000 or so between all the grid and tiles.
Paint - going to do this ourselves - probably $300 with supplies and all.
New doors - $100. Easy to hang ourselves.
Moulding - haven't bought it yet, but estimating $300 or so for all of it.
Various new tools and supplies - figure probably $1500 or so. I bought an air framing nailer for $200 - awesome tool. You want that. If you don't have a compressor, you want that too. 
All in, we're going to be $20k or so.
Oh, and $40 to replace the $*(#!$*(!*($! sump pump float that started this mess!!!
Frankly, having the professional drywaller do the job was a HUGE plus! He did a great job and took 4 days to do what would've taken me a month plus.... and of course, my job wouldn't be nearly as nice.
I'm lucky in that I have several really good friends who've helped me along the way. It's been a LOT of work, and of course, a ton of money, but when we're done, it's going to be my masterpiece.
Great project - now I can see the finish line in sight - I'll post lots of pics once we're done! |
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QuaffAPintA Big Thanks To The Troops
join:2001-01-10
Downingtown, PA | Thanks for sharing.
How did you find a drywaller? Maybe for @$1800 w/ materials it might be worth hiring someone.
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 hsindoggPremium
join:2002-06-21
Potomac, MD
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| reply to QuaffAPint
said by QuaffAPint:Anyone able to give ballpark figures of costs for this?
Why not get quotes before going for the LOC? Will your finished area just be one big area? No plumbing work, no bath?
I'm having my basement finished too, it was previously unfinished. Just curious, do you guys prefer a drop ceiling over a finished dry wall ceiling?
I had a 1000 sqft rectangular area. Stairs were smack center, 1/2 of the rectangle (the long side) was framed for the common, area, and the other side was Bedroom (10x13), Bath (6x), and utility room which housed the furnace, water heater, etc.
Framed, sheetrocked, insulated with Roxul stonewool on the outter walls to the foundation, Roxul safensound on the interior walls.
Three egress windows installed, I wanna say 24"x20". They had to enlarge the opening from smaller like 20"x6" window panels. This was a lot of work.
They cut into the concrete floor to install a sewer line from the bathroom to the main sewer line.
They included the cost of finishing the bath, subway shower tiles, marble floor, Pottery Barn 36" vanity, Kohler Cimmaron, and accessories. They also installed the bathroom fan and venting.
Berber and thick foam padding, painting of all the finished area, and electrical wiring with a new 6 breaker subpanel.
Total will be $25,000. We are putting in a kitchenette which will be about $2700 for wood under cabinets and a granite countertop. About a 10"x4" L shape area. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ Reviews:
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| reply to QuaffAPint
said by QuaffAPint:Thanks for sharing.
How did you find a drywaller? Maybe for @$1800 w/ materials it might be worth hiring someone.
Honestly? Angie's List. He came well recommended, and they were absolutely right. He does GREAT work. www.bertsdrywall.net
His website says "Eastern PA" but I don't know if Downingtown is too far - can't hurt to call and ask ... |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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| reply to hsindogg
said by hsindogg:I'm having my basement finished too, it was previously unfinished. Just curious, do you guys prefer a drop ceiling over a finished dry wall ceiling? Depends on how much mechanical stuff is in the ceiling.
I had too many valves, junction boxes, etc. in the ceiling to drywall it. So the ceiling is drop, except for the area around the air ducts - we boxed those in and drywalled it. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC | reply to dennismurphy
Your drywall story is interesting.
I'm slowly demolishing the old wood panelling that was in half my basement for passing through wires from my generator project (another thread).
I want to redo my basement and thought of doing it all myself, but your cost is quite cheap on the drywall part, considering that part will have a big aesthetical impact in terms of perfectly flat finish.
640 sqft is about 25x25 of wall, meaning 100 feet long of wall, at 4 feet per panel, that's 25 panels + let's say 10% loss, so at 28 panels, 14$ per panel, that's already 400$ in panels, then maybe 200$ in primer and rollers and pans. Then add screws, caulk, etc etc... and the fact that there must also be separator walls and stair case. Pretty darn cheap to have it all done for 1,800$
When I finish the framing I'll start getting quotes 
btw for your flooring, did you have it leveled? or was it already leveled? |
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hsindoggPremium
join:2002-06-21
Potomac, MD | Sheetrock is about $$8/panel here. The wood studs for the framing is the most costly part imo. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC | said by hsindogg:Sheetrock is about $$8/panel here. The wood studs for the framing is the most costly part imo.
About 11$ here, but I'll give a markup  Plus I think my 10% extra was understated.
As for wood studs, ya expensive material, but isn't supplied by the drywaller. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ Reviews:
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| reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:Your drywall story is interesting.
I'm slowly demolishing the old wood panelling that was in half my basement for passing through wires from my generator project (another thread).
I want to redo my basement and thought of doing it all myself, but your cost is quite cheap on the drywall part, considering that part will have a big aesthetical impact in terms of perfectly flat finish.
640 sqft is about 25x25 of wall, meaning 100 feet long of wall, at 4 feet per panel, that's 25 panels + let's say 10% loss, so at 28 panels, 14$ per panel, that's already 400$ in panels, then maybe 200$ in primer and rollers and pans. Then add screws, caulk, etc etc... and the fact that there must also be separator walls and stair case. Pretty darn cheap to have it all done for 1,800$
When I finish the framing I'll start getting quotes
btw for your flooring, did you have it leveled? or was it already leveled?
Given the amount of work that goes in, I thought it was a downright bargain.
No separator walls - it's one big 33x24 room. No interior walls, but there are 3 support columns that he wrapped in drywall, plus the bulkhead and one soffit.
I thought the price was incredibly reasonable, and there's no way I could do this nice of a job.
Pictures in a minute. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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| reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:About 11$ here, but I'll give a markup Plus I think my 10% extra was understated.
We used all mold-resistant drywall, which is slightly more expensive.
As you can see, the drop ceiling isn't finished yet - I want to get the primer and paint on the walls before I run the outer track for the drop - then I can finish the rest of it.
The stairs go up to the main level of the house (it's a ranch style) and the door in the back leads to the "back half" of the basement - the mechanical room, another bathroom, and my home office are back there.
.. and yes, for the astute observer, that is a sewer clean out in the 'bumpout' from the wall. I just need to box it in nicely. |
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 fcislerPremium
join:2004-06-14
Riverhead, NY | said by dennismurphy:We used all mold-resistant drywall, which is slightly more expensive.
Erm....you sure? All the green drywall I see is moisture resistant. The moisture/mold resistant stuff is purple. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC | Seems like it's not always purple
»www.lowes.com/pd_313288-51801-NA···=3032529 |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ Reviews:
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| reply to fcisler
said by fcisler:said by dennismurphy:We used all mold-resistant drywall, which is slightly more expensive.
Erm....you sure? All the green drywall I see is moisture resistant. The moisture/mold resistant stuff is purple. Positive. This is the stuff we used. |
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| reply to QuaffAPint
It's been about $30/sq. ft. to do a completely finished basement for me over the years. You could ballpark like $25-35/sq. ft. to be safe and get the typical range for the project. |
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 XoX
join:2003-08-19
Qc, Canada
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| reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:Your drywall story is interesting.
I'm slowly demolishing the old wood panelling that was in half my basement for passing through wires from my generator project (another thread).
I want to redo my basement and thought of doing it all myself, but your cost is quite cheap on the drywall part, considering that part will have a big aesthetical impact in terms of perfectly flat finish.
640 sqft is about 25x25 of wall, meaning 100 feet long of wall, at 4 feet per panel, that's 25 panels + let's say 10% loss, so at 28 panels, 14$ per panel, that's already 400$ in panels, then maybe 200$ in primer and rollers and pans. Then add screws, caulk, etc etc... and the fact that there must also be separator walls and stair case. Pretty darn cheap to have it all done for 1,800$
When I finish the framing I'll start getting quotes
btw for your flooring, did you have it leveled? or was it already leveled?
just a little correction... 640 sqft = about 20 panel because 1 panel is 32 sqft (4*8)...
Your 28 panel equals 896 sqft so about 30% error margin... |
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| reply to QuaffAPint
Would say around $30 per square foot for cheapest work |
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QuaffAPintA Big Thanks To The Troops
join:2001-01-10
Downingtown, PA | reply to 05451874
said by 05451874:It's been about $30/sq. ft. to do a completely finished basement for me over the years. You could ballpark like $25-35/sq. ft. to be safe and get the typical range for the project.
Thanks, but where does $25-35 come from, ie, what type of things does that include? Like, we won't be doing any plumbing - they can use the toilet upstairs, no bar or anything. Its going to just be an open U shaped area for the family to use.
DM gave a nice price breakdown of some things (like the lots of lighting idea), just need to know like framing costs.
Thanks again for everyones input, the more knowledge the better .
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC | reply to XoX
said by XoX:just a little correction... 640 sqft = about 20 panel because 1 panel is 32 sqft (4*8)...
Your 28 panel equals 896 sqft so about 30% error margin...
You don't drywall the floor and ONLY the floor now do you? |
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XoX
join:2003-08-19
Qc, Canada Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
| said by alkizmo:said by XoX:just a little correction... 640 sqft = about 20 panel because 1 panel is 32 sqft (4*8)...
Your 28 panel equals 896 sqft so about 30% error margin...
You don't drywall the floor and ONLY the floor now do you? I have no idea since i do not use drywall on the floor, only on the ceiling but if i did that, the area needed to be covered would be 640*2 (if the two are equal size) = 1280 sqft and not 640... |
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