How Much Does It Cost To Frame Basement Walls?

Framing basement wall cost factors

What are the factors that determine the cost of framing your new basement walls?

• The first will be the size and number of walls that you need. How big is your basement? How many rooms would you like to create? The more walls that you want, and the larger they have to be, the more materials that you will need to purchase.
• Obstructions are a second factor to consider. You will have to take any windows and electrical panels into account when calculating your project cost, as they may affect the placement of future walls.
• A third factor is any irregularities in your basement's current walls and ceilings. Hidden pipes and ducts can cause uneven walls, or irregularity can result from simple settling over time. You'll need to compensate for this, and it quite possibly will require additional time and materials.

Types of wood for basement framing

Wood is one of the first expenses to consider. The wood you choose will form the basic structure for your new walls, so it's one of the most important things to get right for your project. Here is what you should look for when choosing the wood that will frame your basement wall.

• The classic 2x4 beam is the standard material for framing walls. It's strong, sturdy, and you can find it in any hardware store from $5 for an 8-foot beam to $12 for a 16-foot beam.
• You can level up with a pressure-treated beam. In some cases, this is optional. In others, pressure-treated wood may be required by your local building code.
• Regardless of your locale, be sure to use pressure-treated wood wherever it may come into contact with moisture, namely for any beams that will touch the concrete floor of your basement. This will prevent water damage to your wall in case of flooding.

Labor cost to frame a basement

Another expense to consider is labor. If you're an experienced DIYer, framing a basement is a fun challenge for a homeowner to undertake. For the rest of us, it's much more efficient to find a skilled contractor to do the job. This can really save time and even money as a contractor will minimize mistakes and materials used.

The labor cost to frame basement walls generally runs from $418 to $1,017. This is for both materials and labor. Your actual quote will depend on the factors unique to your situation, such as the size of your basement, the site conditions, and how you will be partitioning the basement.

Basement finish cost per square foot

With all this considered, how much will finishing a basement cost? You can expect the average cost to range from $6,500 to $18,500. This will vary based on your basement size and the features you require. A project will usually run anywhere from $7 to $23 per square foot.

The following table shows the average cost to install mulch per square feet:

Average cost to finish a basement

After you frame the walls, the next step will be to finish your basement with insulation, drywall, doors, and other details. This step will transform your basement into a functional and comfortable living area.

Different areas of the country may have different average costs for the various aspects of basement finishing. Below are average estimates, but be sure to research what's available in your area ahead of time.

Plumbing

Will you eventually be adding a bathroom or a laundry room? You'll need to install pipes for plumbing. Plumbing for a new bathroom might cost anywhere from $150 to $450 for labor and $2,000 to $3,000 for fixtures.

Electrical wiring

Electrical wiring is necessary for lighting and electrical outlets. If you're planning on installing a rec room in the future, you'll appreciate extra wiring for your HDTV and game consoles. Wiring a basement can cost $1,200 on average.

Insulation

Insulation fills the framed wall space to keep heat and sound contained. This is essential for comfort whether your basement contains a games room or an extra bedroom. Expect insulation to cost $1.45 to $3.50 on average per square foot.

Drywall

Drywall is a panel that protects the interior of the wall. Finish the surface with primer and paint to define your new basement interior. Drywall is similar, at $1.60 to $2.35 per square foot.

Ceilings

Don't forget the ceilings! It doesn't cost much to insulate your ceiling for improved heat retention and sound blocking. Finishing a basement ceiling can run from $1 to $6 per square foot.

Flooring

There are a variety of flooring options, from tile to laminate to vinyl plank flooring, that will make your basement's floor comfortable to walk on. A finished floor will also protect furniture and rugs from moisture damage. Flooring varies depending on your chosen materials. You could spend as little as $25 or as much as $90 per square foot.

Trim

Wall trim, also known as moulding, runs along the edge of your walls. This adds bold definition, and it hides gaps and imperfections where the walls join the ceiling and floor. It's the final touch that will set your finished basement apart from the pack. Wall trim can be very affordable at $200 for your whole project. On average it costs $4.50 to $6 per foot.

Labor cost to finish a basement

You can save some money on labor costs if you DIY part or all of your basement finishing project. Otherwise, assume that labor will be 10% to 25% of your final project cost. This can be from $30 to $60 an hour depending on your area.

Basement demolition cost

Finishing your basement may require demolishing the interior. This involves removing electrical lines, plumbing, undesired walls, and flooring. The cost for interior demolition can range from $1,000 to $4,500+. Labor costs are generally around $40 an hour with fees for permits included.

Basement cost estimator

Wondering how much your own basement will cost to frame? We'll guide you through a full-featured questionnaire that calculates ahead of time the cost for basic framing labor, framing job supplies, and rental costs for specialty equipment.

Cost factors of basement finishing

For all tasks, the size of your basement is the primary determining factor in the cost. More spacious basements will require more materials as well as more work time and labor costs.

The timing of your tasks is another important factor. If you can get the same contractor to do subsequent steps, you may get a cheaper quote than if you have different contractors perform each step individually. However, take note that this can increase the amount of time your project requires.

Permits and inspection are an additional cost that should definitely not be underestimated. Make sure you get all the required permits for the work you will do, and avoid a big fine later. You may have to budget $300 to $1,000+ depending on local ordinances.

Plan ahead of time to make sure you know what everything will cost when it's time to finish your basement. You don't want to be caught by surprise midway through your finishing project. With careful planning, you can figure out in advance where you can save money and where you can afford to splurge a little.

Cost of finishing vs remodeling a basement

After you've transformed your unfinished basement into usable living space, the next step is to remodel.

Remodeling describes the process of decorating your new basement rooms with a fresh coat of paint, area rugs, comfortable furniture, and decor items. It's where you bring your personality to the space, and truly integrate your finished basement into your home.

Most importantly, the remodeling process is when you will define the use of each room. Will you be creating a new bedroom? A rec room for entertaining guests? A dedicated laundry room? Whether for work or for play, extra rooms will come in handy.

Make sure you budget for remodeling before you begin your basement finishing project. You might spend $10,000 to $40,000+ on paint, furniture, rugs, appliances, and decor.

Keep in mind that you may gain your remodeling costs back, and more, with the increase in value to your home.

Additional rooms and features

What are some useful rooms that you can install in your basement?

Home theater room

Entertain friends and family with the addition of a large-screen HDTV on the wall and plenty of seating. Furnishing a home theater room can cost as little as $600 all the way up to $50,000.

Rec room

Simply add a pool table, a dartboard and a luxe basement bar to create a fun hangout spot. The average cost for outfitting a rec room is $19,000.

Home gym

Prioritize your health with equipment such as a stationary bicycle, free weights, and a bench press. Expect to spend around $2,000 on average.

Laundry room

The basement is the perfect spot to install a washing machine, a dryer, a folding table, and an ironing board. Remodeling a laundry room can run around $2,000.

Extra bedrooms and a bathroom

Provide a homey spot to host overnight guests. No longer will you have to fiddle with a pull-out sofa or spend time inflating an air mattress, when you can provide your guests with their very own beds to sleep in. A bedroom costs $6,000 on average and a bathroom costs $15,200 including plumbing.

Home workshop

Keep your garage clear by storing a workbench and all of your favorite power tools in a dedicated spot in the basement. A home workshop costs $3,000 on average.

Crafting room

Sew, knit and crochet in peace and comfort, and keep your cloth and yarn organized with floor-to-ceiling shelving. The cost will depend on what utilities and shelving you need, with $1,000 being an average estimate.

Walk-out basement

If your home is built on a slope, you can add a door to the outside for convenient outdoor access. The simplest entryway will cost around $1,000 with prices rising for extra features.

Windows

Add natural light to your basement with the addition of new windows. Expect to pay $100 or more per window.

Garden basement

Outfit your basement with lights and ventilation to create a unique greenhouse that lets you enjoy plant life no matter the season. This can cost $1,000 to $2,000 for installation and plants.

A freshly finished basement is a chance for you to get creative with your living space. You can expand the function of your home and enjoy more breathing room to relax and socialize.

Not only does remodeling make your home more livable, it makes your home more valuable as well. Porch.com is an excellent resource for you to explore the options you have for framing, finishing and remodeling your basement. Take advantage of the help of our network of skilled contractors, and learn more with our extensive knowledge base and cost calculators.