Basement Renovation Cost Calculator & Estimator (2026)

Estimate the cost of any basement renovation with zip-code accuracy, tailored to your needs. Use Remodelum to build an estimate, refine scope and track expenses. Zip code level accuracy.

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Starting point: finishing an unfinished basement — framing, drywall, flooring, lighting, and egress. For targeted or partial renovations, choose Custom.

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Sample estimate No. RA-20261111-43229-L

Basement finishing estimate

A sample budget for finishing a 700 sq ft unfinished basement in a single-family home in Columbus, Ohio, with mid-range finishes: an insulated family room, a three-quarter bathroom, a storage room, new lighting, and heating and cooling from the existing system.

Estimated total $61,650
Labor: $30,926Materials: $17,034Fees & other: $13,690

About $88 per sq ft, including contractor overhead and profit, permits, and a contingency for surprises.

ZIP code
43229
Location
Columbus, OH
Renovation
Basement finishing
Finish quality
Mid-range
Area
700 sq ft

Labor and Materials costs

$47,960

Open any category to see its scope and how the cost is built: labor as hours × rate, materials as quantity × unit cost.

General conditions$4,574

Scope: Protection of the stairs and upper floor, a dumpster, cleanup, and on-site supervision for a 7-week project.

Labor$3,804
Project supervisor40 hrs × $72/hr
$2,880
General laborer, protection and daily cleanup16 hrs × $42/hr
$672
Cleaning crew, final clean6 hrs × $42/hr
$252
Materials$770
15-yard dumpster, delivery and haul-off1 each × $450
$450
Floor and stair protection board2 rolls × $85
$170
Dust barrier and zip door1 lot × $150
$150
Demolition$336

Scope: Removal of old shelving, a partial wall, and loose debris to prepare the unfinished space.

Labor$336
General laborer, removal and loading8 hrs × $42/hr
$336
Materials—

None. Debris disposal is included in General conditions.

Framing and carpentry$7,326

Scope: Framing of the exterior walls, a bathroom, a storage room, and a mechanical room, plus soffits around ducts and beams.

Labor$5,904
Carpenter64 hrs × $66/hr
$4,224
Carpenter helper40 hrs × $42/hr
$1,680
Materials$1,422
Pressure-treated bottom plate, 2x4x1616 each × $12
$192
2x4 studs, 8 ft160 each × $5
$800
Soffit framing for ducts and beams1 lot × $250
$250
Concrete anchors and fasteners1 lot × $180
$180
Plumbing$4,570

Scope: A three-quarter bathroom with shower, toilet, and vanity, connected to existing below-floor rough-ins.

Labor$2,660
Licensed plumber20 hrs × $105/hr
$2,100
Plumbing apprentice10 hrs × $56/hr
$560
Materials$1,910
Toilet, elongated, comfort height1 each × $320
$320
Shower valve and trim kit1 each × $280
$280
Vanity faucet1 each × $160
$160
Shower kit, 36x48 acrylic base and walls1 each × $850
$850
PEX, fittings, and drain parts1 lot × $300
$300
Electrical$5,870

Scope: New circuits with recessed lighting, outlets, a bath fan and light, and smoke and CO detectors.

Labor$3,872
Licensed electrician32 hrs × $95/hr
$3,040
Electrician helper16 hrs × $52/hr
$832
Materials$1,998
LED recessed light, 6 in16 each × $28
$448
Outlet20 each × $9
$180
GFCI outlet3 each × $22
$66
Switches and dimmers8 each × $18
$144
Bath exhaust fan1 each × $160
$160
Smoke and CO detector2 each × $55
$110
Vanity light fixture1 each × $120
$120
NM cable, 250 ft roll3 rolls × $140
$420
Boxes, AFCI breakers, and connectors1 lot × $350
$350
HVAC$2,896

Scope: Extension of the existing furnace and AC with new supply runs and a return.

Labor$2,016
HVAC technician16 hrs × $100/hr
$1,600
HVAC helper8 hrs × $52/hr
$416
Materials$880
Supply run with register5 each × $120
$600
Return grille and duct1 lot × $180
$180
Dampers, hangers, and foil tape1 lot × $100
$100
Insulation and drywall$8,880

Scope: Rigid foam on the foundation walls, batt insulation in framed walls, and drywall on walls and ceilings, taped and finished.

Labor$5,952
Insulation installer12 hrs × $48/hr
$576
Drywall hanger40 hrs × $56/hr
$2,240
Drywall finisher56 hrs × $56/hr
$3,136
Materials$2,928
Rigid foam board, 2 in, 4x828 sheets × $38
$1,064
Foam sealant and seam tape1 lot × $120
$120
R-13 insulation batts6 bags × $55
$330
1/2 in drywall, 4x850 sheets × $16
$800
Moisture-resistant drywall, 4x810 sheets × $20
$200
Joint compound, 4.5 gal12 buckets × $22
$264
Tape, corner bead, and screws1 lot × $150
$150
Tile$954

Scope: Porcelain tile on the bathroom floor over an uncoupling membrane (about 40 sq ft).

Labor$528
Tile setter8 hrs × $66/hr
$528
Materials$426
Porcelain floor tile, incl. 15% waste46 sq ft × $5
$230
Uncoupling membrane40 sq ft × $2
$80
Thinset mortar, 50 lb2 bags × $28
$56
Grout, caulk, and edge trim1 lot × $60
$60
Flooring$4,991

Scope: Waterproof luxury vinyl plank over a vapor-barrier underlayment in the living areas (about 650 sq ft).

Labor$1,664
Flooring installer24 hrs × $52/hr
$1,248
Flooring installer, slab prep and leveling8 hrs × $52/hr
$416
Materials$3,327
Luxury vinyl plank, 20 mil, incl. 10% waste715 sq ft × $3.60
$2,574
Underlayment with vapor barrier715 sq ft × $0.60
$429
Self-leveling compound, 50 lb6 bags × $40
$240
Transitions and stair nosing3 each × $28
$84
Cabinetry and countertops$1,118

Scope: A 30-inch bathroom vanity with top and a mirrored medicine cabinet.

Labor$198
Cabinet installer3 hrs × $66/hr
$198
Materials$920
Vanity, 30 in, with top and sink1 each × $700
$700
Medicine cabinet with mirror1 each × $220
$220
Finish carpentry and trim$3,425

Scope: Baseboards, door casing, three interior doors with hardware, and bath accessories.

Labor$2,112
Finish carpenter32 hrs × $66/hr
$2,112
Materials$1,313
Baseboard, 5-1/4 in MDF260 linear ft × $1.60
$416
Door casing160 linear ft × $1.20
$192
Interior prehung door3 each × $160
$480
Door lever set3 each × $35
$105
Bath accessory set1 set × $120
$120
Painting$3,020

Scope: Walls, ceilings, trim, and doors, with primer on new drywall and two finish coats.

Labor$1,880
Painter40 hrs × $47/hr
$1,880
Materials$1,140
Interior wall paint, mid-grade10 gallons × $45
$450
Ceiling paint6 gallons × $35
$210
Primer8 gallons × $30
$240
Trim and door enamel2 gallons × $60
$120
Caulk, tape, and roller covers1 lot × $120
$120

Fees and contingency

$13,690
Permits and fees$900

Scope: Building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits and inspections for the City of Columbus.

Fee$900
Permits and inspectionsEstimated city fees for this scope
$900
Architecture and engineering$800

Scope: A simple floor plan and electrical layout for the permit. No structural engineering is needed.

Fee$800
Permit drawingsFloor plan and electrical layout for the building permit
$800
Overhead and profit$7,194

Scope: The contractor's business overhead, insurance, project management, and profit.

Fee$7,194
Overhead and profit15% × $47,960 labor and materials
$7,194
Contingency$4,796

Scope: A reserve for surprises, such as moisture or cracks in the foundation walls, uneven slab areas, or inspection-driven changes.

Fee$4,796
Contingency10% × $47,960 labor and materials
$4,796

Not included: a kitchenette or wet bar, a bedroom with an egress window, waterproofing or foundation repair, a sump or ejector pump, and furniture.

Analysis and assumptions

Hourly rates are typical 2026 billed rates for licensed trades in the Columbus area, slightly below the national average, and material prices are typical retail costs for mid-range products. The basement is dry, plumbing rough-ins for the bathroom are already in the slab, and the existing furnace, AC, and electrical panel have capacity for the new space. Actual costs vary with the home's condition, your selections, and local contractor availability.

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HOW IT WORKS

How does Remodelum’s Estimator and Calculator work?

AI renovation cost estimator 
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REMODEL BUDGET TRACKER

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Renovation Budget Tracker

FAQs

  • It varies by region and scope, but most projects range from $20,000 to $60,000+. Use our estimator for personalized pricing.

  • Yes — the estimator is designed for both unfinished and partially finished spaces.

  • Yes, Remodelum’s estimator is 100% free and doesn’t require registration.

  • The tool includes an allowance for permitting and code upgrades based on local averages.