How much does it cost to finish a 600 sq ft basement
Dylan Hughes
Published Mar 10, 2026
Square FeetOpen Plan3 Rooms500$18,000$23,500600$22,000$28,200800$28,000$37,6001,000$32,000$38,000
How much does it cost to finish a 650 sq ft basement?
The average cost to finish a basement is generally between $25 and $50 per square foot, but costs can go as high as $90 per square foot depending on how extensive the renovations are and the materials and labor you choose. For most basements, the average cost works out to around $30,000.
What is the most expensive part of finishing a basement?
Breaking down the cost to finish a basement Flooring and wall coverings like paneling are the biggest expenses, making up approximately 15% of the total cost to finish a 1,200 square-foot basement, Sebring says.
How much does it cost to finish a 700 sq ft basement?
Size (Square Feet)Average Price500$7,500700$10,500800$12,0001,000$15,000Is finishing a basement a good investment?
Finishing a basement can be a good investment. According to cost versus value surveys conducted annually by Remodeling magazine, the average return on investment for a basement project nationally is currently around 75 cents on the dollar.
How much does it cost to finish a partial basement?
Type of CostCostAverage Cost$18,400Highest Cost$80,000Lowest Cost$3,000
How do I estimate the cost to finish my basement?
Cost to Finish a Basement Per Square Foot The average cost to finish a basement is $32 to $47 per square foot or about $39 per square foot on average. A small, open-plan, 500-square-foot basement will cost about $20,000 while a 1,500-square-foot basement with three rooms and a bathroom costs around $57,000 to finish.
How can I save money to finish my basement?
- Opt for an inexpensive, prefabricated egress window and well. …
- Test exterior walls for moisture before finishing. …
- Cut out some studs. …
- Install drop ceilings. …
- Skip the carpet and install luxury vinyl tile instead. …
- Add a bathroom (or at least a half bath) near existing plumbing.
How much does it cost to frame and drywall a basement?
Framing: You should expect to spend about $1 per square foot to frame your basement. Drywall: It costs around $1.50 per square foot to hang drywall in your basement. Ceiling: Basic ceiling installation can cost as little as $1-2 per square foot. But, if the project is complex, it can cost around $6 per square foot.
How long does it take to finish a basement?How Long Does Finishing a Basement Take? The standard time it takes to finish a basement is 4-8 weeks. Keep in mind that this can vary by the project size, so give yourself as much time as you need. This is a big investment and an extensive project, so there is no need to rush it.
Article first time published onHow do appraisers value finished basements?
Appraisers will generally value finished basement space at 50 to 60 of the value of the above grade square footage. This is why market experts recommend keeping the basement budget below 10 of the existing home’s value. … Moving above this percentage doesn’t help with the appraisal, it’s like over improving the basement.
Does a finished basement add square footage?
As a general rule of thumb, a finished basement typically doesn’t count toward the overall square footage, especially if the basement is completely below grade—a term that means under ground level.
Do you include unfinished basement square footage?
Unfinished basements and attics should not be included in a house’s total square footage. But if an attic or loft space is finished and accessible by stairs, it can be counted.
What's the cost to hang and finish drywall?
ItemCost per square footDrywall materials$0.50 – $0.80Installation labor and finishing$1.00 – $2.70Total$1.50 – $3.50
What is the best flooring for a basement?
What basement flooring options and materials are the best? The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof.
Can I finish my own basement?
The basic steps to finish your basement include insulating walls, choosing flooring and adding a ceiling to transform your lower level into an additional living area.
What is considered partially finished basement?
A partially finished basement is also called as a half-finished basement. It is mostly used by children and teenagers. It can be used as a work area for the entire family. … The main difference between a partially finished basement and a finished and unfinished basement is that it is entirely unmodified.
What adds the most value to a home?
- Kitchen Improvements. If adding value to your home is the goal, the kitchen is likely the place to start. …
- Bathrooms Improvements. Updated bathrooms are key for adding value to your home. …
- Lighting Improvements. …
- Energy Efficiency Improvements. …
- Curb Appeal Improvements.
What makes a basement considered finished?
A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls.
Is basement square footage included in an appraisal?
As a general rule of thumb, listing agents and appraisers don’t count a finished basement toward the overall square footage, especially if the basement is completely below grade—a term that means below ground level. Whether an appraiser includes basement living space ultimately depends on which state you live in.
How much value can a finished basement add?
Usually, the value per square foot is lower than above-grade square footage based on the quality of the finish and the number of doors and windows in the basement. The value of your finished basement square footage compared to the other levels may only be around 50% or 70% per square foot for example.
Do basements count as a story?
A basement is not considered in stories. If you look at elevators they will list floors as one and up with a B for basement. Stories are from ground level and up. A rancher may have a basement and if finished off it counts towards the house square footage because it is living space.
What counts as livable square footage?
Any space that has walls, flooring, ceiling and heat would count as finished square footage. So, it’s likely that stairwells, closets, walk-in pantries and other areas you might be questioning would contribute to the square footage count of a home.
How do you quote a drywall job?
Multiply drywall square footage by the going rate Once you have determined your sheet count and corresponding drywall square footage, you can multiply this by the contractor’s square footage rate. You can use the total drywall square footage numbers to estimate both material and labor.
How do I estimate a drywall job?
Calculate how many drywall sheets you will need by dividing the total square footage of area by 32 (if you’re using 4-by-8 sheets) or by 48 (if you’re using 4-by-12 sheets). If you want to get the cost, just multiply the total number of sheets by the price per sheet. Remember to add local taxes and delivery charges.