Tenleytown has long been one of DC's most sought-after family neighborhoods. Top-rated public schools, easy Red Line access, the shops and restaurants along Wisconsin Avenue, and residential streets that actually feel livable — it's the kind of place people move to and never leave. The problem? Your family grows, your needs change, and suddenly that three-bedroom colonial feels a lot smaller than it did five years ago. The answer is right beneath your feet.
We've been finishing Tenleytown basements for more than 20 years and understand exactly what homeowners here are looking for. These aren't investment properties or rental plays — they're family homes where people need functional space. A finished lower level where teenagers can hang out without taking over the living room. A proper home office now that remote work isn't going anywhere. A guest bedroom for when grandparents visit. A playroom that contains the chaos instead of spreading it through the entire house.
The housing stock in Tenleytown varies — you'll find 1920s colonials, mid-century splits, and everything in between. What most have in common is basements that were never designed as living space. Ceilings hover around 6 feet, natural light is an afterthought, and the layout prioritizes mechanicals over usability. That's fixable. Basement lowering gets you to legal ceiling height, egress windows bring in daylight and meet safety code, and smart design turns awkward footprints into rooms that actually work.
Proximity to American University also creates rental opportunities for homeowners interested in that route. Legal basement apartments with separate entrances appeal to graduate students, faculty, and young professionals — steady tenants who value the quiet neighborhood and Metro access. Some owners pursue full condo conversions, creating separately deeded units worth $350K+ in today's market.
Project timelines depend on complexity. Standard basement finishing runs 12–18 weeks once permits are in hand. If underpinning or slab lowering is required, expect 18–28+ weeks — foundation work can't be rushed, especially on older homes. We handle DC permits, coordinate inspections, and stay on the job until you have a finished space that adds real value to your home.
We were honored to be featured live on Fox Business and Bloomberg TV on February 22, 2025, in a segment of Trending Today—an award-winning series showcasing innovative businesses and industry leaders. In this episode our team shared our passion for basements, insights into our creative process, and what makes us the go-to experts in basement transformations.
BasementRemodeling.com is an award-winning basement remodeling and finishing company and one of the top remodeling companies in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia (NOVA).
We service areas all across Washington DC, including Tenleytown. Our reliable team will guide you through the process from start to finish, through design, construction, and final touches. We take pride in our reliability and love to bring new life to homes across Washington DC.
If you reside in the above areas, our nearest store to you is at 5300 Kilmer pl, Hyattsville, MD, 2078. That ensures quick turnaround and efficient execution of all your orders.
Ready to get started? Schedule your free in-home consultation today to get your basement remodel underway!
Want to know what our past clients have to say about their basement remodeling experiences with BasementRemodeling.com?
Willy , Shanae. and team were amazing! Great crew and extremely professional and thorough.Willy , Shanae. and team were amazing! Great crew and extremely professional and thorough.Willy , Shanae. and team were amazing! Great crew and extremely professiona
We have had many renovations done over the years in different houses as we move a lot and I can say that I had the best experience with this company..
I really enjoyed my experience with Basement Remodeling. I love my newly constructed basement apartment.
From beginning to end, working with this company was a pleasure. The quality of the work is excellent, matched by their very thorough communications..
It was just a completely amazing experience when working with BasementRemodeling.com. When my husband and I visited the showroom we knew exactly which materials..
After getting quotes from multiple companies, we decided to go with BasementRemodeling.com — our neighbor had used them, couldn’t stop singing their praises,
The overwhelmingly positive reception from our clients makes BasementRemodeling.com stand out from other basement remodeling companies in Maryland, Northern Virginia (NOVA) and DC. It definitely means something to us, and we think it should mean something to you, too!
Basement ADU Cost - Tenleytown's proximity to American University makes basement rentals particularly attractive. We build fully permitted accessory dwelling units with private entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms that appeal to graduate students and faculty.
Basement Condo Conversion Cost - Transform your basement into an independently titled property you can sell separately. In Tenleytown's strong market, basement condos represent substantial value — often $350K or more as a standalone asset.
Crawl Space Conversion Cost - Some older Tenleytown properties have partial basements or shallow crawl spaces. We excavate beneath existing foundations to create full-height, finished living areas from previously unusable voids.
DC Basement Lowering Cost - Most pre-war and mid-century Tenleytown homes lack the 7-foot ceilings code requires for habitable space. We lower concrete slabs and underpin foundations to create comfortable, legal headroom.
Historic Home Basement Remodeling Cost – Portions of Tenleytown near older commercial corridors may have historic considerations. We identify any applicable requirements early and ensure exterior modifications like egress windows comply with preservation guidelines.
OUR PROCESS
