Basement Finishing and Remodeling
Quick Answer: Premium basement finishing costs $85-$110 per square foot in the DC metro area.
For a 1,000 square foot basement, expect to invest $85,000-$110,000, with most homeowners landing between $85,000-$95,000.
That includes the same Core Remodeling Work at the Essential level for $49-$55 per sq ft. Plus you can add 1 or 2 custom spaces like a premium bathroom, full-size wet bar, or kitchen.
Important Note for DC Proper: If your home is in Washington, DC (not Maryland or Virginia suburbs), pricing and timelines differ significantly due to historic home considerations, logistics, site access, and more intensive permitting requirements. Learn more about DC historic home basement remodeling.
| Component | Cost Range (1,000 sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core Remodeling Work Framing, Insulation, Drywall, Basic Electrical, HVAC, Permits, Interior Design Support |
$49,000-$55,000 | Same quality foundation as Essential |
| Space | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Bathroom | $15,000-$25,000 | Spa-like quality |
| Premium Wet Bar | $15,000-$30,000 | Local pub feel |
| Premium Kitchen | $15,000-$30,000 | Second kitchen |
| Premium Movie Theater | $10,000-$30,000 | Better experience than going to AMC |
| Premium Home Office | $8,000-$15,000 | Happy to spend 8 hours a day down here |
| Upgrade | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Flooring | $6,000-$18,000 | Wall-to-wall hard floors |
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total for 1,000 sq ft | $85,000-$110,000 | Most projects: $85,000-$95,000 |
View Our Complete List of Spaces
View Our Complete List of Features
Premium basement finishing includes everything that makes our Essential Level different from typical contractors and takes it up a notch
With Premium, your interior designer spends additional time with you because there are more decisions to make. Each premium space, whether it's a spa-like bathroom, a full wet bar, or a home theater, requires its own selections for tiles, fixtures, finishes, and layout details. The designer doesn't just hand you options; they guide you through choices that work together across your entire basement.
The word "premium" gets thrown around a lot in this industry. Every contractor claims they do premium work. So let's be specific about what we mean.
Premium basement finishing transforms your basement into a true extension of your home, not just "finished square footage." The difference shows up in three ways: materials that handle the unique challenges of below-grade living, custom features you'd actually choose for your main floor, and custom spaces tailored to your lifestyle rather than one-size-fits-all rooms.
Think of it this way:
| Feature | Essential Finishing | Premium Finishing |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost (1,000 sq ft) | $55,000-$65,000 (with bathroom or LVP) | $85,000-$110,000 (with 1-2 premium spaces) |
| Typical Project Cost | $55,000-$62,000 | $85,000-$95,000 |
| Premium Spaces | None included | 1-2 premium spaces included |
| Interior Design Support | From preconstruction through completion | Expanded support with additional selections for each premium space |
| Best For | Functional space on a budget | Extension of your home that enhances your life daily |
For complete details on what essential finishing includes, visit our Essential Basement Finishing Guide.
A: Premium basement finishing costs $85-$110 per square foot in the DC metro area. For a 1,000 square foot basement, expect to invest $85,000-$110,000, with most homeowners landing between $85,000-$95,000. Premium includes everything you get with Essential, including a free architectural floor plan, dedicated project manager, and interior design support from preconstruction through completion, plus additional design collaboration for each premium space. Your interior designer works with you on tile selections, fixture choices, wet bar layouts, and all the details that make premium spaces feel custom.
A: Essential basement finishing ($49-$55/sq ft for core work) provides quality fundamentals, proper framing, code-compliant electrical, functional finishes. With a bathroom added, Essential runs $55,000-$65,000 for 1,000 sq ft. Premium finishing ($85-$110/sq ft) uses the same quality core remodeling work, then adds $25,000-$45,000 in upgrades like premium bathrooms, full-size wet bars, movie theaters, and more.
A: Premium basements typically take 8-10 weeks from start to finish, depending on custom features. More customized spaces like a full-size wet bar or custom cabinetry can extend the timeline.
A: That bathroom tile will look great for 15 years and matches or exceeds the quality of your master bathroom. Premium flooring handles basement moisture better and maintains its quality for you and any potential buyer. Premium finishing typically delivers 75-80% ROI at resale, consistent with national remodeling industry data for finished basements in high-demand metro areas. Beyond resale value, it also improves the quality of your daily life.
A: The most popular premium features are bathrooms, wet bars, kitchens, gyms, movie theaters, bedrooms, and home offices. If you can dream it, we can build it. Here's a comprehensive list of the features and spaces we typically include.
A: Premium ($85-$110/sq ft) delivers a custom space that matches or exceeds your main floor. Luxury ($150-$300+/sq ft) includes designer bathrooms with steam showers and heated floors, AV specialist-designed theaters with tiered seating, walk-in wine cellars with full climate control, and custom finishes throughout. Premium serves 95% of families in Northern Virginia and Greater Maryland perfectly. Luxury is for showpiece spaces where budget isn't a concern.
After 1,000+ basement projects across the DC metro area, here's when premium makes the most sense:
Choose Essential basement finishing if:
Essential gives you everything that matters structurally, proper framing, code-compliant electrical and HVAC, quality construction that lasts. You can always upgrade finishes and add features later when budget allows.
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Core Remodeling | $55,000 |
| Premium Bathroom | $20,000-$25,000 |
| Premium Flooring | $10,000 |
| Total | $85,000-$90,000 |
Alternative: Core ($55,000) + Premium Wet Bar ($25,000) + Basic Flooring ($6,000) = $86,000
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Core Remodeling | $55,000 |
| Premium Bathroom | $20,000 |
| Premium Home Office | $12,000-$15,000 |
| Premium Flooring | $10,000 |
| Total | $97,000-$100,000 |
Alternative: Core ($55,000) + Premium Wet Bar ($25,000) + Premium Flooring ($12,000) = $92,000
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Core Remodeling | $55,000 |
| Premium Bathroom | $22,000 |
| Premium Wet Bar | $25,000 |
| Premium Flooring | $12,000 |
| Total | $114,000 |
Alternative: Core ($55,000) + Premium Bathroom ($20,000) + Premium Movie Theater ($25,000) + Premium Flooring ($10,000) = $110,000
Serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC with 20+ years of experience and 1,000+ completed basement finishing projects across Montgomery County, Fairfax County, Prince George's County, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, McLean, Silver Spring, Rockville, Potomac, Vienna, and Falls Church.
