Basement finishing in Oakland County & Metro Detroit.
Most homes in Oakland County were built with full unfinished basements. Finishing one is among the highest-ROI projects you can do — usable square footage at a fraction of the cost of an addition. We handle everything from an open recreation room to a full basement suite with a bathroom, wet bar, and defined home office or bedroom spaces. Fixed-price contracts, permits pulled by us, inspections handled by us.
What’s typically included
Basic finish · $25K–$45K
- Framing and insulation
- Drywall and paint
- Flooring (LVP or carpet)
- Recessed lighting and basic electrical
- Egress compliance review
Mid-range · $45K–$70K
- Half-bath or full bath
- Defined spaces (rec room, office, bedroom)
- Wet bar rough-in
- HVAC extension and zoning
- Egress window if needed
Full suite · $70K–$90K+
- Full bathroom with tile shower
- Kitchenette or full wet bar
- In-law or guest suite layout
- Custom built-ins and millwork
- Waterproofing if needed pre-build
What drives cost up
- Bathroom addition (half-bath adds $8K–$18K)
- Egress windows ($1,500–$3,500 each)
- Waterproofing before framing
- Low ceiling height (drop ceiling vs. drywall)
Our process
Walkthrough
- Free, on-site
- Water intrusion assessment
- Ceiling height and egress review
- Panel capacity check
Design & estimate
- Layout options
- Bathroom scope decisions
- Fixed-price written estimate
- Permits pulled before demo
Build
- Waterproofing if needed first
- Framing, insulation, rough-ins
- Drywall, flooring, trim
- Daily cleanup, weekly updates
Walkthrough & warranty
- Punch list together
- Certificate of occupancy
- One-year workmanship warranty
Basement finishing questions.
How much does it cost to finish a basement in Michigan?
Most finished basements in Oakland County run $25,000 to $65,000 for a straightforward open recreation space with proper lighting, egress, and flooring. Add a full bathroom and you're looking at $40,000 to $90,000 or more. What drives the cost up: adding a bathroom or half-bath, installing egress windows for legal bedroom use, addressing waterproofing before framing, extending HVAC to condition the space properly, and finish-level choices on flooring, ceiling, and millwork.
Do I need permits to finish my basement?
Yes, always. Basement finishing requires building permits for framing and insulation, electrical, plumbing if you're adding a bathroom, and HVAC. Doing it without permits creates real problems at resale — buyers' agents ask, title companies flag it, and it can void your homeowner's insurance coverage for the finished space. We pull every permit and handle all inspections, including the final certificate of occupancy.
How long does basement finishing take?
Most basement projects run 8 to 12 weeks from permit approval to final walkthrough. The variables that extend the timeline are: whether a bathroom is included (plumbing rough-in adds time), whether egress windows need to be cut (requires excavation coordination with exterior grading), whether any waterproofing needs to happen before framing begins, and permit review time at the local building department.
Should I waterproof my basement before finishing it?
If there's any evidence of past water intrusion — efflorescence on the block, staining on the slab, or a persistent musty smell — yes. We won't frame a basement over an active water problem because the framing and insulation will fail. For mild seasonal moisture, interior drainage systems and a correctly sized dehumidification strategy may be sufficient. For active infiltration through the block or slab, we recommend waterproofing before we start framing. It's a conversation we have during the walkthrough.
Can a finished basement include a legal bedroom?
Only if it has an egress window or door that meets building code requirements. An egress window must be large enough for an adult to climb through and must open to grade or to a window well that allows escape. If your basement doesn't already have one, we can cut one in — it requires excavation outside the foundation and installation of a properly sized window well, typically adding $1,500 to $3,500 per window to the project cost. Without an egress opening, the space can be a recreation room or office but cannot legally be called a bedroom.
Can you add a bathroom to a basement?
Yes, and it's one of the most popular upgrades we add during a basement finish. A half-bath adds roughly $8,000 to $18,000 to the project cost; a full bath (shower or tub-shower) typically adds $18,000 to $35,000 depending on finish level. The main technical requirement is adequate ceiling height for drain lines and proper slope back to the main stack. Most Oakland County homes from the 1980s onward have sufficient basement height for this.