A basement development may be the single most impactful change you can make to your home. Well-designed and nicely finished basements give you and your family more space to live or an additional source of income as a secondary suite. Not only that, but a basement project can have as high as an 80% return on investment—considerably greater than a typical home renovation.
We specialize in projects that maximize our client’s budget and space without compromising on quality. This brief guide will give you an introduction to the world of basements in Calgary. It’s the first step to making your suburban house, a home.
1. What kind of features can I add?
Nearly anything that you put on the main floor of your home can be built as part of your basement renovation. We recommend that our clients prioritize creating multi-functional rooms and integrated storage solutions so that their basement grows as they do.
Our standard basement renovation package includes framing new rooms, upgrading your electrical services, adding HVAC, ensuring that your mechanical meets code, plumbing and fixtures for a new bathroom, and finishing the space with drywall and new flooring. On top of that, past clients have added specialty features like:
Kitchens
Additional windows
Home gyms
Extra soundproofing
Heated floors
Wet/dry bars
Theatre rooms
Home offices
And more!
2. How much does a Calgary basement cost?
Every project is unique, which is why we design a custom floorplan for each basement that we develop. We’ve built enough of them, though, to anticipate that a typical downstairs renovation built with quality craftsmanship will cost between $90-$150 per finished square foot.
What influences the final number? Naturally, the bigger your basement, the more it will cost to complete. But, there’s more to it than that. The position of your utilities, the age of your home and whether you are building a secondary suite can all impact the cost. During our on-site visit, we’ll take measurements and let you know if there is anything out of the ordinary.
The level of finish you select also determines the final price of your project. We only supply materials which you can rely on. Our range starts with quality budget-friendly options and includes high-end luxury finishes.
3. How long does it take to develop a basement?
We aim to complete all of our projects as quickly as possible and with minimal disruptions to your day-to-day life. You’ll never have to leave your home while we renovate and we’ll always communicate the timelines for your build as work progresses.
Typically, a basement is done in 10 to 16 weeks from start to finish. Unfinished basements that have rough-ins completed go the quickest. Before you’ll know it, the build will be over, inspections completed, and your life forever changed for the better.
Work that requires development permits, like adding a secondary suite, will take longer. This is because of the added time for approval, as well as the complexity that often comes with adding second furnaces and external entrances.