I'm looking to finish my basement, which is around 1200 square feet. My plan is quite simple: framing, drywall, a blackout ceiling, recessed lights, and vinyl flooring. A contractor quoted me $13k for labor and about $5k for materials, totaling $18k. This feels a bit steep to me. For those who have completed similar projects, how much did you end up spending? I'm located in the Metro Detroit area of Michigan, so I'm wondering if this pricing is on point. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
3 Answers
Honestly, that price seems pretty reasonable. I did a similar project where I tackled about 40% of the work myself during the COVID lockdowns. I handled the framing and insulation but paid for the rest, including electrical, drywall, and flooring, and it added up to about the same range you're looking at.
From what I've seen, that figure is quite standard, maybe even a bit low for 1200 square feet. Consider all the labor involved: installing doors, baseboards, and all the wiring for outlets and switches. Older basements usually require a decent amount of prep work, so finding a better deal might compromise quality. Just be sure you're not missing any key components in that quote!
Based on my experience, $18k for a 1200 sq ft finish is actually a good deal. I finished about 800 sq ft on my own and would've jumped at a quote around $12k. Just double-check if the quote includes electrical work—if it does, that’s definitely a plus!
Thanks for the input! The contractor mentioned that this price does cover all necessary electrical work, which I think is crucial.