What should it cost?
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Elder User
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What should it cost?
I have a contractor coming over to give me an estimate to finish out a room (600 sq ft) in my basement. I plan to let him stud the walls and finish the sheet rock, ready for me to paint. I do have a trunk line for the AC/heat that he will tie into. and I would like a tile floor (1 foot squares) , and he will have to install a upflush toliet, with sink. the celing will be a drop down with tile squares. What do you think the cost should be? I am thinking $6000 tops? I would do this myself if I had the time but my work requires me to travel alot. THANKS!
Last edited by TN-W124 Diesel; Apr 12, 2006 at 07:01 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
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From: Oregon
Man, 6 grand sounds really low. You're going to have plumbing, HVAC, electrical, drop ceiling and tile guys involved - not cheap. Then there's the permits to deal with; depending on your area, can add to the cost.
Just to be safe, I'd call at least three contractors for bids and ask for references. This will give you a ballpark figure. 600sf doesn't seem like much when you're down in the basement looking at it, but the logistics of the little detail$ add up quick.
Just to be safe, I'd call at least three contractors for bids and ask for references. This will give you a ballpark figure. 600sf doesn't seem like much when you're down in the basement looking at it, but the logistics of the little detail$ add up quick.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Location, Location.
Agree with Howdy. $6k is about half what a reputable contractor should quote. Expect ~$12k time and materials. This is assuming we're starting with a bare concrete basement and it's a simple open layout with just one room for the wc.
You've got:
- framing
(metal studs feel more flimsy, but they'll never get mouldy or rot in a damp basement)
- ducting
(make sure there are dampers on every new line so you can balance household air flow; tape all existing duct joints before they're hidden in a celiing)
- electrical
(got space in the existing breaker panel for new circuits?)
- plumbing
(code! Esp. drain venting)
- insulation & drywall
(prof. drywaller sub-contractors work fast and do the best job)
- floor
(a raised floor is warmer and drier, but more expensive than just stick-on tiles on the concrete)
-ceiling
- permits
(never hire a contractor that doesn't want to get permits. Demand to see the permit.)
You've got:
- framing
(metal studs feel more flimsy, but they'll never get mouldy or rot in a damp basement)
- ducting
(make sure there are dampers on every new line so you can balance household air flow; tape all existing duct joints before they're hidden in a celiing)
- electrical
(got space in the existing breaker panel for new circuits?)
- plumbing
(code! Esp. drain venting)
- insulation & drywall
(prof. drywaller sub-contractors work fast and do the best job)
- floor
(a raised floor is warmer and drier, but more expensive than just stick-on tiles on the concrete)
-ceiling
- permits
(never hire a contractor that doesn't want to get permits. Demand to see the permit.)
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
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From: Goldsboro, NC
I had a 600 sq ft bonus finished a couple years ago that cost $7,500. It didn't have a bathroom, the ceiling was sheet rock and put carpet down. For yours, I'd guess $7.5K-$10K. Something else to conisider, if you have a septic system, is whether an additional bathroom can be added without upgrading your septic system.
Cost varies based on where you're at too. Construction costs are cheaper here than many places.
Cost varies based on where you're at too. Construction costs are cheaper here than many places.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Yeah, id say 6 is a little low.Theres usually a bit of work there that you dont even think of.Like how much of your concrete floor he will have to bust up just to hook up that toilet and sink, which aint to hard, but it all adds up.And for permits, we get them if the owners want them, but around this area the county is a joke.Nobody even wastes time with them anymore.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
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Originally Posted by 99 4X4
Yeah, id say 6 is a little low.Theres usually a bit of work there that you dont even think of.Like how much of your concrete floor he will have to bust up just to hook up that toilet and sink, which aint to hard, but it all adds up.And for permits, we get them if the owners want them, but around this area the county is a joke.Nobody even wastes time with them anymore.
The concrete will not have to be touched.The flushup toliet sits on a pedestal and the plumbing is underneath, Thanks!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: West Valley Utah
Judging by pricing in my area, tile alone will cost at least half that 6 grand, if not more. A half bath will run about $2,500-$3,000.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
The pump itself is over $2000 at my local Home Depot. I would question what pump is being used. The cheapest tile cost $1 a square foot and the hardiplank cost $10 for a 3x5 1/4". That is $1000 for the cheapest tile and cheapest cement board. $3000 right here with the pump.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,759
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From: Pleasant Hill, MO
strange... cost of construction here in missouri must be low. We just finished out basement by ourselves. We got a quote beforehand last summer. At about 800 square feet, they wanted 5,500 to finish it. We have a 3/4 bathroom, hookups for a bar area and the rest is tiled living area... hmm...
Ryan
Ryan
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Different prices for different areas in the country.
Even different prices from contractors in the same area.
Either way, best to try to do as much of the work as you can.
Talk about money saved; and you get a feeling of "pride in your work".
Even different prices from contractors in the same area.
Either way, best to try to do as much of the work as you can.
Talk about money saved; and you get a feeling of "pride in your work".
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 1
From: savannah,ga
I work in the remodeling ind.
in the s.e. we start at 100.00 a s/f 6000.00
anything special or unique goes up from there
tile is 5.00s/f labor plus mat. 3000.00
upflush 2000.00 +
elect. basic lites, outlets, lowvoltage min 1000.00
hvac will need add unit for s.f. of 600 2500.00
and as fuel continues to climb so does the cost
one year ago i spent 50.00 a week in gas
now 100.00 a week
in the s.e. we start at 100.00 a s/f 6000.00
anything special or unique goes up from there
tile is 5.00s/f labor plus mat. 3000.00
upflush 2000.00 +
elect. basic lites, outlets, lowvoltage min 1000.00
hvac will need add unit for s.f. of 600 2500.00
and as fuel continues to climb so does the cost
one year ago i spent 50.00 a week in gas
now 100.00 a week
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,054
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From: Salmon Arm
Originally Posted by TN-W124 Diesel
hmmm. I was just pricing it on bulding a new house, I think it costs about $80 a sq ft around here.
weve heard of houses at $200 a finished sq ft around here for quality top notch homes but still at least $150 a ft for a basic house