Interior Remodeling
Basement Finishing
A finished basement can add a family room, guest bedroom or home office without adding a single square foot to your home's footprint, as long as it starts dry and is built to code.
An unfinished basement is often the most affordable space in a house to turn into living area. Ironcrest Contracting finishes basements from bare concrete to move-in ready, and we start with the question that matters most: is the space dry enough to finish?
What basement finishing can include
- Moisture assessment — checking walls and floors for signs of water, efflorescence and past leaks before any framing goes up.
- Framing and insulation — insulated exterior walls, a proper vapour control layer and framing for rooms, closets and bulkheads.
- Bedrooms and egress — basement bedrooms need a window that meets Ontario Building Code egress requirements, which may mean enlarging an opening.
- Drywall, ceilings and trim — drywall or drop ceilings that keep access to shut-off valves and mechanical equipment.
- Flooring — moisture-tolerant options such as luxury vinyl plank installed over a suitable subfloor; see flooring installation.
- Bathrooms and wet bars — finish work for a basement bathroom or bar area, with licensed trades handling plumbing and electrical.
How the project runs
- Walkthrough. We look at moisture, ceiling height, existing ductwork and plumbing, and talk through how you want to use the space.
- Floor plan and quote. We sketch the layout and provide an itemized quote, including any window or moisture work.
- Permits. Finishing a basement generally requires a building permit in Ontario municipalities. We prepare drawings and apply where required.
- Build, inspect and finish. Framing, insulation and inspections come first, then drywall, flooring, doors and trim.
Good to know before you start
Finishing over an active moisture problem traps it behind drywall, so any leaks or grading issues should be addressed first. Low ceilings, ductwork and beams can limit layouts; we'll show you where bulkheads will go before you sign. If you're considering a separate rental unit, that has additional fire separation, egress and zoning requirements, and we'll discuss those separately.
What affects the cost of basement finishing
The cost of finishing a basement is driven by its size, the number of rooms you want and whether you're adding a bathroom or kitchenette. Open family-room layouts require less framing, fewer doors and less trim than layouts with several bedrooms and closets. Enlarging windows for bedroom egress involves cutting the foundation and adding a window well, which adds meaningful cost. Moisture repairs, low ceilings that need creative bulkheads and relocating ductwork all affect the budget. Flooring choice and ceiling type, drywall versus a drop ceiling, make a difference as well. We price these items separately so you can decide what to include now and what can wait.
Basement Finishing questions
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
In most Ontario municipalities, yes. Finishing a basement typically involves framing, insulation and often new bedrooms, which fall under the building permit process. We confirm requirements with your municipality.
Can a basement bedroom have a small window?
The Ontario Building Code sets minimum size requirements for bedroom egress windows. Many older basement windows are too small and need to be enlarged.
What's the best flooring for a basement?
Moisture-tolerant materials such as luxury vinyl plank or tile are common choices. Solid hardwood is generally not recommended below grade.
Where we offer basement finishing
We provide basement finishing for homeowners in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
Let's build something solid.
Tell us about your project and we'll set up a time to look at it in person. You'll get a clear, written quote before any work begins.