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Thread: Lets talk basement finishing...

  1. #1
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    Default Lets talk basement finishing...

    We want to get our basement finished. Typical 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom + large open area rec room. Total of ~700ft2 of newly finished area. Stairs to basement are already finished. All finishes can match our upstairs (nothing too baller). Peasant 8' ceilings. Nothing fancy just need a bedroom/bathroom for the in law visits and big open play area for the kiddo.

    I’m capable of doing some of the work but have zero desire and/or time. Am I crazy to play GC and piece out work to all the subs… or just be done with it and hire a basement contractor to do it all?

    Has anyone worked with a basement contractor recently, what sorta costs were you looking at?
    Is $30k a reasonable starting price for a bare bones basement? Ie: no bar, no fireplace, basic bathroom. And work up from there?
    Any recommendation for competent sub trades that don’t need to be babysat?

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    30 k is a bit overkill for that IMO. If you need a drywall taper or painter i have some recommendations. You're better off subbing everything out yourself

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    Also interested as per OP, looking for good recommendations or advice.

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    If you need a electrician let me know I’ll hook you up with some good guys. If your close to me I could possibly do it.

    As far as everything goes I’d be my own GC, for a simple basement no need to pay someone to manage it.

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    It cost me (10 years ago mind you) 22k to develop my basement with a kitchen. Engineered hardwood, 1 bedroom, walk in closet, and a washroom. I sub contracted the work myself.

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    Quote Originally Posted by G-ZUS View Post
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    30 k is a bit overkill for that IMO. If you need a drywall taper or painter i have some recommendations. You're better off subbing everything out yourself
    Based on my limited Beyond research people were talking about $50-$60-$70k plus builds lol.

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    I used this guy back in 2015 I think it was.

    https://www.affordablebasements.ca/

    Honest, non-slimy. Also had him do my ensuite bathroom a few years later.

    Only thing that happened during the bathroom reno was one of the subs was sick as fuck one day with the flu and I caught it. I was out of commission for a month. I think they arrest you for stuff like that now.

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    With the price of materials skyrocketing I think $30-40k is reasonable if you're hiring it all out. You'll probably come in around the middle of that I'd bet. Your hardest time is going to be nailing down good trades who actually show up. I'm being told that's not an easy task.

    Before the pandemic I developed my 550sqft basement with a bedroom bathroom and main room and it cost me $14,000. I hired out carpet and hanging/mudding/taping drywall but everything else I did. Prefabricated shower etc. During that build I tracked costs pretty close and now that I'm starting on the basement in my current house I'm going back to compare. I can't believe how much more expensive things are and so far all I've got is electrical and plumbing material. Pricing out lumber and drywall hurts. I paid ~$2.35 per stud in late 2019 and now for the same dimension it's $6.25. For my 870sqft basement I'm thinking I'll be $22-25k before adding in cabinets for a small bar. That's with only hiring the same trades I did last time.
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    A 2x4x8 is $6.28 at Home Depot.

    Holy. Mother. Fucking. Shit.

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    Following as I'm also interested in doing this and I have time to DIY. Its a difficult layout so I'd like to get some proper drawings prepared so I can get quotes from trades or a GC. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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    Quote Originally Posted by suntan View Post
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    A 2x4x8 is $6.28 at Home Depot.

    Holy. Mother. Fucking. Shit.
    It was around 10 bucks not long ago lol.

    For drywall, i used adss. They deliver for free if you order a certain amount. The nice thing was they took it right down into the basement and not just curb side drop off. They were also pretty cheap price wise (per sheet)

    For doors and trim, do not use aaa doors. They suck monkey balls. They're idiots and their customer service leaves something to be desired.

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    Quote Originally Posted by G-ZUS View Post
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    It was around 10 bucks not long ago lol.
    Jesus, good thing I didn't take a look, I would've had a heart attack right then and there.

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    Do not look up the historical prices of a sheet of 3/4" plywood over the last two years then.
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    Don't forget that you can save hundreds of dollars (maybe even $200) by not getting permits.
    That's a top money-saving tip that will def not come back to bite you vigorously in the urethra.

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    100% GC yourself. ROI on your time is pretty good for something small. Also I assume there’s little risk of things take a bit longer given it’s the basement and not your primary living space.

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    Yea I don’t mind doing it. My biggest concern it getting subs to actually show up.

    Hey anyone do a basement site metal studs to avoid the wood stud pricing BS?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by schurchill39 View Post
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    Do not look up the historical prices of a sheet of 3/4" plywood over the last two years then.
    Had to buy a single sheet a few month back. $9x.xx. Ouch.

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    Quote Originally Posted by 88CRX View Post
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    Hey anyone do a basement site metal studs to avoid the wood stud pricing BS?
    A portion of my basement was done with steel studs by the previous owner. My only regret about my basement development was not ripping out those pieces of shit and putting in wood studs. They're complete junk.

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    Quote Originally Posted by 88CRX View Post
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    Yea I don’t mind doing it. My biggest concern it getting subs to actually show up.

    Hey anyone do a basement site metal studs to avoid the wood stud pricing BS?

    - - - Updated - - -



    Had to buy a single sheet a few month back. $9x.xx. Ouch.
    A Buddy who was doing his basement at the time I was doing mine did steel. I think they are still $5 or so a stud so not a pile on cost saving. It seemed like an easier install all around but hanging stuff was a pain and it sounded very hollow. It was weird. Not sure I'd personally go that route.
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    Quote Originally Posted by BerserkerCatSplat View Post
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    A portion of my basement was done with steel studs by the previous owner. My only regret about my basement development was not ripping out those pieces of shit and putting in wood studs. They're complete junk.
    The best thing I did was rip that shit out

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    I think you can get it done under 30k and GC yourself. One thing to keep in mind with every trade is don't pay anyone in full until their part of the work is completely done, even small paint touch ups etc. I find most of the good trades guys usually don't try to squeeze money out of you during construction.

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