Basement Remodeling Cost in Los Angeles – 2023 Guide

Remodeling a basement – creating an underground livable space for families – can be a smart move for increasing the overall cost of a house. Not only does it expand your home some extra foot without changing the exterior. But it also converts a dark storage room into a home office, a bedroom, or a fully finished entertainment space due to growing family needs. In simple terms, it’s a kind of renovation that brings a significant ROI.

The requirement for basement construction in Los Angeles is slowly becoming popular. But, the most crucial part here is to be aware of the basement construction issues, the latest Los Angeles building codes, and average cost estimation. In this regard, taking help from a general contractor, updated with new ordinances of Los Angeles, will give you the most out of it.

We, Lux Construction Group, are a professional and experienced commercial construction contractor in Los Angeles, going to provide a proper estimation over basement remodeling. In this Basement Remodeling Cost Guide, you’ll get to know about the factors that affect remodeling costs. This guide will help you to find the average cost of basement expansion in Los Angeles and the other additional modifications if there are any.

Factors Affecting Basement Remodel Costs in Los Angeles

Do you know what factors affect Basement Remodeling Costs in Los Angeles?  An average remodeled basement cost from scratch can cost around $12,000 to $70,000 including framing, installation of electrical wirings, drywall, carpeting, ceiling, and flooring. Some companies offer such services in the range of $4,000 to $50,000.

Why this much difference in the price range? Its answer lies in several factors of basement conversion, including its condition, labor, location, size, material quality, and many others.

We discuss those factors in the following section in detail.

• Basement Condition and Size

Current basement condition and size are the two main factors for estimating the cost. The larger the size, the more expensive it will be. The average basement construction cost per square foot can range from $30 to $80 in LA. This further can also increase, depending on the amount of work needed.

• Permits

If your renovating project also demands additional services, such as adding walls, installing plumbing, or laying wires, you require a permit from a local building authority before starting the project. They charge some percentage of the project’s estimated cost or a flat fee in terms of permit and inspection fees. This typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 or more.

• Geographic Location

Cost is also affected due to geographic location. Because the cost of living in your area could be different, which could further affect the labor prices for your basement remodel or renovation. Despite this, location will also influence the type, quality, and accessibility of materials.

• Project Scope

The project scope is also an essential factor for estimating the overall cost. Are you planning to add a home office, bathroom, living area, or kitchen to the basement? Do you need plumbing and electrical work? Featuring your basement with these settings, such as lighting, ceiling, light switches, HVAC, framing, flooring, painting, drywall, and others also adds cost.

• Subcontractors and Labor

Every home in LA County have a different structure and a different basement design. This concludes that every residential property requires different techniques and a number of contractors for handling the renovations. The cost of hiring an architect, electrician, plumber, and others will also be different. An architect costs $2,000 to $15,000, a licensed electrician will charge between $500 and $3,000, and a plumber costs around $500 to $2,000.

• Material Quality

Using lower-quality materials might save some bucks from the total cost of remodeling a basement. However, you risk damaging the integrity and longevity of the work. It is important to communicate with your contractor to find out where you can cut basement construction costs. Basement finishing general contractors will be able to offer sound advice since they know how to do it. Higher-quality materials usually last longer, which further adds thousands of benefits while constructing a basement.

Keeping these factors in mind before estimating a cost will give you a brief idea of the overall price and illustrate a little about which company to choose.

Also read – A Complete Health & Performance Checkup of Buildings – Structural Audit

The Cost of Creating a Basement

Creating a new basement or converting a crawl space in an existing house involves a significant amount of work that’s carried out by a general contractor and a few subcontractors. A project may vary from one home to another based on its age, structure, and other deciding factors. However, the average price per square foot will lie somewhere between $30 and $80.

• Method Use To Remodel Basement

When it comes to renovating a basement, there are several things to take into account for pricing a remodeling structure. Some homeowners pay around $10,000 – $30,000 while others could in 6 digits ranges, depending on the requirements. In addition, methods (underpinning and benching) used in digging out a basement under an existing house play a significant role in determining the actual cost. And underpinning is more expensive than benching.

• Square Footage

How much square footage are you going to dig out of your basement? And what’s the cost to dig out a crawl space? General contractors also ask this query before remodeling a basement structure to identify the overall cost.

For example, if you’re building a new basement, it’ll likely add a lot of usable square foots to your home. In this case, the property value will certainly go up. On the other hand, It isn’t possible to ‘add floors’ to an existing basement if the project aims to ‘raise the ceilings’ by digging out a basement deeper into the ground. Thus, the project will not affect the square footage of the property.

Fortunately, increasing the value of a property involves much more than adding square footage. It is important to consider some important factors before taking on a project like digging a basement under the existing house.

Also Read – Do I Need Planning Permission For a Basement Extension

Basement Remodeling Cost Per Square Foot – Breakdown

Remodeling a basement depends on the layout, whether framing and drywall are needed, materials, and labor. However, getting an idea of how much a basement remodeling project will cost in Los Angeles is important before getting started. Although looking at national averages can indicate the cost of remodeling a Los Angeles basement. Such figures also affect the local labor hourly rates, the cost of materials, and any permits needed for the project.

The average cost of basement remodeling in 2023 ranges between $9,000 to $40,000.

Having a 1,200 square-foot basement will cost around $36,000, which ranges between $30 to $80. Even some homeowners are spending between $12,000 to $70,000.

Unfortunately, the basement remodeling will cost about 30% less than a refinish. How? Because there is no need to make plumbing and electrical work as they’re already installed. In short, if you don’t have any major plumbing, wiring, walls, and others, you’ll likely need to pay less.

Generally, the cost of a small basement – changing flooring and moving walls – can cost less. Whereas, adding a bathroom or bedroom in a basement can increase the overall cost.

• Basement Demolition Costs

Basement walls and floors can be demolished for between $2,000 and $9,000 for 600 square feet. And, it ranges between $3,500 and $12,000 or more for 1,200 square feet.

An additional cost of $3.00 to $11.00 per square foot could be incurred for the demolition of walls, ripping up the existing flooring, and removing the framing. Costs will vary according to the extent and ease of access for the construction crew.

• Basement Waterproofing Cost

For simple crack filling, basement waterproofing costs approximately $1,500. For drainage improvements, the price ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. This price begins at $250 and goes up to $20,000. The majority of homeowners waterproof their basements after discovering water in it from poor drainage around the foundation and walls. A basement finishing project that includes waterproofing will be less expensive.

Here are the following reasons for water or damp conditions in a basement. We also mention the cost.

• • Cracks
    • Cracks Around Windows: Install a window well cover, which costs $30 – $85.
    • Cracks in Walls and Joints: Waterproof the cracks and gaps around pipes by filling them with hydraulic cement.
    • Cracks in the Foundation: Its repairs range from $500 to $15,000.

  • Condensation

Don’t forget about the insulation in the basement. You add slip foam insulation on your cold and hot water pipes to prevent condensation and loss of any heat respectively. This should be done before enclosing any of the pipes in the basement. The cost of foam pipe insulation is approximately $25.

• • Shower or Bath Moisture

Install a bathroom vent to send humid air outside, which will cost around $250. You can also add water pipes ($50 to $100) if necessary.

• • Drainage and Plumbing

To convert a crawl space or add a new basement, a plumbing system is needed.

• • A backhoe operator could charge an additional $5.50 per cubic yard of earth necessary to redirect water directly away from the house with a minimum charge of $500 if any earth leveling is required.
  • When removing soil by hand, expect to pay between $33 and $67 per cubic yard depending on soil density.
  • Spreading soil in a different area of the yard will cost you $11 per cubic yard.

• • A plumbing system costs $1,000 to $3,000. And, the cost of expanding your drainage system ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.
  • The average cost for a sump pump with electrical work is $480 – $790. Whereas, a sump pump without electrical work costs $140 to $205 and $105 for installation.
  • Water-powered backup pumps cost around $200.

• Cost For Raising or Bracing The House

For digging out a basement into the earth, contractors need to lift the house from the ground. There are two different methods of doing this – Raising & Underpinning.

Among both of these the least expensive method is raising the house. In this, the general contractors will hire a foundation repair specialist to lift the house with hydraulic jacks. Its average cost falls from $3,000 to $9,500, depending on the condition and size of your house. No doubt, it’s an affordable option, but it can lead to cracking drywall and damage to your floors and ceilings.

In the second method (underpinning), the contractors brace the existing foundation footings individually to raise the structure gradually. It prevents damage to floors, walls, and ceilings. The average cost of underpinning is up to $20,000, depending on labor time and effort.

• Cost to Finish Basement With Bathroom

The average cost of adding a bathroom to a basement is $8,000 or ranges from $3,000 to $20,000. Adding a bathroom to a basement can increase the overall value of the house by around 10% to 20%.

In this, drainage and plumbing are the two most significant cost factors. In a small basement, a half-bath without a shower or tub is adequate, while a bedroom suite needs a complete bathroom.

There may be a need to bring down the pipes and install a sewage pump and a backwater valve in order to drain effluent and bathwater properly. A dehumidifier and vented fan system will prevent moisture from accumulating. Many building codes are specific about how close fixtures can be to each other.

• • Toilets

• • Showers

Fiberglass and tub combinations are installed for between $1,070 – $1,180. And, shower stall cost $823 – $1,720.

• • Fixtures

• Basement HVAC System Cost

The average cost of installing an HVAC system in a basement is $5,000 to $11,000. And, adding ductwork will cost around $2,000 to $5,000.

Installing a separate HVAC system for the basement might not be necessary if the existing unit upstairs is able to handle the additional load. In this case, you should either upgrade your existing unit or install a second unit downstairs. Unless you install a mini-split system, you will have to install new ductwork and ventilation either way.

The average cost of basement HVAC lies between $4,000 and $7,000. The ductwork costs around $24 to $38 per linear foot. And, the ductless mini-split system costs between $660 and $4,500.

• Additional Basement Remodeling Cost Estimates

The average cost to finish a basement work depends on several factors. During an accurate estimate, a commercial remodeling contractor should determine whether repairs should be done first and whether moisture is an issue.

1. Cleanup and Repair –Mold or water damage in the basement can add anywhere from $1,200 to $5,100 to the remodeling cost. The cost for professional mold remediation and replacement of wallboard and flooring could begin at around $10,000 and rise from there. Alternatively, a simple flooring replacement and a fresh coat of paint can cost less than $3,000.
2. Finishing – It’s recommended that you budget an additional $10,000 to $30,000 for finishing the basement, an essential move if you want to maximize the space and get a worthwhile ROI. The price depends on the size of the new basement and the quality of the materials. Average Basement finishing costs about $15 to $20 per square foot.
3. Electrical Repair – An electrician typically charges $141 to $419 for small jobs such as repairing or installing outlets, fans, switches, or lights, and $2,000 to $6000 for more extensive work such as replacing a service panel. Electrical rates start at $40 per hour and vary depending on experience.
4. Plumbing Repair –  A small plumbing repair, like unclogging a sink or flushing a drain, typically costs $75 to $250, while a larger job, like repairing a water heater or sump pump, costs $500 to $8,000.
5. Foundation – Once the space has been dug and the plumbing and drainage are in place, you can have a new foundation poured for $10,000 to $30,000. These costs cover the walls, the floor, and the footing.

• Cost to Finish Basement With Bedroom

In many remodeling projects, new rooms are added to a basement. A room’s cost varies based on its type and the quality of the materials and fixtures. The cost to add a bathroom ranges from $6,600 to $16,500, while adding a master suite can be as high as $25,000, especially if exit windows are required. Basement remodeling projects include:

• • Home theater cost – $300 per square foot.
  • Sauna cost – $3,000 to $6,000.
  • Wet bar cost – $6,000 to $22,500.
  • Home gym cost – $300 to $15,000.

Also read – What is Basement Development and How it is different from Basement Construction?

How To Minimize Basement Remodel Costs?

Are you looking for different ways to remodel your basement under a budget? We’re going to mention some effective ways through which you can reduce the basement remodel cost.

• Do-It-Yourself (DIY) – We don’t recommend tackling a complete basement remodel on your own unless you’re an experienced DIYer, but you can be involved in smaller projects throughout the renovation process. Ask your contractor if you can do some of the work yourself to save labor costs if you’re handy with a hammer and paintbrush. It’s possible for homeowners to save money by doing straightforward, safe tasks such as painting or laying tiles.
• Choose Different Materials – Shop around for the best deal on materials and start with the basics. Carpet is a better option than tile floors, stock cabinets are better than custom cabinets, and solid surface counters are a better choice than granite. Nevertheless, homeowners need to ensure that all materials are suitable for use below grade, especially flooring.
• Complete The Work in Stages – Look for a contractor who can do the project in phases if you don’t have enough funds to build an in-law suite in your basement. As part of Phase 1, we could tear out, waterproof, and install code requirements like egress points. For Phase 2, we added interior walls, wiring, and plumbing. And so on.

Need A Basement Conversion or Remodeling Contractor in Los Angeles? Contact Now!

So, get ready to remodel your basement by digging it out. However, if you’re concerned about questions, such as how much a basement construction or extension costs in Los Angeles, keep in mind that it’s not a low-budget approach. You might have to spend some additional thousands of dollars to increase the square footage of a basement.

While considering this option, talk to professional contractors who’re well-experienced and knowledgeable. We, at Lux Construction Group, have a team of proficient and qualified contractors who guide you with appropriate information and make modifications according to the standard Los Angeles ordinances. 

So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today and find out what’s the right approach for your basement!

Read more –

• Best Dental Clinic Renovation & Remodeling Practices
• Basement Foundation Constructions For Your House & Office