Basement Remodeling in Chicagoland

What basement finishing with ADS covers

Moisture work, framing, insulation, electrical and lighting, drywall, ceilings, flooring, doors and trim. Most of the basements we build include a bathroom, and some add a bedroom, an office or a wet bar. Our crew handles the plumbing too, including an ejector pump when the bathroom sits below the sewer line.

Moisture comes first

Spring thaw and heavy rain are when Chicago-area basements show water. Before any framing, we look for white mineral stains on the walls, cracks, a sump pump that runs constantly or has quit, and downspouts emptying right next to the foundation.

Water problems get corrected before a single wall goes up. Sometimes that means drain tile or a new sump pump, and we raise it at the estimate so it is part of the plan, not a surprise later.

How the job runs

Layout and permit. Rooms are planned around the furnace, water heater, sump, steel posts and ductwork. We pull the permit and schedule every inspection.

Moisture work and framing. Water issues are fixed, a vapor barrier goes on the slab and walls, then framing and insulation.

Egress. A room can only be a legal bedroom with an egress window. We cut the foundation, set the window and well, and waterproof them.

Rough-in and inspection. Wiring, plumbing and ducts are run and inspected before drywall. Where the ceiling is low, we keep ducts and lights between the joists wherever the layout allows, instead of dropping the whole ceiling.

Finish. Drywall, ceiling, flooring over the prepared slab, doors, trim, paint and fixtures. Final inspection, then a walkthrough with you and your 2-year written workmanship warranty.

Timeline, cost and the written schedule

Most basements take 5 to 8 weeks and cost $25,000 to $80,000. Before we start, you get a written schedule showing each phase and when the inspections fall. If a moisture fix or an inspection moves a date, we tell you right away, with the new date.

The price moves most with square footage, a bathroom (and whether it needs an ejector pump), egress windows, how much water work comes first, a wet bar, and how much ductwork has to be rerouted to protect ceiling height.

What to have ready

Clear out the basement, or tell us what has to stay so we can plan around it. Keep the furnace, water heater and electrical panel reachable. If the basement has ever taken on water, tell us when and where. That history shapes the plan.

Basements we have finished

1,800 sq ft basement, Glen Ellyn. Taken down to the shell and rebuilt with new framing, insulation and electrical, wide-plank luxury vinyl throughout, and the steel support column wrapped into the finished room.

700 sq ft basement, Park Ridge. An open main room with recessed lighting, doors to storage and utility space, and a half bathroom with a wood vanity.

Want your basement priced? Send the estimate form at the top of this page, and we call or text back within 2 business hours to set up a free visit. Get my free estimate