Basement Finish in Palm Beach County, FL
Unfinished space, turned into rooms you use.
Finishing a lower level is one of the few ways to gain living space without changing the footprint of a house. Moisture, ventilation and egress have to be resolved before any of the finishing work is worth doing.
What the work
covers.
- Assessment of moisture, drainage and ventilation before finishing
- Framing, insulation and drywall
- Egress, lighting and electrical work
- Plumbing for a bathroom, bar or utility area where practical
- Flooring, trim, built-in cabinetry and paint
- Conversion of lower levels into living, media, guest or utility space
How it works
From first call
to finished work.
Tell us about the project
Describe the work you have in mind, where the property is and what matters most to you. A short form or a phone call is enough to begin.
Site visit
We look at the property, take measurements and review the existing conditions. This is where what is possible gets separated from what is assumed.
Written estimate
You receive an itemized scope with material specifications or allowances, and a statement of what is excluded. It is free and carries no obligation.
Permits, schedule and build
Once the scope is agreed, permits are filed where required and the work is scheduled. One project manager coordinates the trades and keeps you informed.
More services
Everything else we
can take on.
Let’s talk about
your project.
Tell us what you have in mind. The site visit and the written estimate are free.
Useful to know
A few questions,
answered.
I thought nobody down here had basements. Do homes in this area even have them?
Most South Florida homes don't, thanks to the water table and typical construction. Where a lower level, sunken area or substantial under-house space does exist, it can sometimes be finished. The first step is establishing what you actually have.
Before I get excited about a finished space, what has to be sorted out first?
Moisture and water intrusion, ventilation, adequate ceiling height and code-required egress. Finish over an unresolved moisture problem and you've just hidden it and guaranteed the work gets redone.
If I turn this into real living space, is a permit involved?
Creating habitable space generally needs one, especially where electrical, plumbing, egress or fire separation come into play. Ask which requirements apply to your property.
It'd be great to have a bathroom down there. Can that be added?
Sometimes, though drainage below the main sewer line may call for a pump system. The feasibility has to be assessed on site before it's planned into the layout.
I'm not even sure what to make of the space yet. What can it be used for?
Living, media, guest, home office, gym or utility space are all common. The intended use affects egress, ventilation and electrical requirements, so decide it early, well before framing goes up.
My worry is ending up with a gloomy box. Will it still feel like a basement?
That comes down to ceiling height, natural light and how the stair and entry are handled. Those are worth spending on, because no amount of finish makes up for a low, dark room.
Down here I really don't want a moisture problem later. How do you control it?
Through drainage, vapor control and ventilation suited to the construction, all decided after the space is assessed. Ask to have the approach written into the scope.
I'd like to budget for this. What drives the cost of finishing a lower level?
Area, ceiling height, what has to be corrected first, and whether plumbing gets added all affect it. I price it after I've seen the space.
We've got a remodel in the works anyway. Can the lower level be done alongside it?
Yes. If you're already planning a remodel, folding in the lower level lets the trades cover both in one mobilization.
I want to talk through finishing our lower level. How do I get an estimate?
Use the free estimate form or call +1 (561) 562-2318. Describe the space and how you'd like to use it, and we'll arrange a site visit.