Blog

Finishing a basement in Utah is one of those projects that sounds simple—“we’ll frame a couple walls, slap up drywall, add a bathroom”—and then the numbers show up and you think, “Wait, why is this thirty or forty grand?” Totally fair question. Salt Lake City homes, especially along the Wasatch Front, have good-sized basements, and that means you’re working with real square footage, real trades, and real code requirements. So let’s talk about what people in Utah are actually paying right now, what makes the price swing, and how to keep it in check without making it look like a weekend project.

So… how much does it actually cost?

If you’re in or around Salt Lake City, UT, a finished basement in 2025 typically lands between $28,000 and $65,000 for a standard 700–1,000 sq. ft. space. Smaller, simpler spaces can come in around $25K. Bigger, tricked-out basements—kitchenette, theater room, custom built-ins—can go $70K to $100K+.

Another way to say it: most Utah homeowners are paying somewhere in the $35–$70 per sq. ft. range. Lower if it’s open, straightforward, and you don’t want a bathroom. Higher if you want a “this feels like upstairs” finish.

And yes—those numbers assume you’re hiring a legit basement finishing contractor who pulls permits, passes inspections, and doesn’t vanish when the inspector wants to see insulation.

You can try using our basement cost calculator tool. This will give you a more specific estimated price depending on your basement size and features.

What makes the number go up (or come back down)?

Here’s the thing: basements aren’t all built equal. Two houses in South Jordan can have the exact same square footage and still be $15K apart on the finish cost. Why? Because finishes and plumbing and layout drive everything.

1. Square footage & layout

More walls, more doors, more corners = more labor. A big open family room with one bedroom is cheaper than carving the basement into four separate spaces with closets.

2. Bathrooms (the Utah price booster)

Adding a basement bathroom is often a $5,000–$12,000 swing, depending on what’s roughed in. If your builder pre-plumbed a basement bath (you’ll see the capped pipes), you’re in luck. If not, and we have to break concrete to tie into the main line—budget on the higher side.

3. Kitchenette or wet bar

Utah families love a second hangout space—snack bar, little sink, mini-fridge. That’s great for resale, but it’s still plumbing, electrical, and cabinets. Even a modest basement wet bar can add $4K–$10K.

4. Ceiling height & mechanicals

Do we have to frame around ductwork? Drop the ceiling? Relocate the furnace room door? All of that adds time. Sometimes basements in older Salt Lake neighborhoods have lower headroom—finishing around that cleanly takes more skill.

5. Finishes you pick

Luxury LVP, can lights everywhere, 5” baseboards, accent walls, glass shower, theater wiring—these are what move a basement from “usable” to “wow,” but you’ll feel it in the bid.

6. Access & permits

Some basements have outside access, some don’t. Some have wide stairs, some are a pain. And yes—Salt Lake City and surrounding cities will want permits, inspections, and egress windows where bedrooms are added. That’s not us being picky; that’s code.

Salt Lake City specifics most people don’t think about

Utah basements do a lot of work—storage, family room, teenagers, in-laws. So finishing them has a couple of local quirks.

• Permits & inspections: Expect $600–$1,400 in permit/inspection-related costs depending on scope.
• Egress windows: If you’re adding a bedroom, it has to have an emergency escape. Cutting in an egress can be $2,500–$4,500, sometimes more with concrete.
• HVAC & cold basements: Utah basements stay cool, which is great in July… not so much in January. Sometimes we have to balance the system, add a supply, or use electric heat in a specific area.
• Moisture & radon: Some homes along the Wasatch Front test high for radon; some basements need vapor barriers. It’s not a deal breaker—just a cost to plan for.

You know what? Paying for permits, egress, and real HVAC work isn’t “extra.” It’s what makes the space legal, comfortable, and sellable.

What do common basement budgets look like?

Let me explain it with a quick snapshot—not a quote, just Utah-style ballparks:

Can you save money without it looking DIY?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: be smart about what you take on.

• Let the pros do: framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall finishing, and anything that needs an inspection.
• You can help with: painting, interior doors/hardware, shelving, maybe flooring in an easy layout.
• Keep the layout clean: every corner and weird angle is extra labor.
• Use basement-friendly finishes: LVP or tile in wet areas; don’t cheap out on lighting.

What doesn’t work? Piecemealing it across five different handymen, none of whom talk to the city. That looks cheaper until something fails inspection or you sell the house.

Why finishing your basement still makes sense in Utah

Here’s what a lot of homeowners in Salt Lake realize: finishing the basement is one of the least expensive ways to add real, usable square footage. You don’t have to pour new footings. You don’t have to fight a summer concrete schedule. The space is already there—dark, a little cold, but it’s there. So spending $40K on a basement that actually gives you a guest room, a TV space, and a bathroom is often smarter than adding on.

Plus, Utah families grow. Kids come back. Parents visit. Church groups gather. A finished basement keeps everyone out of the main-level kitchen—worth it.

Ready to get a real number for your basement?

All the ranges above are helpful, but nothing beats someone walking your specific basement in Salt Lake City, looking at your plumbing rough-ins, and telling you, “Yep, this will be about $42K.” If you want that, we can help right now.

Reach out and tell us what you’re thinking—open playroom, in-law suite, Airbnb setup, teenager zone—we’ve finished all of them along the Wasatch Front.

• By Phone: 801-515-3473
• By Form: https://utbasementfinishing.com/request-quote/#go

We’ll look at your basement, give you a straight Utah price, and keep it clean, permitted, and ready to show.