Basement Renovations

Basement renovation costs in the KW region typically range from $40,000–$70,000 for a basic finishing (framing, drywall, flooring, paint, basic lighting) to $80,000–$150,000+ for a full renovation with bathroom, wet bar, custom built-ins, and premium finishes. A legal basement apartment conversion typically costs $60,000–$120,000.

Yes, in most cases. A building permit is required if you’re adding a bedroom (egress window requirements), adding a bathroom (plumbing), creating a secondary suite (fire separation, separate entrance), or doing any electrical work beyond simple fixture replacement. Caliber manages the entire permit process.

Proper moisture management is the foundation of any basement renovation. We assess each basement individually and implement the appropriate combination of: interior drainage tile, sump pump, vapour barriers, rigid foam insulation on foundation walls, and dehumidification. We never frame and drywall over a moisture problem — we solve it first.

Ontario Building Code requires a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 5 inches (1.95m) for habitable rooms in a basement. Many older homes have basements below this height. In some cases, underpinning (lowering the basement floor) is an option, though it adds significant cost ($50,000–$100,000+). We can assess your basement and advise on feasibility.