Basement Finishing · St. Charles County and West St. Louis County
Finished basements that start with a dry basement
We check drainage, grading and the foundation before we frame a single wall, because a finished basement over a water problem is a demolition job waiting to happen. Then we build the rooms you want: family room, bar, bedroom with a legal egress window, bath, office or theater.
What's included
- Moisture assessment, drainage and foundation repair where needed
- Egress windows for legal bedrooms
- Framing, insulation and drywall
- Basement bars and kitchenettes
- Bathrooms, including ejector pumps when needed
- Drop ceilings or drywall ceilings with access panels
- Recessed lighting, outlets and media wiring
- LVP, carpet and tile flooring
A finished basement usually needs new circuits and sometimes a panel upgrade. First Choice Electric sizes and runs them. About our electrical partner.
How the job runs
- 1
Walkthrough
Moisture check, ceiling-height and mechanical survey, egress options.
- 2
Design + quote
Floor plan drawing and written quote.
- 3
Build
Egress and foundation work first, then framing, rough-ins, inspections, drywall.
- 4
Finish
Flooring, trim, bar and bath fixtures, lighting, final inspection.
Timeline. Six to ten weeks on site for a typical finish with a bath; longer when egress or foundation work comes first.
What moves the price
- Square footage and ceiling height
- Whether an egress window has to be cut
- A bathroom, and whether it needs an ejector pump
- A bar or kitchenette with plumbing
- Moisture or foundation work found at the walkthrough
- Ceiling type: drywall or drop
We quote in writing after a free walkthrough. No published prices: every job is different and a number without a walkthrough is a guess.
Materials and options
- Egress windows and wells
- Framing, insulation and moisture-rated drywall
- Drop and drywall ceilings with access panels
- LVP, carpet and tile floors
- Bar cabinetry, counters and under-counter appliances
Permits and inspections
A basement finish needs a building permit with framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing and final inspections; an egress window is a structural cut with its own inspection. We coordinate all of it, with licensed trades doing the electrical and plumbing.
St. Charles County's incorporated cities each run their own building division; unincorporated areas go through the county. We know all of them.
5.021 reviewsQuestions people ask
Straight answers, the same ones we give on the walkthrough.
How much does it cost to finish a basement?
It depends on size, whether an egress window is needed, a bathroom, a bar and any moisture work. We quote in writing after checking the space for water first.
Do I need an egress window for a basement bedroom?
Yes. Code requires an egress window or door for any sleeping room. We cut and install them.
What about water?
We look for it before we quote. If there is a drainage or foundation issue we fix it first or tell you plainly what it would cost.
Can you add a bathroom below the sewer line?
Yes, with an ejector pump system. It is a routine part of basement bath work.
How long does a basement finish take?
Six to ten weeks on site for a typical finish with a bath. Egress or drainage work adds time at the start.
Drop ceiling or drywall?
Drywall looks better; a drop ceiling keeps plumbing and wiring reachable. We often do drywall with access panels where it matters.
Will finishing my basement add value?
Finished square footage with a legal egress bedroom and a bath is the most valuable kind. We build to that standard so it counts.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. Framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing and final inspections are scheduled by us.
What customers say
What customers say about our basements work
From our Google Business Profile and Facebook page, shown as written.
I recently worked with Sean on a bar remodel project. He was an absolute pleasure to work with. They showed up on time and kept in constant contact throughout the project. We encountered a couple of issues related to existing structural items that weren't found until the tear-out was completed. He explained the issue and provided solutions without pressuring me to chose one over another. I would definitely recommend this company.
Sean and John came in and turned my abysmal bathroom into something amazing. Great service, professional, timely and excellent at communicating. They will be back to do many other projects for me.
Sean, from SC2 contracting just finished building my new deck. I couldn't be more pleased! Not only did Sean do a great job, but he made the project very pleasant by always communicating when he'd be at my house, if it was okay to work on weekends, and what was happening next. He clearly is a man of high integrity, taking pride in doing a good job and working hard every day to get the job done(even in the St Louis heat we had this summer).
I will definitely be in touch with him again to do other projects for me, and have no doubt I'll get the same wonderful results!!
Where
Basement Finishing by city
Based in Cottleville. Each city page explains what this work looks like there, who issues the permit, and how far we are.
Related services
Kitchen Remodeling
Layouts, cabinets, counters, islands and lighting, with the electrical done by our licensed partner.
Bathroom Remodeling
Tub-to-shower conversions, custom tile showers, vanities, heated floors and ventilation done right.
Foundation, Drainage & Egress Windows
Crack repair, drain tile, sump systems and egress windows: the dry-basement step before finishing.
Ready to talk about a basement finishing project?
Free walkthrough, in-house drawings and a written quote. Call or text (636) 448-7766, or tell us about the job online.