Is finishing a basement a good investment?

Finishing a basement turns unused square footage into livable space and returns up to 70% of what you spend when you sell your home. Beyond that resale boost, you gain a playroom, home office, or guest suite you can start enjoying right away. That mix of daily comfort and solid return on investment (ROI) makes basement finishing one of the smartest upgrades you can tackle.

Are there areas of the country where I can’t have a basement?

In some parts of the country—especially lots on swamps, high water tables, or other wetlands—local codes prohibit basements. Saturated soil puts constant pressure on foundation walls and lets water seep in faster than any sump pump can handle. If your property sits on waterlogged ground, building on a slab or crawl space is often safer, more affordable, and code-compliant.

How long does it take to finish a basement?

Most basements wrap up in four to eight weeks. Framing takes three to five days, with electrical and plumbing rough-ins following over the next week. Add five days for drywall, two to three for flooring, and another week for paint, trim, and punch-list items. Delays can happen if materials run late or your contractor’s calendar is packed, so build in a little cushion when you plan.

Does a finished basement count as square footage?

Whether a finished basement counts toward your home’s official square footage depends on local rules. Many areas only include below-grade space if it has code-approved egress, fully finished walls, ceilings, and floors, plus consistent heating. Check with your local assessor or building department before you start; meeting those standards can affect taxes, appraisals, and resale value.

What are the finished basement building code requirements?

Building codes require a checklist: dedicated heat and electrical service, a code-approved stairway, and at least one egress window or exterior door. Walls, ceilings, and floors must be fully finished and meet insulation, ventilation, and fire-separation standards. If you add a bedroom, you’ll also need a closet, proper clearances, and safe exits. If you change the layout later, be ready to update the space so every new room still meets today’s code.

Top-Rated Basement Remodelings Experts in Frenchtown, NJ

RW Contracting

RW Contracting

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

36 years of experience

RW Contracting is a local owner operated business that has been in business for over 15 years. We specialize in basement conversions and bathroom remodeling. No job is too big or too small.

"We found RW Contracting through Home Advisors. Before we started we got a few estimates and we decided to go with them. They gave us a reasonable estimate (not the cheapest) but included more and Rich definitely had a great vision of what our finished basement could look like. Rich is a definite pro at finishing basements and so easy to work with! He suggested replacing old casement window and including some built-ins and half walls stuff that we weren't thinking about but I'm so glad these enhancements are part of our finished basement. Rich and his team were wonderful to work with. No concerns with them in the house alone. They were honest, clean, courteous and always on time. Rich personally managed the project from start to finish, he is extremely accountable. We are so happy with our finish basement and we give Rich the highest recommendation. You won't be disappointed, he is one of the best (and we are very particular)!"

Sue D on February 2017

RW Contracting is a local owner operated business that has been in business for over 15 years. We specialize in basement conversions and bathroom remodeling. No job is too big or too small.

"We found RW Contracting through Home Advisors. Before we started we got a few estimates and we decided to go with them. They gave us a reasonable estimate (not the cheapest) but included more and Rich definitely had a great vision of what our finished basement could look like. Rich is a definite pro at finishing basements and so easy to work with! He suggested replacing old casement window and including some built-ins and half walls stuff that we weren't thinking about but I'm so glad these enhancements are part of our finished basement. Rich and his team were wonderful to work with. No concerns with them in the house alone. They were honest, clean, courteous and always on time. Rich personally managed the project from start to finish, he is extremely accountable. We are so happy with our finish basement and we give Rich the highest recommendation. You won't be disappointed, he is one of the best (and we are very particular)!"

Sue D on February 2017

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 94% of Angi customers

119 local quotes requested

Lux Renovations, LLC, has been serving New England homeowners since 2002. We've finished over 8000 basements in New England, usually in 2-3 weeks. Our dedication to customer experience and satisfaction has won us Owens Corning's top customer service ranking nationally for the last 8 years in a row. Something like that does not happen by accident. We are committed to insuring that all of our customers describe their experience with us as "the best contractor experience I ever had". If you are considering a basement finishing project please allow us to show you how Owens Corning has changed the industry with this unique system. A no-charge consultation and design is available. Give us a call today!

"Lux project manager and staff were great! Great attention to detail."

Brian C on December 2022

Lux Renovations, LLC, has been serving New England homeowners since 2002. We've finished over 8000 basements in New England, usually in 2-3 weeks. Our dedication to customer experience and satisfaction has won us Owens Corning's top customer service ranking nationally for the last 8 years in a row. Something like that does not happen by accident. We are committed to insuring that all of our customers describe their experience with us as "the best contractor experience I ever had". If you are considering a basement finishing project please allow us to show you how Owens Corning has changed the industry with this unique system. A no-charge consultation and design is available. Give us a call today!

"Lux project manager and staff were great! Great attention to detail."

Brian C on December 2022

The Better Basement Company

The Better Basement Company

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 92% of Angi customers

12 local quotes requested

With the price of homes and real estate these days, finishing your basement can give you the most inexpensive way to add additional living space to your home. This living space increases the current value of your home making it a sound investment. And as the price of your home goes up the investment in your basement will increase with it. At the same time it allows your family to enjoy a new living space for variety of activities.

"Leo, the main coordinator and manager of the project was great at handling everything from initial estimates, follow-throughs, permits and quality of work. He was very clear about all costs and did the job on time. "

Aniruddha K on January 2025

With the price of homes and real estate these days, finishing your basement can give you the most inexpensive way to add additional living space to your home. This living space increases the current value of your home making it a sound investment. And as the price of your home goes up the investment in your basement will increase with it. At the same time it allows your family to enjoy a new living space for variety of activities.

"Leo, the main coordinator and manager of the project was great at handling everything from initial estimates, follow-throughs, permits and quality of work. He was very clear about all costs and did the job on time. "

Aniruddha K on January 2025

American Home Remodeling Inc

American Home Remodeling Inc

Customers say: Quality work

329 local quotes requested

31 years of experience

American Home Remodeling is a family owned and operated full service remodeling and renovation company. You will work directly with an owner from the initial estimate process to the completion of your job! We offer complete home services with over 40 years of remodeling experience. We have completed thousands of projects with one simple goal: quality workmanship and great prices. We have an experienced team who specialize in premium product lines for roofing replacement, Vinyl siding and insulation, replacement windows, masonry walkways and patios, stone and brick face, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and more. We offer 100% Financing with various different programs tailored to your budget and needs. At American Home we take great pride in our work and are completely committed to customer satisfaction! American Home Remodeling is licensed and fully insured in New Jersey and parts of New York to operate as a home remodeling company. Our licenses include The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, and a registration with The New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut Division of Consumer Affairs. We respectfully ask when scheduling an estimate that all homeowners please be present. Our reasoning is due to our estimates being concise, descriptive, and hopefully educational in the home remodeling field. We feel when researching a home improvement contractor, allowing us to interact and provide information to all parties involved works best! Thank you for giving American Home Remodeling the opportunity to be considered as your next home improvement specialist! We will work hard to earn your business and look forward to servicing you on your next home project!

"They called scheduled an appointment. Then canceled due to rain. Scheduled another appointment then never showed up."

v B on April 2024

American Home Remodeling is a family owned and operated full service remodeling and renovation company. You will work directly with an owner from the initial estimate process to the completion of your job! We offer complete home services with over 40 years of remodeling experience. We have completed thousands of projects with one simple goal: quality workmanship and great prices. We have an experienced team who specialize in premium product lines for roofing replacement, Vinyl siding and insulation, replacement windows, masonry walkways and patios, stone and brick face, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and more. We offer 100% Financing with various different programs tailored to your budget and needs. At American Home we take great pride in our work and are completely committed to customer satisfaction! American Home Remodeling is licensed and fully insured in New Jersey and parts of New York to operate as a home remodeling company. Our licenses include The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, and a registration with The New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut Division of Consumer Affairs. We respectfully ask when scheduling an estimate that all homeowners please be present. Our reasoning is due to our estimates being concise, descriptive, and hopefully educational in the home remodeling field. We feel when researching a home improvement contractor, allowing us to interact and provide information to all parties involved works best! Thank you for giving American Home Remodeling the opportunity to be considered as your next home improvement specialist! We will work hard to earn your business and look forward to servicing you on your next home project!

"They called scheduled an appointment. Then canceled due to rain. Scheduled another appointment then never showed up."

v B on April 2024

TNN Contracting LLC

TNN Contracting LLC

25 local quotes requested

25 years of experience

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!

"TNN managed our new construction and land development project from scratch. Tim caught MANY errors by the Engineer and Architect before they could become a problem. He made many great suggestions to elevate our original plans. Work quality is great and they take pride in everything they do. Nick did an amazing job on our trapezoid windows and carpentry work. We highly reccommed TNN and will continue to use them for the next phase of our project (garage) We would be happy to provide a reference and even show the work they completed for our project. Kevin and Carmen Petti, Tewksbury, NJ"

Kevin P on June 2025

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!

"TNN managed our new construction and land development project from scratch. Tim caught MANY errors by the Engineer and Architect before they could become a problem. He made many great suggestions to elevate our original plans. Work quality is great and they take pride in everything they do. Nick did an amazing job on our trapezoid windows and carpentry work. We highly reccommed TNN and will continue to use them for the next phase of our project (garage) We would be happy to provide a reference and even show the work they completed for our project. Kevin and Carmen Petti, Tewksbury, NJ"

Kevin P on June 2025

WVC Vision by Design, LLC

15 Paddock Dr

5.00(

17

)

•Approved Pro

WVC Vision by Design, LLC

15 Paddock Dr

5.00(

17

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

365 local quotes requested

From entertaining friends to hosting Sunday dinner with family, or having the perfect amount of storage and a spa-like retreat in your primary suite, memories are made when your home welcomes guests and nurtures you. At WVC Vision By Design, we offer a purposeful design experience to create unique curated homes that infuse style and function into every space. We’re here to remove the stress from the experience, help maximize your investment, and ensure your home transformation is as enjoyable as possible. Ultimately, we partner with you to breathe your life story into every color, texture, and accent in your home’s design so you experience joy and harmony every day. We look forward to bringing your design vision to life in a seamless, stress-free, and enjoyable way... life is too short to live any other way.

"Whitney and T took over the whole interior design process on our new construction beach house. From paint and tile selection, furniture, floor and wall coverings to every knickknack on every table top. It is both unique and everything we could have hoped for. It has made our dream home a reality. We absolutely love the results."

Ray P on November 2024

From entertaining friends to hosting Sunday dinner with family, or having the perfect amount of storage and a spa-like retreat in your primary suite, memories are made when your home welcomes guests and nurtures you. At WVC Vision By Design, we offer a purposeful design experience to create unique curated homes that infuse style and function into every space. We’re here to remove the stress from the experience, help maximize your investment, and ensure your home transformation is as enjoyable as possible. Ultimately, we partner with you to breathe your life story into every color, texture, and accent in your home’s design so you experience joy and harmony every day. We look forward to bringing your design vision to life in a seamless, stress-free, and enjoyable way... life is too short to live any other way.

"Whitney and T took over the whole interior design process on our new construction beach house. From paint and tile selection, furniture, floor and wall coverings to every knickknack on every table top. It is both unique and everything we could have hoped for. It has made our dream home a reality. We absolutely love the results."

Ray P on November 2024

All-Star Contractors of Hunterdon County, LLC

P.O. Box 157

4.73(

30

)

•Approved Pro

All-Star Contractors of Hunterdon County, LLC

P.O. Box 157

4.73(

30

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 93% of Angi customers

Recommended by 93% of HomeAdvisor customers

1304 local quotes requested

EXCELLENCE IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION! ATTENTION FLIPPERS: Make us a part of your team! We will take your property from unlivable to ready to sell. **WE SPECIALIZE IN MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION FOR HOUSE FLIPS AND FOR HOMES INVOLVED IN FIRES ETC. We do it ALL. From design & permit work to construction and finish. We have served central New Jersey for over 50 years. We have all the necessary in house specialist that can provide top quality performance for any job. Call or click to schedule an estimate today!

"All-Star Contractors was a pleasure to work with on my garage project. Bill scheduled an assessment and was right on time, during which he provided a competitive estimate for the whole project. The garage included electric, cement, roofing, and custom shelves, all of which Bill and his team were able to provide. His team showed up on time every morning and got the work done on the agreed-upon timeline. Bill was easy to work with an accommodated several special requests and his team did a fantastic job on the project. I would hire him again for any construction or home improvement needs!"

Thomas H on June 2025

EXCELLENCE IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION! ATTENTION FLIPPERS: Make us a part of your team! We will take your property from unlivable to ready to sell. **WE SPECIALIZE IN MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION FOR HOUSE FLIPS AND FOR HOMES INVOLVED IN FIRES ETC. We do it ALL. From design & permit work to construction and finish. We have served central New Jersey for over 50 years. We have all the necessary in house specialist that can provide top quality performance for any job. Call or click to schedule an estimate today!

"All-Star Contractors was a pleasure to work with on my garage project. Bill scheduled an assessment and was right on time, during which he provided a competitive estimate for the whole project. The garage included electric, cement, roofing, and custom shelves, all of which Bill and his team were able to provide. His team showed up on time every morning and got the work done on the agreed-upon timeline. Bill was easy to work with an accommodated several special requests and his team did a fantastic job on the project. I would hire him again for any construction or home improvement needs!"

Thomas H on June 2025

BDK Construction LLC.

1107 Reagan Ct

No reviews yet

BDK Construction LLC.

1107 Reagan Ct

No reviews yet

19 years of experience

Growing construction company able to complete all phases of new and old construction

AJ Perri

1162 Pine Brook Rd

4.32(

1,530

)

AJ Perri

1162 Pine Brook Rd

4.32(

1,530

)

Customers say: Super punctual

54 years of experience

For fast and exceptional service for all of your heating, cooling or plumbing needs, call us now: 732-333-3655! Since 1971, A.J. Perri has been proudly serving New Jersey homeowners and businesses across Bergen*, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris*, Ocean*, Somerset, Passaic*, Hudson*, Sussex*, and Union counties. With over 50 years of experience in heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and indoor air quality systems, A.J. Perri stands behind every installation, service and product with an unmatched 100% satisfaction guarantee. A.J. Perri offers you peace of mind and an established reputation for reliability, quality, and excellence in customer service. You can trust A.J. Perri to take care of your furnace, air conditioner or plumbing repair, service, or replacement. A.J. Perri can also help you with your heat pump, air handler, ductless split system, water heater or purification, sump pump, air cleaner, air filtration system, humidifier, and air ducts. Contact us if you have any questions about service in your area. Service offered 24/7/365. For more information: call or email us at info@ajperri.com. *Additional info: Not all services available in all areas. License# 19HC00103100, 36BI01256600, PA- PA126178

"I would probably give them four stars overall but since this is a review for a specific job of installing a gas stove I&#39;m just giving two stars. They did the job but this is the second time now where they refused to do the job unless they were also able to replace the gas cock which is the valve behind the stove which supplies it with gas. It&#39;s totally unnecessary to do this but it allows them to double their price. So they charged me a total of $720 just for that. I would expect $300 or less for a simple quick job like this. I will not call them for this type of job again."

Kevin Q on August 2025

For fast and exceptional service for all of your heating, cooling or plumbing needs, call us now: 732-333-3655! Since 1971, A.J. Perri has been proudly serving New Jersey homeowners and businesses across Bergen*, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris*, Ocean*, Somerset, Passaic*, Hudson*, Sussex*, and Union counties. With over 50 years of experience in heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and indoor air quality systems, A.J. Perri stands behind every installation, service and product with an unmatched 100% satisfaction guarantee. A.J. Perri offers you peace of mind and an established reputation for reliability, quality, and excellence in customer service. You can trust A.J. Perri to take care of your furnace, air conditioner or plumbing repair, service, or replacement. A.J. Perri can also help you with your heat pump, air handler, ductless split system, water heater or purification, sump pump, air cleaner, air filtration system, humidifier, and air ducts. Contact us if you have any questions about service in your area. Service offered 24/7/365. For more information: call or email us at info@ajperri.com. *Additional info: Not all services available in all areas. License# 19HC00103100, 36BI01256600, PA- PA126178

"I would probably give them four stars overall but since this is a review for a specific job of installing a gas stove I&#39;m just giving two stars. They did the job but this is the second time now where they refused to do the job unless they were also able to replace the gas cock which is the valve behind the stove which supplies it with gas. It&#39;s totally unnecessary to do this but it allows them to double their price. So they charged me a total of $720 just for that. I would expect $300 or less for a simple quick job like this. I will not call them for this type of job again."

Kevin Q on August 2025

Jonathan Alexander & Sons Moving

94 Franklin Street

No reviews yet

Jonathan Alexander & Sons Moving

94 Franklin Street

No reviews yet

50 years of experience

Alexander & Son's Moving has over 30 years of experience in the moving industry. We are a professional family owned business that will handle your items with care from beginning to end. We will make the relocation process an easy one. We have reputable references, please contact us for more information.

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RW Contracting

RW Contracting

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

The Better Basement Company

The Better Basement Company

American Home Remodeling Inc

American Home Remodeling Inc

TNN Contracting LLC

TNN Contracting LLC

WVC Vision by Design, LLC

WVC Vision by Design, LLC

All-Star Contractors of Hunterdon County, LLC

All-Star Contractors of Hunterdon County, LLC

BDK Construction LLC.

BDK Construction LLC.

AJ Perri

AJ Perri

Jonathan Alexander & Sons Moving

Jonathan Alexander & Sons Moving

The Frenchtown, NJ homeowners’ guide to basement remodelings

How Much Does a Basement Remodel Cost in 2025?

How Much Does a Bus Conversion Cost in 2025?

DIY Kitchen Remodel

Build a Dining Room

Build a Secret Room

Build an A-Frame House

Get our Angi-powered app

Get matched with top basement remodelers in Frenchtown, NJ

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 3 pros

Matching on HomeAdvisor

Find Basement remodelers in Frenchtown

RW Contracting

RW Contracting

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

Owens Corning Basement Finishing System

The Better Basement Company

The Better Basement Company

American Home Remodeling Inc

American Home Remodeling Inc

TNN Contracting LLC

TNN Contracting LLC

WVC Vision by Design, LLC

WVC Vision by Design, LLC

All-Star Contractors of Hunterdon County, LLC

All-Star Contractors of Hunterdon County, LLC

BDK Construction LLC.

BDK Construction LLC.

AJ Perri

AJ Perri

Jonathan Alexander & Sons Moving

Jonathan Alexander & Sons Moving

The Frenchtown, NJ homeowners’ guide to basement remodelings

How Much Does a Basement Remodel Cost in 2025?

How Much Does a Bus Conversion Cost in 2025?

DIY Kitchen Remodel

Build a Dining Room

Build a Secret Room

Build an A-Frame House

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