How Long Does it Take to Finish Basement in Toronto?

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The timeline for basement renovation varies. It depends on the complexity of the tasks that will go into finishing your basement. Your basement renovation may take you only a couple of days. In some cases, The standard time it takes to finish a basement is 4-8 weeks. Hence, you need to first determine what you want to do with the renovations. 

Basement finishing is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. They can be very costly. However, it’s a process that is worth it. When you renovate your basement, it improves the valuation of your home.

Also, renovation makes it possible for you to adapt your basement for any use. You can convert it to your gym or you can make it into a bar. Depending on whatever you decide to make of it, the time it takes to finish basement renovation can be lengthy. 

In this post, we breakdown the various aspects of basement renovation and the time necessary for each. You should know that your goals for basement finishing are peculiar. Hence, the steps to renovation for you may vary from the standard. At best, you should reach out to the professional you are hiring. You’ll be able to get more accurate details on how long your basement renovation will take. 

Why Should You Do Basement Renovation?

You should budget a longer timeline for basement renovation if you want to make the most of it. When you invest so much in renovating that part of the house, there are several benefits to enjoy. While you may not need any of these benefits immediately, it doesn't hurt to invest in a quality home.  

Increased valuation

The value of the home goes up whenever you renovate any part of the house. If you can achieve this, if you ever decide to sell your home, it will have a high valuation. 

Of course, you may not have this in mind. However, having your home at a higher value improves your net worth. It also enhances your sense of self-worth. The best part is this increased valuation can come in handy in the future.

More space for new functions

You probably have heard tales of big businesses that started from their basements. You can use your basement as an office, or a gym, or for some other function, you like. 

You don’t need to go out of your way to rent an office somewhere. With basement renovation, there are few limits. Regardless of what you want to do with your basement, basement finishing experts in the GTA can handle the project 

Storage

In the case of a continuously growing family, you can turn your basement to a store. This frees up space in the house, which you can use for other purposes. If you want to keep some items from sight in your home, the basement can also suffice for this. 

However, you need to renovate the basement if it's to be any good for this purpose. The same goes for the other uses that come with renovating your basement.  

Basement Renovation Tasks and their Timelines

A finished basement is the sum total of different tasks. Depending on the complexity of these tasks, how long your basement renovation project will take may increase: 

Framing

This is the stage of working on the wall. It’s the stage where bulkheads are installed. Bulkheads are the frames that go around the already existing conditions of the ceiling. These conditions include; HVAC runs, gas lines, etc. 

Time needed: Typically, this takes about 3 to 5 days to complete. 

Electrical and Plumbing Work

Upon the completion of framing, it’s time for electricians and plumbers to work. The degree of the work you need to do depends on what the basement will be for. 

More often than not, electrical work will include the installation of outlet boxes, lightning ports and possibly requiring jobs. For plumbing, you need the installation of a bathroom, toilet, vanity and shower. 

Time needed: This takes about 3 to 5 days to complete. 

Rough-In Inspection

When you have completed the framing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC fittings, you should call for a city inspector. This is to ascertain if the completed work is up to standards. You don't want to go ahead with the project only for it to be cancelled.

Time needed: This takes just 1 day. 

Drywall

Once the inspection is complete, the drywall comes next. It brings out the shape of the basement. Your basement finishing contractor will start with the sheetrock, then move to the mudding and taping processes. After that, it takes a day for the wall to dry, before texturing follows. 

Time needed: This takes about 5 days to complete. 

Trim Out

After you complete the drywall stage, a carpenter will come in. At this stage, the first aspect to work on is to install the doors and door casing. This is followed by the installation of the cabinetry and the baseboard. 

Time needed: Usually, this takes about 2 to 5 days.

Painting

Once your basement contractor starts the painting of the walls, the basement literally comes alive. A good painter will ensure that all the holes and dents left during the preceding processes are covered. After covering the holes, the painting will start with beautiful, colourful results.

Time needed: This takes about 2 to 3 days

Flooring Installation

Post-painting, flooring is the next important step. You can go for different options in this case. LVP, tiles, carpet, wooden flooring, etc. 

Time needed: This takes about 2 to 3 days

Finishing touches

The general contractor recommends finishing touches to help you achieve your basement finishing goals. 

Time needed: This takes about 2 to 3 days

Final Inspector

Upon the completion of the project, you should invite the city inspector to take a final look. They’ll check the details of the entire project to ensure that the renovation is up to par with the code. 

Time needed: The inspection process takes just 1 day to complete. 

Factors that can Extend the Timeline for Basement Renovations

How long your basement renovation will take totally depend on what you want to achieve. For instance, if you want to have a bar, the timing will be different if it was an office project. Below are the various extras that can actually extend the timeline for basement renovation.

Bar and Bar Countertop

Installing bar cabinets will take a few days to complete. With ‘templating’, measurements and installations, it’ll take about 2 to 3 weeks to complete the setup of the countertop. And a few more days for other accompanying installations. 

Tile showers

Tile showers always take additional time to install compared to a fibreglass shower. Although, if planned properly, installing tiles in your basement should not cause an extension in the timeline. 

Customizations

Customization is one way you can reflect your personality in your space. Beyond the fundamental renovation processes, further customization will certainly result in an extension of the timeline.

The more customizations you want to make, the more time it will take to finish your basement. Beyond the time it will cost you, further customizations will also be capital intensive. When you have customizations in mind, you need to communicate with your basement finishing contractor beforehand. 

What is the Cost of Basement Renovations in the GTA?

Depending on the intricacies of your project, you can expect to spend north of $25,000 on basement renovation for a Toronto home. In cities like Vaughan and Mississauga, the pricing may be a bit lower. 

Some of the factors that will determine this pricing are:

Size of the basement

When you start contemplating basement renovation, measure the space. In this case, measure the square feet. This is the basic premise of whatever cost you incur. 

Cost of labour

Labour is the next primary factor to consider. Professionals will bill you at different rates. Hence, as much as possible, find out prices from different basement finishing professionals.

Flooring

The type of floor you want for your basement also matters. Installing flooring can be technical, and complex based on the type you choose. Speak to the experts, find out everything you can about the various types of floors. Choose the one that works best for your budget.

Final take

The timeline for basement renovation is not a rigid concept. There are so many factors involved. But fundamentally, it all depends on the efficiency of your basement renovations contractor. 

This is why you should choose Basement Bro for your next basement renovations project in the GTA. Our past clients are a testimonial to how efficient our team is. 

We know all of the building codes and have a relationship with contractors in the area. As such, we can finish your basement on-schedule. Speak to any of our experts today! Find out how long it will take to finish your basement renovation project.