Quick Answer

Basement Finishing Cost in Boston (2026)

Average cost in Boston

US$60,190avg

US$16,245 — US$140,000

US$50 — US$140 per sq ft

+5.6% YoY
9 sources
Updated 4 days ago
Greater Boston

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled trades and general contracting

US$5,685 — US$49,000

35%

Materials

Framing, drywall, flooring, and finishes

US$6,500 — US$56,000

40%

Electrical & Plumbing

Wiring, lighting, and rough-in plumbing

US$2,435 — US$21,000

15%

Waterproofing

Moisture barriers and sump pump systems

US$1,135 — US$9,800

7%

Permits & Fees

City of Boston building and trade permits

US$490 — US$4,200

3%

🧾Sales Tax (6.25%) — Massachusetts
Base cost + $3,762 tax$63,952

Sales Tax at 6.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Framing & drywall
  • Basic flooring (LVP or carpet)
  • Electrical (outlets & lighting)
  • Egress window (if required)
  • Painting
  • Basic bathroom rough-in

Typically Excludes

  • Full basement bathroom
  • Built-in bar or kitchen
  • Home theater wiring
  • Waterproofing (separate cost)
  • Permits & inspections

Assumes an unfinished basement with existing concrete floor and basic utilities.

🧮Estimate Your Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$38,280

US$30,624 — US$45,936

Based on 9 sources and market data for Boston. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$56,998

Today

US$60,190

Basement Finishing in Boston is 5.6% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$3,192 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Basement Finish Contractors in Boston

Verified providers
🔨

Arik Remodeling and Renovations

531 Baker St, Boston, MA 02132, USA

5.0
★★★★★

27 reviews

🔨

Abacus

190 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127, USA

4.9
★★★★½

85 reviews

🔨

X'CLUSIVE RENOS & REMODELING LLC

17 Blakeville St, Boston, MA 02121, USA

4.9
★★★★½

43 reviews

🔨

Greater Boston Contractors

1309 Beacon St Suite 300, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

4.9
★★★★½

29 reviews

🔨

Bay State Remodeling

121b Tremont St suite 24, Boston, MA 02135, USA

4.8
★★★★½

179 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

Common Questions

Permits in Boston for 2026 typically cost between $270 and $1,000+, calculated at a $50 base fee plus $10 for every $1,000 of estimated project value.

Skilled labor rates in the Boston area for 2026 average between $50 and $150 per hour, with a regional mean of approximately $72 per hour for general trades.

Adding a full bathroom to a Boston basement renovation typically increases the budget by $15,000 to $25,000 depending on the complexity of the plumbing rough-in.

Homeowners in the Boston area can expect a return on investment (ROI) of 50% to 75%, with the project typically adding about 10% to the home's total resale value.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 9+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 4 days ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.