Quick Answer

Basement Finishing Cost in Jacksonville (2026)

Average cost in Jacksonville

US$30,190avg

US$15,000 — US$75,000

US$32 — US$80 per sq ft

+5.6% YoY
12 sources
Updated 3 days ago
Florida

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled trades and general construction

US$11,780 — US$14,725

45%

Materials

Drywall, flooring, and framing lumber

US$8,835 — US$10,300

32%

MEP Systems

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

US$3,534 — US$4,417

13%

Permits and Fees

City of Jacksonville inspections and trade permits

US$589 — US$1,472

3%

Contingency

Buffer for unexpected structural or moisture issues

US$2,061 — US$2,945

7%

🧾Sales Tax (6%) — Florida
Base cost + $1,811 tax$32,001

Sales Tax at 6%

📋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$30,405

US$24,324 — US$36,486

Based on 12 sources and market data for Jacksonville. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$28,589

Today

US$30,190

Basement Finishing in Jacksonville is 5.6% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$1,601 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 Jacksonville

Verified providers
🔨

HOME RENOVATIONS JAX LLC

13163 Ranch Rd #3307, Jacksonville, FL 32218, USA

5.0
★★★★★

133 reviews

🔨

Samira Construction LLC

5291 Collins Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32244, USA

5.0
★★★★★

49 reviews

🔨

Homes Remodeling & Renovating

11001 Old St Augustine Rd #1710, Jacksonville, FL 32257, USA

5.0
★★★★★

41 reviews

🔨

North Beach Construction

13475 Atlantic Blvd Unit 8, Jacksonville, FL 32225, USA

5.0
★★★★★

37 reviews

🔨

The Handyman Company Jacksonville Home Repair & Remodeling

6900 Philips Hwy #35, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA

4.6
★★★★½

231 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

Yes. While Florida HB 803 (effective July 2026) exempts some projects under $7,500, it specifically excludes electrical, plumbing, and structural work. Since most basement finishing involves these trades, you must obtain a permit. Jacksonville fees start at $0.13 per sq ft for building and $0.09 per sq ft for each trade (electrical, plumbing, mechanical).

According to the Florida Building Code, habitable basement spaces must have a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet. If your current unfinished height is lower, structural modifications to lower the floor or raise the house can cost between $10,000 and $90,000.

Jacksonville's basement finishing costs are approximately 8-10% lower than the national average of $32,000. This is driven by a lower cost of living index (94 vs 100) and more affordable housing and labor rates compared to major northern metros.

Moisture control and waterproofing are the primary concerns. Professional waterproofing systems in Jacksonville typically range from $500 to $3,500. Skipping this can lead to mold issues, which are exacerbated by Florida's high humidity.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ 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: 3 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.