Quick Answer

Basement Finishing Cost in Portland (2026)

Average cost in Portland

US$65,375avg

US$15,810 — US$190,000

US$32 — US$150 per sq ft

+5.6% YoY
10 sources
Updated 4 days ago
Oregon

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled trades and general contracting

US$7,115 — US$85,500

45%

Materials

Framing, drywall, flooring, and finishes

US$5,533 — US$66,500

35%

Waterproofing & Moisture

Sump pumps, vapor barriers, and drainage

US$1,581 — US$19,000

10%

MEP Systems

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

US$790 — US$9,500

5%

Permits & Design

City fees and architectural plans

US$791 — US$9,500

5%

🧾None (0%) — Oregon
Base cost + $0 tax$65,375

None at 0%

📋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$35,130

US$28,104 — US$42,156

Based on 10 sources and market data for Portland. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$61,908

Today

US$65,375

Basement Finishing in Portland is 5.6% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$3,467 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 Portland

Verified providers
🔨

Tommy Builders

5441 S Macadam Ave #4416, Portland, OR 97239, USA

5.0
★★★★★

91 reviews

🔨

Catalyst Construction & Kitchen Remodeling

825 NE 20th Ave A, Portland, OR 97232, USA

5.0
★★★★★

57 reviews

🔨

Lamont Bros. Design & Construction

18675 Willamette Dr, West Linn, OR 97068, USA

4.9
★★★★½

90 reviews

🔨

Unbreakable Remodeling PDX

Beaverton, OR 97005, USA

4.9
★★★★½

53 reviews

🔨

Square Deal Remodeling

8603 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216, USA

4.8
★★★★½

32 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

Homeowners in Portland can expect an ROI of 60% to 75%. On average, this adds approximately $700 in home value for every $1,000 spent on the project.

Yes, if the basement includes a bedroom, Oregon Residential Specialty Code Section R310 requires an egress window with a minimum 5.7 sq ft clear opening and a sill height no more than 44 inches above the floor.

Permit costs typically range from $1,453 to $1,729 for a standard project. Portland requires separate permits for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, with fees often based on the total project valuation.

Due to high annual rainfall, moisture management is critical. Professional waterproofing solutions like perimeter drains and foundation sealing typically add $5,000 to $25,000 to the total project cost.

📊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: 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.