Basement Finishing and Remodeling Near Chicago
A finished basement adds living space to a Chicago-area home without an addition, as long as it stays dry. We start with the water question, then turn the space into a family room, office, guest suite or all three.
Dry First, Then Pretty
Clay soil, older foundations and heavy spring storms mean a lot of basements around here take on water at least once. Before we frame anything we look at the walls and floor for staining and efflorescence, ask where water has shown up before, and check the sump and grading. If there is a moisture problem, it gets solved before drywall goes up.
Inside, we use moisture-tolerant materials where they matter. Insulation that will not hold water against the foundation, a gap at the bottom of the drywall, and luxury vinyl plank flooring that shrugs off a wet day.
What We Build Down There
A finished basement can combine a few things. An open family or media room, a home office with a door that closes, a guest bedroom with a code-compliant egress window, a full or half bathroom, and storage that does not take over the room. Bars and kitchenettes are popular too.
Our own basement photos show a wide-open finished space with gray flooring, recessed lights, a soffit wrapped clean around the ductwork and fresh walls from end to end. That soffit work matters. Done right, ducts and beams disappear into the design instead of looking like an afterthought.
Ceilings, Light and Sound
Low ceilings are the usual worry. We plan soffits tight to the ducts, use slim recessed lights, and keep the ceiling a light color so the room feels taller. Insulation between the joists cuts down on footsteps from upstairs, which matters a lot if the basement is an office or a bedroom.
Small window wells can be enlarged into egress windows, which brings in daylight and is required for any space that will be used as a bedroom.
We couldn't be happier with how our basement turned out! SRC exceeded our expectations from start to finish, with exceptional attention to detail.
Allison Gomolinski, Basement, Google review
Common Questions
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
Usually yes. Check with your city or village. When the job needs a permit, SRC pulls it and schedules the inspections.
Can you add a bathroom to my basement?
Usually. If there is no rough-in, we look at the main stack location and whether an ejector pump is needed, and plan it into the proposal.
What flooring do you recommend for a basement?
Luxury vinyl plank in most cases. It is warm, waterproof and looks like wood. Carpet tiles work in kids areas because single tiles can be replaced.
My basement got water once. Can it still be finished?
Often yes, after the cause is fixed. We look at grading, gutters, the sump and the walls first and will tell you honestly if it is not ready.
Read More From SRC
Towns We Work In
- Chicago
- River Grove
- Schiller Park
- Elmhurst
- Melrose Park
- Franklin Park
- Park Ridge
- Des Plaines
- Oak Park
- Elmwood Park