Cost
What's included in a basement quote, and what isn't
By ReImagine Builders · October 26, 2026
What a Calgary basement quote from ReImagine includes, what costs extra, and the questions to ask any builder before you sign.
Two basement quotes can show the same total and still buy very different basements. The difference is in the lines. One builder includes the permits, the bathroom fixtures and the final clean. Another lists them later as extras.
We have built more than 1,000 Calgary basements since 2010. Every quote we write breaks the number down line by line, so you can see what you are paying for. Here is what our standard package covers, what changes the price, and what to ask any builder before you sign.
What our standard package includes
Our standard basement starts from $45,000 plus GST. It covers Parts 1 to 9 of the build, with 8 ft ceilings and one full bathroom. Every quote we send starts from this package.
- Design, a detailed floor plan, and all permits and inspections
- Framing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical rough-in, with 6 LED pot lights
- Level 4 drywall and a sealed vapour barrier
- Up to 3 doors, baseboards, casing and a bedroom closet
- A custom vanity up to 36 inches with a stone top
- One paint colour
- Up to 2 bathroom tile choices
- 25 oz carpet with 8 lb underlay
- Stage-by-stage cleanup and a professional final clean
We pull and pay the City of Calgary permit, and that cost sits inside the package. You never get a separate permit bill from us.
What moves the number
Most of our basements land between $50,000 and $75,000. The size of the space and the upgrades you choose make up the difference. These are some of the most common upgrades, priced from our price book.
| Upgrade | Price (plus GST) |
|---|---|
| 9 ft ceilings | $1.70 per sq ft |
| LVP or laminate flooring instead of carpet | $2.50 per sq ft |
| Knockdown ceiling texture | $0.50 per sq ft |
| Soundproofing | $1.60 per sq ft |
| Wet bar rough-in | $1,050 |
| Staircase finishing | $1,500 |
Other choices add to the total too. A second bathroom, a tiled glass shower, a fireplace wall, extra pot lights, built-ins or more paint colours each have their own line. Your quote shows each one with its price, so you can keep it or drop it.
What a quote does not include
- GST. Our prices are plus GST, and the 5% is added to the final number.
- Furniture, TVs and decor. Our project photos show furnished rooms, but the quote covers the build.
- Anything not written on a line. If it is not in the package and not priced on your quote, it is not included.
Questions to ask any builder before you sign
- Is every item in the notes or the summary priced on a line, or part of the standard package? A feature named in the notes reads as included, so get a clear answer either way.
- Does the rendering match the line items? If the drawing shows a full backsplash and the quote prices a short one, ask which one you are buying.
- Who pulls the permits and books the inspections, and is that cost in the total?
- How many pot lights, doors and paint colours are included, and what does each extra one cost?
- When is the first payment due, and is there a completion date in writing?
For our standard basements, there is no deposit. Your first payment comes after the rough-in inspection. Standard basements are move-in ready in 13 weeks, or we take $500 a week off your final bill. That guarantee does not apply to secondary suites.
Get a quote you can read line by line
Oscar, our lead designer, visits your home, measures and designs your basement before you sign. You get the design and a quote that shows every line. Book your free on-site quote at reimaginebuilders.com/quote.