Cost & Pricing
No rough guess. Every ReImagine quote breaks your number down feature by feature, with a curated material package — so you see exactly what drives the price before you sign. Below are real 2026 ranges from our recent projects.
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The short answer · updated June 2026
A finished basement from ReImagine starts at $40,000 (the minimum project cost) for a complete standard package — roughly a 600 sq ft basement, fully finished, not a shell. Most of our basements land between $50,000 and $65,000, with the typical project around $55,000 once homeowners add the upgrades they actually want. Large custom basements run $80,000–$120,000, and most legal suites run $65,000–$90,000.
Those numbers are real — they come from our recent projects, not a guess. Where your basement lands depends on its size and the choices you make, which we break down below.
$40–60k
$60–85k
$85k+
Legal suiteEvery figure here is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team after a free on-site quote. GST (5%) is added to the final number.
Prefer to pay monthly? With our partner Financeit you pay nothing until the basement's done — then a typical $55,000 build is roughly $695/month over 10 years (illustrative). See Financing Options →
What's included
Every basement we build is, ultimately, a custom basement. Our standard package is the foundation we quote and build from — a complete, fully finished space (never a framed-and-drywalled shell) that takes the guess-work out of budgeting. From there we customize to your exact specifications — just without the “custom” price. Every standard package includes:
The brands in every standard package
What drives your number
The biggest lever — about $35/sq ft at the margin, though smaller basements cost more per foot.
9-ft ceilings, walkout basements, and side entrances — structural features that change what's possible.
A second bathroom, a tiled glass shower, heated floors, or premium fixtures each add up.
Cabinetry, counters, and plumbing for a wet bar, kitchenette, or a suite's second kitchen.
Gas or electric fireplaces, plus shiplap, board-and-batten, or stone feature walls.
Entertainment units, shelving, benches, and built-in storage, made on site to fit.
Finishing an open staircase and adding railings with wood or metal spindles.
Soundproofing, a warmer sub-floor, and smart storage for everyday comfort.
Flooring tier, tile, and lighting density set the feel — from standard to high-end.
A projector and screen, in-ceiling speakers, and the pre-wiring that makes movie night effortless.
Saunas, glass wine rooms, and home gyms — the rooms that make a basement truly yours.
Golf simulators and dedicated theatre rooms — the splurges that steal the show.
Where your money goes
Every basement is priced as a flat standard package plus the upgrades you choose — nothing hidden in a lump sum. Here's how a typical project adds up:
A representative mix at current 2026 pricing — every line is à la carte, so your build is only what you choose. GST (5%) is added to the final number.
What different budgets buy
Every basement is bespoke, so these are illustrative examples — built from our current 2026 pricing to show what a typical build looks like in each range. The photos are real ReImagine basements; furniture isn't included.
$40,000–$60,000$40,000–$60,000
Our standard package plus the upgrades most families reach for first — a warm, fully finished space without the splurges.
Illustrative example · current 2026 pricing · your exact cost is confirmed by quote.
$60,000–$85,000$60,000–$85,000
A bigger footprint built for gathering — a media lounge, a proper wet bar, a gas fireplace, and a glass-walled gym.
Illustrative example · current 2026 pricing · your exact cost is confirmed by quote.
$85,000+$85,000+
Top-tier finish across a large footprint — a full bar, two spa-style bathrooms, a gas fireplace, and a glass wine room or home gym.
Illustrative example · current 2026 pricing · your exact cost is confirmed by quote.
$65,000–$90,000$65,000–$90,000
A complete, rentable legal suite built to City of Calgary code — a second kitchen, separate entrance, fire separation, and full permitting end to end.
Illustrative example · current 2026 pricing. Qualifying suites can access up to $10,000 through the City of Calgary incentive · exact cost confirmed by quote.
Cost per square foot
A basement isn't priced by the square foot like flooring. Much of the cost is fixed no matter the size — the same trades make the same trips, each with a minimum to show up, and the labour stays about the same. A smaller space saves a little on material, but little else, so the cost holds roughly steady while the square footage shrinks. That's why the per-foot figure climbs as basements get smaller — and why every complete basement starts at our $40,000 minimum project cost (a fully finished space, not a shell).
As a planning guide, a comparable basic finish runs roughly $40–$80 per finished square foot — lower on larger basements, higher on small ones. Adding space is efficient once those fixed costs are covered: extra finished area runs about $35 per square foot at the margin. Going smaller saves far less, since the trips and trade minimums don't shrink with the room.
Guide figures for a comparable basic finish — your exact cost is confirmed after a free on-site quote.
Upgrade price guide
Real guide prices from our 2026 catalog, so you can plan before you ever talk to us. These are typical figures — your exact cost is confirmed in your quote.
Want to see how upgrades stack on your space? Ask Basement Genius →
Is it worth it?
Finishing a basement adds living space at a fraction of the cost of building up or out — the foundation, roof, and walls are already there. It's square footage you've already paid to build, just waiting to be finished. If you're comparing builders, start with our complete guide to basement developers in Calgary.
Cost per finished square foot
Finishing existing space costs roughly a fifth as much per square foot — you're not paying for a new foundation, roof, or exterior. And buying a bigger home adds tens of thousands in commissions, legal, and moving fees with no added living space.
What it adds back to your home
A finished basement
Typically recovers about 70–80% of its cost at resale. Royal LePage research links a finished basement to roughly a 15% lift in home value.
A legal suite
Appraisers value a permitted suite well above an unfinished basement — often $50,000–$100,000+ — and it can earn roughly $15,000–$21,000 a year in gross rent.
Cost-per-square-foot, resale, appraisal, and rental figures are general industry guidance for Calgary in 2026 — not a property valuation, appraisal, or legal or financial advice. Actual home-value impact, appraised value, and rental potential vary by home, location, finish, market, and permitting. For your situation, talk to a licensed Realtor, appraiser, or lawyer.
Sources: Royal LePage Home Renovation ROI Report; Calgary secondary-suite market & appraisal data, 2026.
Comparing quotes
A lower quote from someone else usually means something specific is missing. When you compare quotes, compare what's actually in each one — not just the bottom-line number. The usual gaps:
A cheaper number often excludes development and building permits. Ours are included and we pull and manage them.
An “estimate” can rise mid-build. Our price is fixed for the scope we agree on — it only changes if you change the scope, and you approve it first.
Egress windows, electrical upgrades, or fixtures get tacked on after you've signed. We line-item everything up front.
A low price with an open-ended schedule can cost you months. We commit to a completion date in writing.
Our price includes permits, a fixed total, a guaranteed completion date, and a 5-year warranty. Bring us another company's quote and we'll help you understand what's in it — no pressure.
“From the transparent handling of quotes and materials, every step was smooth and hassle-free. The competitive pricing coupled with top-quality, skilled tradespeople made the experience truly exceptional — and they finished ahead of schedule.”
Chris Shurville · Google review
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Standard basement vs. legal suite
A standard basementis finished living space for your own family — bedrooms, a bathroom, a rec area, maybe a bar or gym. That's the $50,000–$65,000 range most people land in.
A legal secondary suite is a separate, rentable living unit, and it costs more because the City of Calgary requires more: a second kitchen, code egress windows, fire separation between units, a separate entrance, independent heating, and additional permitting and inspections. Most legal suites run $65,000–$90,000.
If your goal is rental income or a mortgage helper, this is the path — and qualifying suites can access up to $10,000 through the City's incentive program. See Our Legal Suites Guide →
Questions, answered plainly
A finished basement from ReImagine starts at $40,000 for a complete standard package (about 600 sq ft, fully finished — not a shell). Most of our basements land between $50,000 and $65,000, with the typical project around $55,000 once homeowners add the upgrades they want. Large custom basements run into the $80,000–$120,000 range. Most legal suites run $65,000–$90,000. These are real figures from our recent projects; your exact cost is confirmed after a free on-site quote.
Beyond basements
When we're not finishing Calgary basements, we build our own showcase projects — the ones where we get to try everything. They're never client work, but they're where our crew sharpens what ends up in your basement.
A designed plan and a feature-by-feature quote — free, with $0 deposit.
