Question 1

How much does it cost to finish a basement in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

Most ReImagine basements land between $50,000 and $65,000, with a typical project around $55,000 once you add the features people usually want. Our standard package starts at $40,000 for a complete ~600 sq ft finish (a real finished basement, not a shell), and larger or higher-finish basements run past $100,000. Most legal suites run $65,000–$90,000. What moves the number: square footage, a bathroom, a wet bar, your finish level, and standard vs. legal suite. For a real figure on your space, fill out our quote form and Oscar will come out for a free on-site quote. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 2

Why are you more expensive than other quotes I've received?

Accepted Answer

Usually because our quote includes things a cheaper one leaves out. We pull and manage the permits, we give you a fixed price rather than an estimate that climbs mid-build, we guarantee the timeline ($500/week if we run late), and we back the work with a 5-year warranty. We also work hard to stay efficient and keep our costs down — we run on about a 15% profit margin, so the price reflects what the work actually takes, not padding. A lower number from someone else often means permits aren't included, the price can move, the timeline isn't guaranteed, or items like egress windows and electrical upgrades get added later. We're not the cheapest, and we're upfront about why — compare what's actually in each quote, not just the total.

Question 3

What's included in your price and what's extra?

Accepted Answer

Our price is a fixed, all-in number for the scope we agree on — design, materials, labour, permits, and the build itself. We spell out exactly what's included before you sign. Items outside a standard finish — a bathroom, a wet bar, a legal suite's egress and fire requirements, premium finish upgrades — are priced as line items so you can see what each one costs. Once it's set, the only way the number changes is if you change the scope yourself, or if we discover something that genuinely couldn't be verified at the site visit — say something was blocking access to the bathroom rough-in and it turns out it wasn't installed correctly, or there's a hidden issue inside the plumbing. Those cases are rare; the large majority of the time we get the quote exactly right the first time.

Question 4

Do you require a deposit?

Accepted Answer

No. We work on a $0 deposit model — you pay nothing up front to get started. Your first payment isn't due until after the framing, electrical, and plumbing are in and the city inspectors have signed off on the rough-in stage.

Question 5

Is your quote a fixed price or an estimate that can change?

Accepted Answer

Fixed price. The number we give you is the number you pay for the agreed scope — it doesn't climb as we go. If something genuinely changes the scope (you add a bathroom partway through, or we agree to extra work), we price that change with you first and you approve it before it happens. What we don't do is hand you a low estimate that quietly grows into a much bigger final bill.

Question 6

What drives the cost of a basement development up or down?

Accepted Answer

A few things: total square footage, how many rooms and how the space is divided, whether you're adding a bathroom (plumbing is a big driver), a wet bar or kitchen, and the finish level — flooring, trim, built-ins, fixtures. The biggest jump is going from a standard finish to a legal suite, which adds egress windows, fire separation, a separate entrance, and extra permitting. Tell me what you're picturing and I can walk through which of these apply; for a real number, fill out our quote form and estimator and Oscar will come out for a free on-site quote.

Question 7

Can you give me a ballpark price before a site visit?

Accepted Answer

I can give you a rough range, then we get you a real number. A complete standard basement (~600 sq ft) starts at $40,000. Most finished basements land between $50,000 and $65,000 once you add upgrades like a wet bar, fireplace, or better flooring. A larger custom basement can run past $100,000; most legal suites run $65,000–$90,000. For a real figure on your space, fill out our quote form and Oscar will come out for a free on-site quote.

Question 8

How much does it cost to add a bathroom in the basement?

Accepted Answer

A basement bathroom typically starts around $6,500, and a few choices move it: heated tile floors add about $1,325, a frameless glass shower runs roughly $1,500–$3,200 depending on style, and upgraded tile, a niche (~$375), the vanity, and premium fixtures all add. It also depends on whether plumbing's already roughed in nearby (a new bathroom rough-in is about $3,400). We build the bathroom as part of a full basement development — no standalone bathroom jobs. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 9

How much does a wet bar or basement kitchen cost?

Accepted Answer

A wet bar runs from about $4,100 for a 5-ft bar up to roughly $7,125 for a 10-ft, when the plumbing's already roughed in — add about $1,050 for the rough-in if it isn't. A dry bar with no plumbing runs about $2,950–$4,765. A full second kitchen for a suite is more, depending on cabinetry and appliances. Main drivers: plumbing, cabinetry, countertop, and appliances. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 10

Do you offer financing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we offer financing through our partner, financeit.ca. Terms vary, so the current details are on their website, or reach out to us and we'll walk you through your options. There's also $0 deposit to start, and some homeowners use a HELOC or home-equity financing instead.

Question 11

Do you price-match other companies?

Accepted Answer

We don't price-match other companies' quotes — but we're always glad to look at one with you. Every quote is put together a little differently, so we'll go through it side by side, show you where the differences are (what's included, the timeline, permits, the warranty, what's excluded), and let you know honestly if there's anything we can do on our end. Our price reflects what's actually in it — a fixed price, permits we pull and manage, a guaranteed completion date, and a comprehensive 5-year warranty — so a straight match against a quote that includes less isn't really comparing the same thing.

Question 12

When would there be additional costs not covered by the quote?

Accepted Answer

Almost never — the quote is fixed and all-in for the agreed scope. The only two cases: (1) you change the scope yourself (add a bathroom, upgrade finishes), which we price and you approve before we proceed; or (2) the rare situation where we uncover something that genuinely couldn't be verified at the site visit — a pre-existing issue hidden inside the plumbing, say. Those are uncommon, and we always show you and price any change before doing the work. Nothing is added to your bill by surprise.

Question 13

What kind of financial return will I get on my basement?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your home, your neighbourhood, and what you build. A finished basement adds usable living space and resale value, and a legal suite can generate rental income on top of that. We can't promise a specific number — that's market-dependent and we won't pretend otherwise — but permitted, inspected, quality work is what makes the value hold up at resale. If you're weighing a suite as an investment, we're happy to talk through the realistic tradeoffs. For detailed numbers on value and return in your area, we'd recommend speaking with a local Realtor.

Question 14

How much does it cost per square foot to finish a basement?

Accepted Answer

Per-square-foot can mislead — a big open rec room costs far less per square foot than a smaller space packed with a bathroom, wet bar, and high-end finishes. As a loose guide, our complete standard finish starts at $40,000 for roughly 600 sq ft, but what you put in the space drives the number more than floor area alone. For a real figure, fill out our quote form and Oscar will come out for a free on-site quote.

Question 15

What's the price difference between a basic and a high-end basement?

Accepted Answer

Quite a range. A complete standard finish (~600 sq ft) starts at $40,000; most finished basements land between $50,000 and $65,000; and larger, high-end builds run past $100,000. The difference comes from finish level, number of rooms and bathrooms, add-ons like a wet bar or fireplace, and custom work like built-ins. We'll help you land the spec where you want it for your budget. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 16

How much does a gas fireplace cost?

Accepted Answer

A gas fireplace runs about $6,600 for a 36-inch unit up to roughly $8,700 for a larger 45-inch deluxe model, plus about $1,400 to run a gas line if there isn't one. If you'd rather keep it simple, an electric fireplace is a lower-cost alternative. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 17

How much does an electric fireplace cost?

Accepted Answer

An electric fireplace runs about $1,425 for a 34-inch up to about $1,850 for a 50-inch, plus roughly $700 to install with its circuit and build-out. No gas line needed, which keeps it simpler and cheaper than a gas unit. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 18

How much do heated bathroom floors cost?

Accepted Answer

Heated tile floors add about $1,325 for the underfloor heating mat, plus around $100 for a touchscreen thermostat (or $200 for a wifi one). It's one of the most-loved bathroom upgrades, especially in Calgary. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 19

How much does a steam shower cost?

Accepted Answer

A steam shower is one of our higher-end upgrades at about $14,500 — it adds the steam unit, full sealing, glass, and controls on top of the shower build. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 20

How much does a glass shower door cost?

Accepted Answer

A frameless glass shower runs roughly $1,500–$3,200 depending on style — a slider is at the lower end, a 10mm swing door or a corner enclosure at the higher end. Black or brushed-nickel hardware adds about $200. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 21

How much do 9-foot ceilings cost?

Accepted Answer

Finishing to a 9-ft ceiling height, where your basement allows, runs about $1.70 per square foot — it adds real openness for a modest cost. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 22

How much does it cost to soundproof a basement?

Accepted Answer

Soundproofing runs about $1.60 per square foot for Quiet Zone insulation, about $2.00/sq ft for resilient channel, and about $2.70/sq ft for double drywall with acoustic glue — used alone or together depending on how much quiet you want. Popular under media rooms and gyms, and between a suite and the home above. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 23

How much do quartz or granite countertops cost?

Accepted Answer

Quartz or granite countertops run about $125 per square foot installed — a common upgrade for a wet bar, vanity, or suite kitchen. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 24

What's included in your standard basement package?

Accepted Answer

Our $40,000 standard package is a complete finished basement, not a shell. It includes the design and a detailed floor plan, all permits and inspections, framing, a full bathroom rough-in with standard fixtures, electrical (including six pot lights), level-4 drywall, paint, a custom-built vanity up to 36 inches, bathroom tile with your choice of finishes, carpet flooring, and stage-by-stage plus a final clean. Upgrades — a second bathroom, wet bar, fireplace, premium finishes — are added as clear line items on top, and it's $0 deposit to start.

Question 25

Do you have a price list for basement upgrades?

Accepted Answer

Here's a guide to what our common upgrades run (2026 client prices). These are typical guide figures — your exact cost is confirmed on your quote.
BATHROOM & SPA: add a bathroom rough-in ~$3,400; full bathroom from ~$6,500; heated tile floor ~$1,325; frameless glass shower ~$1,500–$3,200; steam shower ~$14,500; tiled shower niche ~$375; upgrade tile ~$20–$40/sq ft.
BARS & KITCHENS: wet bar ~$4,100 (5 ft) to ~$7,125 (10 ft); dry bar ~$2,950–$4,765; quartz/granite countertops ~$125/sq ft; bar/vanity backsplash from ~$300; suite kitchen cabinets from ~$675.
FIREPLACES: gas fireplace ~$6,600–$8,700 plus ~$1,400 for a gas line; electric fireplace ~$1,425–$1,850 plus ~$700 install; fireplace mantle ~$800.
COMFORT & STRUCTURE: 9-ft ceilings ~$1.70/sq ft; additional square footage ~$35/sq ft; soundproofing ~$1.60–$2.70/sq ft; A/C rough-in ~$550; water softener ~$1,250–$1,400; egress window ~$3,400 plus ~$1,210 for a window well.
ELECTRICAL & TECH: extra pot lights ~$140 each; dimmer ~$65; dedicated circuit ~$200; central vac run ~$275; surround-sound wiring ~$150/speaker; hot tub wiring ~$1,200.
CABINETRY & FINISHING: custom built-ins ~$325/ft; lower cabinets with counter ~$605/ft; floating shelves ~$375; feature walls ~$16–$17/sq ft (shiplap/board-and-batten), wainscotting ~$1,225, slat wall ~$400/ft; open staircase spindles & railings ~$475/ft; barn doors ~$375–$1,695; pocket door ~$550.
FLOORING: upgrade to luxury vinyl plank or laminate ~$2.50/sq ft; carpet upgrades ~$1.00–$2.28/sq ft; rubber gym flooring ~$9–$10/sq ft.
GLASS: frameless shower glass ~$1,500–$3,200; gym glass wall ~$2,900–$5,950; mirror walls ~$30/sq ft.
The $40,000 standard package already includes the core finish (a bathroom, six pot lights, a custom vanity, tile, paint, flooring). Upgrades like these are added as clear line items on top. For a real number on your space, fill out our quote form and Oscar comes out for a free on-site visit.

Question 26

How much does it cost to add a bedroom in the basement?

Accepted Answer

Adding a bedroom is mostly framing, a door, and finishing — modest on its own. The cost driver is the egress window code requires for a basement bedroom: about $3,400, plus roughly $1,210 if a window well is needed. So budget for the egress more than the room itself. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 27

How much does an open staircase or new railings cost?

Accepted Answer

Opening up the staircase with maple or oak spindles and railings runs about $475 per foot; railings with metal spindles about $425 per foot. It's one of the upgrades that most changes how open the basement feels. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 28

How much does a water softener cost?

Accepted Answer

A water softener runs about $1,250 for a smaller unit up to about $1,400 for a larger one, installed. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 29

How much does central vacuum cost?

Accepted Answer

Roughing in a central vacuum runs about $275 per run. Best decided early so it's built in during framing. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 30

How much does it cost to add air conditioning to the basement?

Accepted Answer

We rough in for A/C at about $550 (plus about $300 to wire it), so the system can tie into your home's cooling. The condenser/equipment itself is sized and quoted with your HVAC needs. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 31

How much does it cost to add a sauna?

Accepted Answer

We handle the electrical to support a sauna — about $1,200 for the wiring and dedicated circuit. The sauna unit itself is usually something you supply, and we coordinate the install and the space for it. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 32

How much does an interior window or extra window cost?

Accepted Answer

An interior window (for borrowing light between rooms) runs about $910. A code-compliant egress window is about $3,400, plus roughly $1,210 for a window well. Egress is the one required for basement bedrooms and legal suites. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 33

Does finishing my basement add value to my home?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a finished basement adds usable living space and resale value, and a legal suite can add rental income on top of that. The biggest value protection is that the work is permitted and inspected: when you sell, buyers and appraisers recognize finished space done to code, and it avoids the resale and insurance headaches that come with unpermitted work. We can't promise a specific dollar figure — that depends on your home, neighbourhood, and the market — but permitted, quality work is what makes the value stick. For an opinion of the actual value added to your home, we'd recommend speaking with a licensed Realtor.

Question 34

Will a finished basement raise my property taxes?

Accepted Answer

It can. Adding finished, permitted living space — especially a legal suite — can affect your property assessment, which is what your taxes are based on. How much depends on your assessed value and the City's assessment process, not something we set. For specifics we'd point you to the City of Calgary's assessment information, or a tax professional. What we'd never recommend is skipping permits to dodge this — unpermitted work creates far bigger costs at resale and with insurance.

Question 35

Is it cheaper to finish a basement myself?

Accepted Answer

On paper, doing it yourself can look cheaper since you're not paying for labour. In practice the savings often shrink once you add up permits, the cost of mistakes, tools, retail-price materials, and the value of your time over many months. The bigger risk is code and permit issues, which can come back to bite you at resale or with insurance. DIY can make sense for a simple, non-permitted job if you've got the skills; for anything with plumbing, electrical, egress, or a suite, a permitted pro is usually the safer call. We're happy to help you think it through honestly — even if the answer is DIY.

Question 36

Do you offer any discounts or seasonal promotions?

Accepted Answer

We don't typically run seasonal discounts or promotions. What's always true: $0 deposit to start, and a fixed price with no hidden fees — the value is built into how we work, not into a sale. If you'd like current pricing for your project, reach out and we'll help.

Question 37

How much does a legal suite cost compared to a regular basement?

Accepted Answer

A standard basement starts at $40,000; most legal suites run $65,000–$90,000. The gap is the suite-specific, code-required work: an independent furnace and ventilation (~$8,600), suite electrical (~$7,300), fire and sound separation (~$5,700), an appliance package (~$8,700, or supply your own), a second kitchen, fire-rated doors, and extra permits and design. You're paying for a second, code-compliant dwelling — which is what lets you rent it legally. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 38

How much does a home theatre cost to build?

Accepted Answer

It depends a lot on what you want. A simple projector-and-speaker setup could be as low as a few thousand dollars, while a dedicated theatre room with custom seating, an integrated A/V system, and high-end equipment can easily get into the tens of thousands. The room build (soundproofing, lighting, seating, built-ins) is separate from the AV gear you choose. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 39

How much does a home gym cost to build?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you outfit it. Expect about $3.00/sq ft for proper gym flooring, plus roughly $500–$1,500 for mirrors. A glass gym wall runs about $2,900 (wall, no door) up to $5,950 (with double doors) if that's the look. We've also added TV setups and custom equipment, which drive the price up. The build is what we price; the equipment is separate and up to you. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 40

How much does a basement bar cost?

Accepted Answer

A wet bar runs from about $4,100 (5-ft, plumbing already there) up to about $7,125 (10-ft). A dry bar with no plumbing runs about $2,950–$4,765. The drivers are cabinetry, countertop, backsplash, and any sink or appliances. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 41

How much does it cost to add a second bathroom?

Accepted Answer

A basement bathroom typically starts around $6,500, and a second one is priced the same way — it depends on whether plumbing's roughed in nearby (a new rough-in is about $3,400), the fixtures and finishes you choose, and upgrades like heated tile (~$1,325) or a frameless glass shower ($1,500–$3,200). This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 42

Why do quotes from different companies vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Mostly because they're not always quoting the same thing. One quote might be a fixed price with permits, a guaranteed timeline, and a warranty included; another might be an estimate that can move, with permits, egress, or electrical upgrades left out. Experience matters too — some newer companies underestimate the real costs, which is how you hear about crews walking off half-finished jobs. The fix is to line the quotes up item by item: fixed vs. estimate, timeline guarantee, permits, exclusions, deposit, warranty. Then you're comparing apples to apples.

Question 43

Is the cheapest quote ever the best choice?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes — if it's a fair price for exactly the scope you want and the company stands behind it. But cheapest and best-value aren't always the same. A low number often means something's missing: permits not included, an estimate that can climb, no timeline guarantee, a thin warranty, or less experience behind the work. The honest advice is to look at what each quote actually includes and who's standing behind it, then decide. Sometimes the cheapest is right; often the difference is buying you real protection.

Question 44

What's your minimum project size or budget?

Accepted Answer

We focus on full basement development projects rather than small one-off jobs, so we don't take on, say, a standalone bathroom on its own. Our minimum project is $40,000, which is also about where a basic finish for roughly 600 sq ft starts.

Question 45

Does the cost change if my basement is already partially finished?

Accepted Answer

It can go either way. Sometimes existing work saves money (if framing or rough-ins are sound and to code); other times partially finished or DIY work has to be opened up or redone to meet code, which adds cost. The only way to know is to see what's there. Oscar can assess it at the on-site visit and tell you honestly what's reusable and what isn't, then give you a fixed price from there.

Question 46

How much does it cost to redo or fix a badly finished basement?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, redoing a badly finished basement is renovation-style work, and we don't typically take that on — we focus on full developments in unfinished spaces. If we were to take on a project like that, we'd usually only quote it after the existing space has been fully demolished back to unfinished, so we're starting clean. If you're in that spot, reach out and we'll talk through whether it's a fit.

Question 47

Is demolition of an old basement included in the price?

Accepted Answer

We focus on full developments in unfinished spaces and don't typically take on renovation-style projects. If a project needs minor demolition, we list that as a separate line item on the quote so you can see it clearly. For anything beyond minor demo, we'd generally only quote after the space is fully demolished back to unfinished.

Question 48

How much does a basement office or den cost?

Accepted Answer

An office or den is one of the more affordable rooms — mostly framing, drywall, flooring, lighting, and finishing, with no plumbing. Separating out a second small room like this is typically only a few thousand dollars at the high end, plus any millwork and finishing you want — a custom desk or built-in shelving, for example. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 49

How much does a basement laundry room cost?

Accepted Answer

If the space already has laundry, finishing the room is mostly cabinetry, counter, flooring, and finishing. To add the necessary electrical and HVAC for a laundry room, you're typically looking at under $1,000, plus whatever finishes and cabinetry you choose. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 50

How much does it cost to add pot lights throughout?

Accepted Answer

We include 6 recessed pot lights in the standard package and build out from there — additional pot lights, accent or under-cabinet lighting, dimmers, and feature fixtures are added based on your plan. This is a typical guide — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 51

What's the cheapest type of basement to finish?

Accepted Answer

The most affordable basement is a straightforward open finish — a rec room with a simple layout, standard finishes, and no bathroom, wet bar, or legal-suite requirements. Plumbing and code-heavy features are the big cost drivers, so the fewer of those, the lower the cost. Our complete standard package starts at $40,000 for roughly 600 sq ft. We'll help you get the most basement for your budget without cutting corners that matter.

Question 52

Do permit fees come out of my quote or are they separate?

Accepted Answer

Included. The permit fees are part of your fixed, all-in quote — not billed separately, and not left for you to handle. We pull and manage the permits as part of the project.

Question 53

How much should I budget for furniture and finishing touches after?

Accepted Answer

[BO VERIFY: any guidance you want to give on a furniture/decor budget.] That part's really up to you and your taste — our quote covers the finished space (flooring, lighting, fixtures, built-ins, paint), and furniture and decor are separate and as modest or extensive as you like. It's a good idea to set aside a bit for furnishings so the space is ready to enjoy, but there's no set number.

Question 54

Why did my neighbor's basement cost less than my quote?

Accepted Answer

Usually because no two basements are the same, even on the same street. Differences in square footage, number of rooms, whether there's a bathroom, wet bar, or legal suite, finish level, and what's behind the walls all move the number. A neighbour's lower cost might reflect a simpler scope — or a quote that included less, or wasn't fixed-price. The fairest comparison is what each price actually includes. Oscar can walk you through what's driving yours.

Question 55

Does adding a kitchen to a suite cost more than a wet bar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A wet bar runs from about $4,100 (5-ft, plumbing already there); a full suite kitchen is more once you add cabinetry, counter, appliances, and the extra plumbing and electrical a suite requires. A kitchen has more of everything. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 56

Are appliances for a suite kitchen included in the quote?

Accepted Answer

Typically our clients buy their own appliances, which gives you full control over what you choose. We're glad to consult on selections, and we can offer you builder-discount pricing through Trail Appliances. The kitchen build itself — cabinetry, counter, plumbing, electrical — is part of your quote.

Pricing & Cost

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