How much will it cost to add two bedrooms in my basement?

Question

I have a large basement and half of it is already finished with a full bath, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. I am interested in adding 2 more bedrooms. These rooms will be going on the unfinished side. The basement is clean and dry, and one wall will be shared on each bedroom as they are being built on the back of the other rooms. So basically I need to frame and drywall three walls on each room (rooms about 15X15), extend some wiring to add a few more oulets, lay down some inexpensive carpeting, and install a drop ceiling. If I do all the work myself with family and friends how much can I expect to pay?

Answer 1

As stated, it depends on the materials you use. One thing you did not mention but is necessary is egress windows. You need to check your local Code office for the size requirements.

Answer 2

Make out a material list and take it to your home building center  and they will give you the cost est.  Then I always add 1/3 more for the things I forgot or didn't count on. LOL!

Answer 3

make a list of types of items, and how many you need, go to the store and get prices, somewhere between $1 and $10K

In addition to items you have mentioned, don't forget to add the long list of small items such as paint, drop cloths, screws, nails, maybe a few tools, trim, lights if needed, some gifts for your pals and family....

we can give you numbers,  but they could easily be off by a factor of 2 or 3 if specific materials and stores are not considered

when you have some technical DIY questions come back and ask some questions

Answer 4

Don't forget your permit.  Also you don't state if there are windows in the basement.  There usually needs to be windows of a certain size to provide egress in an emergency.

Answer 5

Since the labor is "free" your only cost is materials, and that cost depends on what materials you want to finish these rooms with.  Use good carpet with a padding suitable for placement on concrete slab-on-grade (hope it's really "dry").

Install a poly vapor barrier on the basement walls.  Best to use pressure treated studs/furring strips.  If you use drywall, be sure it the "Moisture-Resistant" kind.  Wood panelling will be more expensive and more prone to warping in a basement area.  Under Building Codes, you must have windows in bedrooms ( a "habitable space") for ventilation, natural light, venting in the case of a fire, etc.  Do you want to install wood furring strips and 12 x 12 inch ceiling tiles on the underside of the floor joists above (better), or a suspended ceiling system (cheap-looking) ?  Built in ceiling lighting  or just plug-in ?  Can you do electrical work ?  Is there capacity in your existing panel ?

All in all, and depending on where you live, the project could probably cost around $50 a square foot.