"How long is this going to take?" is right up there with the money question. Fair enough. Your basement is part of your house, and you want to know how long it'll be a job site.
The number
A typical full basement finish takes 6 to 10 weeks after permit approval, depending on scope. That's for homes across the Denver metro, from Thornton, Northglenn and Broomfield to Denver, Arvada, Lakewood and Aurora.
The key words there are "after permit approval." The clock doesn't start when we first shake hands. It starts once the city signs off on the permit. How long the city spends reviewing plans is outside our control and separate from the build schedule.
Why it's a range and not one number
Every basement is different. A few things move you toward 6 weeks or toward 10:
- Square footage. More space means more framing, drywall and flooring.
- Bathrooms. A bathroom brings its own plumbing fixtures, tile and ventilation. That's extra work on top of the base finish.
- Egress windows. If a bedroom needs one, cutting the foundation opening and setting the window and well is its own step, permitted and inspected.
- Custom features. Wet bars, built-ins, theater walls. Fun stuff, but each adds time.
- Site conditions. Ceiling height, mechanical layout and what the existing rough-ins look like all play in.
We sort all of that out before you commit, so the schedule you get up front reflects your actual project.
What happens along the way
Here's the general flow of a full finish. The details vary job to job, but the order is pretty consistent:
Before the build: estimate, design and permit. We walk the space, talk through what you want, and give you a free written, itemized estimate. Then we finalize the layout and finishes and file the permit with your city.
Framing and insulation. Walls go up and the rooms take shape. This is when it starts feeling real.
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC. The rough-in work happens inside the open walls. This is also where inspections come in, so the work behind the drywall gets checked before it's closed up.
Drywall, paint and trim. The space goes from skeleton to room.
Flooring. Luxury vinyl plank, carpet or tile, depending on what you picked.
Final inspection and walkthrough. Your city inspects the finished work, we walk the space with you, and you're covered by our 2-year workmanship warranty.
You get a schedule at the start and updates at every phase. Straight communication is a big part of how we run jobs, and nobody likes wondering what's going on downstairs.
Planning tips from the field
Start earlier than you think. Since permit review time comes before the 6 to 10 week build, give yourself some cushion if you're aiming for a deadline like the holidays or a family visit.
Decide on the bedroom early. If you want a basement bedroom, you'll most likely need an egress window. Doing it during the finish is the most practical time, and we plan the bedroom and the window as one permitted project.
Know what you want for the bathroom. Bathrooms are priced separately and add scope, so deciding early keeps the estimate and schedule accurate.
Ask about living at home during the work. Most people want to know this. Bring it up at the walkthrough and we'll talk through how your job would go.
What about cost?
The timeline and the price are tied to the same things: size, bathrooms and finish level. For the full numbers, check the basement finishing cost page on SawDog.net. It walks through the math with real examples. Those are planning figures, and the written, itemized estimate is the actual quote.
Get a schedule for your basement
Saw Dog Construction is based in Westminster, CO, and has been finishing basements across the Denver metro since 2015. Call or text (720) 290-4077, or send the form on SawDog.net. Tell us the square footage and what you want down there, and we'll put together a written estimate and a realistic schedule.
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