About $50,000 finishes a 700 sq ft basement as one open family room ($47,000–$55,000) in BuildFlow's pricing, at a standard finish with luxury vinyl plank floors.
About $65,000 adds a bedroom: a 900 sq ft family room and bedroom runs $57,000–$66,000, and with a full bathroom $64,000–$74,000. About $80,000 buys more of everything: the bedroom and bathroom in 1,300 sq ft ($71,000–$83,000), a second bedroom ($69,000–$80,000 at 900 sq ft), or a wet bar on top.
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Ways to spend each budget
Every row is a real scope priced by the same engine Emma uses, so you can see the trade-offs side by side. Most budgets can buy either more space or more rooms, and the rooms move the price more than the square footage does.
| Budget | What you get | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| About $50K | One open family room, 700 sq ft | $47K–$55K |
| About $50K | One open family room, 900 sq ft | $51K–$60K |
| About $65K | Family room + bedroom, 900 sq ft | $57K–$66K |
| About $65K | Family room + bedroom, 1,100 sq ft | $60K–$70K |
| About $65K | Family room + bedroom + full bath, 700 sq ft | $60K–$69K |
| About $65K | Family room + bedroom + full bath, 900 sq ft | $64K–$74K |
| About $80K | Family room + bedroom + full bath, 1,300 sq ft | $71K–$83K |
| About $80K | Family room + 2 bedrooms + full bath, 900 sq ft | $69K–$80K |
| About $80K | Family room + 2 bedrooms + full bath, 1,100 sq ft | $73K–$84K |
| About $80K | Family room + bedroom + full bath + wet bar, 900 sq ft | $72.5K–$82.5K |
Where these numbers come from: BuildFlow's own pricing engine, run October 10, 2026, for a standard finish, luxury vinyl plank floors and a partitioned storage and mechanical room. They are ballpark ranges for the scope described, before anyone has measured your space. The wet bar row adds the $8,500 wet bar allowance (stone counter, sink, beverage refrigerator, plumbing rough-in) to the range. City permit fees are set by each city and aren't broken out here.
Around $50,000: one great open room
At this budget the basement becomes living space: framed and insulated outside walls, drywall, paint, a luxury vinyl plank floor, baseboard, lighting and outlets by a licensed electrician, heat extended from your furnace, the stairs finished, and a partitioned room for storage and the mechanicals. A 700 sq ft open room runs $47,000–$55,000; finishing 900 sq ft as one room runs $51,000–$60,000.
If you think you'll want a bedroom later, this is the budget to plan it, not build it: decide where it goes now so the electrical and the heat runs land in the right place, and leave the egress window for the second phase.
Around $65,000: add a bedroom, maybe a bathroom
A bedroom is the first room most families add. In a 900 sq ft basement the family room and a bedroom run $57,000–$66,000. A legal basement bedroom needs an egress window, which is part of why it costs more than open space; the permit guide has the code rules.
Adding a full bathroom to that brings the same basement to $64,000–$74,000. At 700 sq ft the bedroom-and-bath version runs $60,000–$69,000, which is the way to get both rooms near this budget.
Around $80,000: more space, a second bedroom or the extras
With $80,000 you choose what kind of more you want:
- More space. The family room, bedroom and full bath in a 1,100 sq ft basement run $67,000–$78,000; in 1,300 sq ft, $71,000–$83,000.
- A second bedroom. Two bedrooms and a full bath in 900 sq ft run $69,000–$80,000.
- The extras. Bars and built-ins are priced on top of the range as allowances. A wet bar with a stone counter is $8,500, a dry bar with a butcher block top $5,000, a floating console and shelves for the TV wall $4,500, and a linear gas fireplace on its own $5,500.
Standard vs premium finish: what changes
Every range above is BuildFlow's standard finish. The premium finish raises the product budgets the price is built on, mostly in the bathroom, so the gap is small for open space and large for a bath. A 900 sq ft family room and bedroom runs $65,000–$75,000 at premium (vs $57,000–$66,000 standard); with a full bathroom it runs $81,000–$93,000 (vs $64,000–$74,000).
| Product budget in the price | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Floor (plank, per sq ft) | $2.50 / sq ft | $3.00 / sq ft |
| Vanity | $400 | $800 |
| Vanity faucet | $100 | $300 |
| Mirror | $150 | $500 |
| Toilet | $250 | $500 |
| Shower surround | $300 | $3,000 |
| Shower door | $500 | $1,500 |
| Interior door set | $300 | $350 |
These are the product amounts inside BuildFlow's price, from the pricing engine's finish packages. Pick something that costs more and the difference is added; pick something that costs less and it comes off.
What those budgets buy: real products
Here is what each product budget actually buys at The Home Depot today. These are the same products Emma designs with.
| Finish | Product | Price | Vs. budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Lifeproof 6 mil click-lock LVP | $2.49/sq ft | $0.01 / sq ft under |
| Standard | Glacier Bay Everdean 31 in. vanity, white | $329 | $71 under |
| Standard | Glacier Bay Bannister 31 in. vanity, dusk | $379 | $21 under |
| Standard | American Standard Champion two-piece toilet | $249 | $1 under |
| Standard | Pfister Ladera 4 in. centerset faucet | $69 | $31 under |
| Standard | Hermitage Bath Cosy 24 x 36 framed mirror | $116 | $34 under |
| Premium | Lifeproof 22 mil click-lock LVP | $3.28/sq ft | +$0.28 / sq ft over |
| Premium | Home Decorators Collection Doveton 48 in. vanity | $699 | $101 under |
| Premium | Home Decorators Collection Hanna 48 in. vanity | $749 | $51 under |
| Premium | KOHLER Santa Rosa one-piece toilet | $379 | $121 under |
| Premium | Pfister Ladera 8 in. widespread faucet | $139 | $161 under |
| Premium | TaiMei Luma Pro 48 x 36 LED mirror | $321 | $179 under |
Prices are The Home Depot’s listed prices on October 10, 2026 and change often. BuildFlow doesn’t earn a commission on these links.
Standard finish
Lifeproof Sterling Oak 6 MIL x 8.7 in. W x 48 in. L Click Lock Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (20.1 sqft/case) Value buy
Six colors at the same price, and it fits the standard floor budget almost to the penny.
| Manufacturer | Lifeproof |
|---|---|
| Model | I966106L |
| Item number | 300699284 |
| Price | $49.95 a case · $2.49 / sq ft at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Coverage | 20.1 sq ft a case |
| Against the standard allowance | $0.01 / sq ft under standard allowance |
| Colors | Sterling Oak, Fresh Oak, Trail Oak, Chiffon Lace Oak, Dusk Cherry, Driftwood Beach (same price) |
Glacier Bay Everdean 31 in. Single Sink White Freestanding Bath Vanity with White Cultured Marble Top (Assembled) Good
A 31-inch white vanity with a cultured marble top, comfortably inside the standard budget.
| Manufacturer | Glacier Bay |
|---|---|
| Model | EV30P2-WH |
| Item number | 311606054 |
| Price | $329 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the standard allowance | $71 under standard allowance |
Glacier Bay Bannister 31 in. Single Sink Dusk Freestanding Bath Vanity with White Cultured Marble Top Better
Same size, a darker painted finish, still under budget.
| Manufacturer | Glacier Bay |
|---|---|
| Model | BA30P2-DK |
| Item number | 332099225 |
| Price | $379 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the standard allowance | $21 under standard allowance |
American Standard Champion Two-Piece 1.28 GPF Single Flush Elongated Chair Height Toilet with Slow-Close Seat in White Good
Chair height, elongated bowl and a slow-close seat, right at the standard budget.
| Manufacturer | American Standard |
|---|---|
| Model | 747AA107SC.020 |
| Item number | 312442216 |
| Price | $249 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the standard allowance | $1 under standard allowance |
Pfister Ladera 4 in. Centerset Double Handle Bathroom Faucet in Spot Defense Brushed Nickel Value buy
A two-handle centerset faucet in brushed nickel for well under the standard faucet budget.
| Manufacturer | Pfister |
|---|---|
| Model | LF-048-LRGS |
| Item number | 300721643 |
| Price | $69 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the standard allowance | $31 under standard allowance |
Hermitage Bath Cosy 24 in. W x 36 in. H Rectangular Framed Wall Bathroom Vanity Mirror in matte Black Good
A framed 24 x 36 mirror; black or gold for the same money.
| Manufacturer | Hermitage Bath |
|---|---|
| Model | HBSM-2436MB |
| Item number | 326998404 |
| Price | $116 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the standard allowance | $34 under standard allowance |
| Colors | Matte Black, Brushed Gold |
Premium finish
Lifeproof Sterling Oak 22 MIL x 8.7 in. W x 48 in. L Click Lock Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (20.1 sqft/case) Better
The same look with a thicker 22 mil wear layer; it runs a little over the premium floor budget.
| Manufacturer | Lifeproof |
|---|---|
| Model | I966106LP |
| Item number | 309083456 |
| Price | $65.99 a case · $3.28 / sq ft at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Coverage | 20.1 sq ft a case |
| Against the premium allowance | +$0.28 / sq ft over premium allowance |
| Colors | Sterling Oak, Fresh Oak, Dusk Cherry (same price) |
Home Decorators Collection Doveton 48 in. Single Sink Freestanding White Bath Vanity with White Engineered Marble Top (Assembled) Better
A 48-inch vanity with an engineered marble top, in white or weathered tan.
| Manufacturer | Home Decorators Collection |
|---|---|
| Model | Doveton 48W |
| Item number | 324252772 |
| Price | $699 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the premium allowance | $101 under premium allowance |
| Colors | White, Weathered Tan (same price) |
Home Decorators Collection Hanna 48 in. Single Sink Freestanding Spruce Blue Bath Vanity with White Engineered Stone Top (Assembled) Best
The color statement: spruce blue or weathered tan, still under the premium budget.
| Manufacturer | Home Decorators Collection |
|---|---|
| Model | Hanna 48SB |
| Item number | 324252454 |
| Price | $749 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the premium allowance | $51 under premium allowance |
| Colors | Spruce Blue, Weathered Tan (same price) |
KOHLER Santa Rosa 12 in. Rough In 1-Piece 1.28 GFP Single Flush Elongated Chair Height Toilet in White with Soft Close Seat Better
A one-piece KOHLER with a soft-close seat, well under the premium budget.
| Manufacturer | KOHLER |
|---|---|
| Model | 32901-0 |
| Item number | 320020341 |
| Price | $379 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the premium allowance | $121 under premium allowance |
Pfister Ladera 8 in. Widespread Double Handle Bathroom Faucet in Spot Defense Brushed Nickel Better
An 8-inch widespread faucet in three finishes; match it to the mirror and the hardware.
| Manufacturer | Pfister |
|---|---|
| Model | LF-049-LRGS |
| Item number | 300721647 |
| Price | $139 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the premium allowance | $161 under premium allowance |
| Colors | Brushed Nickel, Matte Black, Brushed Gold |
TaiMei Luma Pro 48 in. W x 36 in. H Rectangular Frameless LED Light Dimmable Anti-Fog Wall Bathroom Vanity Mirror Best
A 48 x 36 LED mirror, dimmable with anti-fog; useful light in a room with no window.
| Manufacturer | TaiMei |
|---|---|
| Model | TMIMC04-3036SF1 |
| Item number | 315991479 |
| Price | $321 at The Home Depot, as of October 10, 2026 |
| Against the premium allowance | $179 under premium allowance |
How to choose
- Rooms before square feet. In this pricing, going from 700 to 1,300 sq ft of open space adds about $12,000, while a bedroom and a full bathroom add about $13,000 to a 900 sq ft basement. Decide the rooms first.
- Plan the next phase now. If a bathroom is a someday, have the drain and vent location decided while the walls are open.
- Spend where you touch it every day. Floors, the vanity and lighting show every day; the product budgets above are where a few hundred dollars changes how the room feels.
How BuildFlow does it
BuildFlow Basements designs and prices your finished basement, and licensed, insured local contractors build it — one fixed price, agreed before work starts.
It starts with me, Emma, BuildFlow’s free AI designer. In about five minutes I design your own basement: renderings of your space, real products you pick, and a real price range for your project. The design is yours to keep, even if you never hire BuildFlow.
Design my basement with EmmaQuestions people ask
Can you finish a basement for $50,000 in the Twin Cities?
Yes, as open living space. In BuildFlow's pricing a 700 sq ft basement finished as one open family room at a standard finish runs $47,000–$55,000, and 900 sq ft runs $51,000–$60,000.
How much does a basement with a bedroom and bathroom cost?
About $64,000–$74,000 for a 900 sq ft basement in BuildFlow's pricing, at a standard finish with luxury vinyl plank floors. At 1,300 sq ft it is about $71,000–$83,000.
How much more is a premium finish?
It depends on the rooms. For a 900 sq ft family room and bedroom, premium runs $65,000–$75,000 vs $57,000–$66,000 standard. With a full bathroom it runs $81,000–$93,000 vs $64,000–$74,000, because the bathroom products carry most of the difference.
Is a wet bar included in these prices?
No. Bars and built-ins are priced on top as allowances: a wet bar with a stone counter is $8,500 and a dry bar with a butcher block top is $5,000 in BuildFlow's pricing.
How do I get a price for my own basement?
Emma, BuildFlow's free AI designer, designs and prices your own basement in about five minutes: renderings of your space, real products you pick, and a price range. A measured walkthrough then turns the range into one fixed price before any work starts.
More in Value & cost-benefit
- What each upgrade adds to the price of a finished basement
- Value buys: basement products that look like more than they cost
- Where to spend and where to save when you finish a basement
- Does finishing a basement pay off in the Twin Cities?