Basement finishing · Waltham, MA
Basement finishing in Waltham, MA
A finished basement is usually the least expensive way to add living space to a New England house. We help you work out what the space should do, where everything goes, and how to keep it dry, then frame, floor and finish it.
- Family rooms, gyms, offices & bars
- Sealing, framing & flooring
- Built to code, with permits
01Family room & bar 
02Media wall & built-ins 
03Home gym 
04Wet bar by the stairs
Basement finishing
Basements that stay dry and get used.
Before we frame anything, we look at moisture. A basement that stays dry is the difference between a room you use every day and one you redo in five years, which is why sealing is part of our basement work.
Then we work out what the space should do: where the TV, bar, desk or gym equipment go, how to work around beams and ducts, and where storage fits so the rest of the house stays neat.
Planning a basement?
What makes a basement work.
- 1
Dry first
Fix water and moisture problems before finishing. Gutters, grading and any signs of past water all get checked.
- 2
Ceiling height
Beams, ducts and pipes set the ceiling. Planning soffits around them early keeps the room from feeling low.
- 3
Bedrooms need a way out
Under the building code, a basement bedroom needs an emergency escape window or door. Plan it before framing.
- 4
Floors for below grade
Choose flooring that handles some moisture, like vinyl plank or tile, rather than solid hardwood.
How a project goes
How a basement project goes.
- 1
Free visit
We come to the house, measure, look at what's behind the walls where we can, and hear what you want.
- 2
Written estimate
A line-item price and a realistic schedule. Change your mind on finishes before we start, not after.
- 3
Permits & build
We handle permits and inspections, and you get regular updates on what's happening and what's next.
- 4
Walkthrough
We go room by room with you, finish the punch list, and leave the house clean.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
Usually, yes, once you're turning it into living space: framing, insulation and electrical are all inspected. We file the building permit with your town and schedule the inspections. Plumbing and electrical permits are pulled by the licensed plumber and electrician on the job, as Massachusetts requires.
Can you put a bedroom in the basement?
Often, yes, as long as it can meet the code for ceiling height and an emergency escape opening. We'll tell you at the visit whether your basement can.
My basement gets damp. Can it still be finished?
Tell us about it at the visit. We look at where the moisture is coming from and include sealing or other fixes in the estimate before any finishing starts.
Can you add a wet bar or a bathroom down there?
Usually. It depends on where the plumbing can drain; some basements need a pump to lift waste water up to the main line. We check at the visit.
Further reading
From the HouseCraft blog.
Service area
Basement finishing in Waltham and ten nearby towns.
We do basement finishing across our service area, all within seven miles of the Calvary Street shop. Each town page covers that town's permit and zoning rules. Town not listed? We travel for the right job.
More from HouseCraft
Other kinds of work we do.
Free estimate
Ready to talk about your basement?
We'll come out, measure, listen, and send a written estimate. The visit is free and there's no pressure to sign.
Call 617-934-1875