Quick Answer

Basement Finishing Cost in London (2026)

Average cost in London

$59,538avg

$30,000 – $120,000

$30 – $120 per sq ft

In London, the average is $59,538 and most projects cost between $30,000 and $120,000, or about $30 – $120 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 12 sources.

+5.6% YoY
12 sources
Updated 1 months ago
Ontario

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Licensed trades and general contracting

$25,000 – $60,000

50%

Materials

Framing, drywall, flooring, and fixtures

$17,500 – $42,000

35%

Permits & Design

Municipal fees and BCIN-stamped drawings

$1,100 – $3,000

5%

Contingency

Buffer for unexpected structural or moisture issues

$3,000 – $12,000

10%

🧾HST (13%) — Ontario
Base cost + $7,740 tax$67,278

HST at 13%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Framing & drywall
  • Basic flooring (LVP or carpet)
  • Electrical (outlets & lighting)
  • Egress window (if required)
  • Painting
  • Basic bathroom rough-in

Typically Excludes

  • Full basement bathroom
  • Built-in bar or kitchen
  • Home theater wiring
  • Waterproofing (separate cost)
  • Permits & inspections

Assumes an unfinished basement with existing concrete floor and basic utilities.

🧮Estimate your project

Live
sq ft
Finish Level
Include Bathroom?
Include Wet Bar?

Your estimate in London

$59,538

Likely range $30,000 – $119,999

  • Labor50%$29,769
  • Materials35%$20,838
  • Permits & Design5%$2,977
  • Contingency10%$5,954

Basic (rec room)

$41,418

Standard (bedroom + bath)

$59,538

Premium (full suite)

$84,907

Get quotes for this project →

Calibrated to 12 researched sources for London. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

$56,381

Today

$59,538

Basement Finishing in London is ↑ 5.6% compared to roughly a year ago — about $3,157 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Basement Finish Contractors in London

Verified providers
🔨

Coronation Construction

2215 Lilac Ave, London, ON N6K 5C5, Canada

5.0
★★★★★

40 reviews

🔨

Power House Construction

600 Newbold St, London, ON N6E 2T7, Canada

4.9
★★★★½

82 reviews

🔨

Kirk's Renovations Inc.

17 Woodward Ave, London, ON N6H 2G6, Canada

4.9
★★★★½

71 reviews

🔨

Oak 42 | Home Renovations London, Ontario | Bathrooms, Kitchens, Basements, Additions

4093 Meadowbrook Dr #102, London, ON N6L 1G1, Canada

4.9
★★★★½

37 reviews

🔨

Gold Level Contracting

288 Grangeover Ave, London, ON N6G 4K5, Canada

4.8
★★★★½

57 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

❓Common Questions

Yes. The City of London requires a building permit for any project that involves structural changes, new plumbing, or HVAC modifications. Municipal permit fees typically range from $300 to $1,500, plus professional drawing fees of $800 to $1,500.

According to the Ontario Building Code and London's 2026 guidelines, the minimum ceiling height must be 1.95 metres (approximately 6'5") over at least 75% of the required floor area.

A fully legal basement apartment with a kitchen, separate entrance, and fire separation typically costs between $85,000 and $150,000 in 2026, depending on whether underpinning is required to meet height standards.

Homeowners in London can expect a 70% to 75% ROI on a professionally finished basement. Adding a legal rental suite can further increase value by providing potential monthly income of $1,800 to $2,400.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 12+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 1 months ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in CAD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.