Quick Answer

Basement Finishing Cost in London (2026)

Average cost in London

$52,926avg

$30,000 — $150,000

$40 — $200 per sq ft

+5.6% YoY
12 sources
Updated 1 weeks ago
Ontario

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Materials

Drywall, flooring, lumber, and fixtures

$13,500 — $67,500

45%

Labor

Framing, electrical, plumbing, and finishing

$10,500 — $52,500

35%

Permits & Design

City fees and architectural drawings

$3,000 — $15,000

10%

Contingency

Buffer for unforeseen repairs or moisture issues

$3,000 — $15,000

10%

🧾HST (13%) — Ontario
Base cost + $6,880 tax$59,806

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 Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

$32,925

$26,340 — $39,510

Based on 12 sources and market data for London. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

$50,120

Today

$52,926

Basement Finishing in London is 5.6% compared to roughly a year ago — about $2,807 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
★★★★★

36 reviews

🔨

Power House Construction

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

4.9
★★★★½

78 reviews

🔨

Gold Level Contracting

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

4.9
★★★★½

54 reviews

🔨

Riverside Construction

440 Victoria St, London, ON N5Y 4A9, Canada

4.9
★★★★½

54 reviews

🔨

Practical Solutions: Renovation and Handyman Services

65 Mark St, London, ON N5V 2G7, Canada

4.9
★★★★½

40 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

In 2026, standard basement finishing costs between $40 and $85 per sq ft. However, converting a space into a legal secondary suite typically costs between $120 and $200 per sq ft due to strict building code requirements.

Yes, the City of London offers Additional Residential Unit (ARU) grants of up to $45,000 for homeowners creating legal secondary suites. Additionally, the city has periodically waived building permit fees for such projects to encourage housing density.

According to the Ontario Building Code (OBC) applied in London, a legal basement apartment must have a minimum ceiling height of 6'5" (1.95m) over at least 75% of the required floor area.

Adding a new 3-piece bathroom typically costs between $8,000 and $25,000, depending on the proximity to existing plumbing stacks and whether concrete must be broken for new drainage lines.

Permit fees for a standard basement finish generally range from $1,000 to $3,000, covering plan reviews and multiple inspections. Fees may be higher for legal suites that require development charges or specialized HVAC and electrical permits.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ 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 weeks 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.