How Much Does It Cost to Finish a 1,500-Square-Foot Basement in Stone Mountain?

Finishing a 1,500-square-foot basement in Stone Mountain sits at the intersection of value and comfort. Homeowners often want a clear number. A realistic budget in the Atlanta area runs from $75,000 to $165,000 for a quality build-out, with most Stone Mountain projects landing between $95,000 and $140,000. The spread comes from design choices, existing conditions, and code-driven needs like egress, moisture control, and HVAC upgrades.

Below is a practical look at where the money goes, what drives price changes, and how to plan a project that fits both budget and lifestyle.

What a “Finished Basement” Means in Stone Mountain

A finished basement is more than drywall and flooring. In DeKalb County and the city of Stone Mountain, code requires safe exits, proper ceiling heights, smoke and CO detectors, and correct electrical and HVAC sizing. A livable space typically includes framed walls, insulation, drywall, lighting, outlets, flooring, doors and trim, paint, and a conditioned and dehumidified environment. Many homeowners also add a full bath, a bedroom, a wet bar, and storage zones. If a true bedroom is planned, it needs an egress window or door that meets code.

From experience, the best results come when the layout solves actual daily needs. A play area near the stairs, a quiet office away from the media wall, and storage tucked behind a finished door keep the space useful and calm.

Cost Range by Finish Level

For a 1,500-square-foot footprint in Stone Mountain:

• Basic finish: $75,000 to $95,000. Open rec room, LVP flooring, recessed LED lights, one closet, paint-grade trim, dehumidifier tie-in, no bathroom.
• Mid-range: $95,000 to $125,000. Adds a full bathroom, a media nook with sound insulation, basic wet bar, upgraded doors and trim, better lighting control.
• Higher-end: $125,000 to $165,000+. Adds a bedroom with egress window, custom bar or kitchenette, built-ins, acoustic treatment, upgraded tile and quartz, higher-end fixtures.

These levels assume standard ceiling heights around 8 feet after finishes. If beams, ducts, or low slabs force soffits or a drop ceiling, planning and labor go up.

Line-Item Budget Breakdown

Every home is a bit different, but this allocation reflects what a typical Stone Mountain project sees:

• Design, permits, and inspections: 5 to 8 percent. Expect $4,000 to $10,000. This includes drawings, permit fees, and inspections.
• Framing and insulation: 10 to 14 percent. $9,000 to $20,000. Includes soffits to hide ducts and plumbing, and R-13 to R-19 insulation as needed.
• Electrical and lighting: 8 to 12 percent. $7,000 to $18,000. Includes new circuits, GFCI where required, can lights, and low-voltage runs for media.
• Plumbing: 6 to 15 percent. $6,000 to $22,000. Lower end for a rough-in-ready bath, higher end for adding a bathroom with an upflush or ejector pump and a wet bar.
• HVAC and ventilation: 6 to 10 percent. $5,000 to $15,000. Duct rework, possible mini-split, returns, and dedicated dehumidification.
• Drywall and paint: 8 to 12 percent. $7,000 to $18,000. Smooth finishes and two topcoats are standard.
• Flooring: 6 to 12 percent. $5,000 to $18,000. LVP runs $3 to $6 per square foot installed; carpet or tile shifts the total.
• Doors, trim, and finishes: 6 to 10 percent. $5,000 to $15,000. Includes baseboards, casings, interior doors, and hardware.
• Bathroom build-out: 10 to 18 percent if included. $10,000 to $28,000. Tile showers, vanities, and ventilation drive the range.
• Egress window or exterior door: $5,000 to $12,000 each. Cutting concrete, lintels, well, drainage, and finishing.
• Contingency: 8 to 12 percent. Hidden moisture, foundation cracks, or subpanel upgrades can trigger this.

If the home has a rough-in for a bath and a generous electrical panel, the project slides down the range. If the basement needs an ejector pump, new subpanel, or major waterproofing, expect the higher range.

Atlanta-Area Factors That Move the Number

Soil and water: Stone Mountain homes often sit on granite-rich terrain with clay soils. Cutting for an egress well is a heavier lift than in sandy soil. Good drainage around that well is essential to avoid water intrusion. If the sump system is missing or undersized, add $2,000 to $6,000 for a proper solution.

Moisture and humidity: Atlanta summers are humid. Even “dry” basements need a plan. A dedicated dehumidifier tied to a drain, sealed rim joists, and smart HVAC airflow keep surfaces dry and air fresh. Skipping this invites musty smells and cupping floors.

Ceiling height and obstacles: Ducts and beams often dictate layout. Skilled framing can blend soffits into the design. If the ceiling height is under 7 feet 6 inches before finishes, design must be careful to maintain code-compliant clearances.

Electrical capacity: Many 1990s and early-2000s homes need a subpanel for a full basement build-out. Expect $1,500 to $3,500 for a subpanel and rewiring to code if required.

Bathrooms, Bedrooms, and Bars: Real Numbers

A full bathroom drives resale and livability. In Stone Mountain, a straightforward bath over existing plumbing rough-ins might land near $12,000 to $16,000 with basic tile and mid-range fixtures. If plumbing must run to an ejector pit, and the design includes a tiled shower with niche and glass, $18,000 to $28,000 is normal.

A legal bedroom needs compliant egress. Cutting a concrete wall for a window, installing a well with drains, and finishing the interior typically ranges from $6,500 to $10,000. Converting a walk-out with a new exterior door is similar, but hardware and steps affect cost.

A wet bar with base cabinets, a small sink, undercounter fridge, quartz top, and backsplash often falls between $7,000 and $14,000. A full kitchenette with 240V for a range, venting, and more storage can cross $20,000.

Material Choices That Pay Off

Flooring: LVP holds up to moisture and traffic. Carpet works well in media rooms for sound control. Tile is best near entries from patios or for bath zones. Solid hardwood is risky below grade; engineered products rated for basements are safer.

Insulation and air sealing: Closed-cell foam on rim joists and a continuous vapor-smart approach control condensation. Fiberglass in framed walls is fine if the basement is dry and air-sealed.

Lighting: Recessed LEDs with dimmers create flexible zones. A media wall benefits from side lighting and backlighting, not just cans overhead.

Sound: If a theater is in the plan, add mineral wool in interior walls and use solid-core doors. These small steps calm noise without expensive specialty systems.

Timeline and Phasing

A typical 1,500-square-foot finish takes 8 to 14 weeks from permit approval to punch-out. Permit review in Stone Mountain and DeKalb County often runs 2 to 4 weeks depending on submission quality and scope. Material lead times for specialty doors, cabinetry, and glass showers can add time. Scheduling inspections at framing, rough MEP, insulation, and final keeps things moving.

Homeowners who want to spread cost sometimes phase the project. Phase one handles framing, mechanical rough-ins, and drywall for the entire footprint. Phase two completes the bathroom and finishes. Phasing can work, but it is most efficient to complete mechanicals and drywall in one pass to avoid rework.

Where Homeowners Save — And Where They Should Not

Painting or simple shelving can be a safe DIY for some. Flooring installation is possible for handy owners, but warranty claims may suffer. Homeowners should avoid cutting into concrete walls, installing egress systems, or DIY electrical and plumbing. Those items carry safety and code risks that outlast trends and tenants.

Value picks include durable LVP, stock shaker cabinets for bars, quartz remnants for small tops, and mid-line plumbing fixtures from reputable brands. Spend on moisture control, lighting, and functional layout before splurging on accent walls.

Hiring a Contractor to Finish a Basement in Stone Mountain

Local experience matters. A contractor who finishes basements across Atlanta understands DeKalb inspections, code interpretations on egress, and humidity control strategies that hold up over time. Homeowners should ask how the team handles moisture assessment, load calculations for HVAC, and permit drawings. Portfolio photos are helpful, but references and site visits tell the real story.

Heide Contracting plans each basement as a set of lived-in zones, not a single open room. The team maps traffic patterns, sightlines from the stairs, and mechanical paths before a wall goes up. This approach avoids awkward soffits, dark corners, and noisy equipment near quiet spaces.

A Realistic Sample Budget for a 1,500-Square-Foot Finish

A mid-range plan with a media room, play area, office nook, storage room, full bathroom, and a wet bar might price around $112,000 to $128,000. That would include framing, insulation, electrical with 24 to 32 can lights, a subpanel, bath with tiled shower, LVP in main areas, carpet in the media zone, solid-core doors, trim, paint, a vented dehumidifier, and a standard wet bar with quartz. Add $7,500 to $9,500 if an egress window is required for a legal bedroom. Subtract $10,000 to $14,000 if the bathroom is omitted and plumbing rough-ins are not moved.

Permitting and Inspection Snapshot

Stone Mountain homeowners pull permits through DeKalb County for most basement work. Expect structural review for egress openings, electrical and plumbing permits, and inspections at framing, rough-in, insulation, and final. Allow space to access shutoffs, cleanouts, and equipment. Smoke and CO detectors must interconnect in many cases; budget for upgrades outside the basement if the system is outdated.

Ready to See Your Numbers?

Every basement tells a different story. Some have a perfect rough-in and generous ceiling height. Others need smart routing around beams or better drainage outside. A short site visit answers these questions and sets a clear price.

Homeowners searching for a contractor to finish basement projects in Stone Mountain, Decatur, Tucker, Lilburn, or across East Atlanta can book a free walk-through with Heide Contracting. The team will measure, check moisture, review the panel, and map a layout that fits how the home is used. Heide Contracting: basement finishing services in Atlanta, GA. Call today or request an on-site consultation to get a line-by-line estimate and a realistic schedule.