How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement in Decatur, GA?

Homeowners in Decatur often ask for straight answers on basement finishing costs. The short version: most projects in Decatur, and the east side of Atlanta, land between $45 and $110 per square foot. A simple 700-square-foot finish might start around $35,000 to $50,000. A larger, feature-rich 1,000-square-foot basement with a bathroom, media room, and wet bar can reach $90,000 to $140,000. The spread depends on water management, layout, selections, and the age of the home.

Heide Contracting finishes basements across Decatur, Druid Hills, Kirkwood, East Lake, and the greater metro. The team works under Atlanta’s codes, uses moisture-smart assemblies, and builds with resale in mind. Below is a practical breakdown so homeowners can budget with confidence.

What drives the price in Decatur

Many Decatur homes sit on older foundations with mixed drainage and a patchwork of previous work. Finishing costs hinge on five big factors: moisture control, layout complexity, mechanical upgrades, finish quality, and permitting. An accurate estimate starts with a site visit to confirm the basement’s condition and height, then a plan that fits how the space will actually be used.

Expect the base scope (framing, insulation, drywall, standard electrical, basic LVP flooring, simple paint) to sit near the lower end of the range. Additions like a full bathroom, wet bar, custom built-ins, or theater wiring move the job up.

Typical cost ranges by space type

A family room and office, no plumbing: $45 to $65 per square foot. This includes walls, basic lighting, outlets, LVP or carpet, and a clean ceiling solution. The number often shifts with ceiling height and existing obstructions.

A full bathroom: $12,000 to $25,000. The low end fits a straightforward half bath near existing plumbing. A tiled shower, better fixtures, a vent fan, tile flooring, and a new ejector pump push the number higher. Stub-outs exist in some Decatur homes; if they are in the right spot, they save money.

A wet bar or kitchenette: $8,000 to $25,000. Small bar sink with stock cabinets and a mini-fridge sits at the low end. Quartz counters, full-height backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, and a built-in beverage center land at the higher end.

Home theater or media room: $6,000 to $25,000. This depends on soundproofing, wiring for surround sound, projector prewire, wall treatments, and dimmable lighting. True acoustic isolation costs more than simple sound-deadening.

Bedroom with egress: $6,000 to $18,000 above base finish. Pricing reflects framing, closet, electrical, and—if needed—cutting in an egress window with a code-compliant well. Many Decatur basements need concrete cutting to reach egress size, which adds labor and masonry work.

Moisture and waterproofing in Atlanta basements

Metro Atlanta clay holds water. Decatur homes on slopes can see seasonal dampness. Any finish should start with a moisture review. Signs include white efflorescence on walls, musty odor, or peeling paint. Costs vary:

• Interior drainage and sump system: $3,500 to $9,500. Useful for perimeter seepage.
• Crack injection and spot repairs: $500 to $2,500 per area.
• Dehumidification and air sealing: $1,200 to $3,000.
• Exterior grading or gutter upgrades: $500 to $3,000 depending on scope.

These items are far cheaper than tearing out a finished space after a wet spring. Heide Contracting builds moisture-smart assemblies: capillary breaks, foam where it belongs, and a gap behind finished walls where needed.

What finished basements actually include at each tier

Entry finish: painted drywall, basic trim, LVP or carpet, flush-mount LED lights, standard outlets, and a painted exposed ceiling or simple drop ceiling. Works for playrooms and home gyms. Often $45 to $60 per square foot.

Mid-grade finish: smooth drywall, taller baseboards, upgraded doors, recessed LEDs on dimmers, better flooring (thicker LVP or engineered wood where appropriate), feature wall, and a half bath or small bar. Often $60 to $85 per square foot.

Premium finish: full bath with tile shower, real wood or high-end LVP, custom built-ins, wet bar with quartz, sound control, accent lighting, and upgraded HVAC zoning. Often $85 to $110 per square foot, higher if structural work or luxury selections stack up.

HVAC, electrical, and plumbing realities in older Decatur homes

Many 1940s to 1970s houses have limited panel capacity and undersized HVAC. Adding conditioned square footage often means upgrades.

Electrical: Heide Contracting: basement finishing services in Atlanta, GA. a subpanel for the basement runs $1,200 to $2,500. Whole-house service upgrades to 200A can run $2,500 to $4,500 if needed. Lighting and receptacles for a typical basement often land between $2,500 and $6,500, excluding specialty theater or bar circuits.

HVAC: if the existing system has headroom, new supplies and returns may be $1,500 to $3,500. A dedicated mini-split for the basement can range from $3,800 to $7,500 and gives strong zone control. Basements run cool; a well-placed return and mild rebalancing can solve hot-cold spots.

Plumbing: new drains below the main line need an ejector pump, usually $2,000 to $4,500 installed. Locating the bath near existing stacks keeps costs in check.

Permits, inspections, and timelines in Dekalb County

Finishing a basement is permitted work. The process covers framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. Permits and inspections protect resale and insurance coverage, and appraisers count it. Plan on $600 to $2,000 for plans and permit costs combined, depending on scope and whether stamped drawings are required.

Most basements finish in 6 to 10 weeks after design and permitting. Add time for custom cabinetry, long-lead tile, or structural work. Clear selections before rough-in keeps the schedule tight.

Ceiling options and costs

Many Decatur basements have low beams and duct runs. Ceiling decisions affect both cost and service access.

Drywall ceilings: clean look, usually $3 to $5 per square foot for the ceiling portion. Best where mechanicals can be rerouted or boxed in.

Painted open ceiling: popular for height. Expect $2 to $4 per square foot for prep and paint. It looks good with careful wire management and sound absorption.

Acoustic drop ceiling: $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot. Easy access for future changes. Modern tiles look better than the old office panels most people picture.

Flooring that handles Atlanta humidity

LVP holds up to seasonal humidity and minor moisture better than many products and often costs $3 to $7 per square foot installed for mid-grade options. Carpet works in media rooms and bedrooms but needs a proper pad and a dry slab. Engineered wood with a vapor barrier can work in dry, well-managed basements. Solid hardwood on a slab is risky. Before any flooring, a slab moisture test helps avoid callbacks.

Real examples from nearby projects

A 750-square-foot East Lake finish with a family room, office nook, LVP, painted open ceiling, and recessed LEDs came in around $42,000. The home had dry walls and a modern panel, which kept costs down.

A 1,050-square-foot Decatur project with a bedroom, full bath with tiled shower, wet bar, drywall ceilings, mid-grade finishes, zoning upgrade for HVAC, and a new subpanel landed near $108,000. A cracked corner needed injection and downspout rerouting, about $3,200 of the total.

A 900-square-foot Kirkwood media basement with sound treatment, built-ins, a half bath, and better lighting finished near $72,000. The client skipped a wet bar, which trimmed thousands.

Where homeowners control cost

Selections, layout, and scope make the biggest difference. Placing the bathroom near existing plumbing saves on trenching and pumps. Choosing a painted open ceiling in low zones avoids framing drops. Stock cabinets at a bar cost far less than custom built-ins. A single feature wall can deliver character without chasing upgrades everywhere.

If a budget must hold firm, phase the project: finish the core living area now and rough-in for the bath and bar, then build them later. Heide Contracting often roughs plumbing and electrical stubs so the future work is clean and fast.

Resale, appraisals, and usable square footage

Buyers in Decatur and Atlanta value finished basements that feel integrated with the main house. Proper egress for bedrooms, a real bath, and a cohesive finish level support appraisal value. Poor lighting, low ceilings, or visible moisture problems hurt value. Done right, a finished basement can return a large share of the cost and provide daily utility for family life, guests, or work-from-home.

What happens during a Heide Contracting basement finish

A typical project starts with a site evaluation focused on moisture, headroom, and mechanicals. From there, the team creates a plan and line-item budget. Rough trades follow framing, then inspections, then finishes. The crew keeps dust control in place and uses clear milestones so homeowners can see progress. Most clients in Decatur stay in the house during the build; work zones stay contained with plastic walls and air scrubbers.

Budget snapshot

• Basic finish, 600 to 800 square feet: $35,000 to $55,000
• Mid-grade finish with half bath: $55,000 to $85,000
• Premium finish with full bath and wet bar: $85,000 to $140,000
• Moisture management, if needed: $1,200 to $9,500
• Electrical/HVAC upgrades: $3,000 to $12,000 depending on capacity and zoning

These are working ranges for Decatur and nearby neighborhoods on Atlanta’s east side. A firm quote follows an on-site inspection and a clear plan.

Why local experience matters

Basement finishing services in Atlanta, GA, must account for clay soils, flash storms, older framing, and mixed ceiling heights. Local crews know how Dekalb permit reviewers look at egress, combustion air, and smoke/CO detector placement. They know when a low duct can be rerouted and when a soffit is the better play. That judgment saves time and protects budgets.

Ready to price your Decatur basement?

Heide Contracting builds basements that feel like part of the home, not an afterthought. The team serves Decatur, Druid Hills, East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Oakhurst, and surrounding neighborhoods with design, permits, and construction under one roof. Share photos and square footage to get a ballpark, or schedule a site visit for a detailed proposal. Call to discuss your space or request a consultation online, and get a clear number you can build on.