Cosmetic basement update cost in Massachusetts
A cosmetic basement job in Massachusetts usually costs about $3,100 to $5,800 for a medium room with standard materials when you hire it out. If you do the work yourself and hire only the licensed trades, it is about $1,400 to $3,300. The tables below show small, medium and large rooms at three material levels. They include a dumpster, permits, delivery, sales tax and a 15% cushion for surprises.
Price my own basementCost by size and materials
Each box shows a low, a likely and a high price for the whole job. "Hired out" means pros do everything. "Do it yourself" means you do the jobs that are fine to do yourself and still pay for the licensed trades.
| Hired out | Do it yourself |
|---|---|
| Budget materials Cheapest that's still decent | |
| Low $1,700Likely $2,500High $3,200 | Low $900Likely $1,600High $2,200 |
| Standard materials Off the shelf at Home Depot or Lowe's | |
| Low $1,900Likely $2,800High $3,700 | Low $1,100Likely $1,900High $2,600 |
| Premium materials Specialty stores, custom pieces | |
| Low $2,500Likely $3,700High $4,900 | Low $1,600Likely $2,700High $3,700 |
| Hired out | Do it yourself |
|---|---|
| Budget materials Cheapest that's still decent | |
| Low $2,700Likely $3,900High $5,100 | Low $1,100Likely $1,900High $2,700 |
| Standard materials Off the shelf at Home Depot or Lowe's | |
| Low $3,100Likely $4,400High $5,800 | Low $1,400Likely $2,400High $3,300 |
| Premium materials Specialty stores, custom pieces | |
| Low $3,900Likely $5,800High $7,700 | Low $2,200Likely $3,500High $4,900 |
| Hired out | Do it yourself |
|---|---|
| Budget materials Cheapest that's still decent | |
| Low $3,800Likely $5,400High $7,000 | Low $1,300Likely $2,300High $3,200 |
| Standard materials Off the shelf at Home Depot or Lowe's | |
| Low $4,200Likely $6,100High $7,900 | Low $1,700Likely $2,800High $4,000 |
| Premium materials Specialty stores, custom pieces | |
| Low $5,300Likely $7,900High $10,500 | Low $2,700Likely $4,400High $6,100 |
What is included (Paint and floor coating)
- Floor coating or paint: 400 / 700 / 1000 sq ft floor (small / medium / large).
- Paint walls (masonry paint): 400 / 700 / 1000 sq ft floor (small / medium / large).
Often forgotten items
These get left out of most quotes and budgets. They are already in the numbers above.
- Dehumidifier: 1 each. Basements trap moisture.
See the other cost guides, the privacy page and the terms.