Cost to Insulate and Finish Basement Walls – 2021

| Last Updated: August 23, 2021

National Average Improvement and Repair Cost

Pro

DIY

Hours:

25.3

35

Cost:

$ 1675

$ 490

Would you do this project? According to our survey, 72% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.

The average price to Insulate and Finish Basement Walls noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.

How much does it cost to insulate and finish basement walls? A contractor charges $1,675 to insulate and finish basement walls or do it yourself for $490 and save 70 percent.

A dry basement used primarily for storage can become a bonus room in a house for a relatively small investment. The area is already heated, or can be easily because the furnace is already down there. With the addition of insulation and wallboard, a basement becomes additional finished living space. The job involves furring out the walls with 2×4 stud frames, filling the cavities with wrapped fiberglass insulation and installing wallboard.

A carpenter will charge $1,675 to insulate and finish basement walls in a 600-square foot space. This includes framing out the walls, filling the wall cavities with insulation and installing wallboard. You can do the job for $490, the cost of the materials, and save 70 percent.

Use your ZIP Code to adjust the cost to where you live. It helps to have some basic rough carpentry experience. You’ll need a saw, measuring tape, carpenter’s square, level, screw gun and wood screws for the framing. To install the insulation, you’ll need a stapler and a pair of heavy-duty scissors to cut it to size. And to install wallboard panels to the framing, you’ll need wallboard tools.

Depending on their location and weather conditions, different parts of the country require specific R-value or heating power. Check with your local building department to find out what type of insulation is needed where you live.

To calculate rolled insulation go to Lowe’s Rolled Insulation calculator.

The average price to insulate and finish basement walls noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.

Welcome! We hope you’ll find the job costs of home improvement projects useful when you’re deciding whether to do a job yourself vs. hire a contractor. We’re the authors of 20 home improvement books, most notably Home Improvement for Dummies©, Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies©, Carpentry for Dummies©, Plumbing for Dummies©, and Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies©. Our most recent book Fix It and Flip It is in its second edition. We’ve appeared as home improvement experts on television programs such as CNN, Dateline, the Today Show, HGTV and many others.