Portland Basement Remodeling
Your basement has potential. That dark, underutilized space beneath your feet could become a home office, family room, rental unit, or whatever your household needs most. At Crestwood Property Services, we specialize in Portland basement remodeling—handling the unique challenges of older Portland homes and transforming lower levels into comfortable, functional living space.
Possibilities for Your Lower Level
Portland homeowners finish their basements for many reasons. Here are the most popular uses we build:
Home Office
Work from home requires dedicated space. A basement office offers separation from household activity, natural quiet, and room for proper desk setups, filing, and video conferencing.
Family Room / Entertainment Space
Create the gathering space your home is missing. Media rooms, game rooms, and casual living areas thrive in basements—away from the formal spaces upstairs.
Guest Suite
Welcome visitors with a private bedroom and bathroom. Basement guest suites offer privacy for both hosts and guests, with proper egress windows meeting code requirements.
Rental Unit / ADU
Portland's ADU-friendly regulations make basement conversions an attractive option. Generate rental income or create a space for extended family with a legal accessory dwelling unit.
Home Gym
Rubber flooring, mirrors, and space for equipment. Basements handle the weight of fitness equipment and the sound of workouts better than main floor rooms.
Kids' Playroom
Toys, games, and kid noise—contained in the basement where cleanup is easier and adult living spaces stay organized.
Bar or Entertaining Area
Create a destination for entertaining with a wet bar, seating areas, and room for a pool table or card games.
Home Studio
Art studios, music rooms, or craft spaces. Basements offer the room and acoustic separation creative pursuits require.
Basement Remodeling Investment Levels
Basement finishing costs vary based on scope and complexity. Here are typical ranges for Portland-area projects.
Basic Basement Finish
$30,000 - $50,000
Family room, minimal plumbing, finished walls and flooring. Perfect for additional living space without major plumbing work.
- Finished walls & ceilings
- New flooring
- Lighting & electrical
- Basic storage
Basement with Full Bathroom
$50,000 - $80,000
Complete basement finish including a full bathroom. Ideal for guest suites or expanded living areas with full amenities.
- Full bathroom
- Multiple rooms
- Egress windows
- HVAC extension
Full ADU Conversion
$80,000 - $150,000+
Complete accessory dwelling unit with kitchen, bathroom, living area, and bedroom. Separate entrance, all permits, and rental-ready finishing.
- Full kitchen
- Separate entrance
- Legal ADU permits
- Complete living space
From Dark Basement to Living Space
We inspect your basement, evaluate moisture conditions, assess ceiling height, and discuss your goals. You'll get a realistic picture of what's possible and potential challenges.
Working with your vision, we design your new space—room layouts, bathroom placement, lighting plans, and finish selections. You'll see your basement transformed on paper before construction begins.
You receive comprehensive pricing with complete scope of work. We identify what's included and what might create additional costs if discovered during construction.
Basement conversions require permits. We handle applications, engineering requirements, and inspections. For ADUs, we navigate Portland's specific regulations.
Framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, flooring, and finishes. Our crew handles every trade, keeping your project on schedule and your main house functional.
We review every detail, address punch list items, and ensure you're completely satisfied with your new living space.
Timeline Expectations: Basic Finish: 6-8 weeks | With Bathroom: 8-10 weeks | Full ADU: 10-14 weeks
The Crestwood Difference
Portland Basement Specialists
We focus on Portland-area homes and understand the unique challenges of local basements—moisture, ceiling heights, older construction, and code requirements.
Waterproofing Guarantee
We address moisture issues before finishing and stand behind our waterproofing work. Wet basement problems don't get hidden—they get solved.
Owner on Every Project
Our owner is directly involved in your basement project, from initial assessment through final walkthrough. Personal accountability and accessible decision-making.
No Subcontractors
Your basement is finished by our team. Framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring—our skilled crew handles every phase.
5-Year Workmanship Warranty
We stand behind our work with a comprehensive warranty covering craftsmanship throughout your finished basement.
ADU & Permit Expertise
For rental conversions, we navigate Portland's ADU regulations, handle permit requirements, and ensure your unit meets all legal requirements for occupancy.
What Portland Homeowners Say
Our 1922 Craftsman had a damp, dark basement we never used. Crestwood solved the moisture problems and created a beautiful family room and guest suite. It's like we have a new house.
We converted our basement to an ADU for rental income. Crestwood handled everything—permits, construction, inspections. The unit rented immediately and the income covers a significant portion of our mortgage.
Working from home was impossible with kids around. Crestwood built me a proper home office in the basement with great soundproofing. It's been transformative for my productivity.
Basement Remodeling Throughout Portland Metro
Portland Neighborhoods
- Alameda & Laurelhurst
- Eastmoreland & Sellwood
- Irvington & Alberta
- Multnomah Village & Hillsdale
- St. Johns & Portsmouth
- West Hills & Sylvan
Surrounding Communities
- Lake Oswego
- West Linn
- Tigard
- Beaverton
- Tualatin
- Sherwood
- Hillsboro
- Gresham
- Happy Valley
- Oregon City
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a basement remodel take?
Basic basement finishes typically take 6-8 weeks. Adding a bathroom extends this to 8-10 weeks. Full ADU conversions with kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance run 10-14 weeks. We provide detailed schedules before starting.
What's the average cost of a basement remodel in Portland?
Costs vary widely based on scope. Basic finishing (family room, minimal plumbing) starts around $30,000-$50,000. Basements with full bathrooms run $50,000-$80,000. ADU conversions typically range $80,000-$150,000+. We provide detailed estimates after our assessment.
Do I need permits for basement finishing?
Yes. Converting unfinished basement space to habitable rooms requires building permits in Portland. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work require additional permits. We handle all permit applications and inspections.
What about moisture and waterproofing?
Moisture is the primary concern for Portland basements. We assess water intrusion during our initial consultation and address any issues before finishing. This may include interior drainage, sump pumps, or exterior waterproofing. We guarantee our waterproofing work.
Can I add a bathroom to my basement?
Yes—basement bathrooms are one of our most common requests. Plumbing typically involves breaking concrete to install drain lines. We handle all plumbing work including rough-in, fixtures, and connections.
Do I need egress windows?
If your basement will include a bedroom (or a room that could be used as a bedroom), code requires an emergency escape window. We install egress window wells with proper sizing and access.
What can I use my finished basement for?
Common uses include family rooms, home offices, guest bedrooms, home gyms, media rooms, playrooms, and rental units (ADUs). Your basement can serve whatever function your household needs most.
Ready to Unlock Your Basement's Potential?
Start with a free basement assessment. We'll evaluate your space, discuss possibilities, and provide a detailed estimate.
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