Basement finishing in Madison
A dry, warm lower level that feels like part of the house and stays that way.
Basements are different from every other room because they're surrounded by damp ground. Before we frame anything, we look for water: stains on the walls, white mineral crust, a musty smell, a sump pump that runs a lot. Moisture gets fixed first. Finishing over it only hides the problem behind new drywall.
Then we build with materials that can handle a basement. That means rigid foam against the concrete instead of fiberglass batts, pressure-treated bottom plates, and flooring that doesn't mind a little moisture. A bedroom down there needs an egress window big enough to climb out of, and we check ceiling height against code before you get attached to a plan.
What's included
- Moisture check before any framing
- Insulation and framing made for concrete walls
- Egress windows for bedrooms
- Bathrooms, wet bars and laundry rooms
- Lighting, outlets and heating runs
A good time to call
- The kids need a place that isn't the living room
- You work from home at the kitchen table
- You need a guest room or a bedroom for a teenager
- The basement is dry and only holding boxes
Questions people ask
Don't see yours? Call (608) 555-0136.
My basement gets damp sometimes. Can it still be finished?
Yes, once the water is dealt with. That might mean extending downspouts, regrading outside, sealing a crack, or adding a drain and a sump pump. We won't frame over a wall that's still getting wet.
Do I need an egress window?
Any basement bedroom needs its own, and most codes want at least one in a finished basement even without a bedroom. It has to be big enough for a person to climb out and a firefighter to climb in. We check the local rule before we draw the plan.