Basement Renovation — Greater Montreal
A basement turned into real living space, with moisture handled from the start
Insulation, moisture management, ceiling height and egress: finishing a Québec basement raises issues specific to this kind of space. Our written scope spells out how each one is handled, before work begins.
Who it’s for
Who this service is for
This service is for homeowners who want to turn an unfinished or partly finished basement into durable living space — a family room, bedroom, office or secondary unit.
- Your basement is currently unfinished, partly finished, or shows moisture signs that need addressing before any finishing work.
- You want to add a livable room — a bedroom or office, say — and need to confirm whether ceiling height and egress requirements allow it.
- You own a single-family home or a plex with a basement that isn’t being used to its full potential.
This service is built around a full finishing project, including moisture management and insulation. For surface-level finishing only, on a basement that’s already dry and code-compliant, tell us: we’ll tell you honestly whether that project fits what we offer.
What this service solves
What a full basement finishing project solves
- Moisture or water infiltration left untreated before finishing.
- Insufficient insulation, or insulation that no longer meets current code.
- A ceiling height or egress that doesn’t allow for adding a legal habitable room.
- An underused space that could become a real room.
- Plumbing or drainage — a sump pump, for instance — inadequate for the intended use.
Typical scope
What a full basement finishing project usually covers
The exact scope depends on the basement’s current condition, but a full project addresses moisture management before adding finishes — never the other way around.
- Assessment of existing moisture and infiltration
- Insulation and vapour barrier to current code
- Plumbing and drainage, including a sump pump if applicable
- Electrical: circuits, lighting, outlets
- Partitions, a suspended or finished ceiling, suitable flooring
- Code-compliant egress, if a bedroom is added
What’s included
What’s usually included
- Assessment of moisture conditions before finishing work begins
- Insulation and vapour barrier to current building code
- Partitions, ceiling and flooring suited to a basement environment
- Electrical and lighting for the intended use of the space
- A written scope specifying the materials and moisture-management approach chosen
What’s usually not
What’s usually not included
- Major foundation repair or exterior waterproofing work, assessed separately with a professional if needed
- Installing a sump pump where none exists, if site drainage requires it — assessed separately
- Creating an independent secondary unit under municipal zoning rules — handled as a special project
- Furnishings and décor not fixed to the building
Decisions that affect your budget
Decisions that affect your budget
A basement project’s budget mostly varies with the following decisions.
Starting moisture condition
A basement that needs moisture treatment before finishing costs more than one that’s already dry and sound.
Adding a bedroom or unit
A legal bedroom requires code-compliant egress, which can involve window or foundation work.
Added plumbing
Adding a water point — for a bathroom or kitchenette — where none existed raises cost, especially if drainage needs to change.
Available ceiling height
Limited height may call for different finishing choices, like a painted ceiling instead of a suspended one, to preserve livable space.
These factors are specific to your project — we can go over them together before moving further.
Book a ConsultationHow this service specifically unfolds
How a basement project specifically unfolds
This sequence builds on our general process — assessing moisture always comes before any finishing.
- 1
Moisture and condition assessment
Inspecting the basement’s condition — moisture, ceiling height, drainage — before any finishing proposal.
- 2
Scope and selections
A proposal detailing the moisture-management approach chosen, the room layout and materials.
- 3
Insulation and hidden work
Insulation, vapour barrier, plumbing and electrical before the walls and ceiling close up.
- 4
Partitions and finishes
Installing partitions, ceiling, flooring and lighting.
- 5
Delivery and follow-up
A joint walkthrough of the space, including checking that drainage and ventilation work as intended.
What affects duration
What affects how long the work takes
Duration mostly depends on the moisture condition found at the start and the extent of added electrical and plumbing work — it’s estimated in the written proposal.
- Drying time required if moisture treatment is needed before finishing
- Whether a bathroom or kitchenette is being added
- How complex the required egress is, if a bedroom is added
- Availability of specialized trades, like a plumber and electrician
Permits and professionals involved
Permits and professionals that might be involved
A permit or authorization may be required depending on the municipality, borough, building type and scope of work. Requirements must be verified with the applicable authority before work begins. The exact requirements — egress, minimum ceiling height, or ventilation — depend on the municipality and the applicable building code.
- Depending on the scope, certain work must be performed by contractors holding the appropriate licences and subclasses. Applicable responsibilities are confirmed before the contract is signed.
- A certified electrician and plumber for added circuits and water points
- A structural engineer, if work affects the foundation or an egress requiring structural changes
- A municipal permit for the finishing project, depending on municipal requirements
Assumptions and changes
How assumptions and changes are documented
Our initial assessment of moisture and the basement’s condition is written into the proposal, along with the assumptions made about what isn’t visible before walls or flooring are opened. Any different condition found during the work is presented to you with the available options.
A concrete example
A trace of infiltration found behind a foundation wall once insulation is removed is flagged immediately, with treatment options and their impact on price, before finishing continues.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions, answered directly
My basement has had water before. Can it still be finished?
Often yes, once the moisture source is identified and treated. That assessment is the first step of our process, before any finishing proposal.
Can I add a legal bedroom in my basement?
That depends on the available ceiling height and whether a code-compliant egress can be installed. It’s confirmed when your project is assessed.
Do I need a permit to finish a basement?
That depends on the municipality, the building type and the nature of the work being added, such as a bedroom, bathroom or unit. The exact requirements — egress or minimum ceiling height, for example — must be verified with the applicable authority before work begins.
What do you do if you find moisture during the work?
The condition is documented and explained as soon as it’s found, with treatment options and their impact on price or timeline, before any work proceeds.
Can I finish just part of the basement for now?
Yes, that’s possible. The written scope then clearly defines the boundaries of the space being treated and any considerations for a future phase.
Service area
This service is offered in the following areas.
Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End · Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Outremont · Ville-Marie (Downtown) · The Southwest · Villeray and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve · Westmount · Boucherville and an approximate 5 km radius
See all service areasReady to talk about your basement project?
The next step is a 15- to 20-minute conversation to understand your basement’s current condition and your goals, and confirm whether Maison Craft is a good fit for it.