Highlights
It costs an average of $1,200 to frame a basement, with a typical range of between $500 and $1,600.
It can cost as little as $250 to frame a small basement and as much as $4,000 for a large one.
There are three types of basements: masonry wall, poured concrete, and precast panel.
You can save up to half the cost by doing it yourself, but this job is best suited to a contractor.
You can save money by DIYing small tasks and comparing bids.
Finished basements add value to your home, as well as comfort and space. What homeowner wouldn’t love extra square footage to enjoy hobbies or host guests? If you've decided to finish your basement, the first step is to frame it.
It costs an average of $1,200 to frame a basement, which includes installing drywall and insulation. Most homeowners spend between $500 and $1,600 on the project. Basic framing without the drywall costs about $3 to $6 per linear foot typically, but you may need to add between $5 and $10 per linear foot to that price if you include the drywall. Let’s take a closer look at the total costs involved with framing a basement.
| National Average cost | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $1,200 | $250 | $4,000+ |
Cost to Frame a Basement by Type
Basements generally come in three types: masonry wall, precast panel, and poured concrete wall. Here is how much it costs to frame each of these.
Masonry Wall Basement
You will typically pay about $10 to $12 per linear foot of wall area for a masonry wall basement. This involves building a wood-framed concrete wall, and then a frame extending from the wall that is fastened to the ground.
Poured Concrete Wall Basement
A poured concrete wall basement is a little more expensive at $12 to $16 per square foot. How thick you want the walls to be and the layout of the basement will affect whether you’re at the higher or lower end of the price spectrum.
Precast Panel Basement
Framing for a precast panel basement is less expensive than poured concrete, so it will only cost you between $8 and $12 per linear foot in most cases. The advantages of these types of basements are that they are waterproof, better insulated, and fitted better than poured basements. They're also a lot quicker to install because they're precast.
Cost to Frame a Basement Yourself
Because labor takes up about half the costs of framing a basement, you could reduce your costs for the project to $1 to $3 per linear foot for basic framing, and $4 to $8 per linear foot for framing that includes drywall. That means on a typical basement that involves 200 linear feet of framing, you would pay between $200 to $800 for materials to do the job.
Keep in mind that if you've already hired a contractor to finish the basement, you may save money on typical labor costs by just having them do that job as well. Contact a basement professional near you for a quote to see if that will be true in your case, which could save you a lot of work, time, and money down the road.
3 Ways You Can Save Money Framing a Basement
Here are some suggestions to help you save money when framing a basement.
Shop Around
You'll need drywall or plywood for framing your basement. Typically drywall is a little less expensive than plywood, but if you shop around you might be able to find a deal on one or the other.
DIY Some Small Tasks
If you can take some of the smaller preparation tasks off the contractor’s hands, you could save some money on labor. Here are a few things you could probably do on your own with a little research:
Plug existing holes to prevent moisture from entering the space.
Put up insulation.
Build wood grids that the drywall will attach to.
Then, you can leave the heavy drywall installation to the pros.
Get Multiple Bids
Get at least three quotes from basement pros before booking. Ask each contractor how they will approach this project—this will help you spot a bad basement remodeler.
Framing a Basement Questions and Answers
Is framing a basement challenging?
While framing a basement is not as difficult as finishing a basement, it's something you should typically leave to the pros. That’s because if something is installed correctly, it will affect your entire basement. However, you can take care of some of the smaller tasks, like filling holes or putting up some insulation.
Do I need a vapor barrier in my basement?
Yes, usually you will need some kind of vapor barrier on the exterior walls when the framing is attached to concrete and masonry surfaces.
What type of wood should I use for framing a basement?
You should always use high-quality lumber for your framing in order to ensure it will last the test of time and resist moisture. Use 2-by-4s that are pressure-treated for your framing.
How much more expensive is finishing a basement than framing it?
The cost of finishing a basement is about $18,400 on average. As you can see, the framing portion of this project costs less, because you’re essentially just dealing with laying the foundation for a finished basement. The finishing portion of the project involves a lot more intricate work and design, as well as high-end materials.
