What does basement finishing cost in Denver?
No public source tracks Denver basement prices, but two things are published: national cost ranges, and Denver's own permit fee table.12 Here's how they combine for a typical project.
National range
$30–$50 per sq ft
HomeGuide's national range for finishing a basement, or $15,000 to $75,000 in total depending on size and the number of rooms.1
A worked example
Take an 800-square-foot basement. At the national range of $30 to $50 per square foot, that's $24,000 to $40,000 (our arithmetic).1 Against Denver's $616,000 median home value, that's about 3.9% to 6.5% of a typical home's value.3
Denver's building permit fee, worked through
Denver charges building permit fees on the valuation of the work, plus a plan review fee of 50% of the permit fee for projects over $2,000.2
| Valuation of work | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| $2,001–$25,000 | $35 for the first $2,000 + $8 per additional $1,000 |
| $25,001–$50,000 | $220 for the first $25,000 + $8 per additional $1,000 |
| $50,001–$100,000 | $420 for the first $50,000 + $7 per additional $1,000 |
Example: a $40,000 finish works out to a $340 permit fee plus $170 plan review, or $510 before trade permits (our calculation from the table).2 Denver explains how it sets project valuations in its ADMIN 138 fee policy, which references ICC building valuation data, so the valuation the city uses may differ from your contract price.4
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Get my free quoteTakes under a minuteNational line items to expect
| Item | National range |
|---|---|
| Framing | $18–$24 per linear ft |
| Electrical wiring | $4–$9 per sq ft |
| Drywall | $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft of surface |
| Flooring | $4–$15 per sq ft |
| Basement bathroom | $10,000–$25,000 |
| Ductwork for a basement | $1,800–$3,100 |
All national figures from HomeGuide.1 Labor typically makes up 20% to 40% of the total.1
What moves a Denver quote
- An egress window. HomeGuide's national average is $6,000 to $8,000 installed, and in a Denver historic district it also needs landmark design review.56 See Denver egress windows.
- Plumbing. A bathroom or wet bar adds trade permits and the biggest single line items.17
- Sewer and floodplain work. Digging near the sewer line or building in a floodplain can add an SUDP.7
Common questions
How much does it cost to finish a basement in Denver?
No Denver-specific survey exists. HomeGuide's national range is $30 to $50 per square foot, so an 800-square-foot basement would run roughly $24,000 to $40,000 before local factors.
How much is a basement finish permit in Denver?
It depends on valuation. Using Denver's fee table, a $40,000 project comes to a $340 permit fee plus $170 plan review, or $510, before trade permits.
Does an egress window add much to the cost?
Yes. HomeGuide's national average for an installed egress window is $6,000 to $8,000.
Is the permit fee based on my contract price?
On the valuation of the work. Denver's ADMIN 138 policy explains how valuations are set and references ICC building valuation data.
General information summarized from the public sources listed below. It isn't professional, engineering or legal advice. Codes and programs change; confirm current requirements with your local building department or utility before you start.
Sources
- HomeGuide, "Cost to Finish a Basement" (national figures, Feb. 6, 2026)
- City and County of Denver, "Building and Land Development Fees" (building permit fee table)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25035 (median year built), B25034 (year built), B25003 (tenure), B25077 (median value)
- City and County of Denver, ADMIN 138 Denver Building Code Fee Policy (PDF)
- HomeGuide, "Egress Window Installation Cost" (national figures, Oct. 22, 2025)
- City and County of Denver, Landmark Preservation, "Egress Windows" design review
- City and County of Denver, Community Planning and Development, "Residential Interior Remodel"