Basement Finishing FAQ for St. Louis County Homeowners
Updated: Oct 6
Straight answers to the questions St. Louis County homeowners ask most before starting a complete basement finishing or remodeling project. If your question isn't here, call 314-691-2444 or request a consultation.
Who is STL Basement Pros?
STL Basement Pros is the residential basement finishing brand of Salem Developments LLC, a St. Louis-area interior finish contractor. Our crews do framing, drywall, ceilings, finish carpentry, flooring, and paint on commercial tenant build-outs across the metro, and we bring that same coordinated, one-crew approach to complete basement projects for homeowners in St. Louis County, Missouri.
What areas do you serve?
We serve homeowners throughout St. Louis County, Missouri, including Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood, Ellisville, Manchester, Creve Coeur, Town and Country, Des Peres, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Ladue, Clayton, Frontenac, Sunset Hills, Fenton, Maryland Heights, Florissant, Oakville, and the surrounding communities. Not sure if you're in our area? Send us your ZIP code with the consultation form and we'll confirm.
What kind of basement projects do you take on?
We focus on three kinds of full-scope work:
Complete basement finishing: turning an unfinished or mostly unfinished lower level into finished living space, from layout and framing through drywall, ceilings, flooring, trim, doors, and paint.
Full basement remodeling: tearing out a dated or poorly built finished basement and rebuilding it with a new layout and complete finishes.
Basement build-outs: substantial additions of rooms such as a bedroom with egress window, a bathroom, a wet bar, a home theater, a home office, or a gym.
We do not take patch, repair, partial, or handyman-scale basement work.
What is your minimum project size?
Full-project scopes start at $25,000. Most of the complete finishes and remodels we build fall between $25,000 and $100,000 or more, depending on the size of the basement and what it includes.
How much does it cost to finish a basement in St. Louis?
The biggest cost drivers are square footage, whether the project includes a bathroom, a bedroom with an egress window, a wet bar or kitchenette, ceiling height and soffit work around ductwork, and the finish level of flooring, trim, and lighting. A simple open family room sits at the low end of the range; a basement with a bathroom, bedroom, and bar sits at the high end. Our St. Louis basement finishing cost guide walks through each of these items in more detail.
Do I need a permit to finish a basement in St. Louis County?
In most cases, yes. St. Louis County identifies constructing a room in a basement or relocating an interior wall as work that can require a building permit, and electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work can require separate permits. Exact requirements depend on the municipality that governs your address. We plan the layout, egress, and rough trades with those requirements in mind so the project is built to pass inspection.
Can you add a bedroom to my basement?
Yes, as long as the room can meet emergency escape and rescue (egress) requirements, which usually means an egress window and window well of a code-approved size, or an exterior door. Egress is one of the first things we look at when a bedroom is part of the plan, because it affects the layout, the excavation, and the budget.
What flooring works best in a St. Louis basement?
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is our most common recommendation for basement family rooms and open areas because it handles concrete slabs and seasonal temperature changes well and is easy to maintain. Carpet works well in bedrooms and media rooms, and tile is a good fit for basement bathrooms and bar areas.
How do I get a quote?
Fill out the consultation request on our home page with your ZIP code, approximate basement size, budget range, and timeline, and we'll follow up to schedule a walk-through. You can also call or text 314-691-2444.
Are you the same company as St. Louis Finished Basement Pros?
No. STL Basement Pros (stlbasementpros.com) is operated by Salem Developments LLC and is not affiliated with St. Louis Finished Basement Pros or any similarly named company. When you contact us, you'll reach our team directly at 314-691-2444.
Related basement guides
Planning a basement project in St. Louis County? Book a free in-home basement estimate or call or text 314-691-2444. Complete basement projects start at $25,000.
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