Basements, Additions & Outdoor · Cambridge
Basement Finishing in Cambridge
Unfinished or dated basements turned into warm, dry family rooms, offices, gyms and guest suites.
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Cambridge, Cambridge & Oxford County
Basement Finishing in Cambridge
Plenty of Cambridge homes, from Galt and Preston to the rest of the area, have a basement that is unfinished or finished decades ago. Either way, it is usually the cheapest square footage in the house to turn into real living space.
Every Cambridge basement we finish starts with a moisture check, then proper foundation insulation, framing, electrical and plumbing, drywall, below-grade flooring and lighting, with egress windows wherever a bedroom is planned.
Building permits for basement finishing in Cambridge are issued by the City of Cambridge. We tell you up front whether your project needs one, prepare or coordinate the drawings, and book the inspections so the work is signed off properly.
Call (647) 424-1511 or send the form on this page for a free basement finishing quote in Cambridge. Tell us what you want to change, add a few photos of the space, and we will book a visit and send a written quote that lists the scope, the materials, the permits involved and the schedule.
Cambridge homes
What basement finishing involves in Cambridge's houses
Century and heritage homes in Cambridge
Basements in Cambridge's older homes often have stone, rubble or block foundations and low ceilings. They can be finished, but insulation has to suit the foundation so moisture is not trapped, and gaining height means underpinning or a bench footing, designed by an engineer and covered by a permit.
Post-war bungalows and back-splits in Cambridge
Post-war Cambridge bungalow basements are usually a single open space with the furnace in the middle and a side door at grade. They finish well, but ceilings are often low, so bulkheads around ductwork are planned carefully, and old clay weeping tile and foundation cracks are checked before anything is framed.
Newer homes built since 2000 in Cambridge
Newer Cambridge basements are usually poured concrete with a bathroom roughed in, so they are among the easiest to finish. We check the builder's drainage and the grading around the house, which often settles in the first years, then insulate, frame and finish with the bathroom placed where the rough-in allows.
Rules in Cambridge
Permits and approvals for basement finishing in Cambridge
Building permits
Building permits in Cambridge are issued by the City of Cambridge. Electrical work anywhere in Ontario is done by a licensed electrical contractor under an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) permit. We confirm what your project needs before you sign and book every inspection.
Testing before demolition
Homes built before the 1990s can contain asbestos in plaster, textured ceilings, floor tile, vermiculite insulation and pipe wrap, and homes from before the 1960s often have lead paint. In Cambridge's older houses we test suspect materials before demolition and handle them by the regulations if they are found.
The service
Basements Finished Warm, Dry and Bright
A finished basement is often the most affordable way to add real living space to a home: a family room, a home office, a gym, a guest suite or a playroom. The difference between a basement that feels like part of the house and one that feels like a basement comes down to moisture control, insulation, lighting and ceiling height.
Before framing, we look for signs of water and fix the cause first. Then we insulate the foundation walls properly, frame, run electrical and plumbing, add pot lights, and finish with drywall, flooring suited to below-grade spaces, trim and paint. Many basements also get a bathroom, a wet bar or a laundry room.
More about basement finishing →The process
How your Cambridge project comes together
01
Consultation
Tell us what you want to change and send a few photos. We visit, measure and talk through options.
02
Written Quote
A clear scope, materials, permits and schedule, in writing. No vague allowances.
03
Permits & Planning
Drawings, permits and material orders lined up before demolition starts.
04
Build & Walk-Through
Work done in the right order, inspected where required, and walked through with you at the end.
Across Cambridge
Basement Finishing throughout Cambridge
Cambridge brings together the historic cores of Galt, Preston and Hespeler, with stone and brick century homes along the Grand and Speed rivers and newer subdivisions in Hespeler and east Galt.
Nearby
Basement Finishing near Cambridge
Questions
Basement Finishing in Cambridge: FAQs
How do I get a basement finishing quote in Cambridge?+
Call (647) 424-1511, use the form on this page or email info@ontariorenovationcompany.com. Tell us what you want to change and send a few photos, and we will book a visit and send a written quote for your Cambridge project.
What kinds of Cambridge homes do you work on?+
All of them. Housing in Cambridge includes century and heritage homes, post-war bungalows and back-splits and newer homes built since 2000, and each comes with its own considerations, from older wiring and foundations to builder warranties, septic systems and shoreline rules. We plan the work around the house you actually have.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?+
In most Ontario municipalities, yes, particularly for new walls, bathrooms and bedrooms. A permit also protects you when you sell. We confirm the requirements and handle the application.
What if my basement has had water in it?+
We find and fix the cause first, whether that is grading, downspouts, a crack in the foundation or a plumbing issue. Finishing over an unresolved water problem just hides it.
Can you add a bedroom in the basement?+
Yes, as long as it has an egress window or exit that meets the Building Code, plus proper smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We can enlarge an existing window opening if needed.
What flooring works best in a basement?+
Luxury vinyl plank is the most popular choice because it handles moisture and feels warmer underfoot than tile. We check the slab for moisture before recommending a product.
Do you offer basement finishing across Cambridge?+
Yes. We work throughout Cambridge, including Galt, Preston, Hespeler, Blair, East Galt and West Galt, and in nearby Paris, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown and Hamilton.
More renovation services in Cambridge
Alongside basement finishing, we also handle legal basement apartments, bathroom renovations and flooring installation in Cambridge, so related work can be planned together.
Other basements, additions & outdoor services in Cambridge: legal basement apartments, garden suites & detached adus, home additions and decks & outdoor living.
Further reading
Your Cambridge renovation, done properly.
Tell us what you want to change and send a few photos. We will book a visit and send a clear written quote, with no obligation.