Moisture and structure check
We look for water staining, efflorescence, cracks and grading issues. Any water problem gets fixed before a wall is framed.
Based in Woodstock, Ontario
Finished Basements
Framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, lighting and millwork that turn an unused basement into a family room, bedroom, office or full in-law suite.
What it is
Finishing a basement means building proper rooms below grade: insulated and framed walls, a code-compliant ceiling, egress for any bedroom, and finishes that stand up to a cooler, damper space.
A basement is the most affordable square footage you can add to a house, because the structure already exists. It is also the easiest place to do things wrong: trapped moisture, undersized windows, ceilings below the minimum height and finishes that fail after a few winters. We plan the moisture control, insulation and layout first, then the finishes.
Framing and insulationInsulated perimeter walls, interior partitions, bulkheads around ducts and beams
MechanicalElectrical circuits and pot lights, bathroom rough-in, HVAC supply and return extensions, by licensed trades
SurfacesDrywall, paint-ready finish, flooring suited to below grade, suspended or drywall ceiling
FinishDoors, trim, built-ins, feature walls, wet bar or kitchenette millwork
Who this is for
- Families who need a rec room, playroom or home theatre
- Owners adding a bedroom with a proper egress window and a bathroom
- Anyone creating a home office, gym or guest suite
- Homeowners planning a self-contained suite for family or as a legal second unit
How it works
Dry first, then framed, then finished
Basements almost always need a permit, so the plan is drawn to pass inspection from the start.
Layout and permit drawings
Rooms, bathroom location, egress window, ceiling heights and bulkheads are drawn, and the permit is applied for.
Framing and rough-in
Perimeter walls insulated and framed, partitions built, electrical, plumbing and HVAC roughed in and inspected.
Insulation and drywall
Vapour control, drywall, taping and a sanded finish. Bulkheads and ceilings closed in after inspection.
Floors, doors and trim
Flooring rated for below grade, doors hung, baseboard and casing fitted, built-ins and feature walls installed.
Paint, fixtures, final inspection
Paint, lighting trims and bathroom fixtures, then the final inspection and a walk-through with you.
Your options
Ceiling and floor: the two basement decisions
Both are about access, headroom and what happens if water ever gets in.
Drywall ceiling
A smooth, finished look with the most headroom.
- Trade-off: no access to plumbing, wiring and shut-offs without cutting and patching
- Best when: ceiling height is tight and services are well planned
Suspended ceiling
Drop-in tiles on a grid below the joists.
- Trade-off: loses a few inches of height and reads more commercial
- Best when: you want access to services and the joists are high enough
Luxury vinyl plank
Waterproof, warm underfoot and forgiving of a slightly uneven slab.
- Trade-off: can be dented by heavy furniture, and quality varies a lot between products
- Best when: most basements, especially with any history of dampness
Carpet or engineered wood
Carpet gives warmth and sound control; engineered wood gives a real wood surface.
- Trade-off: both are vulnerable if water ever gets in, and wood needs a dry, stable slab
- Best when: a confirmed dry basement with a subfloor system underneath
What moves the price
Cost drivers
Two basements the same size can differ by a bathroom, an egress window and a kitchenette.
Square footage and room count
More partitions, doors and corners mean more framing, drywall and trim per square foot.
Adding a bathroom
Breaking the slab for drains, a new vent and the fixtures themselves are a project within the project.
Egress window
Cutting a larger window and well into the foundation for a bedroom involves concrete cutting, a lintel and waterproofing.
Ceiling height and bulkheads
Low ducts and beams need bulkheads or rerouting. Very low ceilings may need major work to gain headroom.
Moisture repairs
Cracks, grading, sump and drainage fixes come before finishes and vary with the foundation.
Finish level
A simple rec room versus a suite with a kitchenette, feature walls, built-ins and a separate entrance.
We do not quote basements by the square foot. The estimate is built from your plan, item by item, after a site visit.
Our work
Basements from the portfolio
Feature walls, flooring and finished lower levels.
Service area
Where we work
Finished Basements from our home base in Woodstock, Ontario to Kitchener, Guelph and Cambridge, with London and Brantford also covered.
Kitchener
Kitchener's many postwar bungalows and raised bungalows have tall, open basements that finish well, often with room for a bedroom and a second bathroom.
Interior renovations in KitchenerGuelph
Older Guelph homes may have stone or rubble foundations and lower ceilings, which calls for careful moisture detailing and a realistic plan for headroom.
Interior renovations in GuelphCambridge
In Cambridge, basements in 1980s and 1990s subdivisions are typically poured concrete with a bathroom rough-in already stubbed in, which makes a full finish straightforward.
Interior renovations in CambridgeQuestions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask before a basement finishing project.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Ontario?
Yes, in almost every case. Framing, electrical, plumbing and adding a bedroom all require a building permit and inspections. A legal second unit has additional requirements for fire separation, egress and ceiling height.
What is the minimum ceiling height for a finished basement?
The Ontario Building Code sets a minimum height for finished basement rooms and a lower allowance under beams and ducts. Many older basements sit close to the line, so we measure before drawing a plan and tell you where bulkheads will land.
What is the best flooring for a basement?
Luxury vinyl plank is the usual choice: waterproof and comfortable. Add a subfloor system if the slab is cold or uneven. Avoid solid hardwood and standard laminate below grade.
Can I add a bedroom in the basement?
Yes, if it has an egress window large enough to exit through, proper ceiling height, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The window and well are usually the biggest part of that work.
How do you deal with moisture before finishing a basement?
Find the source first: grading, downspouts, cracks or a missing sump. Fix that, then build with a capillary break and vapour control, insulation rated for below grade and flooring that tolerates humidity.
Do you finish basements outside Woodstock?
Yes. Trimpro finishes basements in Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge, London and Brantford as well as Woodstock.
Free estimate
Turn the basement into real living space.
Book a visit. Dustin will check for moisture, measure the headroom and talk through what the space can become, then send a written estimate.