BASEMENT REMODELING
Chicago's Trusted Choice For Expert Basement Remodeling
An unfinished basement is the most underused square footage in your Chicago home. At Reliable Construction Group, we transform raw, underutilized basement spaces into fully finished living areas — family rooms, home offices, in-law suites, home gyms, and rental units — that add real, measurable value to your property.
We handle every phase of your basement remodel in-house: waterproofing assessment, framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, plumbing rough-in for wet bars or bathrooms, electrical, lighting, and finish carpentry. One team, one contract, one point of contact from start to finish.
Chicago basements come with specific challenges — high water tables, clay soil, freeze-thaw movement, and older drain tile systems. Our team has worked through every combination of these conditions across Chicago’s neighborhoods for over 30 years, so we know what to look for, what to fix, and how to build a basement that stays dry and comfortable for decades.
- Moisture assessment and waterproofing before any framing begins
- Licensed electricians and plumbers on every project
- Egress window installation for legal bedroom addition
- Chicago building permit coordination included
- 1-year written craftsmanship warranty on all work
Complete Basement Remodeling
Services in Chicago
From open-plan family rooms to fully self-contained in-law suites, our in-house crew handles every trade under one roof — delivering a finished basement that is dry, comfortable, and built to Chicago code.
Basement Waterproofing & Moisture Control
Before we frame a single wall, we assess your basement for moisture intrusion, efflorescence, and hydrostatic pressure. We install interior drain tile systems, sump pumps, vapor barriers, and waterproof wall panels where needed — because no finish material will survive a wet basement. We build the dry shell first, then the finished space on top of it.
Framing, Insulation & Drywall
We frame basement walls using pressure-treated bottom plates and correctly sized studs for Chicago’s climate, install closed-cell or fiberglass batt insulation to code R-values, and hang, tape, and finish drywall to a Level 4 or Level 5 finish. Every wall cavity is treated for moisture resistance before closing.
Basement Bathroom Addition
Adding a bathroom to your basement dramatically increases its livability and resale value. Our licensed plumbers handle below-slab rough-in, ejector pump installation, and all finish plumbing connections. We also tile, install vanities, and complete every fixture hookup — a full bathroom addition with a single contractor.
Flooring Installation
Basements require moisture-tolerant flooring. We install luxury vinyl plank, engineered hardwood, porcelain tile, and carpet — selecting products rated for below-grade installation and installing moisture barriers beneath where required. We also handle concrete floor prep, self-leveling underlayment, and subfloor systems to eliminate cold concrete underfoot.
Egress Window Installation
If you want a legal bedroom in your Chicago basement, Illinois code requires a properly sized egress window. We excavate the window well, cut the foundation opening, install the egress window unit, waterproof the well, and obtain all required permits and inspections — converting your basement into legally habitable bedroom square footage.
Wet Bar, Home Theater & Custom Finish Work
We build custom wet bars with cabinetry, countertops, undermount sinks, and beverage refrigerator hookups. We also frame and wire dedicated home theater rooms with in-wall speaker rough-in, projector mounts, and blackout considerations. Every custom finish element is designed in-house and built by our own carpentry team.
Our 4-Step Remodeling Process
We have refined our process over 30 years so every Chicago homeowner knows exactly what to expect- and who to call – at every stage of their Kitchen Remodel.
Free In-Home Consultation
We visit your basement, assess existing conditions — moisture, ceiling height, mechanicals, and drain locations — and listen to how you want to use the space. We bring flooring and material samples and give you an honest assessment of what the project will realistically cost and take.
Design & Fixed-Price Quote
Our designers produce a detailed layout plan with material selections and a fixed, line-item quote. You approve every tile, fixture, and finish before we order anything. The price you approve is the price you pay – no open-ended estimates.
Permits & Project Scheduling
We handle Chicago Building Department permit applications for all plumbing, electrical, and structural changes. Most projects begin within 3–5 weeks of contract signing, with all materials staged and ready to go before your crew arrives.
Build, Inspect & Warranty
Our crew works with daily clean-up and a weekly progress update to you. After the final inspection, we do a walk-through together, address any punch-list items immediately, and issue your 2-year written craftsmanship warranty before we leave.
The Reliableg Difference
Chicago basements are not like basements in other parts of the country. The soil conditions, water table, and aging infrastructure in Chicago homes demand a contractor who understands the specific challenges — not one learning on your job. Our team has finished over 800 basements across Chicago and the northwest suburbs.
We start every basement project with a thorough moisture assessment before any framing begins, because the most common and costly basement remodeling mistake is finishing over a moisture problem instead of solving it first.
See What Your Basement Could Look Like
Schedule a design consultation. We bring material samples and a rough cost range with no commitment required.
30+ Years of Chicago Basement Experience
We understand Chicago’s specific basement challenges — high water tables, clay soil, aging drain tile, and low ceiling heights — and how to work around every one of them.
Fixed-Price Contracts - Zero Hidden Costs
Our contract locks in every line item before demo day. We do not issue surprise change orders mid-project. What you sign is what you pay.
Moisture-First Approach — Always
We assess and address every moisture issue before framing begins. We will never finish over a problem and call it done — because water always wins in the end.
Every Trade In-House — No Subcontractor Relay
Framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and carpentry are all handled by our own trained crew — so quality stays consistent from the first stud to the final coat of paint.
Recent Basement Remodels Across Chicago
Every project below reflects a real Chicago homeowner’s vision — executed by our in-house crew. From open family rooms to full in-law suites, our work speaks for itself.
Trusted By Chicago Homeowners
Real reviews from real homeowners across Chicago’s neighborhoods – no stock quotes, no invented names.
Basement Remodeling FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from Chicago homeowners considering a Basement remodel.