Finished basement recreation room by The Great House in Northern Virginia

CLASS A LICENSED BASEMENT CONTRACTOR · MCLEAN, VIENNA & NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Basement Finishing in Northern Virginia

Basement remodeling and finishing in McLean, Vienna, Arlington and Fairfax: rec rooms, guest suites, offices, gyms and baths, all handled by one licensed team.

★ 4.9 on Google  ·  Class A License #2705197237  ·  Permits handled  ·  1-year workmanship warranty

Real project: a walkout basement finished around its brick fireplace on Marline Ct, Woodbridge.  See the case study →

GET INSPIRED

Ideas for your basement

The most popular ways Northern Virginia families use their lower level, with typical add-on costs.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT · JANSEN DR, SPRINGFIELD

One basement, start to finish

Here is how an unfinished lower level became four real rooms.

What we built

✓  A 12'9" × 25'3" recreation room

✓  A guest bedroom with a closet

✓  A full bathroom with a shower

✓  A utility room for laundry and systems

✓  New flooring, lighting and paint throughout

About 543 sq ft of new living space, from bare basement to move-in ready.

4.9 ★ ON GOOGLE

What clients and home buyers say

Real feedback from people who hired us, and from buyers who bought homes we renovated.

★★★★★

“The Great House helped me renovate an entire house including kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, and paint. The owner was very communicative and very quick with completing the work. Highly recommend.”

Michael Carpio

Full home renovation · Google review

★★★★★

“It was love at first sight. You have done an amazing job on it. I loved the living space including the wonderfully updated kitchen, deck, beautiful bathrooms and fantastic basement.”

Aimee N.

Home buyer · Springfield

★★★★★

“What truly stood out to me was their integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.”

Sohila Sabah

Remodeling client · Google review

DONE RIGHT BELOW GRADE

What goes into a Great House basement

A basement has to handle moisture, cold and code rules a main floor never sees. Here is what a full finish includes.

01

Moisture check first

We look for leaks, grading and sump issues and fix them before any wall goes up.

02

Insulated framing

Insulated exterior walls and moisture-resistant framing keep the space warm and dry.

03

Egress & safety

Code-compliant egress windows for bedrooms, plus smoke and CO detectors.

04

Electrical & lighting

New circuits, recessed lighting and outlets where you will actually use them.

05

HVAC & comfort

Heating and cooling extended so the lower level feels like the rest of the house.

06

Basement-ready flooring

Waterproof LVP or tile that handles humidity without warping.

07

Bathroom or wet bar

Full baths, half baths and wet bars, with below-grade plumbing done to code.

08

Permits & inspections

Building, electrical and plumbing permits filed and inspected, start to finish.

Plus our 1-year workmanship warranty on every basement.

TRANSPARENT PRICING

What a basement costs in McLean & Northern Virginia

Typical ranges. You get an exact, itemized price after a free walk-through.

Basement refresh

From $15,000

Already finished, needs updating

✓  New flooring, paint & trim

✓  Updated lighting

✓  Ceiling and drywall repairs

✓  About 1–3 weeks

Full basement finish

$35,000–$65,000

Unfinished to fully livable

✓  Framing, insulation & drywall

✓  Electrical, lighting & HVAC

✓  LVP flooring, doors & trim

✓  About 4–8 weeks

Basement with bath or suite

$65,000–$100,000+

Guest suite, bathroom or wet bar

✓  Everything in a full finish

✓  Full bathroom or wet bar

✓  Egress window for a legal bedroom

✓  About 6–10 weeks

Biggest price drivers: square footage, adding a bathroom, egress windows, moisture fixes and ceiling height. See is basement finishing worth it?.

HOW IT WORKS

One licensed team, start to finish

We've fully renovated 30+ Northern Virginia homes, basements included. Here's what working with us looks like.

1 · WEEK 1

Free consultation

We measure, check for moisture and talk through how you want to use the space.

2 · WEEKS 1–2

Design & price

Layout, finishes and a written, itemized price.

3 · WEEKS 2–5

Permits & ordering

We draw the plans, file permits and order materials.

4 · 4–8 WEEKS

Build & inspections

Framing, rough-ins, inspections, drywall, flooring and finishes.

5 · FINAL DAY

Walk-through

You check every detail before we close out.

Permits handled for you

Finishing a basement in Fairfax County usually needs building, electrical and plumbing permits. We file them and schedule every inspection.

You can stay home

Work happens below grade, so most families live at home normally. We seal off dust and keep the stairs clear.

FAQ

Basement questions, answered

How much does it cost to finish a basement in McLean and Northern Virginia?

A full basement finish usually runs $35,000–$65,000. Adding a bathroom, wet bar or guest suite brings it to $65,000–$100,000+. Refreshing an already-finished basement starts around $15,000. You get an exact, itemized price after a free walk-through.

Is finishing a basement worth it?

Usually, yes. It is one of the most affordable ways to add living space, because the foundation, walls and roof already exist.

Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Fairfax County?

Yes, in most cases. Finishing a basement typically needs building, electrical and, if you add a bathroom, plumbing permits. We handle them.

Can I add a bedroom in the basement?

Yes, if it has a code-compliant egress window or door. We can cut and install an egress window as part of the project.

How much does an egress window cost?

Most basement egress windows run about $5,000–$10,000 installed, depending on the foundation, digging and window well. Bedrooms need one to be legal.

Can you finish a basement with low ceilings?

Often, yes. We work around ducts and beams with soffits, use slim lighting and plan the layout so the main living areas get the most height.

How long does a basement finish take?

Construction usually takes 4–8 weeks. With design and permitting, plan on about 2–3 months from first visit to finished basement.

What about water and moisture?

We check for moisture first and fix leaks, grading or sump issues before finishing. Then we use insulated, moisture-resistant materials and waterproof flooring.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. The Great House LLC holds Virginia Class A contractor license #2705197237, is fully insured, and every job includes a 1-year workmanship warranty.

Planning guides: Is it worth it?  ·  Flooring options  ·  Basement ideas

PLAN THIS WINTER, ENJOY IT NEXT YEAR

Ready to finish your basement?

Book a free in-home consultation. Winter is a great time to build below grade while outdoor projects wait. Serving McLean, Tysons, Vienna, Great Falls, Falls Church, Arlington, Fairfax, Reston and all of Northern Virginia.