Frequently asked questions
Costs, permits, timelines, and how we work. If your question isn't here, call (801) 855-6621 — you'll reach the owner, not a call center.
General questions
- How much does it cost to finish a basement in Utah County?
- Most finished basements in Utah County land between $35 and $75 per finished square foot. The spread comes down to three things: how many bathrooms you add, whether plumbing was stubbed in when the house was built, and finish level. A 1,000 square foot basement with one bathroom and standard finishes usually falls in the middle.
- Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
- Yes. Every city in our service area requires a building permit for a basement finish, and separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits are typically pulled under it. We handle the application, the drawings, and the inspections as part of the job.
- How long does a basement finish take?
- Most run 5 to 9 weeks from permit issuance to final inspection. Permit review itself adds one to three weeks depending on the city and time of year. Bathrooms, wet bars, and egress window cuts add time; a straightforward open basement with no plumbing moves fastest.
- What areas do you serve?
- We work Orem, Vineyard, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, Alpine, and Lehi. Being local to all of it is what lets us get out for an estimate in days, respond same-day when something needs attention, and come back to close out punch-list items instead of batching them into a monthly trip. If you're a little outside that, call anyway — Shane would rather hear about the project than have you guess.
- Do you charge for estimates?
- No, and there's no charge for the walkthrough either. You're welcome to use our number purely to compare against other bids — that's what publishing our ranges is for.
- How do payments work?
- A deposit to schedule and order materials, then progress payments tied to milestones — framing inspection passed, drywall complete, and so on — rather than dates on a calendar. Final payment comes after the final inspection and after the punch list is closed out. Everything is in the written agreement before we start.
- What happens if something changes mid-project?
- It goes through a written change order that you approve before the work happens. You see the cost when the decision is made, not on the final invoice. Most change orders on a basement come from the homeowner deciding to add something once they can see the space framed — which is completely normal, and much easier to price when the process is agreed up front.
- Do you do the work yourself or subcontract it?
- Both. Carpentry and general construction are done in-house. Licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors handle their trades — that's how it should work, since those trades carry their own licenses and permits. The difference is that the person who wrote your estimate is the same person coordinating them and meeting the inspector.
- Can you add a basement apartment or ADU?
- In many cases, yes, but the rules differ by city and by zone — some allow internal accessory dwelling units by right, others require owner occupancy, off-street parking, or a separate entrance. We check your specific parcel before promising anything. Ceiling height, egress windows, and fire separation are the requirements that most often decide whether a space can legally become an apartment.
- How much value does a finished basement add?
- Finished basement square footage typically appraises below above-grade square footage, but the cost to create it is also far lower — which is why it's usually the strongest return per dollar of any project on a Utah County home. A legal bedroom with a compliant egress window and a full bathroom carries far more weight with appraisers and buyers than open flex space.
- Do you offer a warranty?
- Yes — a written workmanship warranty on our labor, plus the manufacturer warranties on materials and appliances, which we hand over at closeout along with permits and inspection records. If something we built isn't right, call and we'll come back. Being fifteen minutes away is the whole reason the service area is this small.
- How soon can you start?
- We can usually get out for an estimate within a few days. Actual start dates depend on the current schedule and on permit review time in your city. We'd rather give you an honest date and hit it than promise next week and stall out — you'll get a real answer at the estimate.
- What should I ask other contractors I'm considering?
- Four things: the license number (then look it up), a certificate of insurance naming you, whether the estimate is itemized or a single lump sum, and who exactly will be on site each day. The answers to those separate the professionals from the rest faster than anything else you can ask.
Questions by service
Basement Finishing
- How much does it cost to finish a basement in Utah County?
- Most projects land between $35 and $75 per finished square foot, so a 1,000 square foot basement typically runs somewhere between $35,000 and $75,000. What moves you within that range is mostly bathroom count, whether plumbing is already stubbed in, egress window work, and finish level.
- How long does it take?
- Five to nine weeks for most basements, from permit issuance to final inspection. Permit review time varies by city and sits outside our control. The things that most often add time are mid-project scope changes and long lead times on special-order materials — both of which we head off by finalizing selections before we start.
Basement Apartments
- Are basement apartments legal in Utah County?
- Internal accessory dwelling units are permitted in many Utah County cities, but the rules differ by city and sometimes by zone — owner-occupancy requirements, parking minimums, and size limits all vary. Because this changes and because it's parcel-specific, we verify your city's current requirements for your address before any design work begins.
- How much rent could a basement apartment bring in?
- That depends heavily on size, finish, location, and the rental market when you list. We'd rather you check current comparable listings in your specific city than take a number from a contractor's website — anyone quoting you a guaranteed rent figure is selling, not advising. What we can tell you is what the unit costs to build, in writing.
Detached ADUs & Backyard Cottages
- Does my lot qualify for a detached ADU?
- If it's 11,000 square feet or larger, already has a single-family home on it, and sits in a zone where single-family homes are permitted, your city has to allow one after October 1, 2026. Below that size it's entirely up to your city. Lot size is on the county parcel record, so this is a lookup — send us your address and we'll tell you, at no charge.
- Is a detached ADU cheaper than finishing my basement?
- No, and usually not close. A detached unit needs a foundation, roof, exterior walls, and a utility run — all of which your basement already has. For similar rent, the basement is typically the far better return. We build both, so we have no reason to steer you either way.
Egress Window Installation
- Do I really need an egress window for a basement bedroom?
- Yes. It's a life-safety requirement — a second way out if the stairway is blocked by fire. An inspector will not approve a basement bedroom without one, and a room without egress can't legally be called a bedroom, which affects how your home is listed and appraised when you sell.
- How much does an egress window cost in Utah?
- Typically $3,500 to $7,500 installed. Poured concrete foundations cost more to cut than block. Tight access that prevents machine excavation means hand digging, which adds labor. Deeper wells that require ladders and drainage tie-ins add cost as well.
Kitchen Remodeling
- How long will I be without a kitchen?
- Plan on four to eight weeks for a full remodel, with the hardest stretch being the two to three weeks between demolition and countertop installation. We help set up a temporary kitchen — fridge, microwave, and a sink alternative — because that stretch is genuinely inconvenient and worth planning for rather than enduring.
- Can you remove a wall between my kitchen and living room?
- Usually yes. The first question is whether it's load-bearing. If it is, we size and install a properly engineered beam and permit the structural work. This is one of the highest-impact changes available in older Utah County homes, and it's also one you should not let an unlicensed handyman attempt.
Bathroom Remodeling
- How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
- Most land between $12,000 and $40,000. A guest bath with a tub-shower combo and standard finishes sits at the low end; a primary suite with a custom tiled walk-in shower, double vanity, and heated floor sits at the high end. Tile complexity and glass are frequently underestimated by homeowners pricing this out.
- Can you add a bathroom to my unfinished basement?
- Yes, and it's one of our most common projects. Cost depends almost entirely on whether your builder stubbed in a drain. Newer homes in Lehi, Vineyard, and Traverse Mountain usually did. Older Orem and Pleasant Grove homes usually didn't, which means cutting the slab or using an up-flush system. We check on the first visit.
Whole Home Remodeling
- Should I remodel or move?
- Run both numbers honestly. Moving costs include agent commissions, closing costs, moving expenses, and whatever premium the new house carries in a tight market — and in Utah County, inventory is limited enough that you may not find what you want at all. Remodeling wins when you like your location, lot, and schools and the problem is fixable. Moving wins when the fundamental structure or lot can't give you what you need.
- Can we live in the house during a whole-home remodel?
- Sometimes, depending on scope and phasing. If the kitchen and all bathrooms are out simultaneously, most families move out temporarily. We can often phase specifically to keep the house livable — it may extend the schedule somewhat, but it saves the cost and disruption of relocating.
Flooring Installation
- What flooring is best for a basement?
- Luxury vinyl plank for most people — it's waterproof, dimensionally stable over concrete, warmer underfoot than tile, and forgiving of the minor moisture that slabs naturally release. Tile is also excellent. Avoid solid hardwood below grade; it will move with slab moisture no matter how carefully it's installed.
- Do I need to level my concrete before flooring?
- Often, yes. Slabs are rarely flat, and rigid materials telegraph every dip — showing up as hollow spots underfoot, cracked grout, or separating seams. We check flatness and level where needed. It's an added cost that prevents a much larger one.
Interior Painting
- How long does painting a whole interior take?
- Two to five days for a typical home, depending on square footage, how much trim there is, and wall condition. Heavy patching adds a day. If you're changing from a dark color to a light one, plan for an extra coat.
- Do you paint kitchen cabinets?
- Yes, and it's one of the highest-value projects available if your cabinet boxes are structurally sound. We remove doors, degrease thoroughly, sand, apply a bonding primer, and spray the finish. Shortcuts on degreasing and primer are why DIY cabinet painting so often chips within a year.
Finish Carpentry & Trim
- What size baseboard should I use?
- It depends on ceiling height and the style of the house. With eight-foot ceilings, somewhere around three and a quarter to five and a quarter inches usually looks right; nine and ten-foot ceilings can carry considerably more. Undersized trim in a tall room is the single most common reason a space reads as builder-grade.
- Can you build custom shelving around my fireplace?
- Yes — built-ins flanking a fireplace are one of the highest-impact projects in this category. We design to your specific wall dimensions and the proportions of the fireplace rather than fitting a stock unit into a space it wasn't made for.
Drywall Repair & Texture
- Can you match my ceiling texture?
- Usually. Ceilings are harder than walls because the light rakes across them and shows every imperfection. We test the match on a board before applying it to your ceiling, and we're honest when a full-ceiling retexture will look better than a spot repair.
- Do you remove popcorn ceilings?
- Yes. One important caution: popcorn ceilings in homes built before roughly 1980 may contain asbestos, and that has to be tested before removal, not after. If your home is that era, we'll advise testing first — this is a health issue, not a formality.
Handyman Services
- Is there a minimum charge?
- Yes, there's an hourly minimum for small jobs — it covers travel and setup. If you have several small items, batching them into one visit is far more economical than calling us out three separate times. Send the whole list.
- Is there anything you won't take on?
- Send the list and we'll tell you. Electrical and plumbing are the two that go to a licensed trade — we'll still run the project and bring the right person in, we just won't do that part ourselves as handyman scope. Gas lines are the same. Almost everything else on a typical list is fair game, so it's worth asking rather than assuming.
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