What's the price to gut and redo an old Calgary basement?

Gutting and redoing an existing finished basement in Calgary typically costs between $40 and $75 per square foot, putting a standard 800 to 1,200 square foot basement renovation in the $32,000 to $90,000 range depending on the scope of demolition, finishes selected, and any underlying issues discovered once walls come down.

The first major cost is demolition and disposal, which usually runs $3,000 to $8,000 for a full gut. This includes tearing out existing drywall, insulation, flooring, framing, and hauling everything to the landfill. Calgary disposal fees have climbed in recent years, and if asbestos is found in older floor tiles, pipe insulation, or vermiculite — common in homes built before 1990 — professional abatement adds $3,000 to $10,000 or more before any new work begins. Always test suspect materials before demolition rather than discovering hazardous waste mid-project.

Once the basement is stripped to bare concrete, you will see exactly what you are working with for the first time, and this is where budgets shift. Moisture issues, foundation cracks, and failed waterproofing are frequently hidden behind old walls. Calgary's chinook-driven freeze-thaw cycles create foundation cracks over decades, and spring snowmelt exploits every gap. If the original basement was finished without proper waterproofing — which was extremely common in Calgary homes built in the 1970s and 1980s — you will likely find mould behind the old insulation. Interior waterproofing systems cost $5,000 to $12,000, and foundation crack injection runs $250 to $700 per crack. Address every moisture issue now, because burying problems behind new walls guarantees you will be doing this again in five to ten years at triple the cost.

Rebuilding the space follows standard basement development pricing. Framing and insulation run $4,000 to $15,000, with closed-cell spray foam at $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot being the premium choice for Calgary's climate since it provides both insulation and a vapour barrier in one application. Drywall installation with taping and finishing adds $2.50 to $4.00 per square foot. Luxury vinyl plank flooring, the most popular basement choice in Calgary, runs $4.00 to $8.00 per square foot installed. If you are adding or redoing a bathroom, expect $8,000 to $22,000 depending on whether rough-in plumbing already exists. Electrical work including a subpanel, pot lights, and outlets typically costs $2,500 to $8,000.

A gut renovation also requires a building permit from the City of Calgary, with fees typically running $1,000 to $3,000 based on construction value. All work must meet Alberta Building Code requirements and will be inspected by Safety Codes Officers at various stages. Make sure any contractor you hire carries WCB Alberta coverage — without it, you could be liable for workplace injuries on your property. Browse basement renovation professionals through the Calgary Construction Network directory to find contractors experienced with full gut renovations.