How Much Does Basement Finishing Cost in Portland, OR?

Portland pricing is 18% above the national average. Updated for 2026.

Based on local labor rates, oceanic climate conditions, and Portland's tech-manufacturing-creative economy.See our methodology

Low End
$17,700
Average
$35,400
High End
$59,000
per project
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Basement Finishing Pricing in Portland, OR

Portland is a high-cost market where basement finishing runs about 18% above the national average. The city's tech-manufacturing-creative economy supports higher wages, which translates to elevated contractor rates. With a population of 650K, competition among providers exists but demand keeps prices firm.

Local climate plays a direct role in basement finishing costs here. Heavy rainfall means moisture management is critical for roofing, basements, and foundations; mild temperatures reduce extreme HVAC needs.

Market-specific factors matter in Portland: strong environmental regulations affect building materials and methods; competitive green building market; moderate overall pricing.

Portland has strict permitting requirements. Budget an additional 5-15% for permits, inspections, and code compliance when planning your basement finishing project. Licensed contractors familiar with local codes can navigate this process efficiently.

Portland vs National Average

Portland Average
$35,400
National Average
$30,000
Difference
+18%
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What Affects Basement Finishing Cost in Portland?

Scope

Basic (drywall + flooring): $15K-$25K. Mid-range with bathroom: $25K-$40K. Full build-out: $40K-$75K

Size

Average basement (600-1,000 sq ft) at $30-$75 per square foot

Portland Market Conditions

strong environmental regulations affect building materials and methods; competitive green building market; moderate overall pricing

Local Climate Impact

heavy rainfall means moisture management is critical for roofing, basements, and foundations; mild temperatures reduce extreme HVAC needs

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Top-Rated Basement Finishing Pros in Portland, OR

4 providers

Blueprint Design & Build

โญ PREMIUM
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…4.9(70 reviews)
๐Ÿ“ 927 Pine Rd, Portland, OR๐Ÿ—๏ธ Since 2017
โœ“ Licensedโœ“ InsuredBBB: A+โšก Usually responds in 1 hours

Serving Portland and surrounding areas since 2017. Licensed, insured, and committed to quality workmanship at fair prices.

BuildRight Design & Build

โœ… VERIFIED
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…4.5(102 reviews)
๐Ÿ“ 1088 Oak Ave, Portland, OR๐Ÿ—๏ธ Since 2002
โœ“ Licensedโœ“ Insuredโšก Usually responds in 1 hours

Modern Edge Kitchen & Bath

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…4.8(69 reviews)
๐Ÿ“ 783 Market St, Portland, OR๐Ÿ—๏ธ Since 2000
โœ“ Licensedโœ“ InsuredBBB: A+

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Tips to Save on Basement Finishing in Portland

  • 1.Address any moisture issues before finishing
  • 2.Skip the full bathroom if you have one upstairs โ€” it saves $5K-$15K
  • 3.Use luxury vinyl plank instead of carpet or hardwood
  • 4.Do painting and simple finish work yourself
  • 5.In Portland, verify your contractor handles local permits โ€” the permitting process here is more involved than average and DIY permit applications can cause delays.
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๐Ÿ“ˆ Basement Finishing in Portland Cost Trends (2020โ€“2024)

Prices have increased +17.7% over the last 5 years

$30,068
2020
$31,331
2021
$33,368
2022
$34,302
2023
$35,400
2024
YearNational AvgYoY Change
2020$30,068โ€”
2021$31,331+4.2%
2022$33,368+6.5%
2023$34,302+2.8%
2024$35,400+3.2%

Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.

๐Ÿ’ฌ What Did You Pay?

Real costs reported by homeowners for Basement Finishing in Portland

$34,802
Avg Reported
$24,361
Lowest Reported
$50,463
Highest Reported

Recent Reports

$33,318
Dallas, TX ยท Jan 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
$34,538
Chicago, IL ยท Feb 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
$31,927
Phoenix, AZ ยท Mar 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
$41,757
Denver, CO ยท Apr 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
$29,178
Atlanta, GA ยท May 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
$37,926
Seattle, WA ยท Jun 2024
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†

Frequently Asked Questions

Does finishing a basement add home value?

Yes. You typically recoup 70-75% of the cost, and it adds significant livable square footage.

Why does basement finishing cost different in Portland than other cities?

Portland's costs reflect local labor rates driven by the tech-manufacturing-creative economy, oceanic climate conditions that affect materials and scheduling, and strict permitting requirements. The moderate labor market also influences competitive pricing.

Basement Finishing Cost in Nearby Cities

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