Most building rules say that a basement used for living, like a bedroom or leisure room, must have at least one egress window so people can safely leave in case of an emergency. Local building rules and the planned use of the space determine the exact requirements for egress windows, such as their size and placement.

Finishing your basement might be worth 50% to 70% more than what you paid to fix it up. However, this can change a lot from person to person.

Usually, the most costly part of finishing a basement is the labor. This can include building, plumbing, electrical work, putting up wallpaper, and adding the finishing touches. Besides that, any unique features or high-end materials, like custom built-ins, luxury floors, or high-end hardware, can add a lot to the total cost.

It can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to finish a basement. However, bigger or more complicated jobs may take longer.