Basement Renovation
Turn the coldest square footage in the house into the best.
A finished basement is the cheapest square footage you'll ever add — you already own the space, it just needs to be built out right. Dollar Contracting turns damp, unfinished Thunder Bay basements into warm, dry family rooms, home theatres, gyms, in-law suites, and legal rental apartments.
Basements are unforgiving if the building science is wrong, so we start below the finishes: address any moisture or foundation issues, then build the assembly correctly — sub-slab or rigid insulation, a proper vapour and air barrier, and framing held off the concrete. That's what keeps a finished basement from growing mold behind the drywall.
From there it's a full renovation — egress windows for bedrooms, bathroom rough-ins, pot lighting, flooring rated for below-grade, and sound insulation for suites. Whether it's a simple rec room or a full secondary suite with its own entrance, we handle permits, trades, and inspections in-house.
What's included
- Full basement finishing and rec rooms
- Legal secondary and in-law suites
- Egress windows and code compliance
- Moisture-proof insulation and vapour control
- Basement bathrooms and wet bars
- Below-grade flooring and sound insulation
Materials & methods
The specific products and techniques we use on a basement renovation job.
- Rigid and batt insulation with vapour barrier
- Moisture-rated drywall and subfloor systems
- Below-grade luxury vinyl and tile flooring
- Egress window wells and covers
On the job
How the job runs
- 1Assess moisture, then design and permit
- 2Frame, insulate, and vapour-barrier
- 3Rough-in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC
- 4Drywall, floor, finish, and inspect
Why pick Dollar Contracting for basement renovation
Clear scope, real crews, and accountability you can hold us to.
Basement Renovation in Thunder Bay — FAQs
Common questions about basement renovation projects in Thunder Bay and across Northern Ontario.
Can you build a legal basement apartment or in-law suite?
Yes — we build secondary suites to code, including egress, fire separation, ceiling height, and separate entrances where required. We handle the permits and inspections so it's a legal, rentable unit.
How do you keep a finished basement from getting damp or moldy?
We deal with moisture before finishing — grading, drainage, and any foundation leaks — then build the wall assembly with correct insulation and a continuous vapour/air barrier so warm interior air never condenses on cold concrete.
Do basement bedrooms need egress windows?
Yes. A legal basement bedroom needs an egress window sized for escape. We cut the foundation, install the window well, and waterproof the opening as part of the renovation.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with Dollar Contracting. Bring us your blueprints, sketches, or just an idea — we'll help you scope it.
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