If you enjoy transforming an indoor space into something new and better, think about becoming a professional basement remodeler. This business opportunity enables you to complete entire projects from start to finish and see the benefits of your work firsthand. Remodeling experts turn basic cellars into additional living space or separate apartments.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Start a basement remodeling business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Basement Remodeling Business
- Form your Basement Remodeling Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Basement Remodeling Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Basement Remodeling Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Basement Remodeling Business
- Get Basement Remodeling Business Insurance
- Define your Basement Remodeling Business Brand
- Create your Basement Remodeling Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your basement remodeling business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.
What are the costs involved in opening a basement remodeling business?
If you decide to earn a remodeling certificate, this may cost around $850 to $1,250. You’ll have to buy tools, protective gear, and other equipment. Tools cost considerably less if you wait for a sale and buy them in large sets. Remodelers spend up to $400 on state licensing fees. Unless you already own a suitable vehicle, you will need a commercial vehicle. Remodeling professionals frequently prefer vans. Consider buying a model with a service body since they have storage compartments for supplies and tools. A new van with this feature may sell for $45,000 to $65,000.
What are the ongoing expenses for a basement remodeling business?
This work involves many risks, so you’ll face relatively high insurance costs. Both professional and general liability coverage prove desirable. The premiums add up to around $1,600 per year. You’re likely to need workers’ compensation and commercial vehicle coverage as well. Consider insuring your equipment; insuring equipment could potentially save you money and is an affordable policy that normally costs under $200 per year. Other expenses include auto maintenance, supplies, marketing, storage, and wages.
Who is the target market?
Homeowners may turn to basement remodelers when they desire more living space and lack the land or money needed for an addition. Survey data reveals that millenials remodel cellars more often than anyone else. Many of these individuals have only owned one home. Some budget-conscious clients might want to complete a portion of the work on their own, supply the materials, or only partially finish the basement. These projects are less desirable, but they can help fill your schedule during the slower months.
How does a basement remodeling business make money?
Contractors charge homeowners for labor and materials. They usually aim to earn a profit in both areas. Basement remodelers tend to become busiest in the spring; work slows down by autumn.
How much can you charge customers?
HomeAdvisor reports that homeowners usually pay around $11,000 to $30,000 for this service. The exact cost depends on the square footage, materials, and features. For example, adding a bathroom substantially increases the expense. A homeowner will probably spend over $50,000 to create an apartment with an entry door, kitchen, and adequate plumbing.
How much profit can a basement remodeling business make?
The National Association of Home Builders reports a 5.2% net profit margin and a gross margin of just over 30% for remodeling. These average figures may differ depending on your business location, size, and practices.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Carefully calculate all direct and overhead expenses when offering quotes. Some contractors have lost money because they didn’t take every cost into account. Keep records of all related purchases like equipment, newspaper ads, and license fees. Most business-related expenses remain tax deductible even when they’re not essential.
- Vehicle-related costs may provide your biggest tax deduction. Always make a note of the distances traveled in a commercial vehicle.
- Subcontractors often cost less than employees, but it’s important to ensure they have the appropriate licenses, insurance, and training.
- Tasks that require more materials and less labor tend to yield greater profits. Prioritize clients with projects of this type.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your basement remodeling business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your basement remodeling business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a basement remodeling business
Many remodelers advertise themselves with yard signs, postcards, websites, and local newspaper ads. Social media networks like Twitter and Pinterest may provide effective and free promotion. Be sure to use plenty of images. Talk about specific uses for finished basements and give examples. You can post interesting cellar remodeling ideas on social media. Highlight the benefits of hiring a professional rather than launching a DIY project. For instance, an expert has the knowledge and equipment needed to prevent serious moisture problems that could render a finished basement unusable.
How to keep customers coming back
Tell potential clients about your experience, training, and references. If possible, show before and after pictures of a successful project. You could also provide an online video or slideshow. Emphasize the benefits rather than just listing features. A client might earn money by creating a home office or renting out an apartment. Discuss home resale values as well.
It’s vital to achieve high customer satisfaction rates, so you’ll benefit from positive reviews and recommendations. Retention is a less important aspect of this business unless a client owns multiple buildings or you offer other services. If you enjoy working with a specific customer, you could provide a coupon that reduces the cost of a future project.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Perhaps you spend a lot of time working on projects in the basement. A future remodeler probably likes to fix or upgrade things without help from professionals. While you need the ability to work independently, you should also excel at cooperating with others and choosing suitable partners. Your business may prosper if you’re ambitious and don’t mind messy work. A willingness to keep learning and adapting to new trends can help you succeed in the long run.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a basement remodeling business?
You’ll speak to potential clients, travel locally, inspect cellars, and supply detailed estimates. If a customer decides to start a project, the next step is to acquire permits and materials. Remodeling tasks range from retrofitting stairs to installing insulation, drywall, and fixtures.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful basement remodeling business?
Any type of renovation work, such as painting, laying floor tiles, or installing built-in cabinets, can be helpful to this practice. You can get started by remodeling your own cellar. This will create a sample of your work and help attract your first clients. Plumbing, heating, or electrical skills are valuable but not essential. You could gain experience as a contractor’s assistant or apprentice. Certain universities offer online and hands-on courses.
What is the growth potential for a basement remodeling business?
This service continued to gain popularity in 2020. Some firms gradually add more staff and vehicles so that they can handle numerous projects. Most firms concentrate on serving locals, and they don’t expand elsewhere. Nonetheless, it’s feasible to open multiple offices. Matrix Basement Systems has two locations that enable the company to serve clients across a large geographical area, including Detroit and Chicago. You could also set up a franchise. For an example of a basement finishing franchise, read about the Owens Corning program.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a basement remodeling business?
Don’t use the same supplies and techniques that you would employ elsewhere in a home. Buy mold-resistant materials; remember to avoid paper-faced products. Putting spacers beneath drywall will reduce moisture issues by stopping it from touching the concrete. A subfloor between the flooring and concrete also proves beneficial.
Offer comprehensive solutions that prevent moisture problems and ensure long-term satisfaction. You may also need to perform some outdoor work. Examples of solutions to moisture problems may include lengthening the gutter downspouts, installing a French drain, and/or completing a grading project if it’s necessary to keep water out of the cellar.
How and when to build a team
You’re unlikely to have all of the skills necessary for a major remodeling effort, so you’ll probably need employees and/or subcontractors. Screen them thoroughly; careful selection is crucial to the success of a project and the safety of everyone involved. Wages differ depending on a person’s area of expertise. Laborers earn about $14 per hour while finish carpenters get paid $23 on average, according to PayScale.