Basement Finish Checklist
A basement finish has fewer expensive finishes than a kitchen and far more decisions that get permanently buried in a wall. Where the TV goes, where the speakers go, where the data drops land — all of that is cheap to do before drywall and expensive to do after.
Download the printable PDFWe do not start until your materials are here
Every finish material on this list has to be physically at your home before we begin. Not ordered. Not shipped. Not out for delivery. Delivered, and checked by us.
We give you a completion timeframe and we hold to it. The only way we can do that is to control what is in the house on day one. A material that is still in transit has too many ways to fail — backorder, freight delay, shipping damage, wrong color, wrong quantity, wrong dye lot — and every one of those lands on your finish date instead of the supplier's.
So if the materials are not here, we do not start. Your project does not become a slower job. It becomes a later start. That is exactly what protects the timeframe we promised you.
Two exceptions: a bar countertop is cut after the cabinets are set, and if the basement includes a shower, the glass company measures after the tile is complete and brings you the style and finish options at that visit.
The other thing to know up front is that drywall is the longest single phase of your project. Hanging, taping, three coats of mud, and sanding runs one to two weeks on its own, and there is no way to speed it up without the finish showing it.
How to use this checklist
- Tick the box once the item is bought and the spec sheet or model number is sent to us — not when you have decided on it. A decision we cannot see is not a decision we can build from.
- Send specs to Tony.KVIConstruction@gmail.com. A photo of the model sticker or a link to the product page is enough.
- Anything marked "On site before we start" has to be at the house before day one. Anything marked "Before we start" is a decision we need from you by then, not something you deliver.
- If a line does not apply to your scope, cross it off with us at the pre-construction walkthrough so nothing is left looking unanswered.
What you purchase, and when it is due
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Layout and big decisions
These have to be settled before we frame. After framing, changing them means tearing walls back out.
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your signed approval on the layout — room sizes, door locations, closet placement | Before we start | ||
| Drywall or drop ceiling. Drywall looks better; a drop ceiling gives you access to everything above it. Pick one, and tell us where you want access panels | Before we start | ||
| Required by code for any bedroom. Confirm the location with us before we frame the wall | Before we start | ||
| Tread material, railing style and finish, and whether you want the stairs carpeted or finished | On site before we start | ||
| Model number and cutout dimensions for an electric or gas unit. We frame the opening around it | On site before we start | ||
| If you are adding one, every item on our Bathroom checklist applies here too. Ask us for that sheet | Before we start |
Your signed approval on the layout — room sizes, door locations, closet placement
Due by: Before we start
Drywall or drop ceiling. Drywall looks better; a drop ceiling gives you access to everything above it. Pick one, and tell us where you want access panels
Due by: Before we start
Required by code for any bedroom. Confirm the location with us before we frame the wall
Due by: Before we start
Tread material, railing style and finish, and whether you want the stairs carpeted or finished
Due by: On site before we start
Model number and cutout dimensions for an electric or gas unit. We frame the opening around it
Due by: On site before we start
If you are adding one, every item on our Bathroom checklist applies here too. Ask us for that sheet
Due by: Before we start
Inside the walls
Decide all of this before rough-in. After drywall, each one becomes a repair job instead of a wire pull.
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where each TV goes, the screen size, and the mount type. We install blocking and run conduit so the cords stay hidden | Before we start | ||
| Where you want in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, and whether you want a rack location | Before we start | ||
| Which rooms need hardwired network, and where the equipment will live | Before we start | ||
| Any changes to existing systems, or new equipment you want us to plumb and power | Before we start | ||
| Extend the existing ductwork or add a mini-split. If it is a mini-split, we need the model number | Before we start | ||
| Whether you want a bar sink, and if so, roughly where. The drain often has to be cut into the slab | Before we start |
Where each TV goes, the screen size, and the mount type. We install blocking and run conduit so the cords stay hidden
Due by: Before we start
Where you want in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, and whether you want a rack location
Due by: Before we start
Which rooms need hardwired network, and where the equipment will live
Due by: Before we start
Any changes to existing systems, or new equipment you want us to plumb and power
Due by: Before we start
Extend the existing ductwork or add a mini-split. If it is a mini-split, we need the model number
Due by: Before we start
Whether you want a bar sink, and if so, roughly where. The drain often has to be cut into the slab
Due by: Before we start
Wet bar or kitchenette
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same rule as a kitchen — we cannot produce the bar design rendering until we have a rough layout and the dimensions of anything going under the counter: beverage fridge, ice maker, dishwasher | Before we start | ||
| Style, finish and signed shop drawing. These have the same lead times as kitchen cabinets | On site before we start | ||
| Brand and color, or the reserved slab if it is natural stone | Reserved before we start | ||
| Model numbers and finish | On site before we start | ||
| Model numbers, cutout dimensions, water lines, and circuit requirements | On site before we start | ||
| Tile with 15% overage, trim pieces, and grout color | On site before we start |
Same rule as a kitchen — we cannot produce the bar design rendering until we have a rough layout and the dimensions of anything going under the counter: beverage fridge, ice maker, dishwasher
Due by: Before we start
Style, finish and signed shop drawing. These have the same lead times as kitchen cabinets
Due by: On site before we start
Brand and color, or the reserved slab if it is natural stone
Due by: Reserved before we start
Model numbers and finish
Due by: On site before we start
Model numbers, cutout dimensions, water lines, and circuit requirements
Due by: On site before we start
Tile with 15% overage, trim pieces, and grout color
Due by: On site before we start
Flooring, doors and trim
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material with 10% overage. In a basement, confirm it is rated for below-grade use | On site before we start | ||
| Whatever your flooring manufacturer requires — it affects the warranty | On site before we start | ||
| Matched to your flooring, one for every threshold | On site before we start | ||
| Style and whether solid core. Solid core is worth it on a media room or a bedroom | On site before we start | ||
| Finish and count, split between passage, privacy, and any locking doors | On site before we start | ||
| Profile and height. Matching the upstairs is usually the right call | Before we start | ||
| Wire, wood, or a closet system, and the configuration for each closet | On site before we start |
Material with 10% overage. In a basement, confirm it is rated for below-grade use
Due by: On site before we start
Whatever your flooring manufacturer requires — it affects the warranty
Due by: On site before we start
Matched to your flooring, one for every threshold
Due by: On site before we start
Style and whether solid core. Solid core is worth it on a media room or a bedroom
Due by: On site before we start
Finish and count, split between passage, privacy, and any locking doors
Due by: On site before we start
Profile and height. Matching the upstairs is usually the right call
Due by: Before we start
Wire, wood, or a closet system, and the configuration for each closet
Due by: On site before we start
Lighting and electrical
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count, trim finish, and color temperature. Basements need more light than people expect | On site before we start | ||
| Model numbers and weight. Fans and heavy fixtures need blocking | On site before we start | ||
| White, almond, or black, plus the plate style | Before we start | ||
| Which circuits you want dimmed. A media area almost always wants dimmers | Before we start | ||
| Under-stair, toe-kick, tray ceiling, or bar lighting — all of it is wired at rough-in | On site before we start |
Count, trim finish, and color temperature. Basements need more light than people expect
Due by: On site before we start
Model numbers and weight. Fans and heavy fixtures need blocking
Due by: On site before we start
White, almond, or black, plus the plate style
Due by: Before we start
Which circuits you want dimmed. A media area almost always wants dimmers
Due by: Before we start
Under-stair, toe-kick, tray ceiling, or bar lighting — all of it is wired at rough-in
Due by: On site before we start
Paint
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand, color name and number, and sheen for each surface | Before we start |
Brand, color name and number, and sheen for each surface
Due by: Before we start
Order these first, they decide when we can start
- Where your TVs, speakers and data drops go. These cost almost nothing before drywall and hundreds of dollars after.
- Bar cabinets, if you are including a bar. Generally two to four weeks like kitchen cabinets, and subject to change.
- Flooring. Basements need a below-grade rated product, and the one you like may not be one.
- Interior doors and trim. These are the last things installed and the most commonly forgotten until we are standing there ready to hang them.
The order the work actually runs in
A basement runs in a long, steady sequence with two stretches you should expect: waiting on inspections, and drywall.
Inspections are the part of the schedule we least control. We schedule them the day the work is ready, and then we wait for the inspector’s calendar. On a basement there are usually four separate inspections.
Every phase below assumes your materials were already at the house on day one. That assumption is what the whole schedule rests on.
| # | Phase | Typical time | What must be settled or on site first |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design, permit application and selections | 2–5 weeks | Final layout signed off, permit submitted, and every material on page 1 delivered to the house |
| 2 | Permit review and issuance | 1–4 weeks | Entirely on the jurisdiction’s clock, not ours |
| 3 | Moisture and foundation prep | 1–5 days | Any water issue has to be solved before we frame. A wet basement will ruin a finished one |
| 4 | Framing | 3–7 days | Final layout, fireplace model, recessed medicine cabinet or niche locations |
| 5 | Rough electrical, plumbing, HVAC and low voltage | 4–8 days | TV, speaker and data locations, bar and bath fixtures spec’d and on site |
| 6 | Rough inspections | 3–7 days | Building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, often on separate visits |
| 7 | Insulation | 1–3 days | Nothing needed from you |
| 8 | Insulation inspection | 1–3 days | Another wait on the inspector |
| 9 | Drywall: hang, tape, three coats, sand | 7–12 days | The longest single phase. Each coat has to dry before the next one goes on |
| 10 | Prime and paint | 3–5 days | Colors and sheens selected |
| 11 | Flooring | 2–4 days | Flooring delivered and acclimated for the time the manufacturer requires |
| 12 | Trim, doors and closet shelving | 3–5 days | Doors, hardware, trim profile and shelving all on site |
| 13 | Bar cabinets and countertop template | 2–3 days | Cabinets delivered, sink on site for the template |
| 14 | Bar countertop fabrication | 7–14 days | Nothing happens on the bar during this stretch — we work elsewhere in the space |
| 15 | Tile: bar backsplash and bath | 2–5 days | All tile, trim and grout on site |
| 16 | Finish electrical and plumbing | 2–4 days | Every fixture on site and unboxed |
| 17 | Paint touch-up and final clean | 1–2 days | Nothing needed from you |
| 18 | Final inspection, punch list and walkthrough | 1–3 days | You available to walk the job with us |
1. Design, permit application and selections
Typical time: 2–5 weeks
Final layout signed off, permit submitted, and every material on page 1 delivered to the house
2. Permit review and issuance
Typical time: 1–4 weeks
Entirely on the jurisdiction’s clock, not ours
3. Moisture and foundation prep
Typical time: 1–5 days
Any water issue has to be solved before we frame. A wet basement will ruin a finished one
4. Framing
Typical time: 3–7 days
Final layout, fireplace model, recessed medicine cabinet or niche locations
5. Rough electrical, plumbing, HVAC and low voltage
Typical time: 4–8 days
TV, speaker and data locations, bar and bath fixtures spec’d and on site
6. Rough inspections
Typical time: 3–7 days
Building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, often on separate visits
7. Insulation
Typical time: 1–3 days
Nothing needed from you
8. Insulation inspection
Typical time: 1–3 days
Another wait on the inspector
9. Drywall: hang, tape, three coats, sand
Typical time: 7–12 days
The longest single phase. Each coat has to dry before the next one goes on
10. Prime and paint
Typical time: 3–5 days
Colors and sheens selected
11. Flooring
Typical time: 2–4 days
Flooring delivered and acclimated for the time the manufacturer requires
12. Trim, doors and closet shelving
Typical time: 3–5 days
Doors, hardware, trim profile and shelving all on site
13. Bar cabinets and countertop template
Typical time: 2–3 days
Cabinets delivered, sink on site for the template
14. Bar countertop fabrication
Typical time: 7–14 days
Nothing happens on the bar during this stretch — we work elsewhere in the space
15. Tile: bar backsplash and bath
Typical time: 2–5 days
All tile, trim and grout on site
16. Finish electrical and plumbing
Typical time: 2–4 days
Every fixture on site and unboxed
17. Paint touch-up and final clean
Typical time: 1–2 days
Nothing needed from you
18. Final inspection, punch list and walkthrough
Typical time: 1–3 days
You available to walk the job with us
Shaded rows are stretches where little or nothing happens on site. They are part of the schedule, not a sign the job has stalled.
The three most common delays on a basement finish
- Inspection scheduling. On a basement there are four or more inspections and each one is on the jurisdiction’s calendar. We build buffer in for this but it is the least predictable part of the job.
- Changing the layout after framing is up. It always looks different once the walls exist. If you want to move something, tell us the day the framing goes up — not the day the drywall goes on.
- Low-voltage decisions made too late. TV, speaker and network locations are free to change before rough-in and expensive to change after drywall.
Typical lead times
These are ranges we see in the Columbus market. Confirm the real number with your supplier when you buy, and tell us if it is longer than what is shown here.
| Item | Typical lead time | Order it by |
|---|---|---|
| Bar cabinets | 2–4 weeks | As soon as the job is booked |
| Below-grade rated flooring | 1–6 weeks | 3 weeks before the flooring phase |
| Interior doors, prehung | 1–4 weeks | 3 weeks before the trim phase |
| Egress window and well kit | 2–6 weeks | As soon as the job is booked |
| Mini-split HVAC unit | 2–8 weeks | As soon as the job is booked |
| Electric fireplace unit | 1–6 weeks | On site before we start |
| Light fixtures and fans | 1–6 weeks | 3 weeks before rough-in |
| Permit review | 1–4 weeks | Submit as early as possible |
Bar cabinets
Typical lead time: 2–4 weeks
Order it by: As soon as the job is booked
Below-grade rated flooring
Typical lead time: 1–6 weeks
Order it by: 3 weeks before the flooring phase
Interior doors, prehung
Typical lead time: 1–4 weeks
Order it by: 3 weeks before the trim phase
Egress window and well kit
Typical lead time: 2–6 weeks
Order it by: As soon as the job is booked
Mini-split HVAC unit
Typical lead time: 2–8 weeks
Order it by: As soon as the job is booked
Electric fireplace unit
Typical lead time: 1–6 weeks
Order it by: On site before we start
Light fixtures and fans
Typical lead time: 1–6 weeks
Order it by: 3 weeks before rough-in
Permit review
Typical lead time: 1–4 weeks
Order it by: Submit as early as possible
The other planning checklists
Lead times and durations on this page are typical ranges for the central Ohio market and are not a quote. Your project is scheduled from your own scope, selections and supplier confirmations.