The $67,000 Finished Basement in Crown Point, IN

Welcome to Nosy Neighbor, where we ask all the questions you can’t about home projects and money. From incredible deals to domestic dramas, we’re bringing you real stories—and the real numbers.

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Age: 38

Location: Crown Point, Indiana

How much did you pay for your home?

$250,000–$500,000

What was the project, and why did you do it?

Finishing a basement to add more liveable space to the home.

How many quotes did you get? Did you price shop at all?

Four quotes

What did you think it was going to cost?

$68,650

What did it actually cost?

$67,919

Why the difference?

We decided to buy the cabinet handles ourselves instead of having the contractor buy them.  

How did you get the money to pay for the project?

Savings

What did you splurge on that was totally worth it?

Murphy doors ($4,000), smart switches ($1,000), and soundproofing in the ceiling ($3,500).

What did you splurge on that totally wasn’t worth it?

Nothing really! We feel pretty good about pricing overall.

Did you cut any corners?

I don't think so.

What was the most surprising cost?

I wasn't surprised by much of it—we had done quite a bit of research.

What was the most stressful, emotional, or exciting part of the project?

Our contractor was not as meticulous as we needed him to be, so we had to micromanage him. It was very stressful—and the project dragged out for two extra months. 

Any advice?

Make sure you check your contractor’s work along the way. Advocate for yourself if something isn't done exactly how you want it.