My builder stubbed in a basement bathroom. Does that lower the cost?

Usually, yes. A stubbed drain means we do not have to cut and trench as much concrete to place the toilet and shower, which saves time and money. We still verify the rough-in locations work with your layout, and occasionally it makes sense to move them. Your estimate shows exactly what the bathroom costs as its own line items.

Can I finish my basement while my Francis home is under a builder warranty?

Generally you can, but read your warranty first. Some builder warranties limit coverage on systems that another contractor modifies. Knowing the terms helps you decide whether to wait or proceed now. DreamBuilt’s own work carries a one-year workmanship warranty, separate from the builder’s coverage.

Does my Francis HOA have to approve a basement finish?

Interior basement work typically does not need HOA approval, but exterior changes might. Adding or enlarging an egress window, a new window well or an outside entrance can fall under your subdivision’s architectural rules. Check your CC&Rs early, and we’ll provide drawings if the HOA asks for them.

What basement layout works best for young kids?

An open playroom near the stairs with bedrooms and a bath further back works well for most families. It keeps little ones within earshot and leaves room for teen bedrooms later. Our free design help covers layout, flooring, lighting and storage so the space grows with your kids.

How soon after moving in can I finish my new basement?

Often within the first year, once you’ve seen how the basement behaves through a wet spring. Watch for damp spots, efflorescence or water at window wells. If everything stays dry, you are ready. If not, we fix grading or drainage first, then insulate with rigid foam and use moisture-tolerant flooring.

Can you add an egress window if my basement doesn't have one?

Yes. We cut the foundation, install a window with at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, a 24-inch minimum clear height and 20-inch minimum width, and keep the sill no higher than 44 inches. The well must be at least 9 sq ft with a 36-inch projection. Permits cover the work.

How can we keep basement finishing costs down?

Use your existing rough-ins, keep layouts simple, and choose mid-range finishes where they will not show wear. Finishing in phases also helps: bedrooms and a family room now, with plumbing roughed in for a later bath. Our estimate is itemized, so you can see exactly what each choice costs.

Basement Remodeling in Francis, Utah

Finishing the basement your builder left raw

DreamBuilt Renovations finishes and remodels basements in Francis, Utah, in Summit County, specializing in turning the unfinished basements of newer homes into bedrooms, bathrooms, playrooms, gyms and offices. Francis has grown fast with new subdivisions full of young families, and most of those houses came with a concrete lower level waiting for a plan. We are a family-run contractor that answers every inquiry within one business day.

New-Construction Basement Finishing: This is the core of our Francis work. We frame, insulate, wire and finish builder-grade basements from bare concrete through our basement finishing service.

Playrooms & Family Rooms: Young kids need somewhere to be loud in winter. We design open rec rooms with durable LVP floors, built-in toy storage and lighting that does not feel like a basement.

Bedrooms for a Growing Family: Each new bedroom gets a code-compliant egress window. If your builder installed one already, we confirm it meets size and sill-height rules before planning around it.

Bathrooms on Existing Rough-Ins: Many Francis builders stub in basement plumbing. We put it to work with a full basement bathroom.

Home Gyms: Rubber flooring, a full-length mirror wall, ceiling height checks and extra outlets for equipment you would rather not drive to Park City to use.

Home Offices: Quiet, insulated workspaces for parents working from home, with sound-dampening insulation so a video call survives nap time and a basketball game upstairs.

Wet Bars: A simple wet bar or kitchenette for movie nights and visiting grandparents.

Future Apartment Planning: Thinking long term? We can lay out a basement that later converts to an in-law suite or ADU without starting over.

New Homes, Raw Basements: A Francis Finishing Guide

What should I check before finishing a new-build basement in Francis?

Check what the builder already put in, because it decides where rooms can go. Newer Francis homes give you a cleaner starting point than most older Kamas Valley houses, but every basement has a few fixed features we plan around:

Plumbing rough-ins. Stubbed drains for a bath or wet bar lock in the most cost-effective spot for those rooms.
Ductwork and beams. Main HVAC trunks and beams set where soffits land and how much ceiling height you keep.
Existing egress windows. Their locations usually decide where bedrooms go. Adding a new one is possible but costs more.
Radon stub-outs. Some new homes include a passive radon pipe. If not, test first; the EPA action level is 4 pCi/L, and Utah DEQ encourages every household to test.
Builder warranty terms. If your home is still under a builder warranty, read the terms before any work begins so you know what is covered.
HOA rules. Interior finishing rarely needs HOA approval, but exterior changes like new window wells may. Check your subdivision’s CC&Rs.

How much does it cost to finish a basement in a newer Francis home?

Expect typical Utah pricing of roughly $40 to $100+ per square foot, with Summit County projects often in the upper part of the range. DreamBuilt’s itemized estimate sets your firm number.

Basic finish (bedrooms, family room, standard finishes): about $45–$65 per sq ft
Upgraded finish (better flooring, lighting, trim): about $60–$85 per sq ft
Kitchen or bath with high-end finishes: about $75–$110+ per sq ft
Typical 1,000 sq ft basement: commonly $45,000–$85,000

New basements are usually less expensive to finish than old ones because there is less to fix first. Existing rough-ins also help, since bathrooms and kitchens are the biggest cost drivers. Concrete that has had a season or two to dry out is another advantage of waiting a little after closing.

How long until we can use the space?

Most basement finishes take about 8–12 weeks of construction after permits. Bigger plans with a full kitchen or multiple baths take longer. During the build you get daily logs and a Friday walkthrough each week, so working parents always know what happened that day. A 50% deposit holds your start date and locks material pricing; the remaining 50% is due only after the punch list is finished and you approve the work.

Why Francis basements are different from the rest of the valley

Francis sits at the south end of the Kamas Valley where SR-32 meets SR-35, close to the Jordanelle and the Provo River, so many homeowners commute toward Heber, Park City or the Wasatch Front.
Its housing is noticeably newer than Kamas, Oakley or Coalville, so most jobs are first-time finishes rather than tear-outs.
Subdivision lots are tighter than the surrounding farmland, which makes well placement and window-well covers more important.
High-valley winters near 6,500 feet reward full insulation of rim joists and foundation walls.

Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Francis?

Yes. Basement finishing involves framing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work that all require permits and inspections. Francis is an incorporated town; homes just outside town limits are under Summit County. DreamBuilt confirms the correct jurisdiction, pulls the permit and coordinates inspections. Basement apartments are generally allowed under Utah’s HB 82 (2021), subject to local limits we verify for you.

Whole-home remodeling in Francis

Even newer homes get outgrown. When builder-grade kitchens and baths no longer fit the family, our whole-home remodels update multiple rooms under one dedicated project lead, with design help on layout, flooring, paint, lighting and finishes. See also kitchen renovations and the project gallery.

Francis-area neighborhoods we serve

Newer subdivisions throughout Francis along SR-32
Homes along SR-35 heading east toward Woodland
Properties between Francis and Kamas
Woodland and the upper Provo River area

Neighboring pages: Kamas, Oakley and Park City. Explore all communities on the Summit County hub, or book a free consultation.

Reviews

Words From our clients.

We had a big remodel done, but our previous contractor left us hanging. DreamBuilt came in, finished everything, and the work was excellent. They've since built us a garage extension too.

John P.

Sandy, UT · Garage Addition

Quick to respond, honest about the process, transparent about changes. We'll keep hiring them. Highly recommend for any basement or bathroom you've been dreaming about.

Jaden M.

Layton, UT · Basement & Bath

What sold us was the timeline — they said twelve weeks and they meant twelve weeks. Our kitchen was done on the exact day they promised at the very first meeting.

The Reyes Family

Holladay, UT · Kitchen

FAQ

Francis Basement Remodeling FAQs

My builder stubbed in a basement bathroom. Does that lower the cost?
Usually, yes. A stubbed drain means we do not have to cut and trench as much concrete to place the toilet and shower, which saves time and money. We still verify the rough-in locations work with your layout, and occasionally it makes sense to move them. Your estimate shows exactly what the bathroom costs as its own line items.
Can I finish my basement while my Francis home is under a builder warranty?
Generally you can, but read your warranty first. Some builder warranties limit coverage on systems that another contractor modifies. Knowing the terms helps you decide whether to wait or proceed now. DreamBuilt’s own work carries a one-year workmanship warranty, separate from the builder’s coverage.
Does my Francis HOA have to approve a basement finish?
Interior basement work typically does not need HOA approval, but exterior changes might. Adding or enlarging an egress window, a new window well or an outside entrance can fall under your subdivision’s architectural rules. Check your CC&Rs early, and we’ll provide drawings if the HOA asks for them.
What basement layout works best for young kids?
An open playroom near the stairs with bedrooms and a bath further back works well for most families. It keeps little ones within earshot and leaves room for teen bedrooms later. Our free design help covers layout, flooring, lighting and storage so the space grows with your kids.
How soon after moving in can I finish my new basement?
Often within the first year, once you’ve seen how the basement behaves through a wet spring. Watch for damp spots, efflorescence or water at window wells. If everything stays dry, you are ready. If not, we fix grading or drainage first, then insulate with rigid foam and use moisture-tolerant flooring.
Can you add an egress window if my basement doesn't have one?
Yes. We cut the foundation, install a window with at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, a 24-inch minimum clear height and 20-inch minimum width, and keep the sill no higher than 44 inches. The well must be at least 9 sq ft with a 36-inch projection. Permits cover the work.
How can we keep basement finishing costs down?
Use your existing rough-ins, keep layouts simple, and choose mid-range finishes where they will not show wear. Finishing in phases also helps: bedrooms and a family room now, with plumbing roughed in for a later bath. Our estimate is itemized, so you can see exactly what each choice costs.