Basement Finishing & Renovation in South Georgian Bay

Transform your unfinished basement into comfortable, functional living space. From recreation rooms and home offices to legal rental suites — built properly for our climate.

Serving South Georgian Bay since 1992 · $5M liability coverage · Certified ICF installer

Since 1992
400+ Church Projects
$5M Liability Coverage
Certified ICF Installer
2026 Contractor of the Year

Your basement represents a significant amount of untapped living space. A properly finished basement can add a recreation room, home office, guest suite, home theatre, or even a legal rental unit to your home — all without changing the footprint of the building. Mighton Construction finishes basements to the same standard we apply to the rest of the home, because a basement should feel like a natural extension of your living space, not an afterthought.

What We Build

  • Recreation rooms and family rooms — comfortable, well-lit spaces for everyday living and entertaining
  • Home offices — dedicated workspaces with proper lighting, electrical, and soundproofing
  • Guest bedrooms — code-compliant bedrooms with egress windows, closets, and access to a bathroom
  • Basement bathrooms — three-piece and four-piece bathrooms, including below-slab plumbing rough-ins
  • Legal secondary suites — fully self-contained apartments that meet Ontario Building Code requirements for fire separation, HVAC, egress, and accessibility
  • Home theatres and entertainment spaces — soundproofed rooms designed for media and recreation

Moisture: The Critical First Step

In South Georgian Bay, basement moisture is a common concern. Our clay-heavy soils, high water tables in some areas, and the freeze-thaw cycle can all contribute to water intrusion. Before finishing any basement, we conduct a thorough moisture assessment. If water management issues exist, we resolve them first — whether that means exterior waterproofing, interior drainage, or foundation repairs. Finishing a basement with unresolved moisture problems is a recipe for mould, damage, and wasted money.

Insulation and Comfort

A comfortable basement in our climate requires proper insulation against the foundation walls. We use rigid foam or spray foam insulation to create a continuous thermal and vapour barrier, preventing condensation and keeping the space warm through our cold winters. This is not a place to cut corners — improper insulation is the most common cause of mould in finished basements.

Building Code and Permits

Every finished basement we build meets Ontario Building Code requirements and passes all required inspections. Bedrooms require egress windows. Bathrooms require proper ventilation. Electrical must be brought up to current code. We manage the permit process and ensure everything is done correctly.

Discuss Your Basement Project

Contact Mighton Construction to schedule an assessment of your basement. We will evaluate the space, identify any moisture concerns, and provide a realistic budget for finishing it properly.

Budget & planning guidance

Basement finishing typically ranges from $65–$150+/sqft, depending on the level of finish, bathroom inclusion, and whether the space is designed as a legal secondary suite.

Costs vary by design, site conditions, materials, drawings, and approvals. These planning ranges are not quotes.

Our process

01

Assessment & Moisture Evaluation

We inspect your basement for moisture issues, evaluate the foundation condition, measure ceiling height, and identify mechanical obstructions that will affect the layout.

02

Design & Layout Planning

We develop a floor plan that maximises usable space while accommodating mechanical systems, egress requirements, and your intended use of the space.

03

Permitting

We secure building permits, which are required for finished basements. Secondary suite applications involve additional requirements including fire separation and separate HVAC.

04

Framing, Insulation & Mechanical

Walls are framed, insulation is installed against the foundation, and any plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work is completed and inspected.

05

Finishing

Drywall, flooring, trim, paint, bathroom fixtures, and all finishing details are completed. We ensure the space feels like a natural extension of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to finish a basement?
Basement finishing typically ranges from $65–$150+/sqft. A basic recreation room with a bathroom falls on the lower end. A fully finished space with a kitchen, high-end finishes, and a bathroom is at the higher end. Legal secondary suites require additional investment for fire separation, egress, and separate HVAC.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
Yes. Finishing a basement requires a building permit in all South Georgian Bay municipalities. The work involves framing, electrical, plumbing, and insulation — all of which must be inspected. We handle the entire permit process.
What about moisture and water issues?
We assess moisture conditions before any work begins. Solutions may include exterior waterproofing, interior drainage systems, sump pumps, or vapour barriers. We will not finish a basement that has unresolved water problems — addressing moisture first protects your investment.
Can I build a legal rental suite in my basement?
In many municipalities, yes — but the requirements are significant. Legal secondary suites need separate entrances, fire separation, adequate ceiling height, egress windows, independent HVAC, and compliance with Ontario Building Code Part 9.36. We can advise you on feasibility and manage the entire process.
My basement has low ceilings. Can it still be finished?
Ontario Building Code requires a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 5 inches for habitable rooms (higher for secondary suites). If your ceilings are too low, options include underpinning or bench footings to lower the floor — a significant but achievable project that we have completed successfully.

Ready to start your project?

Contact us for a free initial conversation about your goals, timing, and budget.