Basement Finishing
Transform Your Unfinished Basement Into Living Space
An unfinished basement is wasted square footage. Catalino Quality Construction finishes basements for homeowners across Marietta, East Cobb, Roswell, Milton, and the greater Atlanta metro — turning bare concrete and exposed joists into fully functional rooms your family actually uses.
Whether you want a guest suite, home office, media room, playroom, or workshop, we handle every phase: moisture mitigation, framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring, and trim. One licensed contractor, one point of contact, from start to finish.
Our Basement Finishing Process
1. Assessment & Estimate
We inspect your basement's current condition — moisture levels, ceiling height, existing mechanicals, and access points. You get a written estimate with a clear scope of work and timeline before any commitment.
2. Moisture Mitigation
Georgia's red clay soil holds water. Before any framing goes up, we address drainage, grading, and vapor conditions. This may include interior drain tile, sump pump installation, vapor barriers, or exterior grading corrections. Skipping this step is the most common mistake homeowners make.
3. Framing & Rough-In
Stud walls go up around the perimeter and for interior room divisions. Electrical circuits, recessed lighting, data runs, plumbing rough-ins, and HVAC ductwork are installed and inspected before anything gets covered up.
4. Insulation & Drywall
Rigid foam or fiberglass batts insulate exterior walls. Drywall goes up, gets taped, mudded, and sanded smooth. Ceilings can be drywalled or fitted with a drop ceiling depending on access needs for future maintenance.
5. Flooring & Finish Work
Luxury vinyl plank, tile, or engineered hardwood suited for below-grade conditions. Trim, doors, paint, and any custom built-ins or cabinetry complete the space.
What We Build in Finished Basements
- Guest suites — bedroom, bathroom, and closet with egress window
- Home offices — dedicated circuits, data wiring, and sound insulation
- Media rooms — wiring for surround sound, projection, and dimmable lighting
- Playrooms and rec rooms — durable flooring, open layouts
- Home gyms — reinforced flooring, ventilation, and dedicated electrical
- Wet bars — plumbing, countertops, under-cabinet lighting
- Workshops — heavy-duty circuits, dust collection hookups, and durable surfaces
Areas We Serve
We finish basements throughout the greater Atlanta metro:
- Marietta and West Cobb
- East Cobb and the Roswell Road corridor
- Roswell and North Fulton
- Milton and Alpharetta
- Kennesaw, Acworth, and Cherokee County
- Mountain Park and Smyrna
Licensed, Insured, and Permitted
Catalino Quality Construction is a Georgia-licensed general contractor. Owner Robert Catalino personally manages every basement project — pulling permits, coordinating inspections, and ensuring code compliance. No subcontractor roulette. No sales teams. One experienced builder, one point of accountability.
Ready to Finish Your Basement?
Contact us for a free on-site estimate. We'll evaluate your basement's condition, discuss what you want to build, and provide a clear scope, timeline, and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between basement finishing and basement remodeling?
Basement finishing refers to converting a raw, unfinished basement — exposed studs, concrete floors, no drywall — into a livable space. Basement remodeling means renovating a space that was previously finished. If your basement has bare concrete and open joists, you need finishing. If it's already built out but outdated, you need remodeling. We handle both.
How much does it cost to finish a basement in Marietta?
A typical basement finish-out with framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, and basic lighting starts around $25,000 for a standard Marietta home. Adding a bathroom, wet bar, or home theater increases the budget. We provide a detailed written estimate before any work begins — no surprises.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
Yes. Basement finishing in Cobb County, Fulton County, and the City of Roswell all require permits for framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Bedrooms require egress windows meeting Georgia building code. We handle all permit applications and inspections as part of the project.
How long does basement finishing take?
Most basement finish-outs take four to eight weeks depending on size and complexity. A straightforward build-out runs four to five weeks, while projects with bathrooms, custom built-ins, or complex electrical take six to eight weeks. We provide a realistic timeline during your free estimate.
Can you finish a basement that has moisture issues?
Yes, but we address the moisture first. Georgia's clay-heavy soil and seasonal rainfall mean many basements need drainage improvements, vapor barriers, or sump pump installation before framing and drywall go in. Fixing moisture at the source protects your investment for the long term.