Basement Finishing & Waterproofing
A dry basement you can actually live in
We stop the water first, then finish the space. One contractor for waterproofing, framing, electrical, plumbing and paint.
- Licensed & insured
- 24/7 emergency service
- Free estimates
- Financing options available
Overview
Basement Finishing & Waterproofing, done right
A New York basement is too valuable to leave as a damp storage room. Finished right, it becomes a den, a home office, a gym or, where the rules allow, a legal rental unit. Finished wrong, it becomes a moldy room with buckled flooring. The difference is what happens before the first stud goes up.
Waterproofing comes first. Older homes across the boroughs have stone or block foundations, cracked slabs and clay sewer laterals that back up in heavy rain. Attached rowhouses share party walls. Many basements have the boiler, the water heater and the electrical panel in the same room you want to finish. We plan around all of it.
Empire Pro NY does both halves of the job. Our waterproofing crew handles drainage, sump pumps, crack repair and vapor control. Then our carpenters, electricians, plumbers and painters finish the space. We pull DOB permits where required and work with co-op and condo boards when the building needs it.
What we fix
Water seeping through walls or floor
Groundwater pushes through the cove joint, cracks and porous masonry. We find the entry points and stop them from inside or outside.
Damp, musty basements
Humidity without visible water still ruins finishes. Vapor barriers, drainage and dehumidification fix the air, not just the floor.
Foundation cracks
Hairline or wide, cracks let water in. We repair with injection or exterior membrane depending on the wall.
Sewer backups in storms
A backwater valve on the lateral keeps city sewage out of your finished basement when the main surcharges.
Unfinished or half-finished basements
Framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, lighting, bathroom and egress. We take it to paint and trim.
Basement apartments and rental units
Egress, ceiling height, ventilation and fire separation matter for legal occupancy. We build to code and advise on what is possible.
What is included
- Interior French drains and sump systems
- Exterior foundation waterproofing and membranes
- Foundation crack injection
- Sump pumps with battery backup
- Backwater valves
- Vapor barriers and dehumidification
- Framing, insulation and drywall
- Waterproof flooring
- Recessed lighting and electrical
- Basement bathrooms and wet bars
- Egress windows and doors
How it works
- Free on-site estimateWe inspect for water, look at the foundation and mechanicals and listen to how you want to use the space.
- Waterproofing planA written scope for stopping the water, chosen for your foundation type and your budget. This happens before any finish work is quoted.
- Design and permitsLayout, lighting, bathroom placement and finishes. We file DOB permits where required and coordinate with your board if you have one.
- BuildWaterproofing first, then framing, mechanicals, drywall, flooring and paint. Our own trades, one schedule.
- Walk-throughWe test every outlet, fixture and drain with you before we call it done.
Why Empire Pro NY
Waterproofing and finishing from one contractor
Finishers who skip waterproofing cause the problems waterproofers get called to fix. We do both, in the right order.
Every trade in-house
Electrical, plumbing, carpentry, tile and paint on one team. No waiting on three subcontractors to show up on the same morning.
Licensed and insured
Basement work touches structure, electrical and plumbing. Our license and insurance cover all of it.
Financing options available
A finished basement is a real project. Ask us about financing options when we come out for the free estimate.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to finish or waterproof a basement?
It depends on the size, the water situation and the finishes you choose. We inspect first, then quote, and the estimate is free. You get a written scope with the waterproofing and finishing broken out.
Interior or exterior waterproofing: which do I need?
Exterior membranes stop water before it reaches the wall but require excavation, which is often impossible on an attached rowhouse. Interior drains and sump pumps manage water that gets in. We recommend based on your lot and foundation.
Can I make my basement a legal apartment?
It depends on ceiling height, egress, ventilation and your zoning. We will tell you honestly what your basement can and cannot become, and build to code if it qualifies.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
Often, yes, especially for plumbing, electrical and any change to egress or layout. We file DOB permits where required and handle inspections.
Will the finish work survive another flood?
We build for it: waterproof flooring, moisture-resistant drywall raised off the slab, and a sump with battery backup. Waterproofing first is how you protect the investment.
Free estimate