First
Water and air
- Grading and downspouts corrected outside
- Window wells where needed
- Any waterproofing done before framing
- Vapour and insulation detail to code
Framing over a damp wall builds in a mould problem.
Basement finishing across the GTA.
FOUR40 finishes basements across Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Vaughan and the wider GTA — framing, insulation, drywall, flooring and trim, with licensed trades coordinated for plumbing and electrical and permits handled. Free on-site estimates.
Based in
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Estimates
Free & on-site
Before we start
Written scope
On site
Same crew throughout
What's included
Dry first, then finish.
The order matters more here than anywhere else in the house. Everything below the first item on this list is wasted if the first item was skipped.
Then
The build
- Framing and insulation
- Electrical rough-in by a licensed contractor
- Plumbing rough-in where a bathroom is added
- Drywall, taping and paint
- Flooring, trim and doors
Finally
The extras
- Bathroom or wet bar
- Pot lights and switching
- Built-ins and storage
- Egress window if a bedroom is planned
- Soundproofing between floors
What it costs
What moves the number.
Typical range
Ask for a figure
We publish real numbers rather than "it depends" — but only once they're ours to publish. Our written ranges are being finalised; call and we'll give you one over the phone in a minute. What moves the number:
- Square footage and how much of it is open versus divided into rooms
- Whether a bathroom is added, and whether a rough-in already exists
- Ceiling height and how much ductwork has to be boxed or moved
- Rec room versus a legal second unit — a materially different job
- Moisture work needed before framing starts
- Flooring choice and the amount of trim and doors
Working with us
Five steps, no surprises.
01
Site visit
We measure, check drainage and grade, and talk through what you actually want. Free, and no pressure to sign anything.
02
Written quote
Scope, materials, base depth and price in writing. You'll know exactly what's included before a shovel moves.
03
Schedule & locates
Ontario One Call locates booked, materials ordered, start date confirmed. A realistic window, not an optimistic one.
04
Build
Excavation, base, compaction, install. Site cleaned at the end of each day — you still have to live there.
05
Walkthrough
We walk it together before final payment. Anything on your list gets fixed, then we're back if settling shows up.
Questions
Basements, answered.
Do I need a permit to finish a basement in Ontario?
Yes for the work itself in most municipalities, and separately for a second unit. Finishing a rec room with framing, insulation, drywall and electrical requires a building permit; creating a legal secondary suite adds fire separation, egress window sizing, interconnected alarms and ESA involvement. Which one you are doing changes the cost materially, so it gets settled at the site visit.
What about moisture?
Deal with it before framing, never after. Exterior grading, downspout extensions and window wells fix most of it and are work we do ourselves. If water is coming through the slab or the wall, that is a waterproofing job and it happens first — framing over a damp wall builds a mould problem into the room.
Can you add a bathroom?
Yes, with a licensed plumber. If there is no existing rough-in, the slab has to be cut, which is a meaningful cost and worth knowing before you plan the layout. Where a rough-in exists, a basement bathroom is straightforward.
How long does a basement take?
A straightforward finished basement is typically four to seven weeks. Permits, inspections and any plumbing in the slab are what extend it.
What ceiling height do I need?
The Ontario Building Code sets minimum finished heights, and the tight spot is almost always under ducts and beams rather than the open floor. We measure at the site visit and tell you honestly whether the ceiling works, because it is the one thing that cannot be fixed later.
Service area
Across the GTA, based in Stouffville.
Close enough to come back if something needs attention — which matters more than it sounds.
MarkhamStouffvilleRichmond HillAuroraNewmarketVaughanUxbridgePickeringAjaxScarboroughNorth YorkKing City
Elsewhere in the GTA? Call and ask — we travel for the right project.
Related
Other things we build.
Free estimate
Get a basement quote.
Fill this in and we'll get back to you to book a site visit — usually the same day.
Or call directly(647) 473-3454