Basement finishing in Idaho Falls
Basement finishing and remodeling across Bonneville County's largest city.
Idaho Falls is the seat of Bonneville County and the fourth-largest city in Idaho, with 64,818 people at the 2020 census and about 14 percent growth over the previous decade. The Snake River runs through downtown over a wide basalt falls, and the city spreads out from there through older neighborhoods to newer development on the edges.
Older neighborhoods
The Numbered Streets, Idaho Falls' first planned neighborhood, and other blocks near downtown have older homes whose basements were built for storage and furnaces, not living space. Remodels there often mean dealing with low ceilings, small windows and older wiring, and enlarging windows so basement bedrooms meet egress.
Newer homes
Newer homes on the west side, around Snake River Landing and toward the edges of town usually have taller poured basements, a plumbing rough-in and at least one egress window. Owners finishing those basements typically add two or three bedrooms, a bath and a family room.
Permits
The City of Idaho Falls Building Division issues basement finish permits. Applications can be submitted through the city's ETRAKiT system, and the permit holder schedules framing, rough-in, insulation, drywall and final inspections.
Common questions
How do I apply for a basement finish permit in Idaho Falls?
Through the city's ETRAKiT online permitting system or in person at the Building Division, with a permit application and a dimensioned floor plan.
Can a basement in an older Idaho Falls home be finished?
Usually. Ceiling height, window size and moisture are the main things a contractor will check first.
Services in Idaho Falls
- Complete basement finishingFraming, insulation, wiring, heat, drywall and floors that turn bare concrete into finished rooms.
- Basement remodelsReworking an older finished basement: new layout, updated wiring and insulation, fresh surfaces.
- Basement bathroom additionsA new bath downstairs, from slab trenching or a builder rough-in to the final plumbing inspection.
- Legal basement bedroomsEgress windows, wells, alarms and permits so a basement room counts as a real bedroom.
- Home theaters and wet barsMedia rooms, game rooms and bars with wiring, plumbing, lighting and sound control built in.
Nearby areas
Need more room without moving?
Call and a local basement finishing contractor will walk the basement and the permit with you.