Here’s a practical, Local-Ready plan for basement remodeling in Littleton, CO — what it costs, what permits/requirements to expect, the steps to take, and how to hire a contractor.

Quick summary

• Typical finished-basement costs in the Denver/Littleton area: roughly $40–$120 per sq. ft. depending on scope (basic → high-end). Expect mid-range projects around $60–$90/sq. ft. and full builds with bath/kitchen to be substantially higher. (5starbasementfinish.com)
• Littleton requires building submittals and plan details for residential remodels (including basement finishes); you’ll need plans that show room uses, ceiling heights, egress windows/doors, stair details, electrical layout, and structural/foundation changes. Follow Littleton Building Division submittal requirements. (littletonco.gov)

Step-by-step plan

1. Define scope and budget

• Decide what you want: open rec room, bedroom(s), full bathroom, kitchenette/wet bar, laundry, home theater, storage, mechanical upgrades, waterproofing. Each addition increases cost (bathroom or adding plumbing is a major cost jump). (thespruce.com)
• Create a per‑sq‑ft target (example: $50–$80/sq. ft. for mid-range; adjust up if adding bathrooms, egress windows, or high-end finishes). (craftsmanbasements.com)

2. Check code & permits (Littleton)

• Read Littleton’s Residential Submittal Requirements and follow the checklist for basement finishes: floor plans, ceiling heights, egress, location of beams/ductwork, stair details, electrical plans, and any structural/engineer sign-offs if foundation work is involved. Permits and inspections are required. Budget permit fees and plan review time into your schedule. (littletonco.gov)

3. Inspect & address moisture/structure first

• Before finishing, inspect for water intrusion, mold, efflorescence, sump pump condition, foundation cracks, and insulation/HVAC needs. Waterproofing or French drain work can add several thousand dollars but is essential for a durable finish. (thespruce.com)

4. Get 3 detailed written bids

• Solicit at least three bids from reputable basement/finish contractors. Each bid should list scope, materials, allowances, fixtures, timeline, payment schedule, warranty, and who pulls permits. Compare apples-to-apples (same materials and scope).
• Ask for local references, proof of CO contractor license, general liability insurance, worker’s comp, and examples of completed Littleton-area basements.

5. Contractor selection and contract

• Use a written contract that includes a clear payment schedule (avoid large upfront payments), project milestones, change-order process, warranty period, and final inspection/CO (if applicable). Many local contractors require a small deposit then staged payments tied to milestones.

6. Typical timeline

• Small projects (non-structural, paint/flooring/electrical): 2–4 weeks.
• Full basement finish with framing, electrical, plumbing, bathroom, egress window(s): 6–12+ weeks (permits and inspections add time). Timelines vary by contractor workload and permitting queues. (5starbasementfinish.com)

7. Cost drivers to watch

• Plumbing/bathroom additions (can add $8k–$25k depending on work), egress windows ($3k–$6k each), HVAC extension/mini-split installation, insulation, subfloor to level/raise floor, specialized finishes (theater/audio, custom millwork). (thespruce.com)

Local resources & next steps

• Littleton Building Division — residential submittal & permit requirements (start here to confirm exact documents, fees, and current processing times). (littletonco.gov)
• Cost references and local-per-market ranges to use when budgeting: regional basement finishing cost articles and Colorado-specific estimates. Use these to vet contractor estimates. (elkstonebasements.com)

How I recommend you proceed right now

• Download Littleton’s residential submittal requirements and confirm any permit fee and plan-review timelines for your address. (This prevents surprises.) (littletonco.gov)
• Make a simple scope list (must-haves vs nice-to-haves) and measure the basement square footage. Use $60–$90/sq. ft. as a planning target for a mid-range finish, adjust up for bathrooms/egress windows. (5starbasementfinish.com)
• Request 3 bids from local contractors that handle permits and inspections; compare line-item estimates, timelines, and references.

If you want, I can:

• Look up and list 5–8 basement contractors or remodelers who serve Littleton, CO (with ratings and contact info), or
• Help you draft a scope-of-work checklist and a sample request-for-proposal (RFP) to send to contractors.

Which of those would you like me to do next?