Basement Painting Service in Chicago, IL
Basement walls, ceilings and floors painted with moisture-resistant products. Block walls sealed, drywall patched, and the whole space finished. Licensed and insured, with a written price before we start.
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Quick Answer
Basement painting in Chicago starts at $650 for a standard basement, with block walls, drywall and ceilings included. Vanguard Painting uses moisture-resistant primer and paint to handle basement conditions. We work across Cook County on basements that need a full refresh.
What You Get When We Paint Your Basement
Basements are different from upstairs rooms. This is the package we bring to every Chicago basement.
Concrete and drywall sealed so moisture doesn't push paint off the walls.
Porous block walls get masonry primer that fills the surface.
Holes, cracks and old patches skimmed smooth before painting.
Basement ceilings painted or sprayed, including joists and ductwork if requested.
Basement stairs and handrails painted when requested.
Full two coats on walls, ceilings and trim.
Concrete floors covered so there are no paint drips.
Basement cleaned and walked with you to fix anything you point at.
Basement Painting Prices in Chicago
Here's where our pricing starts for basement work in Chicago. Size, surface type and ceiling work move the final number.
Not sure which applies? Call (708) 815-7720. Most Chicago basement jobs get priced over the phone in about five minutes.
Chicago Basements Have Their Own Challenges
Chicago basements are old, damp and often unfinished. Here's what we see every week.
Water and moisture
Chicago has high water tables and old foundations. Basement walls wick moisture. We use masonry primer and paint that breathes so moisture doesn't get trapped.
Old block walls
Many Chicago basements have porous concrete block walls that soak up paint. We seal them first so the finish doesn't soak in and disappear.
Unfinished ceilings
Open joists and mechanicals in old basements. We spray them flat black or white to clean up the look without drywall.
Basement paint fails faster than upstairs paint if you don't use the right products. We use what works in basements.
How We Paint Basements in Chicago
Eight steps, every basement, with the right products for below-grade conditions.
Inspect the basement
We check for moisture, cracks, efflorescence and old paint condition.
Pick a color scheme
Light colors for dark basements, or dark colors for a finished look.
Move and cover
Basement furniture and storage moved and sheeted.
Patch and prep
Holes, cracks and old patches skimmed flat.
Seal with masonry primer
Concrete and block walls sealed with the right primer for below-grade surfaces.
Paint the ceiling first
Ceilings painted first, then walls, top to bottom.
Second coat on everything
Full second coat on walls and ceiling after drying.
Walkthrough and reset
Basement cleaned, furniture back, then we walk it with you and fix anything you spot.
Basement Work Chicago Homeowners Ask For
Basements vary from unfinished utility spaces to finished living areas. We handle all of them.
Finished basements
Drywall, ceilings and trim in finished basement living spaces. Paired with interior painting for the rest of the home.
Unfinished basements
Block walls sealed and painted, open ceilings sprayed. Check basement painting for full details.
Rental and commercial basements
Apartment buildings and commercial basement spaces. See commercial painting for business work.
A Crew That Knows Basement Conditions
Basement painting isn't like upstairs painting. The moisture, the block walls and the ceilings all require different products and techniques. We've been doing basements for 13 years across Chicago.
Our shop is at 541 Winston Dr in Melrose Park. We've painted basements in Irving Park, Rogers Park, Brighton Park, Roscoe Village and most other neighborhoods in the city. The prep standard is the same on every one.
Basement work often leads to other work. Plenty of Chicago customers add popcorn ceiling painting or drywall repair once we're already booked in.
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What Chicago Basement Owners Complain About, and What They Get
Almost every basement call opens with one of these. Here's the problem on the left, and here's what the basement looks like when we finish.
The problem
Latex paint on damp block walls loses adhesion and flakes off in sheets.
White mineral deposits push through paint from moisture in the block.
Mildew and moisture trapped under old paint make the basement smell.
What you get
Masonry primer and breathable paint that bonds to concrete and allows moisture to escape.
Primer and paint that seal the surface so minerals don't come through.
Mildew cleaned and sealed so the smell goes away.
True on every Chicago basement job we take:
What Chicago Basements Look Like When We Finish
Block walls sealed, drywall smooth, ceilings clean and even.
What Chicago Customers Say After We Paint Their Basement
Most of our Chicago basement work comes from homeowners who wanted their lower level to feel finished. Read what they said.
Other Painting Work We Do Around Chicago
Basement painting is one part of what we do. The same crew handles the rest.
Interior painting
Walls, ceilings and trim. See interior painting in Chicago.
Drywall repair
Patches, cracks and water stains. Check drywall repair Chicago.
Popcorn ceiling painting
Textured ceilings in basements and upstairs. See popcorn ceiling painting Chicago.
Cabinet painting
Laundry room and basement cabinets. Check cabinet painting Chicago.
Need work across the county? We cover all Cook County, and everything we do in the city sits on the Chicago painting page.
Basement Painting in Chicago, IL: Common Questions
How much does basement painting cost in Chicago, IL?
How long does it take to paint a basement in Chicago?
Can you paint concrete block walls in basements?
What paint works best on basement walls?
Can you paint a basement ceiling with open joists?
Do you fix basement water stains before painting?
Can you paint a basement that has had water issues?
Is Vanguard Painting licensed and insured?
Get Your Chicago Basement Painted Properly
Free estimate, a real written price, licensed and insured. Book online and take $50 off.