Do I need a building permit to remodel a basement in Chicago?

Yes. The Chicago Department of Buildings requires a permit for all basement finishing execution involving framing, electrical, or plumbing work. Standard plan reviews typically take 7 to 9 weeks, but as licensed general contractors, we can often utilize the city's Express Permit Program to speed up minor interior alterations.

What is the legal ceiling height for a Chicago basement bedroom?

Chicago building codes mandate a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet for habitable spaces, including basement bedrooms and living rooms. Bathrooms can be 6 feet 8 inches, while structural beams and ductwork can extend down to 6 feet 4 inches.

What makes a basement bedroom "legal" in Chicago?

A legal basement bedroom must have a minimum floor area of 70 square feet, a 7-foot ceiling, and at least one code-compliant egress window. The egress window must provide a clear opening of 5.7 square feet, open at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide, with a sill height under 44 inches from the floor.

Why does Maya Construction prioritize "Waterproofing First"?

We never frame walls or add insulation over active moisture. Insulating damp concrete walls traps vapor, guaranteeing rot and toxic mold behind your drywall. We evaluate your foundation first, addressing cracks, installing interior drain tiles, and sealing the slab before any finish construction begins.

Basement Remodeling Contractors in Chicago

Name: Maya Construction Group
Price range: $$$

Basements can be the location of some of life’s best moments. Slumber parties and movie nights, book clubs and sports games, holiday celebrations and a quiet night at home, the possibilities are endless. Maya Construction is an owner operated business and we pride ourselves on being one of the best remodeling companies in the Chicagoland area. We’ve completed over 250 Basement renovations in the last 25 years, working with every construction material and completing projects within every design concept.

As your basement remodeling contractor we can transform every inch of your space, turning it into the basement of your dreams.

Transform your lower level with Maya Construction Group, Chicago’s trusted, owner-operated basement finishing experts since 1998. Personally overseen by founders Udi Yeger and Ofer Gliksman, we specialize in converting unfinished or dated basements into high-quality, code-compliant living spaces. Whether you want to build an open-concept family room or a fully permitted guest suite, we handle 100% of the structural execution, waterproofing, permit management, and city inspections. We make sure your investment is completely protected, built to safety codes, and made to last.

We are fully licensed and insured to work on every aspect of your home from stucco to electrical

We Specialize In

Basement Walls

Adding and removing, painting and texture

Entertainment

installation and electric

Flood Damage

repairing damage caused by water due to weather or leakage

Basement Ceilings

painting and texture

Basement Bathrooms

includes all tiling, installation, and plumbing

Tiling

flooring or bars

Basement Flooring

including all kinds of tiling and hardwood

Basement Lighting

installation and electric

Layout

we look at your current basement, ask you about current functionality and propose a layout that will suit your style, wallet, and daily life

Open-Concept Family Rooms & Playrooms

We construct open, bright family rooms using durable, water-resistant luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring and strategic recessed LED lighting. Our team focuses on choosing materials that withstand the heavy demands of foot traffic and sub-grade conditions, turning dark basements into welcoming hubs for family time.

Basement Bedrooms & Egress Windows

We install code-compliant, concrete-cut egress windows and well-wells that meet strict emergency escape laws. Our team expertly handles all necessary structural framing modifications, allowing you to add a fully legal, safe extra bedroom to your home.

Income-Producing Garden Suites (ADUs)

Capitalize on Chicago’s newly expanded Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance. We execute full basement apartment builds from the ground up, constructing self-contained suites that feature private kitchenettes, bedrooms, and proper independent zoning separations.

Basement Bathrooms & Plumbing

From cutting into the original concrete floor for drain lines to the final tile work, we specialize in below-grade bathroom construction. We install properly sized, independent, gastight-vented sewage ejector pumps fully compliant with the Chicago Plumbing Code.

Custom Wet Bars & Entertainment Areas

Build the ultimate space for hosting game days or movie nights. We install custom cabinetry through our partner, Planet Cabinets, cleanly integrating stone countertops, under-counter refrigeration, and bar sinks into your layout.

Underpinning & Ceiling Height Expansion

If your older basement ceiling falls below the legal 7-foot height limit for living spaces, we provide professional underpinning and slab lowering. We can safely lower your concrete floor to gain 1 to 2 feet of vertical headroom while maintaining your foundation’s structural integrity.

Personalized Approach

A customer with four daughters contacted us wanting a space he could call his own. To solve this problem, we decided to turn the home’s old, unused basement into an entertainment man cave. We started by finishing the space; sealing any possible leaks and built new walls to create distinct areas. We installed a home theater system, hardwood flooring and added a stack of wood into the wall to create some textural interest. When the project was completed, we had successfully converted that old, dusty, unused basement into a man cave perfect for a special night with the guys or just some quiet time to watch a movie.

If your family has a requirement or limitation that affects basements, we are more than happy to meet with you to find a solution. Our main goal is to provide our clients with a home that makes their lives easier and more enjoyable.

We have the experience

It’s easy to hire inexpensive contractors. Price is of course a leading decision maker. However, there is no beating experience, honesty, professionalism and a sense of calm.

With Maya Construction, you work directly with the company owners who have 25+ years in basement remodeling and renovation experience.

Why People Choose Maya?

Our team has over 25 years of expertise remodeling and renovating basements all over the Chicagoland area.

We are fully licensed and insured to work on every aspect of your home from stucco to electrical

Though our relationships with suppliers, we can get the best prices for materials.

We have built our business and reputation on the principles of professionalism: quality materials, top craftsmanship, accurate estimates, and strict project deadlines.

We offer each potential client a FREE in-home consultation where we evaluate your project and offer suggestions based on our years of experience

We get in and out quickly and safely and make beautiful, lasting projects that will please your eye and your wallet.

We employ a whole team of highly skilled workers who are always available to help get the job done right, and on time.

Our employees have varied skill sets, meaning every aspect of your project including plumbing, painting and electrical can be completed by one of our team members.

What Our Clients Say

We hired Maya Construction to update our basement recently and we could not be happier! I've been recommending them to everyone, and friends and family have been so impressed by the job they did. The basement went from unlivable space to a gorgeous extra entertaining area/laundry/and gym. We were also so impressed by how professional they were every step of the way, always in communication and reliable. I highly,…Read full reviewClose full review

We used Maya Construction Group to do a complete remodel of our basement (demolition of floors, walls, ceilings, then rebuild into more open and updated space) and I cannot say enough good things about our experience. Udi and Ofer were communicative from the beginning to the end of the project, giving us updates on start date, letting us know of issues as they arose, letting us know when we needed to have supplies ready. Their crew arrived on time every day (asked to work on Saturdays as well), and were very respectful and kept everything clean (as clean as a construction project can be anyways!). Project was started and completed on time. We have a 100+ year old house and were afraid of what issues might be uncovered, but only minor issues surfaced and the increased cost quoted by Maya was minimal and in line with industry standard. Overall these guys do great and timely work and are trustworthy. We will be using them again for projects on the main floors of our house.

After our basement flooded in May we reached out to over a dozen local contractors trying to get estimates. Maya Construction was the first to respond and after weeks of helping us fight with our insurance company we finally signed a contract and started work in July. After roughly 3 weeks of work my wife and I couldn't be happier with the results. Not only did we get all the repairs needed to get things back to…Read full reviewClose full review

After roughly 3 weeks of work my wife and I couldn't be happier with the results. Not only did we get all the repairs needed to get things back to normal, but we also had several upgrades as well.

Throughout the entire rehab everyone who came in our home was polite and courteous and the quality of work is second to none. The project was completed on time and on budget, even with additional small requests we made along the way.

We highly recommend you consider Maya Construction for your remodel, and we plan to use them again in the future.

We worked with Maya Construction on our basement update. Prior to starting the renovation project, we were incredibly nervous as we had heard many horror stories that revolved around bad contractors. Our project went smoothly and I couldn't be more happy with the end product. What I appreciated most about working with Udi and Ofer was how they were honest and straight forward throughout the process. It was also very easy to get in contact with them when we had questions and we would hear back within the day. They also were great about sending timely updates about the project and the budget. While they weren't the cheapest quote that we got, I think it was ultimately worth hiring them for the peace of mind that things were being done correctly.

We undertook a major basement renovation / remodeling with Maya Construction Group. We are 100% happy with the experience and the result. Udi and Ofer were great as general contractor, and their team of workers (concrete, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting) was proficient, punctual, hard-working, respectful and responsive to our wishes and concerns. Udi's and Ofer's professionalism was outstanding, they had an excellent ability to listen to us, communicate with us and then act constructively. Whenever a problem popped up (as is bound to happen in any renovation project), they quickly found and implemented a great solution. They finished ahead of schedule and on budget. We can only thank them for a perfect job which resulted in a fabulous studio space and warmly recommend them to anyone planning a construction project.

Recent Projects

At Maya Construction, we believe in show, don’t tell and that a picture is worth 1,000 words. Some were completed on their own, while others were a part of a larger renovation.