We get this question a lot, especially from homeowners who’ve just bought a house with both an outdated kitchen and an unfinished basement. Limited budget. Big dreams. Which project should come first?
There’s no universal right answer — but here’s how we think through it with homeowners every week across Utah County.
The Case for Finishing the Basement First
More square footage = more value
In Utah County’s real estate market, finished square footage drives appraised value. An unfinished basement typically appraises at $20–$30 per square foot. A finished basement appraises at $60–$100+ per square foot depending on quality and location. On a 1,200 sq ft basement, that’s potentially $48,000–$84,000 in added appraised value for a project that might cost $40,000–$60,000.
It solves an immediate space problem
Utah County families tend to be large. If you’ve got kids sharing bedrooms or you’re running out of living space, finishing the basement creates bedrooms, bathrooms, and family room space fast. The kitchen is functional as-is; the basement is unusable space you’re paying property tax on.
Lower cost per square foot added
You’re adding entirely new usable space for $30–$60/sq ft. A kitchen remodel renovates space you already use — it doesn’t add square footage.
The Case for the Kitchen Remodel First
Kitchens are used constantly
If your kitchen is genuinely painful to use — not enough counter space, a dysfunctional layout, appliances that frustrate you every day — the quality-of-life improvement from a remodel is immediate. You use your kitchen multiple times a day. A finished basement, while great, is used more intermittently.
Kitchen remodels can have strong ROI
A well-executed mid-range kitchen remodel in Utah County typically returns 60–80% of its cost at resale. It also dramatically affects how quickly a home sells. Buyers make emotional decisions in kitchens — they can forgive an unfinished basement more easily than they can forgive a dated, dysfunctional kitchen.
Timing matters if you plan to sell soon
If you’re planning to sell within 3–5 years, a kitchen renovation may have a bigger impact on sale price and speed than a basement finish. Talk to a local realtor about what buyers in your specific neighborhood are prioritizing.
Our Honest Recommendation
Here’s the framework we use:
- Finish the basement first if your kitchen is functional (just dated), you’re short on space, you plan to stay 5+ years, or you want rental income.
- Remodel the kitchen first if the kitchen layout is genuinely broken, you’re selling in the next few years, or daily life in the kitchen is frustrating enough to affect your quality of life.
- Do both strategically — we’ve helped many families phase projects over 2–3 years, starting with whichever creates the most immediate value.
We Can Help You Decide
At Rocky Mtn Remodel, we do both — basement finishes and full kitchen remodels throughout Utah County. We’re happy to walk through both spaces with you, give you honest estimates for each, and help you prioritize. No pressure, no upsell.
Call or text us at (801) 367-8541 for a free in-home consultation.
