This article really minimizes the amount of work it takes to finish a basement, especially with no mention of insulation, egress or sprinkler systems, and finished carpentry. There are also many local and national building codes that must be met when finishing a basement that aren't common knowledge to a layperson. A homeowner can tackle this enormous job, but may be disappointed with the results when compared to a professionally finished basement. The contractor you choose directly affects the results you get. The "cheapest" guy (or free) isn't always the best choice.