Table of Contents
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Turn your dream basement into a reality.
If you have a basement, there is no limit to what you can do with it. While a basement is an excellent place for storage, it’s also ideal for an extra room to add to your home.
Whether you need extra office space or a rumpus room, renovating your basement will transform your home.
Let’s look at how to get the job done.
What to Know Before Finishing a Basement
First, before you finish changing your basement for the better, let’s look at what you need to know.
If you’re planning on transforming your basement into a common area, make sure to think about the placement of certain things. One example is making sure you place the socializing area where it’s going to get the most natural light.
Checking for moisture before renovating a basement is essential. You can check this with a simple test. Attach plastic sheeting to the floor and walls. If condensation appears underneath this after a couple of weeks, the foundations aren’t sealed. If it appears on top of the plastic, your basement needs airing out.
How tall is your basement? Most basements need to be at least seven feet to meet legal requirements. If your basement isn’t this tall, consider digging out and lowering your concrete floor. While this is an expensive endeavor, it’s an integral part of finishing a basement.
Lastly, it’s important to insulate any water pipes that run overhead or through the walls. If they’re pumps for heat, this will keep the heat in, and if they’re for cold water, this will help to prevent condensation forming.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Finishing a Basement
Now that you know what to consider before finishing your basement, let’s look at the do’s and don’ts of finishing a basement properly.
It’s essential to remember functionality over aesthetics with a basement. While you might want it to be a chill-out room, you still want to keep pipes available for attachments, in case you want to utilize the space for more functional tasks again.
Don’t underestimate the construction aspect of finishing a basement. Because there are codes and regulations to adhere to, it’s recommended that you work closely with a contractor to get this part of the job done.
When finishing a basement, do make sure to master the art of the open space. With a basement, you’re bound to have a lot of this. Knowing how to use it to your advantage is important, especially if you want different areas – one for you and one for the kids.
While a basement has a high level of functionality, don’t forget about the aesthetics. If you’re going to spend the money and time finishing a basement, you might as well do it correctly. Making sure it looks nice in the end will be satisfying.
The Cost of Finishing a Basement
Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of finishing a basement, let’s look at how much it’s going to cost.
Embarking on a basic DIY makeover will typically set you back between $10,000 and $30,000. Of course, the cost of finishing your basement is going to depend on how extensive your renovations are. However, necessary jobs like adding additional insulation and waterproofing sealants are going to be a big part of the overall cost.
This means that it’s worth covering your basics before diving into the aesthetic adjustments.
If your renovations are going to require electrical or plumbing work, you’ll most likely want to look at hiring a contractor. Finishing a basement with this type of expertise can easily cost up to $60,000.
Another option for finishing your basement is a basement finishing system. This will cost you between $40,000 and $50,000. These straight-from-the-box systems include everything you’ll need, including lighting and insulation.
While you’ll need to hire a professional to install this package, you can have a finished basement in as little as two weeks. It all depends on how you want to do it.
What You Need to Know About Finishing a Basement
Finishing a basement can be rewarding.
Having an extra room in the house for watching television in, entertaining guests, or just doing laundry can make all the difference. If you’ve got the space down there, it’s worth making the most of it and expanding the functionality of your home.
Get started with finishing your basement today, and before you know it, you’ll have another part of the house that you love spending quality time in.
