BasementFinishing

Basement Finishing Plan

A basement finishing plan helps you stay on track with your budget while meeting your goals for remodeling this area of your home. An unfinished basement may need a considerable amount of ground work before you can make more detailed modifications to the room, such as installing new wood flooring, cabinets or a wet bar with granite countertops. Before you launch your remodeling project, develop a basement finishing plan that addresses your most basic needs like basement finishing drywall

The area underneath your home is unlike any other region of the house. The temperature in a basement is generally colder, and the air is more moist and damp, than the upper regions of the building. Because a basement is located below ground level, any water that doesn't drain adequately from gutters, drainpipes or slopes in your front or back yard is likely to trickle down to the lowest level of your home at a certain point. In addition, you may have water leaking up through the foundation. The first step in your finishing plan should be to evaluate the room's condition.

Preparing Your Finishing Project

Before you can start your finishing project, plan to spend some time cleaning up the area, if necessary, taking measurements and evaluating surfaces. If the room is piled with boxes and debris, these items will need to be removed so that you and your remodeling contractor can see what you're working with. Once the space has been cleared, you can measure the dimensions of the room and inspect floors, walls and ceilings for signs of water or insect damage.

If the air is damp, cold and musty, then water proofing, insulation and mold removal should be added to your basement finishing plan. Check the floors for pools of standing water. If you have a drop ceiling in the basement, check the tiles for signs of water damage. Leaky plumbing is one of the most common sources of water damage in basements, in addition to poor drainage outside the home. Examine any drywall for signs of mold or mildew. Drywall, or sheet rock, is porous and prone to mold growth in moist environments.

Cracks in concrete walls and floors will need to be patched, and these areas will need to be water sealed with a commercial basement finishing sealant. Have the plumbing and electrical wiring inspected by professionals to determine how much work needs to be done in these areas. If there are no windows or other sources of ventilation in the room, include plans to install a window or exhaust system in your basement finishing plan.

Defining Your Plan

As you add all of the necessary finishing tasks to your plan, think about what you plan to do with all the extra space you'll have. Draw a diagram of the basement, including all of its structural fixtures and dimensions, so that you can get a visual overview of the area. Finishing the project according to your budget will be easier if you have a clearly defined plan in mind. Think about how you'll organize the layout of your home office, entertainment area or guest room.

Your intended use of the room will determine how you carry out many aspects of your basement finishing plan. If you want to install a large entertainment center or heavy shelving and cabinets on the walls, you'll need to install solid, reinforced paneling as part of your basement finishing plan. If you intend to install wood flooring or carpet, you'll need a subfloor material and vapor barrier over a concrete floor to prevent moisture damage.

Working with a local remodeling contractor from the beginning will help you identify the areas of the basement finishing plan that could push you over your budget. For instance, if a contractor finds severe water damage or structural issues with the foundation, you may end up paying more than you had planned to complete your basement finishing plan. Making the room compliant with construction codes is an important aspect of remodeling this area.

If you intend to use the room as a guest bedroom or studio apartment, entries and exits will need to comply with local codes. Ceilings must meet certain height requirements, which could affect any plans to install a new ceiling. Local contractors have extensive knowledge of building codes and permits, so you can complete your project without worrying about whether you've met all the necessary guidelines.

A basement finishing plan is a blueprint for the new living area you want to create. Although it's important to develop this blueprint in order to keep your plans on track, your outline isn't set in stone. Keep your ideas flexible and remain open to the possibility that you may need to modify or add a few steps in order to reach your remodeling goals.