BasementFinishing

Finish Your Own Basement

If you finish your own basement rather than hiring a contractor to do the work for you, you may save a lot of money on the cost of this project. The trick is to decide which aspects of the finishing process you can complete yourself, and which tasks would be better left to a professional with experience in basement finish projects. If you develop your own basement renovation plan carefully, you can evaluate the scope of the job and determine which tools and skills are required to finish your own basement.

Planning Your Finishing Project

Planning your own finish project is an essential first step. First, define your goals realistically, taking the strong and weak points of your basement into consideration. If you have a small, dark, poorly ventilated room, you'll need to address concerns like space, airflow and illumination before you move on the the more creative aspects of a finish project. Water proofing walls, ceilings and foundations is another important consideration in many homes.

If you have a large expanse of square footage below the home, on the other hand, and the space is already equipped with plumbing, natural ventilation and electricity, it will take much less work to finish your own basement. While a small space may be suitable for a home office, laundry room or a mini home fitness center, fitting a pool table or a wet bar into the area may not be possible. If you have a clearly defined goal for the space, you may find that it's easier to finish your own basement efficiently and within the original budget.

Take accurate measurements of the room, including floors, walls, ceilings, doors and windows. Many local planning agencies impose requirements on basement remodeling projects, such as an adequate floor to ceiling height. If you plan to finish your own basement, it's important to contact the planning agency to find how what safety standards you must meet in order to be compliant. Otherwise, the results may not be secure or up to code, and you may end up with costly rework in the future.

Before you start your own project, have the room evaluated by a plumber and an electrician. Plumbing and electrical work are two of the areas of basement finishing that many homeowners don't want to handle on their own. If you intend to install a wet bar, a half bathroom, a washing machine and a dryer and artificial lighting, you may need the help of licensed contractors for these jobs, even if you plan to finish your own basement.

Water Proofing a Basement

The underground region of a home is a natural gathering place for water. If a yard has poor drainage, water is likely to make its way into the area below the house eventually. Because air flow is usually restricted in basements, moisture can pool on floors or leak into walls and ceilings easily, with little opportunity to dry. Leaking pipes passing across the ceiling can drip water onto the floor. As a result, mold and mildew are common in this area of a household, and insects are often drawn to these damp environments.

Identifying leaks both inside and outside of the area will help you cut down on the amount of water proofing that needs to be done when you finish your own basement. Outside, look for broken or missing gutters, leaking garden faucets, slopes that carry water towards the house and drainpipes that are improperly positioned. Draining fixtures should lead water away from the house itself rather than toward the property. Inside, check for leaking pipes or for condensation rising through the floor.

Cracks in concrete floors or walls will need to be repaired using a patching material or a bonding product. A concrete sealant can be applied over the surfaces to finish the job. Before you finish your own basement, a plumbing contractor can take care of leaks in overhead pipes that may be contributing to the moisture damage. A thorough finish project starts with minimizing the room's exposure to moisture as much as possible.

Basement Insulation

The area below a house is almost always colder than the rest of the building. Insulating the area is a project that many homeowners can complete on their own. Fiberglass batting or polystyrene foam are widely used to insulate walls. Homeowners who install these products on their own should choose a product that prevents heat loss and minimizes energy usage. After insulation is installed, a vapor barrier product should be applied over the material to prevent moisture damage.

If you have the right tools and the expertise, you can finish your own basement and cut the costs of this substantial project. Don't hesitate to call on professional plumbers, electricians or carpenters to help you finish the job. Keep the project safe and compliant by consulting contractors when necessary.