BasementFinishing

Finish Your Own Basement

You can finish your own basement and enjoy extra living space if you're able to invest some time and effort in the project. If you haven't been making the most of this underground area of your house, you may be missing out on the opportunity to have an extra bedroom, a home office or a family play room without taking on the cost of a whole new addition. An underused basement can be transformed into a comfortable, functional space if the area can be water sealed and properly insulated.

Even if you decide to finish your own basement, a licensed contractor can provide valuable assistance with specific parts of the project. If you intend to add a bathroom or new electrical wiring, talk with a plumber and an electrician about these aspects of the job. While most skilled do-it-yourselfers can take on many of the tasks involved with their own basement finish, plumbing and electrical modifications often require professional assistance. Major structural modifications, like adding or removing a wall, may also require help from a contractor.

Evaluating the Space

If you decide to finish your own basement, take some time to set goals for the project before you start. Evaluate the space carefully to determine how much labor will be required to finish the room. If the area is water proof and doesn't show serious signs of mold or mildew, you may have less work on your hands. Insulation is another necessary component of completing your own basement finish. If you intend to turn the room into a space for family or guests, you'll need insulation to keep the room at a comfortable temperature and minimize energy usage.

Lighting and ventilation are important concerns when you finish your own basement. In many homes, this space has few, if any, windows, and electrical wiring may be minimal. Before a basement can be used as an office, a gym or an entertainment area, you'll need adequate lighting and electricity. If you intend to hang heavy fixtures on the wall, like a media center or large mirrors, the wall paneling will have to be sturdy enough to support their weight.

Contact your local planning agency to find out about its regulations and requirements before you get started this project. Whether you work with a contractor or take on the labor on your own, you'll need to comply with local requirements regarding safety. Specifications of ceiling height, window and door construction, emergency access and other factors are important considerations when you're planning to finish your own basement.

An evaluation of the basement can become the basis for developing a budget. As you estimate the labor and materials required to finish the room, you can also determine how much the entire project will cost. The amount of money you'll spend will depend on the scope of the finish, the tools you own and the level of remodeling expertise you possess. Although you'll spend more money to hire a contractor, you may finish some of the more complicated aspects of the project more efficiently and safely if you work with a licensed professional.

Basement Finishing Basics

Water sealing, insulation and ventilation are basic steps that must be completed when you finish your own basement. Water proofing this area of the home may require fixing broken gutters, leaky faucets and other sources of moisture that pool on the ground surrounding a property. Insulating the room, framing the walls and ceilings, adding drywall or another wall paneling product and addressing any problems with the foundation may be necessary before the room can be made inhabitable.

As you evaluate your needs and review the tools and products that you already own, make a list of the supplies that you'll need to purchase. You may note that certain manufacturers advertise finishing systems to make it easier for homeowners to complete this project on their own. These products are offered as alternatives to conventional materials like drywall, or sheet rock. Finishing systems may provide greater resistance to moisture and superior insulation for walls or ceilings.

While some finishing systems are advertised for use by homeowners, others may only be installed by licensed contractors who are authorized by the manufacturer. Explore the options thoroughly and compare estimates from several professionals before you make a decision. To get the most satisfactory, long lasting results, you want to choose durable, long lasting materials when you finish your own basement.

When you finish your own basement, you have complete control over the products you choose, the techniques you use and the design decisions you make. However, you also have the responsibility of making sure that the project is compliant with local codes when you finish your own basement. Contact a planning agency and consult with a local contractor, if necessary, to ensure that you get the best possible results.