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What You Should Know When Remodeling Your Basement

By Todd Fratzel on Basements

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Guest post written by Adrienne Carlson who writes for Construction Management Degrees.

Remodeling Basements

Basements are at the bottom rung of a house, but when done up the right way, they are more than just basements; rather, they become rooms that the entire family wants to hang out it. When people remodel their basements, they do it because they want to add extra living space to the house or because they want a cozy haven that they can get away to when they need some private space and time. So basements become entertainment rooms, gyms and the like depending on the owner’s choice. Before you undertake a basement remodeling plan however, there are a few things that you must do:

• Decide what you’re going to use it for: Unless you know exactly what you’re looking for from the renovation, the whole exercise is a waste of money, time and effort. If you think you can start the renovation and then decide if you want the basement to be used just for storage or as a spare room or an entertainment lounge, you’re going to incur additional costs and see your project overrun its schedule too. Deciding what you want your basement to become is an integral part of the remodeling plan, so know that first and proceed accordingly.

• Decide if you want to DIY or hire a contractor: While you may be good with tools and handy around the house, remodeling an entire basement is a tough task and one that is complicated to say the least. So it may be a good idea to go with a contractor who is reasonable with their costs. On the whole, you need to weigh the costs against the benefits of both methods and choose the one that’s right for you. Remember though that any mess you make when doing it yourself becomes harder and costlier to overcome if you go to a contractor afterward, so if you’re not sure of yourself, hire a professional.

• Plan your plan and your budget: You need to have a detailed plan of how your finished basement will look, right down to the last wire, switch or pipe. Unless you have all the trivial specifics worked into your plan, you may end up having to redo some parts of your basement. A detailed plan also allows you to work out a budget for your project, one that includes cost of labor, materials and permits.

• Don’t forget preventive measures: A basement is usually dank and cold, and this means it’s prone to moisture that leads to mold and mildew. Get your foundation checked to prevent the damp from seeping in and moisture from ruining your ceiling, walls and flooring. Also, ensure that your current heating system is capable of handling the additional room in the basement before you begin.

You gain a whole lot of benefits in remodeling your basement:

• It adds value to your home

• Your basement is no longer the dark, dank place your kids (and even you) were scare of

• You have a whole new room in your home, be it a bedroom, entertainment room, gym, bar or just storage space.

• When you insulate your basement and seal air vents correctly, you reduce your total energy usage and cost.

About The Author:

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes for construction management degrees . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com

Photo Credit: MNgilen