How to Finish a Basement on a Tight Budget
And if you do it right it won’t cost you lots of money.
Boost the Value of Your Home – Finish the Basement!
Need an extra room for more activities in the house? A game room perhaps, home theater or a play area?
A finished basement can provide your family the extra living space at a minimum cost if you do it right. Think it over! A basement has walls, a floor and a ceiling already; so it’s got to be cheaper than building an addition to get that extra living space.
Also, more and more potential home buyers want a house to have a finished basement. A finished basement doesn’t only allow more space for more activities in your house, but also adds to the resale value.
You don’t need a fortune to remodel your basement but you do need…
A Plan!
Deciding what you want to do with the space is your first challenge! Different basement uses require entirely different layout designs and materials.
Deciding on the Purpose of the Space.
Knowing what you want to do in the space not only helps in choosing the materials and designs needed for the basement, but by knowing the end objective it allows you to make changes as the project develops.
DIY or Contract?
Some homeowners prefer to tackle the job of finishing their basements themselves; while others let the experts take charge. Both approaches have merit.
For those who like to do it themselves, a finished basement may take longer than 6 months while an expert might finish it in several weeks. The cost of doing it yourself can be significantly lower than contracting it out provided that you are handy!
Split the work between Do-It-Yourself and a Contractor.
Woodwork, Wiring and Dry Walling…
Bear in mind that finishing a basement requires expertise in woodwork, wiring and insulation as well as painting and dry walling.
Basements are usually concrete. So you will probably have to cushion basement floors with a padded carpet to get the right“foot-comfort”. If your floor is hardwood, you still need added shield to insulate against moisture. An area rug may still be a smart idea.
Your plan needs to take basement electrical and plumbing requirements into consideration.Be sure to provide access to these areas for easy repairs. Boxing in with easy access is most frequently used but be sure that the connecting materials cannot be impaired.
Here Are 5 Basement Finishing Budget Saving Ideas…
- How you light your basement space can make a big difference. Basement lighting ideas usually include can, sconces and halogen lighting, but natural light should always be emphasized in the mix.
- Basement water problems if not addressed will result in major repairs later as well as mold forming. Since the trend today is to transform basements into useable space,the need for basement waterproofing has taken on a more important role. Research online basement humidity resources to address mold and air quality issues. Consult a plumber for technical advice. A basement dehumidifier should be part of the master plan.
- Install a suspended ceiling. A suspended ceiling gives you lots of flexibility to easily install things like lighting fixtures and detectors. They are more practical and allow you to easily make adjustments without the added costs. Suspended ceilings can also hide stains and cracks.
- Put in new floors on you own to save money. There are now affordable products that give the appearance like hardwood and granite. Some flooring products are designed easy installation by do-it-yourself-ers.
- If you use second hand furniture you will save even more. This way you won’t also have to worry about getting them damaged or replacing them if ever sudden leakage or flooding occurs.
As you can see there are lots of ideas for basement remodeling on a budget. You do not have to spend a fortune to achieve the finished basement of your dreams. With the right plan and a conscious effort to seek-out low cost-value solutions, your basement can become a warm, inviting space! And it doesn’t have to cost you the earth!
Basements have more uses than just as extra space to store the accumulated collectibles of a lifetime! With thoughtful planning and using time-tested techniques, your basement can become a warm, inviting refuge that gives you and your family lots of pleasure!
January 4th, 2010
