Basement finishing is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. When done well, it increases the resale value of the home and adds living space.
A professional basement finisher can help you with the process. They can provide insight based on your goals and give you viable alternatives when something isn’t feasible.
Frame the Walls
When you want to create a more open space in your home, a finished basement is the way to go. It adds living area, an entertainment space or whatever you dream of and can often be completed for much less than a full renovation.
It is important to have a contractor that will take the time to discuss your vision for the basement and provide insights on how to make it a reality. Reputable contractors will also be honest when the project is not a good fit and provide advice if it is not feasible to complete the work.
It is also important to have a contractor who will obtain the required permit before starting work on your basement. Unlicensed workers can cause damage and lead to unsafe conditions in the home. Be wary of any company that requires a large up-front deposit or asks to start the basement work without a permit. This may indicate they intend to do shoddy work or are stockpiling money for future complaints.
Install Utilities
Once your walls are framed, the next phase is to install all utilities that run inside of the walls. This includes duct work, plumbing pipes, electrical wiring and air conditioning units. This is typically a job best left to a professional. It can be dangerous to work around heating and cooling ducts, water and plumbing lines and electrical wires without proper training. This is one of the major reasons why it’s always better to hire a professional design-build basement remodeler rather than try DIY.
A good contractor will patiently explain how the design you’re requesting will look, provide insight when something is unlikely to be viable and be honest about costs. Be wary of companies that ask for a large upfront down payment. They may be trying to take advantage of you. Also, be sure to get a permit for any work you do in your home. This will prevent costly issues later on, such as if you need to sell your house or an incident requires showing proof of compliance.
Drywall the Ceiling
When a basement is finished, it adds value to the home. It also provides additional space for living or working. It increases privacy by having separate entrances and can also lower energy costs by insulating walls, windows, and ceilings.
It’s best to hire a professional contractor for a basement finishing project. This is because it’s a complex task that involves work around heating ducts, water pipes, plumbing drains, gas lines, and electrical wires.
If you try to do the work yourself, it could be expensive and dangerous. Plus, you need to make sure the work is done properly.
There are certain inspections that must be done before the drywall is installed. These include a rough frame inspection, insulation inspection (R-19 continuous blanket or R-15 in all stud cavities), and a vapor retarder inspection. It’s also important to get a permit before beginning any work. Otherwise, your work may be halted. This can delay your remodeling.
Decorate
When you’re transforming a basement, a bit of creativity can go a long way. For example, instead of drywalling this laundry area, a clean white bank of cabinets adds ample storage for linens and out-of-season clothing.
The open ceiling and concrete block walls in this basement are painted a clean white, helping the room look bright and airy even without natural light. The space is divided into a TV plus hobby section by a comfortable area rug, and decorative items like a trendy wallpaper wall give the room visual interest.
If you’re a minimalist at heart, consider leaving some of your basement ceilings open and simply painting the walls. A simple coat of paint can make it harder to tell where the ceiling ends and the floor begins, while a limited use of drywall can help keep costs down. In this basement, repurposed wood boards frame off a private bath. A limited use of drywall can also demarcate spaces and add interest to the Northern Colorado Basement Finishing
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