Finishing a basement involves electrical and possibly plumbing work, and if you plan to add a bathroom or bar, those systems usually require permits. Your basement will probably also need to pass a safety inspection. Always compare quotes to ensure the best price and service. Waterproofing the space will also help protect it from hazardous and costly mold and mildew remediation.
This allows for easy access to the HVAC and electrical systems. Basement flooring needs to be moisture-resistant or waterproof to protect it from humidity and moisture buildup. Read more about which types of flooring are best for basements to determine which is best for your budget.
Epoxy has become a popular, waterproof flooring solution used in basements and garages. The final product can look like a vibrant custom color or mimic marble. The cost to finish a basement bedroom tends to be much lower than a bathroom.
Yes, most finished basements require an egress window to be considered up-to-code. Talk to your contractor or check building codes in your area for more details about the necessary egress dimensions, height from the floor and other safety measures. Most area building codes require a finished basement to be 7 feet tall.
To achieve this, the unfinished basement will need to be taller than 7 feet. Request a consultation from experienced local contractors to see if your basement is eligible for finishing. Many unfinished basements also have old, creaky stairs without risers. The cost of railings depends on the material metal, wood or glass and style you choose. Walkout and garage basements are appraised differently than fully-below-grade basements.
Rachel is a home improvement writer and content editor. In addition to being a contributing writer at Forbes, she writes for small businesses and creative agencies. She uses her home improvement expertise to give homeowners the knowledge they need to furnish and care for their homes. Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics.
These projects tend to take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. While these estimates may provide some insight, basement finishing and renovations can greatly vary in cost and time depending on the scope of the project. This can be affected by the size, shape, features, and amenities involved. Finishing can be described as turning an unfinished basement into a livable space. A basic basement finishing project involves building a frame, running mechanicals, installing walls, painting, and installing flooring.
This price can vary depending on the size of the basement, your choice of materials, and additional features that you choose to install. Of course, the cost is also subject to increase if you run into any plumbing or electrical that needs repair or upgrading. If you are trying to save money, you may consider finishing your basement yourself. To get a better idea of how much it might cost to finish a basement yourself without the labor costs, take a look at this breakdown of material expenses ….
Once the basic interior is installed, additional costs may be incurred with personalized finishing touches and upgrades. When attempting to finish your basement yourself, be sure to consider any plumbing or electrical that may be involved in the completion of the project. When it comes to basement bathroom installation, there is a significant difference in cost depending on whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. Tackling the installation yourself can cut that entire cost in half. With that being said, it is recommended that you hire a professional plumber and electrician for this aspect of the basement renovation as it requires trained skills to complete properly and efficiently.
It might be worth it to hire a professional for the bathroom installment to ensure that it is completed at a high standard and according to proper safety measures. For reference, a professional team might take around 45 days to complete basement framing, while tackling this yourself could take significantly longer.
If time is a factor at play, you may consider investing in a finishing system. A basement finishing system is essentially an out-of-the-box basement that includes everything from pre-fabricated, moisture-proof insulated wall panels to lighting and ceilings.
A professional team can have your finished basement completely installed in as little as 2 weeks. It is important to note that you can not attempt to install a finishing system yourself. These systems are only sold to franchise installers who must be responsible for applying it to your basement. While home finishing systems are extremely timely and convenient, they do come at a price.
If your basement is already finished, you may be considering a basement remodel. Basement remodeling involves altering and changing an existing finished space. You may choose to rework your finished basement by modifying the layout or adding a new room.
The cost of remodeling a basement is dependent on how drastically you intend to transform your current space. Additional costs arise if you choose to add amenities, such as an additional bathroom or kitchenette, as this involves the installation of new plumbing and electrical.
Further, the price may drastically increase if your basement renovation involves adding new rooms and expanding the foundation. Aside from the immediate expenses associated with basement renovations, there are a few other important factors to consider prior to embarking on such a major project. It is important to remember that the majority of basement renovation projects require a permit.
In fact, any project involving electrical, plumbing, or turning the basement into a livable space, requires a permit. If a homeowner suspects any existing damage or issues with the basement, it can be helpful to have the basement inspected and address any repairs before starting on upgrades.
These repairs will cost extra, but confronting potential issues of water damage, structural concerns, or termite infestation will save you money in the long run. Finding out about and taking care of necessary repairs before starting a basement finish is better than discovering a major problem in the middle of the project. Depending on when your home was built, you may need an inspector to test for asbestos or lead paint.
If these or other hazardous materials are found within the basement area, professionals will need to be called to remove or remediate them safely. Your choice of fixtures will ultimately depend on how customized you want the space to be. The way you intend to use the space also affects the overall cost. Will you use the space as a wet bar for entertaining friends and family?
There are three types of basements that you can have in your home: unfinished, partially finished, and finished. Each has its advantages as long as there are no issues with moisture or water damage.
While unfinished basements are common, they are not livable spaces. Unfinished basements are often spaces for the furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, exposed pipes and ductwork, and maybe an extra freezer. Some homeowners will set up a workbench and use it as a space for DIY projects. An unfinished basement rarely has insulation, drywall, or finished flooring, but it may sometimes have plumbing.
A partially finished basement is sometimes called a half-finished basement. It could contain bathrooms, showers, a laundry room, exercise equipment, or furniture. It may have some drywall installed, rough-in plumbing, insulation, and heating and cooling. This area could be used as a hangout space for teenagers or a work space for the family. A partially finished basement is not a completely finished living space like the rest of the house.
A finished basement looks as complete as the rest of your home and is move-in ready. Finished basements are more appealing to potential buyers than unfinished or partially finished basements. Finishing a basement can add value and usable livable space to your home. You can transform an unused space into a beautiful area where you can entertain friends and family. Some benefits of a finished basement include added space to the property without constructing an addition, added value, energy cost savings, and potential rental income.
Transform that unused area into a livable space that you can enjoy for years to come. There are many ways to use the extra space after finishing the basement.
Some practical ideas include using the space as a playroom, a craft or hobby room, a wet bar, a home theater, a bedroom, an apartment, a home office, or a laundry room. The average basement finishing project can add up to 70 percent return on investment.
Many home buyers are interested in buying a home with a finished basement, and some may even raise their offer when purchasing a home with a finished basement. Adding this improvement to your home creates value by generating more livable space for your home.
Potential buyers will appreciate that they will not have to put work into the house to finish the basement, and they can enjoy a move-in-ready space right away. An unfinished basement is at risk from radon gas leaking in through unfinished walls and flooring.
An unfinished basement is also more accessible to insects, rodents, mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors. Finishing a basement will reduce or eliminate the possibility of these issues, saving you from inconvenience, health hazards, and safety risks.
Based on where your house is and the zoning restrictions for your property, it may not be that easy to add to your home. Finishing a basement adds valuable living space without affecting any zoning restrictions. Finishing a basement will help you and your home become more energy efficient. An unfinished basement typically allows air to escape and enter the house, and this will affect heating and cooling costs. Finishing a basement can provide potential additional income.
By adding an apartment with a full bathroom and kitchen, you can rent out the space to either long-term or short-term tenants. This extra income can help you pay off bills, save up for a vacation, or begin a new home improvement project. A basement finishing project involves many steps and requires experienced and licensed professionals to do the work.
Suppose you decide to take on some of the smaller projects that make up a basement finishing project. Costs to finish a basement can be high, and the additional costs associated with the project can quickly add up.
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