Basement Refinishing

There is no more certain way of raising the value of your home than by adding temperature-controlled square footage. An easy way to accomplish this is to refinish your basement. Your basement has already been secured by load-bearing walls and posts, and assuming its structural integrity is intact, a refinishing project is mostly cosmetic. After a few initial hurdles are cleared, your creativity and style will be what matters most.

When considering a basement refinishing project, first determine how much time and money you want to spend in completing this project. If your budget is small, you are probably going to be interested in simple cosmetic changes, such as installing a home theater or game room. However, if your family is expanding, and your current basement needs to be converted into living, sleeping and bath areas, your budget will need to be considerably larger. To get started, develop a rough idea of the scope of your project and what you want the final appearance to be.

The first major obstacle to clear when deciding on a basement refinishing project is moisture. Moisture is a persistent problem in subterranean areas, even in those spaces encased by concrete. A waterproofing contractor should be consulted to determine what measures should be taken to protect your refinished area from moisture damage. Don’t be fooled into thinking that recent improvements in drywall and carpet can resist water damage. Some recommendations a contractor might make could be handled by you and a few simple tools. For instance, the soil outside your basement walls should slope away from the house rather than toward it. Additionally, any gutter downspouts that drain directly onto the basement walls should be diverted to drain away from the house.

The next hurdle is to research your state’s code on basement living areas. Most states require an exit window, called an egress window, if there is no exterior door to the current basement. This will ensure the safety of any persons who might be in the basement during an emergency.

If your project is a major overhaul to your existing basement, calling a professional to re-plumb and re-wire the electricity is strongly recommended.

At completion, your basement refinishing project will not only have added dramatically to the value of your home by increasing its size, but your family will have more room to relax. And if you are selling your home, be sure to list that additional square footage!