Tips in Getting Started to Remodel the Basement

There is no doubt about it; if you remodel the basement you will add more value and equity into your home. In fact it is one of the best home improvement projects to do just that. It's basically "free" space that can give you plenty of extra square feet to put in a family room, bedrooms, baths, etc. But, before starting any kind of basement remodeling project you will want to accomplish several things first. Here's a look at a few good tips to keep in mind when contemplating a new basement remodel.

Of course, the very first thing you will want to do is decide on whether you are going to do the remodeling job yourself or hire an outside contractor. There are advantages to both, but if you do not have the necessary experience in areas such as electrical wiring, carpentry and plumbing, then hiring a contractor is your best bet. That said if you do have some basic carpentry skills, doing the work yourself will give you a great deal of satisfaction and pride that will last a lifetime.

If you do choose to remodel yourself you will next want to design the project and come up with plans on how you want to do it. Are you only going to basically paint the walls, add a floor or a few walls, etc?

Once you have your plan it's time to clean out the basement. This is the perfect time to bring the kids into the mix! Make it a family clean up project. You definitely have to remove all the junk before you begin painting, nailing 2x4's and building walls, and the list goes on.

Once you have everything cleared out of the basement, do a good inspection. What do the walls look like? Is there any type of mold problem? Are there cracks in the foundation or floor? Do you have water coming in anywhere? These are all very important issues that can greatly affect your entire basement remodeling project, or even bring it to a screeching halt.

If you do notice problem areas that need addressed, be sure you address them. Don't make the mistake of simply trying to cover them up. It will always come back to hurt you later. I've seen it happen so many times. And then when it does, you're looking at spending even more money in the future to make it right. So do it right the first time and you'll be happier down the road.

Now that you have accomplished all the preparation work, you can begin your basement remodel project. Put these tips into action and you will make your home improvement project go a whole lot smoother.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/tips-in-getting-started-to-remodel-the-basement-385504.html

Author: Terry Edwards

About the Author:

You can find out more about how to Remodel The Basement as well as much more information on everything to do with basements and basement remodeling at http://www.BasementTips.com

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Typically a utility area, the basement is often overlooked. But with a good amount of creativity, it can be the ultimate solution for your space issues. So whether you are in Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island; a basement remodeling project will add considerably to the living space of the family. And the benefit does not end here as the result will also improve the whole household’s quality of living and boost the overall value of your New York home.

Other than the given benefits, there are also advantages that makes basement remodeling a more ideal project to undertake than home addition.

• The out-of-the-way location poses fewer disturbances to the rest of the household.
• Since the foundation is readily there, expenses on construction of the ceiling, walls and floor are cutback.
• With the utilities like HVAC systems and amenities such as electricity and plumbing found in the area, creating a living space out of the basement is easier.

To create a success out of your basement remodeling project, there are certain essentials that you have to look into.

Waterproofing

To ensure that whatever finish you have in mind for your basement remodeling project lasts, waterproofing is one crucial step to take. In this area, the most common problem includes moisture and humidity, flooding, molds and fungus and all these should be eliminated and controlled. Depending on what your current water issues are, will be the waterproofing methods to use that can range from simply coating the walls with water-tight vapor barrier formulas to more expensive techniques such as jack hammering.

Basement Remodeling Design

Designing a basement poses a whole different set of challenges. The typical use and nature of the area which is mostly underground requires the homeowner and hired contractor to deal with:
• Ductwork;
• Appliances such as heat pump, water heater, washer and dryer, furnace, etc.;
• Support beams or poles;
• Entry and exit points;

Though the rerouting of pipes or total renovation of these basement features is possible, these works can also be extremely complex and expensive. The cost-effective way to go about things is using your creativity in making them work with the overall design but still providing access to important amenities.

Your basement remodeling design should also ensure that there is adequate lighting (both natural and artificial), enough insulation, and comfortable levels of heating, cooling and ventilation. Adding windows or replacing current windows with larger ones help maximize use of natural light, helping you cutback on energy costs. The subterranean nature of the basement also makes it naturally warm in colder months and cooler in summer.

photo credit: JAGwired

Basement Remodeling Ideas

Depending on yours ad your family’s lifestyle and preferences, the basement can be turned into just about any room. There are also more ideal use, considering the isolation and privacy that the location provides. Some of the most common basement remodeling finishes includes: a bedroom suitable for your growing teen, home office, home theatre, music room, recreational area or game room, a playpen for kids, a studio for the artist in the family, crafts workshop, guest bedroom, and others.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/top-tips-for-a-successful-basement-remodeling-project-871390.html

Author: Eugene Makeev

About the Author:

Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid the common pitfalls by matching their basement remodeling needs with prescreened contractors that specialize in basement finishing NYC. Avail of our free calculator of basement remodeling cost.

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More and more homeowners have found the necessity of remodeling basements today. This is mainly for space and expansion purposes. Consequently, the trend in promoting a unique and practical basement remodeling idea is becoming a business. In fact the first of the many things to consider in doing a remodeling project starts with a good idea. If you have a plan of finishing up your basement, this is the article for you.

Like any other renovations, there are points to consider doing a basement project too. You should have a checklist of items you need in completing your basement project. Remember that it all starts with the perfect basement concept.

-Make a plan. Your basement remodeling idea should follow the existing house plan. The shape of the walling should be the same. Except that each floor is being design according to function. Usually, basements are left out in design plans. Also bear in mind that plumbing and ducting are found here. So include this in you to-do list when designing your plan. This is where you start exploring on new concepts to build.

- Make a list of the tools, equipments and materials that you will need for the project. Of course this is important. Since a basement renovation involves construction, it involves the purchase of wood frames, wall covering, floor tiles, and decorations. Also remember that you would not be buying them without understanding what to use of them and how. So you also need tools and equipment. This should be easy for you.

- It is important to waterproof the basement before you begin with remodeling. Consider the preparatory steps. No matter how beneficial your basement remodeling idea is, its usability can only be optimized if preparations are met with high importance. This includes waterproofing your walls and floors. Your basement is prone to moisture and pressure from its surrounding subsoil. Check out what's the best waterproofing product to use. This must be in your checklist as well.

- Consider both the aesthetics and the functionality. Basement windows and doors are not just ordinary doors. There are many things to consider in what types to use as well as its properties. Ceilings should be included too. A basement window for example is not like any window elsewhere in your house. Coming up with a well planned basement remodeling idea requires the correct installations and types of things that constitutes aesthetic value and function.

- Identify the purpose of your remodeling. Compartmentalize your basement if you need to. There's lots of space there and you can optimize it by knowing what to use of each room in your basement. While drafting the plan for your basement remodeling idea, you should already know what rooms to put there. Examples of these are guest rooms, a mini-basement bar, home office, etc.

The bigger the basement, the more you can do with it. There is no limit as to what you want to do with it. You are still in the planning stage right now. Just finish the plan first. That should also give you enough time to save some money. When the time is right to work out your plan, then you'd be ready.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/things-to-consider-in-your-basement-remodeling-idea-308396.html

Author: Casey Torren

About the Author:

Running out of basement remodeling idea? Discover advices from basement insulating to basement organizing.

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Maybe one of the most often cited reasons that people sell their homes and move is to get more space.  The problem arises when you want space in your home for another bedroom for a child or for an office, work out room or a playroom for the children and there just isn’t physical space for it where you live.  But before you go to all the expense and effort of moving to get more room for those functions, you may have an entire floor that you are not using literally right under your feet.  For less than the costs of moving into a larger house, you can remodel your basement and create those special new rooms that you always wanted.

The basement is an outstanding location on your home to create a playroom for the children.  By putting them downstairs, the noise of their video games and the general mayhem that children need to be able to create because they are children can be contained to a space where the noise will not distract the adults.  It is a good place to put the kids for a sleepover because they can take sleeping bags down there and feel like they are rouging it but be safe underground with the only exit being those stairs.  You can secure them in that playroom so there is no possibility of "sneak outs".

Once you open up the basement as a potential space to be used by family members, dad may eye it as a potential place for his new office.  By taking a corner of the basement and putting the paneling and carpet to make it a cozy office, dad can set up his internet connections down there and escape the hubbub of family life to get his paperwork done in peace and quiet.  It could be that if dad has a great office like that, if he did have to work on a project for work, he would work at home where he is still available for hugs at bedtime or to counsel a child who needs his sage advice.

The steps to remodel a basement are really not that much more involved as renovating any other area of your home.  Depending on what kind of room structure is already down there, you may have to put up a few walls and do some work on the insulation, heating and cooling so the basement is comfortable for whatever uses you decide it is for year round. 

But with a little extra lighting and the addition of bathroom facilities and some paneling and carpet, the rooms of your basement could be transformed into perhaps the rooms that the family loves to be in the most.  And if you saved the cost of moving by using space that currently might be not be in use except for storage, you will be glad you took the time you captured your basement and turned it into a family place. 

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