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Also, with the
trend in smaller lot sites for homes, finishing a basement or lower level may be
the only choice a homeowner has in obtaining more living space within their
home.
Finished
Basement Costs
Costs for finishing
a basement can vary widely depending on what your plans are for the space.
However, for a rough order of magnitude estimate you can expect to pay around
$20 - $25 per square foot in construction costs for a basic finished basement or
finished lower level.
For example, a 1000 square foot basic finished basement will cost you in the
neighborhood of $25,000 for Framing, Electric, Insulation and Sheetrock. The
cost can go dramatically higher if you have plans for bathrooms, wet-bars, wine
cellars and/or home entertainment centers.
Ideal Building
Lots for Finished Basements or Finished Lower Levels
Not every home or
building lot is ideal for a finished basement or finished lower level. The best
building lots for a finished lower level have gentle slopes or grades that allow
a side of the finished basement to include windows and a walkout door.
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The natural light
that this type of building lot affords can really add to the possibilities in a
finished basement or lower level. Basement
Waterproofing / Sealing
Prior to starting a
finished basement remodeling project you should carefully assess the basement
foundation and floor for water and moisture problems. Every basement has high
moisture levels, and as such, accommodations should be made for the installation
of a permanent dehumidifier.
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Without the use of
a dehumidifier even so-called dry finished basements will eventually show signs
of mold and mildew.
In addition, you
should waterproof your basement’s interior concrete walls and floors to help
reduce the level of moisture that wicks its way through the concrete walls and
floor, and into the basement living space. Also, if there are signs of water
penetration via cracks and white stains on the floors and walls, you should
seriously consider installing a basement waterproofing sealer on the outside of
the foundation as well, prior to starting the basement remodeling project
itself.
Basement
Mechanical Access and Function
You also need to
consider furnaces and other mechanical fixtures that are located in your
basement. Frequently it is impossible, impractical or just too plain costly to
move these items. Consequently you need to develop a solid floorplan for your
finished basement that can work around these obstructions in the most efficient
way while ensuring they can still perform their functions properly. For example,
a furnace needs to intake air to burn fuel. As a result, you need to allow for
ventilation to enable the furnace to burn fuel properly.
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You also need to
consider access to these mechanical systems, and even the eventual replacement
of them. Access considerations should include not only boxed in service panels
to turn on and off valves, but also even items such as door dimensions to enable
the eventual removal and replacement of furnaces, oil tanks, water filter
systems, etc.
Finished
Basement or Finished Lower Level Ceilings
Another major
consideration when finishing a basement or lower level is the type of finished
basement ceiling. The height of the floor joists above the floor, and/or the number and
location of pipes can sometimes dictate your choice. Though more difficult to
do, a sheetrocked ceiling gives a more finished look to a basement. However, a
dropped ceiling does offer easy access and simplicity in framing and
construction. Again, proper planning is necessary to determine how best to
install either a sheetrocked ceiling or a dropped ceiling. If a sheetrock
ceiling is preferred, duct work needs to be box framed in and service panels
need to be accounted for to obtain access to upper level bathtub J-traps,
plumbing valves and other mechanical service panels.
Though a finished
basement or finished lower level project has its issues and requires careful planning, today’s housing
market trends suggests that finished basements / lower levels are highly sought after.
Consequently, if done right, a finished basement or lower level space is a great
investment and can be a real asset to your home’s long term equity.
For more help on Finishing
Basements, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Basement Remodeling Bid sheet. The
Basement Remodeling Bid Sheet will help
ensure that your hire the right contractor so that your basement remodeling
project is done
correctly and you get the project finished on time and budget.
How to Finance your Basement Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.Related
Basement Remodeling Information
Additional Basement Remodeling Resources
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remodeling contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to
continue once you receive your basement remodeling price estimate.
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