Become a project pro with these 12 basement remodeling tips. Be prepared with a timeline, budget, and other tips before launching your basement renovation.
If you’re anything like us, you spend a lot of time thinking about how to maximize every square foot of your home. Naturally, that includes the somewhat spooky, dark basement cellar you have all of your holiday decor stuffed in—hey, no judgment here, just calling it as we see it!
If you’re ready to turn that dusty concrete slab into an inviting, warm, living space, these basement remodeling tips will save you time and money. Best of all, these tips will help you create the basement remodel of your dreams!
There are a lot of tips for making sure your basement remodel goes according to plan. Here are the top 12 tips from industry experts that will keep your renovation on track and on budget.
Go ahead and put the crowbar back where you found it—you aren’t ready to start hacking at the walls quite yet. Actually, we need you to go ahead and save your shopping cart on Amazon, too!
Before you hit “buy now” or start role-playing HGTV’s Fixer-Upper, grab a pen and paper and get ready to do some prep (trust us, you’ll thank yourself later!)
Take a walk around your basement—what do you see? Look for cracks on the floor or walls and for any signs of water damage or mold. See if you can spot any structural issues. You’ll also want to measure the height of your ceilings to make sure you’re up to ICC requirements.
If this already sounds a bit out of your league, then consider a free consultation from an expert to help you identify potential issues ahead of your remodel.
Now, take that pencil and paper and sketch out (or, for those of us who didn’t love art class, list out the requirements) you have for your basement. Imagine how you will use the space and sketch out how you see each room fitting in the space.
Think about your priorities: do you want a kitchenette? Extra bedrooms? Home theater? Any egress windows?
Finishing your basement can vary in cost depending on the scope of your project and the area you live in. Do a bit of research to determine a finished basement cost for your specific project. You’ll want to account for permits, labor costs, and materials.
We recommend setting aside a contingency fund of about 10%-15% of your total budget for unforeseen expenses.
Remember those notes you made earlier about any cracks or mold you might have spotted? Now is the time to take care of those.
Water is the kryptonite of a basement renovation—especially in Michigan. Here’s a test you can conduct to assess if your basement has moisture issues.
Carefully inspect your basement’s structural components for any issues. Use a tool like an awl to check floor joists, sill plates, header joists, and window frames for signs of rot or insect damage.
Visually check from a ladder to spot any sagging in the floor joists. If any problems arise, it’s best to consult a licensed professional before starting your renovation.
It’s time to consult the professionals. Get a licensed electrician and plumber to determine if your current electrical system can handle the increased load of a newly finished space. This can often be the most expensive part of a basement remodel, so you’ll be glad you did this investigation ahead of starting the project.
A home project like finishing your basement will require a permit. Check with your local building department to see what building codes your municipality has regarding codes, permits, and renovation standards.
Pro Tip: working with a licensed contractor will simplify the permit process, as they are familiar with local building codes and will often handle the paperwork on your behalf.
Now you are moving into the fun part—material selection! While you definitely want to consider the look and feel of your materials, you also want to keep an eye on the price and consider the special requirements of a below-grade room.
Look for moisture-resistant materials to prevent mold growth and structural damage. That way, you can keep your basement environment healthier and prevent costly repairs down the line.
As Michiganders know, winter can be brutal. You want to make sure you properly insulate your basement. Bonus: better insulation means better moisture control. Foam insulation and vapor barriers are excellent choices for basement remodels.
You’re probably tired of thinking about it, but we’re going to say it again—choose moisture-resistant flooring for your basement! Luxury vinyl plank is a cost-effective way to add the look of wood while adding a water-resistant material to your basement.
And before you ask, yes—you can still carpet your basement if you wish. Just make sure you also install a moisture-resistant pad beneath the carpet. The same goes for solid hardwood. Otherwise, you’ll see warping and buckling over time.
Basements come with a unique set of design challenges. For instance, the lack of natural light, potentially low ceiling heights, and funky square footage configurations are common. Planning for these unique challenges will save you money and frustration down the road.
If your basement isn’t quite hitting the 7-foot ceiling height requirement, don’t worry! You can relocate ductwork and pipes to snag a few extra inches, or you can consider lowering the floor.
Unless your goal is to build a dungeon-inspired basement, your space will need ample lighting. Consider adding basement windows or faux windows to give the appearance of natural light. You can also add recessed lighting to help create an inviting space with lots of light.
Keep your basement comfy and healthy by managing humidity and ventilation with a quality dehumidifier. You might also want to consider adding an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to keep fresh air flowing without guzzling energy.
“Often, a few simple fixes will solve a moisture problem,” says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. Here are some tips to get you started:
Your home movie theater doesn’t need to shake the kitchen floor. Soundproofing your basement ceiling can be as simple as adding sound-dampening anti-vibration mats or fiberglass batts to help isolate sounds.
Let’s revisit the design you drew up for your basement. Think about the goals you have for this space.
A foolproof way to make sure your basement will continue to meet your needs years down the road is to design it in such a way that allows for versatility. Consider an open space floor plan that can be reconfigured with comfortable seating and unique furniture choices.
We know you need a place for your holiday decorations. Look for ways to add functional storage to the space, like built-in shelving, under the staircase cupboards, or even ottomans and other furniture like Murphy beds that allow for hidden storage.
Choose your lighting wisely to create warm, inviting environments even if you don’t have windows. You can choose from recessed lighting which allows you to maximize ceiling height. You can also use task lighting like desk lamps to create moodier environments.
Let’s be honest—it’s not always cheaper to do it yourself. The good news is that there are some projects that you can absolutely tackle on your own. The others? Well, leave that to the professional contractors.
Painting, installing floors, basic carpentry, and other smaller tasks can be accomplished by homeowners looking to save on labor costs during a basement renovation. Just remember to take your time, do your research, and consult professionals when in doubt.
Plumbing, electrical work, and anything structural or foundational should be handled by basement renovation pros. Doing it right the first time is going to help you stay on budget, avoid costly future mistakes, and remain in code compliance.
Every basement project is different, but here are the basic stages of any basement renovation.
Typically, the preparation phase takes 1-2 weeks and involves obtaining permits, contractor walk-throughs, and ordering materials. You’ll want to clear out the basement and prepare it for construction during this period.
This phase lasts up to 8 weeks depending on the scope of the project. Framing, electrical and plumbing rough-ins, insulation, and drywall will all occur during this phase. You will also see flooring installation and painting occur towards the end of this phase.
Roughly 1-2 weeks will be spent on the trim, doors, fixtures, and adding all of the furniture and decorative elements you’ve selected to the space. This is really where the project springs to life and your personal touches are added.
While a basement renovation is no small feat, there are ways to keep costs down as much as possible.
Consider having an open floor plan to minimize the drywall needed. Choose vinyl or laminate flooring options, and be open to leaving some areas of the basement unfinished if you’re just using it for storage.
Remember that adding a finished basement to your home will increase its value and livability. Here are a few fun ways to add even more value and increase the comfort of your new living space.
Energy-efficient features will help keep utility costs low and increase the overall value of your home. A common option for saving on energy bills is to use LED lights, which use less energy and last longer than traditional light bulbs.
Make sure your basement is sealed to prevent air leaks so that your energy bill is more effective.
It’s 2024 and your basement should feel like it. Adding smart home devices will give your basement a cool edge and allow you more control over the lighting, heating, and entertainment aspects of the space.
As the project wraps up, be sure to check that all electrical work meets codes and that ground fault circuit interrupter electrical outlets (GFCIs) are installed if your basement is prone to moisture. We also recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors.
If your basement contains a guest suite, you need to make sure you have an egress window as well (note this is a rule across the U.S.)
Now that you have the basement of your dreams, you’ll want to keep it in tip-top shape. Check for signs of moisture—especially after bad weather. Keep gutters clean and monitor the grading around your home. If you added a dehumidifier to the space, make sure you clean the filters.
The hardest part of finishing a basement is addressing potential water issues and proper ventilation.
To finish a basement effectively, follow this order:
The most expensive part of finishing a basement typically includes the electrical and plumbing work. These components require specialized skills and materials, significantly increasing costs.
Your basement deserves the best and Finished Basement Plus is here to deliver. Leave your basement remodel to the experts. Book a free consultation today!
