| Finishing your basement can almost double the | | | | installation of windows, then I highly recommend it. |
| square foot living space of your home. A finished | | | | Besides letting light in, windows also add character |
| basement can include new living space such as a | | | | to the finished basement. In addition, ceiling lights |
| recreation room, a game room, a bar and even | | | | should also be included in the finished basement |
| bedrooms and bathrooms. | | | | plans, and the more the better. Finally, workspace |
| Finishing a basement or remodeling a basement is | | | | lighting should be added where necessary and |
| also a relatively inexpensive remodeling job as | | | | each set of workspace lighting should be |
| frequently outside construction is not required. | | | | controlled separately. |
| And since it is not a critical living area it can be | | | | Ceiling height is another major concern when |
| completed at a leisurely pace. Consequently | | | | finishing basements. Frequently homeowners elect |
| finishing a basement is a project that do it | | | | to go with dropped ceilings; however dropped |
| yourself homeowners can tackle. | | | | ceilings can significantly reduce ceiling height if not |
| Prior to the start of finishing a basement, a do it | | | | carefully planned. A drywalled ceiling can preserve |
| yourself homeowner should first develop a well | | | | more ceiling height and give a better finished look |
| thought out finished basement construction plan. | | | | to the basement, however careful planning needs |
| To help in formulating a basement construction | | | | to be made for access points to valves and to |
| plan a homeowner should carefully evaluate the | | | | kitchen and bathroom plumbing traps. |
| condition of their home's existing basement and | | | | Frequently finished basements include home |
| what type of living space they want to achieve in | | | | theater systems. Particular attention should be |
| the finished basement. Frequently when finishing a | | | | given to electrical wiring for basement home |
| basement, the mechanical equipment such as | | | | theater systems. Besides electrical wiring, there is |
| water heaters, furnaces, and water and oil | | | | speaker wire, cable wire, and Cat-5 wiring that is |
| storage tanks will need to be moved. With careful | | | | typically required for a quality home theater |
| planning some of this movement can be | | | | system. |
| minimized. | | | | With a well thought out basement remodeling plan |
| When finishing a basement a homeowner should | | | | a finished basement can be major plus to your |
| also consider any water or moisture problems | | | | home, both in personal utilization and resale value. |
| that do exist or could exist in the basement. | | | | Addressing up front key items such as basement |
| Perimeter drains may be required. In addition the | | | | water and moisture issues, as well as lighting and |
| exterior and interior concrete walls of the | | | | ceiling heights concerns, can help to ensure you |
| basement may need to be sealed. | | | | get the finished basement you have been |
| If a bathroom or wet bar is to be installed, then | | | | dreaming about. |
| plumbing will need to be carefully considered, | | | | For more help on finishing your basement, see |
| particularly if the home is on a private septic | | | | HomeAdditionPlus.com's Basement Remodeling Bid |
| system. A pump up waste water system may | | | | sheet. The Basement Remodeling Bid Sheet will |
| be required and if so a portion of the existing | | | | help ensure that your bathroom remodeling |
| concrete floor may need to be removed to allow | | | | project goes smoothly and you get the finished |
| room for the drain lines and pump-up system. | | | | basement you are looking for. In addition it will |
| Lighting is another important aspect of finishing a | | | | help to ensure that finishing your basement will be |
| basement. If natural light can be installed, via the | | | | accomplished on time and on budget. |