What should I do with my basement?

Here are some basement remodeling ideas to help you get started!

Go Double with Living Rooms. madebycarli.
Turn a Basement Space into a Bedroom.
Make a Small Apartment.
Sweat It Out in a Home Gym.
Entertain Guests with a Wet Bar.
Show Off Your Wine Collection.
Let Your Kids Be Free in a Playroom.
Give Laundry a Designated Area.

Similarly, where do you start when finishing a basement?

Here are the steps to take to finish your basement walls:

Step 1: Install Insulation. One of the easiest and most effective ways to insulate a basement's exterior walls is adding polystyrene foam insulation directly to your foundation walls.
Step 2: Frame Your Walls.
Step 3: Install Drywall.

Also Know, is it worth it to finish a basement? Understanding How Finished Basements Are Valued Space above-ground is worth more. This makes perfect sense as the cost of finished basement space is far more inexpensive to add than above grade living area. You can find various estimates of the value of basements, ranging between 50% and 70% of the above-ground value.

Accordingly, how much does it cost to finish a 1000 sq ft basement?

How Much to Finish a Basement: DIY vs. Pro

Size	DIY Cost	Professional Cost
Small (< 700 square feet)	$5,500	$15,000
Average (700-1,000 square feet)	$8,000	$18,500
Large (1,000+ square feet)	$15,000	$35,000

What is the cheapest way to finish a basement?

How To Finish Your Basement On A Budget

Start Small—But With Flair. When people use up their budget on redoing the entire basement, the result may look bland, says Leah Smith of Ohio-based contractor Buckeye Basements.
Keep It Dry.
Get Creative With Flooring.
Don Your Painting Clothes.
Change It Up.
Clear The Air.
Check The Codes.

33 Related Question Answers Found

Do I need permit to finish basement?

When renovating a basement to add livable space, permits are required and architectural plans will need to be filed with the DOB. Refinishing the basement is one of those projects that people think they can do without a building permit, because the work isn't visible from the street. However, that is a mistake.

Do basement walls need to breathe?

It behaves as a moisture trap and can also hide structural problems and cracks in the foundation. Bottom line: basement walls need to breathe too.

What is the best flooring for cement floor in basement?

Ceramic tile is the designer's choice, with tons of colors and styles. It's unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that's smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

Can you finish a basement yourself?

Steps to Finishing a Basement: Planning and getting started. Your basement can be more than a utility and storage area. With some forethought and good techniques, you can make it as warm, comfortable and inviting as any other room in the house. But, make no mistake about it: Finishing a basement is a big job.

What to Know Before finishing a basement?

10 Things You Must Know: Finishing a Basement

Know the Code.
Consider the Fasteners.
Add a Vapor Barrier.
Create an Offset Space.
Keep Out the Cold and the Warmth In.
Drop Ceilings Provide Easy Access.
Give Your Lighting a Recess.
Add Some Warmth at the Baseboards.

How can I make my basement livable?

Simple Ways to Make Your Basement More Livable

Seal the Walls. Basements often feel damp and chilly and sometimes contain an unpleasant smell.
Improve the Floor. The hard concrete floor in most basements makes the space uncomfortable, but you may not want to spend the money necessary to install nice carpeting.
Brighten Things Up.
Put in Furniture.

How much does it cost to drywall a 1000 sq ft basement?

The average cost to frame a basement is $1 per square foot for the materials and $2.70 to $3.39 per square foot installed with drywall and ready for painting.

Cost to Frame a Basement.

Square Feet	Materials Cost	Framed and Drywall Installed
1,000	$1,000	$3,050
1,200	$1,200	$3,660
1,500	$1,500	$4,575
1,800	$1,800	$5,490

How much does it cost to put a bathroom in a basement?

What is the Average Cost to Add a Bathroom to a Basement? An install in your basement will run you $10,000-$15,000 on average. This includes materials and labor. If you're adding it in a basement under an existing one, you can simply pull down the plumbing to save time and expense.

How long does it take to drywall a basement?

Drywall installation takes as little as one day and as long as four weeks, including the time it takes to prep and clean up debris. The amount of time depends on the size of the project, framing needs, and level of finish.

What makes a basement finished?

A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls. Below are some questions that can help determine the state of a basement.

How much does a finished basement add to home value?

Appraisers will generally value finished basement space at 50% to 60% of the value of the above grade square footage. This is why market experts recommend keeping the basement budget below 10% of the existing home's value. Staying between 5-10% is a great plan.

Does a wet bar add value to a home?

Adding Wet Bar Can Add Value To Your Home. A wet bar is a luxury space in the home with many practical purposes. Adding a wet bar can be a great weekend project that can add value to your home.

How do I build a room in my basement?

Use either the 3-4-5 or diagonal method to make sure all corners are square. Erect walls and set them plumb with a level. Fasten bottom plates to the basement floor with concrete nails. Slide a two-by-four into the 1 1/2-inch gap at the top, between the top plate and the floor joists above it.

Do bedrooms in basement count?

HUD further elaborates specifically on basement bedrooms that: As a rule basement space does not count as habitable space. If the bedroom does not have proper light and ventilation, the room can not be included in the gross living area. The appraiser must consider the intended use or function of the room.

Should I buy a house with an unfinished basement?

In many cases, you would pay less to finish a basement yourself than to buy a home with the work already done. If you want a custom home but cannot afford to build one from the foundation up, then a home with an unfinished basement can be a great way to add your own personal design to your home affordably.

What is the cheapest way to finish a basement floor?

Cheap Basement Flooring Ideas

Epoxy and Concrete Paint. Paint is generally your cheapest basement floor option.
Concrete Stain and Sealer. Concrete stain is another inexpensive option.
Linoleum or Vinyl.
Ceramic Tile Flooring.
Rubber and Foam Mats.
Traditional Carpet Flooring.
Laminate or Engineered Hardwood.

What are the steps of finishing a basement?

Below is a list of 8 steps to finish your basement.

Framing. If you have been putting off your project wondering where to start, building the frames of the basement walls is a perfect starting point.
Electrical work.
Plumbing.
4. Entertainment.
installing the drywall.
Painting.
Setting up the door.
flooring.