Beginning Your Basement Remodeling Project

If you are thinking of basement remodeling, either a small project or an entire basement renovation, these ideas will get you off to a good start.

The basement is an often under-utilized part of our homes. Many people just end up using it as a large storage area.

Sure, the basement contains pipes, electrical wires, ductwork, a furnace and other items that may not be pleasing to the eye, but with a bit of investment in terms of planning, time and money, your basement remodel can result in lots of additional living space that is both functional and attractive.

Your basement may be the perfect place to get more living space in your home on a modest budget.

So start dreaming and planning. Don't worry about the unsightly parts of the basement. You can easily hide those elements behind cupboards, doors and bulkheads and create a service area for the house. Just remember not to hide on/off taps or other things you may have to get to behind solid walls.

Some popular uses of basement space include a guest room, game room or TV room, a party room with a bar, an office or study, a workshop, home gym and another bathroom. Interior design software can be a real help with basement renovation designs and come at a very reasonable price.

Make sure you also check what building permits you may need before beginning your basement remodel. Building permits may be required, depending on what work you are planning to do. It is best to make sure you are in compliance before you begin, because if it is discovered later that you don't have the necessary permissions, you can be made to remove what you have built.

The first issue in your basement remodeling project that you may have to address is excess moisture. Many basements have a problem with moisture.

Here is a good tip to see if you have moisture problems - Place a sheet of plastic on to one of your basement walls, tape it all around and leave it for a few days. If water forms on the front of the plastic, the dampness is caused by condensation. If moisture forms behind the plastic after a few days, your problem is probably due to moisture coming in through the walls from outdoors.

The moisture problems must be addressed before you begin any basement remodeling. If you don't fix it at this point, it will cost you over time, because excess moisture can ruin any remodeling you do. The problem may just require a simple fix, like rerouting a drainpipe, but consult an expert and make sure you have a dry basement before you begin.

Whatever your basement remodeling ideas, there are certain details that will have to be addressed. Although the basement has natural insulation from the earth around the outside walls, any outside walls will still need to be insulated in cooler climates.

You will also need to incorporate appropriate amounts of ventilation and lighting into your plans. Basement lighting can include overhead pot lights, ceiling fixtures and table lighting. Make sure your plans include lots of electrical boxes for lighting fixtures, TV and other media, computers, refrigerators and freezers. A good suggestion is to always add more electrical outlets than you think you will need. You will be amazed over time at the uses you will find for them.

Once the framing, electrical and insulation are in place, you can begin dry walling it all. Here's a good tip for minimizing the mess that comes with dry walling. Lay rosin paper on the floor to collect all the bits and pieces that will accumulate. Rosin paper is commonly used to protect floors from spills, paint, tools and equipment, dirt and gravel. It is inexpensive and will make cleanup much easier. Just roll it up and discard it when you are done.

We hope these basement renovation ideas will help get your project off to a good start.