what order should i finish my basement

What order should I finish my basement?

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

Full Answer

What should I consider when finishing a basement?

Have an escape route. You should plan ahead for emergencieswhen finishing a basement. Local building codes may demand egress windows in order for a basement room to be considered a bedroom, and an enclosed closet may also be required.

What should I consider when choosing the right flooring for my basement?

Once your subfloor is set, follow the installation instructions on the flooring type you purchased, or consider hiring a professional if you aren’t comfortable. Have kids or pets that will be using the finished basement? Be sure to consider them when you pick your flooring type to help make the best use of your new space.

What should be installed during the trim stage of a basement?

All trim, stairway banister railings, possibly even some crown molding and chair-rail, base trim and other trim are all installed during this stage. Your basement “jumps to life” during the trim stage and really starts to look “finished”!Also…if your building a custom bar or kitchen area, I like to install all of my cabinetry during the trim stage.

How much does it cost to finish a basement?

On average, it costs about $25-$50 per square foot to finish a basement. However, there are a lot of factors that go into renovating a basement, so if you choose top-of-the-line lighting and flooring, expect the estimate to go up. On average, expect to spend around $30,000 for a complete basement finish, including walls, ceiling and floors.

What is the proper way to finish a basement?

4:215:53How to Finish a Basement Properly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFace of the panels wall panels like these deliver r16 of insulating value. And they're also highlyMoreFace of the panels wall panels like these deliver r16 of insulating value. And they're also highly resistant to moisture. Because they contain no sealed wall cavities. And if your foundation is out of

When finishing a basement do you do walls or floor first?

In most cases the exterior walls are the first thing to go up. Run the wiring and plumbing if needed insulation and then sub-flooring and drywall comes last. Try to use 2x6 on all the exterior walls to increase your insulation R-value 2x4 for room walls and other barrier walls is fine.

In what order do you finish a room?

Steps to Remodeling a RoomPlanning the Project. The planning phase of a room remodeling project is crucial. ... Starting the Remodel. ... Add New Framing. ... Wiring, Plumbing and Ductwork. ... Beef Up the Insulation. ... Drywall, Tape and Mud. ... The Big Finish.

Whats the most expensive part of finishing a basement?

Flooring and wall coverings like paneling are the biggest expenses, making up approximately 15% of the total cost to finish a 1,200 square-foot basement, Sebring says.

What should be done first when remodeling a basement?

What to Do Before You Start Renovating Your BasementStep 1: Clean Out Your Basement. ... Step 2: Complete a Moisture Test in the Basement. ... Step 3: Research Local Building Permits and Building Codes for Basements. ... Step 4: Gather Materials and Tools.

What is the first thing to do when finishing a basement?

Many unfinished basements have simple concrete walls. To finish them, you'll need to first insulate, then frame, and then finish up with drywall.

How do you layout a basement?

1:272:40How to Plan a Basement Layout - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet yourself some tape start taping out your walls start taping out your kitchen. And give yourselfMoreGet yourself some tape start taping out your walls start taping out your kitchen. And give yourself an idea of what the flow will be like what the distance will be between countertops.

How much does it cost to finish a 1500 sq ft basement?

Finishing a basement typically costs between $7 and $23 per square foot with an average of $25 per square foot. Most homeowners can expect to pay from $2,800 to $33,985, or $18,395 on average, for a 400 to 1,500 square foot space. The price includes labor, materials and any permits you need.

In what order should you remodel?

Farkash says to begin with the repairs in your first-priority room, and then move onto the cosmetic changes after they are completed. Alternatively, think of it this way: Get the more intense projects out of the way first.

Is finishing a basement a good investment?

Great Return on Investment In the United States, on average, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. For example, if you spent $1,000 on improvements, it would increase the value of the property by about $700.

Can you finish a basement for 5000?

Average Cost to Remodel a Basement Remodeling a basement costs $5,000-$10,000 on average, so you can easily finish your basement for $10,000 or less.

How can I save money to remodel my basement?

7 ways to save on your basement remodelOpt for an inexpensive, prefabricated egress window and well. ... Test exterior walls for moisture before finishing. ... Cut out some studs. ... Install drop ceilings. ... Skip the carpet and install luxury vinyl tile instead. ... Add a bathroom (or at least a half bath) near existing plumbing.More items...•

What does HVAC stand for in basement?

The HVAC stands-for Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning, and your basement needs these elements to stay healthy! During this stage you will install your HVAC “Feed runs” and Return-air runs” which feed and return the heating and air-conditioning to your new finished areas.

Is it easier to paint trim before installing?

It’s so much easier to paint the doors and trim before they’re installed …much less “cutting-in” work once the trim and doors have been installed! Trim Stage. Once your all painted-up it’s time to begin my favorite stage of the project…the trim. Trimming is like the putting-on the “crown jewels” of the basement project.

How do you finish a basement - Start Small

You need to think big, start small and fail fast . This is a mantra I stress regularly in my day time profession as a digital marketer but it applies to basement finishing as well.

Plan a little, do a little, progress not perfection

Ok, so you started and finished a small wall project. Now, how do you finish a basement? Next, you do want to start designing your basement. You don't have to do everything, just enough to get the permit and know where to go next.

The 8 Major Phases to Finish your Basement

The way I count it there are 8 major basement finishing phases. They occur in this general order, although they can overlap.

But wait, there's more

You also now possess what I've termed, the 'skeleton skill'. You know how to learn. Once you learn how to learn you can do almost anything you want. With electrical, you took something you knew nothing about, read books, websites and watched videos and now you can do almost any residential electrical work.

What is a drop ceiling in a basement?

If the ceiling in your basement isn’t finished yet you’ll need to decide whether to add a drywall ceiling or a suspended ceiling (also called drop ceiling). While drywall looks nicer, dropped ceilings allow you to access any plumbing or wires that may be in the basement ceiling.

What do electricians do in a basement?

An electrician can take care of this job as well as wire your entire basement safely and efficiently. The electrician should install all of your switches, outlets and lighting so that you don’t have to worry about any of that. Once he is finished, you are a step closer to enjoying your basement.

Can you put a subpanel in your basement?

Ideally, you will have a basement subpanel installed in your basement to handle of the power down there.

Can radon be found in a basement?

Radon is odorless and invisible and can be found in any home, no matter the location or the age. The best thing that you can do is test your basement for radon and find out if you have a problem. If you do, you want to have a professional fix your radon issue so that your family isn’t exposed to the harmful gas.

Can you put an electric fireplace in a basement?

If you don’t have air conditioning and heat in your basement, you can also opt to hire a HVAC pro to put it in. Many homeowners choose not to add it since a basement usually keeps cool during the summer and an electric fireplace can be used to warm it up in the winter when you want to use it.

Do you need to waterproof a basement?

Since basements are underground, there are moisture and water issues that you want to prepare for. To be safe, you may need to waterproof the space so you don’t have any issues in the future. Some decide to take on this step alone while others hire an expert.

Can you paint a wall after a floor is dry?

Once you have the floor taken care of, it’s time to think about the walls. You can finish with paint (or wallpaper or panels but those usually don’t look good) depending on your preference. After everything is dry and had the proper time to set, you can bring in your furniture and start decorating your space.

Why do you finish a basement?

However you plan to use the extra space, a finished basement ensures your home's lower level doesn't go to waste. Besides expanding your home's functional space, finishing a basement can give the property's value a major boost. To pull off a successful basement remodel, proper planning is essential. Here's what to expect when you finish a basement.

How many chest x-rays are there in a basement?

Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that seeps into basements from surrounding soils. Uncontrolled, it can expose you and your family to the equivalent of 200 chest x-rays annually. Test for it with charcoal-base collectors, or hire a licensed radon contractor. Local utility companies may offer radon testing.

Can you use an unfinished basement as storage?

While an unfinished basement works great as extra storage space, your basement could be used much more effectively if it were finished. A lower-level remodel can transform that under-utilized space into an additional living area, such as a home theater, craft room, or playroom, your family will love to hang out in.

Is finishing a basement a good investment?

Finishing a basement can be a good investment. According to cost versus value surveys conducted annually by Remodeling magazine, the average return on investment for a basement project nationally is currently around 75 cents on the dollar.

Do you need an enclosed closet in a basement?

Local building codes may demand egress windows in order for a basement room to be considered a bedroom, and an enclosed closet may also be required.

Can you use drop ceiling tiles in a basement?

Drop ceiling tiles work well in basements because they can be individually moved to access plumbing pipes or electrical hookups if needed. An installed drywall ceiling is another good option, but remember that ceiling textures can easily flake off. Regardless of the style you select, remember that the highest level of your basement ceiling is the same height as the lowest hanging pipe, duct, or wire.

1. Your virtual meetings keep getting interrupted by the kids

The new normal is here… you’re working from home, virtual has become the new way of joining meetings, and the once quiet office has now been piled into your spare bedroom.

Could you use more space?

This is a very common problem for homeowners recently. If you do not have a designated place for an office in the upstairs of your home, your basement may be the perfect space to create the home office you need.

2. You are tired of tripping over toys and want your main living room back

This is the most common reason why our homeowners turn to Finished Basements Plus.

4. Your mother in law is moving in or your kid is back from college

Planning for another individual to move into your home can be overwhelming and stressful.