Basement finishing with a professional can help get your renovation completed as quickly as possible while making sure that your project is done to code by hiring a quality basement renovation contractor to take care of the construction for you. Finishing a basement can also significantly boost the real estate value of your home if it is done well and your plans take advantage of this space to turn it into a useful room that people will enjoy. Before hiring a contractor to finish your basement, it is important to have some ideas and a plan in place for construction.
A basement renovation contractor may provide some ideas that can range anywhere from adding a workshop in your basement to turning it into a living room to entertain family and guests. The type of basement and size of your room will largely determine what options are available to you, but keeping an open mind and enlisting the help of a basement finishing contractor may let you explore some exciting ideas to enhance your lifestyle and make use of under used space. Wine connoisseurs may enjoy the addition of a wine cellar to display and store an impressive collection of wine, or if you enjoy exercise, turning your basement into a functioning exercise room to rival a gym is another possibility. A large basement can also function as an additional source of income as a rental suite, offsetting the cost of your basement finishing and in the long run, helping to pay off your mortgage with the extra income after the costs of the rental suite have been paid for.
Making a plan
You can hire a basement finishing contractor or a designer to help you with planning your renovation, but most homeowners will be able to get started with the planning phase of a renovation on their own. A basement finishing plan is started by drawing a rough sketch of the floor plan. This is when you will want to take note of electrical panels, the water heater, duct work and plumbing to plan accordingly. You can save a lot of money simply by arranging features of your basement to be built closer to the source. For instance, a second bathroom placed closer to a plumbing feature can help reduce costs of extending the plumbing across the room. Determining the new or enhanced functions of your basement begin here. If you have young children, designing a play area will give them a place to entertain themselves and give you some peace of mind in other areas of the home. Finishing a basement that includes an entertainment area can be a great addition to your home, freeing up additional rooms to become a home office or study. When turning your room into a home theatre, consider sound proofing options to keep the noise contained in the basement.
Finishing projects can get complex, especially if you are converting your basement to a rental suite for added income. Having all of the functions in an apartment that make it a self contained rental unit can mean extensive renovations to add in extra plumbing for a bathroom and kitchen. It will also mean dealing with the electrical requirements and ventilation. Large basement finishing projects require more planning if you want to reduce costs and take full advantage of your space.
Basement renovation permits
Hiring a basement renovation contractor who is insured and competent will mean that you do not have to worry about obtaining building permits on your own. An extensive basement renovation may require a visit from a building inspector and having a qualified contractor to do the finishing work for you will mean that you will not have to involve yourself in the process of getting the correct permits. A competent contractor may also help you with basement finishing ideas so that you can take full advantage of the space and make sure that it is living up to it's full potential. Permit requirements can change drastically from region to region and having a qualified contractor to obtain your building permits and make sure that your renovation passes inspection if it is required can be an invaluable service.
Basement Flooring
When you consider what type of flooring to put into your basement, keep in mind what the long term use of the basement is intended to be and plan accordingly. A play area for kids might be more suited to a durable carpet or area rugs to give them something soft to crash land on while an entertainment room in your basement may benefit from a nice stained poured concrete floor to give the basement a warm, inviting feeling. It is important to deal with any moisture problems that you may have before building, and simply laying down flooring over a leaky or moist floor will not do. Ruined carpet from a leak in the foundation is costly to replace and you will want to avoid moisture problems in the basement at all costs. A basement waterproofing contractor will be able to help you to repair structural problems that should be addressed whether or not you are going to finish your basement.
Things to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring
Hiring a contractor to finish your basement comes with more perks than simply having a qualified contractor renovate your basement. Contractors can often get deals on building materials, saving you a significant amount on your renovation. A contractor will also be able to deal with older building materials that contain harmful things like asbestos or adhesives that are no longer in use.
Are you insured to complete a basement finishing renovation?
How did you get your building experience?
Do you have any references that I can contact?
Is there a written warranty that you offer for this basement renovation?
Do I need any permits for these basement upgrades?
Are there different materials that I can use for construction?
Get a Basement Renovation Contract in Writing
Most importantly, having a contract in place before you begin work is essential and any reputable contractor will agree to a written contract. You can view a sample basement renovation contract from Contractor Quotes to help get you started, but it should only be used as a guide and you will need to have the contract reviewed by a professional to account for any local bylaws and regional differences in codes that can affect your contract.
