| When you find yourself in need of additional living | | | | finishing your basement in order to create both a |
| space, consider your basement as the place to grow. | | | | playroom for children and an in-law suite for parents, |
| You will be surprised at how easy it can be to claim | | | | you might want to put them at opposite ends of the |
| that unused space for a remarkably small investment. | | | | basement area. |
| Deciding to finish a basement can offer almost | | | | * Consider the noise from the rooms above. Either |
| unlimited possibilities to meet the needs of a growing | | | | locate the rooms that will be used frequently in the |
| family or simply to enhance your lifestyle. You can | | | | basement under quieter rooms upstairs or consider |
| also finish a basement in stages, as your budget | | | | adding sound insulating board on the ceiling in the |
| permits additional work. | | | | basement. |
| One of the joys of deciding to finish a basement is | | | | The next thing to decide is how many walls you |
| the discovery that the most difficult work and the | | | | actually want to create. Do you want to create a |
| most expensive is probably already done. You already | | | | single large area that has several semi-defined |
| have exterior walls and a floor. You probably also | | | | spaces, or do you want to create discrete rooms for |
| have some windows in place, as well as two points | | | | each function? You might want some combination of |
| of access to the area: stairs from the first floor of | | | | effects, depending on how you will use each space. |
| your home and an external access door or window. | | | | Choose the style of decor and the materials you will |
| First, identify basic needs. Here are some basic initial | | | | use to finish your basement. For example, will the |
| questions to ask and answer: | | | | walls be drywall or paneling? Will the ceiling be drywall |
| 1. Do you need to install plumbing? | | | | or a drop ceiling? How will you treat the floor? Will |
| 2. Do you need to install or enhance electrical wiring | | | | you use carpet or tile or hardwood, or some |
| to various parts of the basement? | | | | combination for different areas or rooms? |
| 3. Do you need to install a separate furnace and air | | | | Finally, plan the work itself. Will you do all of the work |
| conditioner? Or, can you simply connect new duct | | | | at once? Or, will you finish part of the basement and |
| work to your existing furnace and air conditioner? | | | | delay additional work until a later time? If you plan to |
| 4. Are there supports (posts, etc) that you need to | | | | delay part of the work, you will want to consider |
| incorporate into your floor plan? | | | | either permanent or temporary closure of the |
| 5. Is additional natural lighting needed? | | | | finished area. If your plan is to leave the entire are |
| Second, develop a plan for how you will use the | | | | open, you might need to do all of the walls and |
| space. Identifying the uses you want to make of the | | | | ceilings at once, gradually defining areas within the |
| space in your basement is the first step in planning | | | | space. |
| your project. Make a list of the rooms or areas you | | | | Today, one of the most popular ideas for finished |
| want to create. Some very popular uses of | | | | basements is an in-law or teen suite, consisting of a |
| basement space include: | | | | bedroom, a bathroom, and a sitting room. Home |
| * Select a style and roof line that is consistent with | | | | theaters are also very popular, with large-screen |
| the style of your house | | | | televisions or projection screens. A small kitchenette |
| * A home theater | | | | for snack preparation can make the home theater |
| * A home office | | | | perfect. As more people telecommute or start home |
| * A suite of rooms for in-laws or teens | | | | businesses, a home office can be very practical. |
| * A playroom for children | | | | Homework rooms are also quite popular today. |
| * A den | | | | These are relatively simple to create. All that is |
| * A game room | | | | needed is computer connections, some bookshelves |
| * A wine cellar | | | | and a work area large enough to accommodate your |
| * Guest bedrooms | | | | childrens needs. A play room or a game room can |
| * Storage rooms | | | | provide great serenity on the first floor. You can |
| * A spa | | | | even create your own home spa, complete with |
| * An additional bathroom | | | | whirlpool tub, multi-head massaging shower, steam |
| * A computer or homework room | | | | room, and a tanning bed. |
| * A library | | | | The final question is whether you should do the |
| * A mud room | | | | renovation yourself or hire an expert. This will, of |
| * A hobby or craft room | | | | course, depend upon your skill level and the |
| * A family room | | | | preparation that has already been done in your |
| * A party room | | | | basement. Many builders today connect at least |
| Third, after identifying the rooms or spaces you | | | | some electric and plumbing to the basement. Check |
| want to create, plan the location of each room or | | | | the laws in your locality to learn what permits are |
| area within the space. Here are some things to | | | | required before you begin the work, and whether |
| consider in designing your floor plan: | | | | your State or locality requires that certain work be |
| * Since most basements have one to three "sides" | | | | performed by licensed professionals. You may find |
| that have no windows (because they are essentially | | | | that the best approach is to hire a professional to do |
| underground), plan to place the rooms that do not | | | | the electrical, plumbing, and heat/air conditioning work. |
| require windows on that side of the basement. For | | | | There is no reason you cannot hire professionals for |
| example, a home theater would be a good choice for | | | | the work you are not able to do and keep your |
| a room that will have no windows. | | | | project within your budget by doing things like |
| * Try to place bathrooms and/or a kitchenette near | | | | installing drywall, wrapping support posts with |
| or under first floor rooms that already have plumbing. | | | | decorative columns, painting, wallpapering, etc. |
| The shorter the distance you must travel with new | | | | Remember, plumbing and electrical work can be |
| plumbing, the more money you will save. An ideal | | | | dangerous when attempted by people who dont |
| spot for a home spa would be in a windowless part | | | | know what they are doing. |
| of the basement near existing plumbing. | | | | Whatever your needs or dreams to accommodate a |
| * If your plan includes creating a teen suite or an | | | | growing family or to enhance your lifestyle, the |
| in-law suite, carefully consider access to the | | | | basement in your home offers limitless possibilities. By |
| remainder of the space. For example, do not place | | | | planning the use of space and the placement of the |
| the bedroom of the suite at the bottom of the stairs | | | | rooms or areas you will construct, you can maximize |
| from the first floor. | | | | the space, fulfill many needs, and save some money |
| * Plan for access and privacy. For example, if you are | | | | on the renovation. |