Finishing a Basement

**CY ST8T** · 03-18-2008, 12:27 PM

If you are looking to go cheap on anything, you need to look at the Habitat Restore. It is over on 2nd Avenue and is a place where they have both used and sometimes new material donated from companies that they resell and the money will be put toward building Habitat for Humanity homes. I have spent way more than my fair share there and they have good stuff at times including tiling, doors, windows, nails, etc. The only things to be weary of are that returns are only done for in store credit no matter what and that what they have will all depend on the week or day that you are there.

**K-15** · 03-18-2008, 12:27 PM

Can someone explain the need for cat5 wiring? Is that for future internet connections/home networks?

I am also in the process of finishing my basement which will contain an office and an entertainment room and I want to pre-wire for future needs.

**dmclone** · 03-18-2008, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by K-15

Can someone explain the need for cat5 wiring? Is that for future internet connections/home networks?

I am also in the process of finishing my basement which will contain an office and an entertainment room and I want to pre-wire for future needs.

Yes, internet connections.

**DaddyMac** · 03-18-2008, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by K-15

Can someone explain the need for cat5 wiring? Is that for future internet connections/home networks?

I am also in the process of finishing my basement which will contain an office and an entertainment room and I want to pre-wire for future needs.

Cat 5 has 4 twisted pair. It's what you typically find in computer wiring. So if you want to setup a wired home network - this is the stuff. It also works perfectly well for phone.

I've dropped two lines to each spot along with a RG6 shielded coax. Got those snap in plates that house 3 connectors. One phone, one internet, one cable.

A 1000' box of stranded CAT5 was about $70 a few years back when I got mine. Due to copper prices, surely has gone up.

You can call 3E over in Windsor Heights. They deal mostly with contractors. But I've been able to special order all kinds of plates, covers, switches from them, and get wire (ground 4GA, coax, CAT5) for much cheaper than I could find at the big box stores.

**Wesley** · 03-18-2008, 12:42 PM

I had a great Plumbers R Us that ran copper a ways for sink and shower heads, installed toilet, and installed sink basin for $650. Electrician R Us put in several outlets, switches, separate circuit for $450. After I put up the walls and framed with green board, The Tilers R Us guy (he was very cheap) installed a shower basin, tiled the basin, and the outside walls for $900. I painted remaining walls red brick candy apple with mortar and drywall. We bought toilet, paint, drywall accessories, pocket door, floor covering, woodwork sink cabinet/basin w/ fixtures. sink, light fixtures for another $1000. Total out of pocket and personal fun was about $3000 for the bathroom area which was 6 ft by 20 feet.

Some of your best, very economical work is done by "nightime workers" who are looking for a second job and can work on weekend or at your house. They love to be paid in cash.

**ISUFan22** · 03-18-2008, 12:44 PM

Not to completely hi-jack, if someone has used an electrician and heating/cooling guy they've used before and liked (quality and price), PM me.

I'm going to look first at the guys that did our main level, but want to get a couple other quotes.

**CYdTracked** · 03-18-2008, 04:43 PM

I found here in Des Moines that good plumbers and electricians are hard to come by unless you have a big job or are a business. Took me 3 tries to ever get a plumber out to do about a job that took less than an hour to do. Some places just completely blew off returning my phone call and 1 place did not show up till I called and asked where they were. They showed up and gave me a quote and said they could do it next week. By that time I was PO'd cuz I had taken 1/2 day of work off under the impression that they were going to do the job then.

Electricians have had almost the same luck, first just have to find someone willing to come out to your home unless A. you have an emergency or B. a big job for them to do.

**ColoradoClone** · 03-18-2008, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

What's behind the bookcase? I saw one of those at one of the home shows and they had a bar and poker room behind the doors, very cool.

As of right now, it's just the storage and mechanical room behind the bookcase. Nothing crazy, and nothing super cool. I just didn't like the look of a door in my home theater, so we have twin bookcases flanking the TV with one of them that swings in.

**ISUFan22** · 03-18-2008, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by ColoradoClone

This thread gives me a chance to also say that we're putting in my secret bookcase door this week! I'm stoked. It wont be stained and finished yet, but it should be done today. Pictures to come by the weekend...

Originally Posted by ColoradoClone

As of right now, it's just the storage and mechanical room behind the bookcase. Nothing crazy, and nothing super cool. I just didn't like the look of a door in my home theater, so we have twin bookcases flanking the TV with one of them that swings in.

Man points added.

**erikbj** · 03-18-2008, 05:39 PM

I just finished 1300 sq feet in my basement. I had a plumber come in to do the shower, toilet, sink and bar sink, then had a carpet installer lay the carpet. Other than that I did everything myself. The trick is find people you can pay in cash for materials (easier said than done). I ended up dropping about $20K - but it looks better than the upstairs (which makes me wonder what I paid the builder to do?).

I agree with the mudding and taping comments, if you don't know how to do it - hire someone (paying in cash may help, a lot of those guys will do side jobs for cash). Also plan a lot of time if you are going to do it yourself, it took me nearly 2 years from start to finish.

**cytech** · 03-18-2008, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by travman23

I found here in Des Moines that good plumbers and electricians are hard to come by unless you have a big job or are a business. Took me 3 tries to ever get a plumber out to do about a job that took less than an hour to do. Some places just completely blew off returning my phone call and 1 place did not show up till I called and asked where they were. They showed up and gave me a quote and said they could do it next week. By that time I was PO'd cuz I had taken 1/2 day of work off under the impression that they were going to do the job then.

Electricians have had almost the same luck, first just have to find someone willing to come out to your home unless A. you have an emergency or B. a big job for them to do.

It is the sad truth, the quality and professional contractors can't waist their time with small jobs, they just aren't profitable to them. Which leaves you with the hacks looking to make beer money. Chances are they finished another job before yours so they had enough money for the weekend already.

**PolkCityClone** · 03-18-2008, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

Redrocker is exactly right......

I'm currently doing mine now that i've had the entire south side of the house dug up and Rub-R-Wall installed to ensure that my Man's Lounge is not damaged in the future by water.....

Plan it out, sit down sketch out where your thinking everything is going to go....it takes a lil while to take all the dim's and transfer that into a drawing, but, it may help in laying out how you will use the space....

Currently i'm drawing my basement, i'm laying out everything to get a better understanding of where i will need telephone jacks, outlets for lamps, cleaning etc, tv outlets and how high.....a lil pre-planning will help in the process trying to think of everything on the fly always is a bad plan....

Here's some ideas on costs just for the walls:
For approx 600 sq ft you will need about 100 2X4 studs @ 24 in o.c. at about about 200 bucks.
Insulation - great for sound absorbtion during awesome Clone games - family wont hear ya swearing....7 bundles with 9 batts per bundle - 335 dollars
Drywall - 150 bucks around 30 sheets @ 5 bucks a sheet

700 to do the walls....

Now on top of this you will need screws, nails, elec. boxes, ceiling, flooring, paint, tape, mud, texture, base, lights, wiring and other misc.

the walls are cheap, its all the amenities.....

There is right to do things that do it your selfers have no clue about. Hire a pro. BTW, put your studs 16", not 24. That will make the drywall easier. Also, check the local codes, some cities require 16.

Hire a good trim carpenter. You will be glad you did.

**PolkCityClone** · 03-18-2008, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Yes, internet connections.

A wireless router is a lot easier and cheaper than running cat 5.

**cytech** · 03-18-2008, 10:44 PM

I guess that depends on how many connections you will need. But Cat 5 cable is cheap. And not everything can be wireless. Plus if it can it might end up requiring another external device. taking up more space.

**SVT** · 03-18-2008, 10:57 PM

I know a few people who have used Kimball Home Improvement and have been very impressed by the quality of their work. I just found the website, Welcome to KHI.com! and it has before and after pics of a basement as well as letters from past customers. Might be worth checking out at least, I've heard nothing but good things.