Finishing a Basement

**Wesley** · 03-18-2008, 11:01 PM

Three bids minimum is a good rule. Workers need work right now.

**jumbopackage** · 03-19-2008, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by PolkCityClone

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

Wireless is NOT an acceptable alternative to wired, especially if you're dealing with digital media. It may work fine for surfing the web, but start streaming high definition content and it'll choke badly. Not to mention it can be taken down by a cordless phone.

**Cyclonepride** · 03-19-2008, 06:46 AM

Just a thought from the construction industry- almost all companies have set policies forbidding working on the side. So those guys who do side work for cash- not only are they willing to break their own company rules to do so, they are also willing to break the law by evading taxes. Small wonder that a large percentage of these guys disappear when things go wrong. I've talked to many, many homeowners who were stuck in mid-project after their "contractor" walked out, leaving them an expensive mess to clean up.

**jdoggivjc** · 03-19-2008, 10:29 AM

My dad recently finished his basement (that virtually doubled the living space of his house) by himself - with a little bit of help from my sister and me. He did it in his spare time. He elevated the floor off the concrete (using furring strips, foam insulation, and subflooring), put up walls, put in plumbing, put in electric, foam-insulated the walls, drywalled, flooring, installed the fireplace, did the bathroom, and the ceiling tiles (among other things). About the only thing he DIDN'T do himself was installing the carpet. It took him more than 5 years to do this massive project. About the only thing I'd say he should have had done professionally (or at least had help doing) was the drywalling as it doesn't look "great" in places. That being said, for a 5 year project he did an incredible job and doubled his living space. When I purchase an actual house, if it doesn't have a finished basement, I plan on doing something similar (although I probably won't elevate the floor like he did, and I plan on getting help with the drywall). If you have the time, patience, and are willing to work, you should be able to do most of it yourself.

**dmclone** · 03-19-2008, 10:51 AM

The key thing to remember is time. If you don't mind spending a couple years on a project than you can save some money and do it yourself. If you're like me, I didn't have a lot of the tools and knowledge and I wanted it done quickly. Within 3 months everything was completed.

**CyinCo** · 03-19-2008, 10:52 AM

My wife and I finished the basement of our CO home ourselves. We did the framing, electrical, trimwork, and painting ourselves. We contracted our copper piping and the drywall. The carpet was installed as part of the carpet purchase. We also put in a giant wetbar that I designed and built. I don't recall the exact numbers but I think we finished almost 1500ft2 and the carpet and drywall probably totaled $10K alone. The rest was only about 2 or 3K.

Drywall was expensive but it was done in a week and it looks great. It would have taken us probably 2 months to do the same amount of work and I'm sure there would have been noticable flaws. So here is another recommendation to hire drywall. Or hang it yourself and hire a mud man.

My only word of advice would be to plan, plan, plan. Think about the future. Especially with wiring. Even if you won't use it, having specialty wiring like CATV or 7.1 surround and multiple cable jacks (think dual tuners from dish) might help sell your house later. If you are doing your own wiring, do circuit diagrams of each circuit and really think through where switches, lights, and outlets need to be.

Lastly, save money where it makes sense but don't cheap out just to save a few bucks. Finishing your basement can be a real investment and it is best to do it right the first time. For example, when you are about done, don't put cheap hardware on doors and cabinets.

Have fun. IT is a TON of work.

**cybsball20** · 03-19-2008, 10:55 AM

My biggest problem in finishing the basement was my wife

or then fiance (don't tell). I had no problem working on the basement a few days a week after work and weekends but then she would complain I wouldn't spend time with her. After spending time with her she would complain I wasn't getting anywhere on the basement.... Luckily, with the wedding approaching she had to spend some weekends in CR so I got alot done on those weekends!

**cybsball20** · 03-19-2008, 11:02 AM

Another thing with the basement project was that everything goes on sale, and normally you can save a pretty good amount. I got all the drywall on sale at Menards, about $2/sheet cheaper than anywhere else. The bathroom fixtures and toilet on sale at Lowes again at a pretty considerable discount. The sales might not be at the time you are ready for them but it pays to buy them when they're cheap.

**zumbro clones** · 03-19-2008, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Another thing with the basement project was that everything goes on sale, and normally you can save a pretty good amount. I got all the drywall on sale at Menards, about $2/sheet cheaper than anywhere else. The bathroom fixtures and toilet on sale at Lowes again at a pretty considerable discount. The sales might not be at the time you are ready for them but it pays to buy them when they're cheap.

...and hope for no hurricanes or other disasters. The price of building materials goes through the roof after that happens.

**cybsball20** · 03-19-2008, 11:08 AM

At the time I was working out in Urbandale about halfway between Menards and the new Home Depot. I used to just spend my lunches walking through, comparing prices, etc.

I'll have to add some pics of my basement. We had a pretty good plan based on the layout, what we wanted, and the age of the house so we are pretty happy with it. We didn't want to make it TOO nice since it is a small, older house but we probably spend 80% of our time down there now.

**cycloneworld** · 03-19-2008, 11:26 AM

Where did people buy most of their supplies? Lowe's, Menards, Home Depot? Combination of the 3?

Also, what did others do to seal the basement walls and floor if anything? My house was built in 1990 so there is a subdrain and I haven't had any water problems in the basement except for the walls sweating a little bit at times.

**cybsball20** · 03-19-2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

Where did people buy most of their supplies? Lowe's, Menards, Home Depot? Combination of the 3?

Also, what did others do to seal the basement walls and floor if anything? My house was built in 1990 so there is a subdrain and I haven't had any water problems in the basement except for the walls sweating a little bit at times.

I got stuff at a combination, rarely Home Depot though, seemed things were always a bit pricier there...

I sealed the floor with a basement sealer and ran it up the walls a couple of feet. I also vented the drywall about ever 8 feet to get air in there and also so I could remove the vents and check it from time to time.

**Todd** · 03-19-2008, 11:35 AM

Does anyone know approx. payback for finished basement in resale? I'm sure its market dependent but, just a rough number? I'm having a hard time justifying doing it as we don't really need the extra living area.

**cybsball20** · 03-19-2008, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Todd

Does anyone know approx. payback for finished basement in resale? I'm sure its market dependent but, just a rough number? I'm having a hard time justifying doing it as we don't really need the extra living area.

Too many variables but basically 110% retun on finsished basement with no bathroom or bedroom. 125% on finsihed with bathroom. 130% finished with bedroom and bathroom.

**Todd** · 03-19-2008, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Too many variables but basically 110% retun on finsished basement with no bathroom or bedroom. 125% on finsihed with bathroom. 130% finished with bedroom and bathroom.

Sounds like I should seriously consider it....thanks