How to Plan a Basement Renovation
The thought of renovating your incomplete basement can be both exciting and stressful. If you're finally at this phase of your life, you're on the right track. Remodelling a basement has many benefits, from boosting your home's value to increasing space for your family.
There are countless ways to transform your basement from an idle space. Hire a reputable home contractor for the materials and services you need for the basement renovations. You can follow these steps to renovate the space successfully.
Step 1: Decide on the Purpose and Acquire Permits
The first step in renovating a basement is deciding what to transform it into. It can be anything from an entertainment area, another bedroom, a home fitness center, a creative zone, a library, an office, or a bar lounge. Depending on the size and design, a basement can be anything you want it to be.
After you've defined the room's role, you can acquire a renovation permit from the right office. The North American construction system requires citizens to register for approval with the nearest office before adjusting to their homes.
Progressing with the renovation without this approval can quickly get you in trouble with the law.
Step 2: Clear Clutter and Inspect the Basement
The second step is to clear the things you've been storing in the basement to ensure they are ready for renovation. Decluttering gives you a closer look at the space, and you can inspect it better than when it's congested. The next step is to conduct the inspection, which involves examining water and moisture issues.
You can discover a defect with mould, damage, or leaks. Also, check the walls and ceiling for bulges, cracks, and general wear and tear signs. Electrical wires and plumbing should be intact before renovation.
Step 3: Gather Supplies
At this stage, you can draft a list of the materials you will require in the renovation process. Prior listing makes purchasing less confusing since you have everything on paper. Whatever supplies you need often depend on the purpose and condition of the room.
Still, these are the most common: paint colours, utility locations, flooring supplies, ceiling and wall materials, and insulation essentials.
The tools that facilitate proper remodelling include a utility knife, nail gun, tape measure, saw horses, drill and bits, level, ladder, insulators, hammer, saw, and caulk gun. Don't forget to keep safe with an apron, goggles, gloves, earplugs, and a dust mask. You can modify the list as desired.
Step 4: Work on the Defects
This is the time to correct any defects you may have encountered when inspecting the basement. Renovating a defective room would be uneconomical, illegal, and unethical, as it would be a safety hazard. To bring your original idea into the mix, repair the cracks, leaks, and everything else.
Step 5: Create a Floor Plan and Measure Everything
You will always need a floor plan for every room you want to construct or renovate, no matter how tiny. This helps you decide how everything will fit in place, allowing you to purchase the right size and shape of household items. You can also use the floor plan to create measurements for different sections.
Be sure to record HVAC systems, electrical panels, stairs, doors, windows, and other existing structures. From the measurements and your floor plan, you can draft a final design of how you'd love the renovated basement to appear.
Step 6: Start the Construction
At this point, you can start the basement construction process, following the measurements you made earlier. Most homeowners do the work independently to save on hiring a contractor. For complex remodels, you can consider hiring a professional contractor and builder. The experts can deliver an outstanding outcome for a small fee.
Step 7: Bring in the Elements and Enjoy Your Space
When you are done constructing, you can finally purchase the items you want for your newly reconstructed basement. They should align with the purpose you decided earlier to give the room a definitive appearance.
For instance, if you want it to be a gaming area, you need several gaming chairs, sets, and the appropriate lighting. You don't have to purchase everything at once; you can buy it progressively. Just focus on the essentials that will make you enjoy the basement.
Step 8: Add Finishing Touches
Several critical steps must be considered when renovating your basement. First, ensure you secure the necessary permits to avoid breaking the law, which could lead to fines or even short stints in jail. Carefully inspect all existing structural elements, including plumbing, HVAC systems, electrical wiring, and framing.
It's also important to ensure the basement has sufficient lighting and ventilation. Basements are often deprived of natural light and airflow, so addressing these issues is critical for creating a comfortable space.
Don't hesitate to seek professional advice. Experienced contractors and interior designers can provide valuable insights to help you achieve better results with your renovation project.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.
