Photo via houzz.com
For some, the basement is a place to store unwanted gifts, old furniture and clothes, and unused fitness equipment. For the rest of us, a basement is the perfect place to set up an office or study, a home gym or even an extra living space. Before you install that plasma television set or set up a pool table, however, there are some things you should know first before finishing your basement. Below, we’ve shared a list of these things, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens magazine:
- Expect a payback: A finished basement can be a good investment. In fact, according to a survey by Remodeling magazine, the average return on investment for a basement project is about 75 cents on the dollar. Additionally, a finished basement likely adds new functionality to your home, whether that means more bedrooms, more efficient storage, or more space to entertain guests.
- Flex DIY muscle: You might not be able to handle plumbing and wiring, but installing insulation and hanging drywall should be doable for experience DIYers. Just make sure you get proper permits first or your project could be delayed.
- Let there be light: Where possible, BHG recommends planning for windows and doors. Openings should be cut before work begins and the rest of the house should be sealed off from the masonry dust. Before doing anything, however, make sure a building professional takes a look at the surrounding walls to make sure they can take on the increased structural load.
- Give everyone a hand: BHG says it is important to create beautiful and safe access to your remodeled basement by “beefing up” walls supporting handrails.
For the rest of the 10 items on BHG’s list, click here!
To save time and money on your next DIY project, check out all of Rent It Today’s tool rentals. We even offer heavy equipment rentals for larger projects.
