Adding value to your home is not the only reason why you want to finish your basement but you also want to have an additional living and functional space. You can convert your basement into a multi-media room, bar, bed room, office space or gaming room. The possibilities are endless! The road to finish basements can be laborious sometimes because unlike the other rooms in the house, the basement is somewhat different because of its construction and temperature not to mention it’s prone to humidity and flooding. If you don’t have an experience in building basements, this may seem too challenging for you but with proper planning, organization and the use of some tips and advice will surely pave the way for you to be successful.
Some tips will come in handy to finish basements especially if they come from experts and well-experienced contractors. One thing that you have to make sure of is aligning your renovation plan with the current building codes or whatever rules in your area. Acquire the proper permits and inspections required by your local government. This will ensure that safety requirements are met, this will also make it easier for you to include the finished basement area as part of the square footage of your house.
If you don’t want to do a DIY project because you don’t think you have a deep experience in finishing basements then you can hire a contractor to do it for you. Get at least 3 estimates from different contractors but don’t choose based on the lowest bid. There are really no shortcuts to quality basement finishing results so be ready to shell out money for this matter. Check contractor references and try to look at their portfolio. It’s better if you know somebody who hired the same contractor so you know more or less who you’re dealing with. Look online if the contractor you are eyeing on has a website. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most contractors are friendly and very accommodating and they will be happy to answer whatever questions you have. The steps to finish basements are not that difficult as long as you plan well. Waterproofing is one thing that you also have to include in your plans and so is repairing cracks, chips or any other damages that your basement has suffered over the years. Fixing it now will do your basement good and it won’t have to hurt your pocket in the years to come.
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