When new home builders are designing and implementing their "dream homes," the basement is an often over-looked space. During the Great Depression in the mid-west, basements were essential as storm shelters and as extra space to accommodate old-fashioned washers and lines to dry clothes in inclement weather. In today's world of state-of-the-art laundry rooms and homes that can withstand all kinds of extreme weather, many homes aren't built with basements. If you're lucky enough to find a home with an unfinished basement, there are endless possibilities for putting this space to good use as a den, family room, play room, home office, or home theater.
Many home owners decide not to have their basements finished when they build their new home. It's not inexpensive to finish a basement, and new homes usually take about a year for the home's foundation to settle. If there are cracks in the foundation or leaks in the basement, this is something you need to discover before you decide to strip an already finished basement. This is a situation that would only serve to add additional costs and sleepless nights!
If you decide to renovate your unfinished basement, the first step is hiring a contractor to visit your home and examine the basement for structural security. Once this is done, it's time to draw up plans for the renovation. The final transformation is entirely up to you, based upon what you want and what you can afford. There are many companies that specialize in basement renovations. Changing that dingy, bug-infested concrete slab into a fully functional room is quite an undertaking; the first step is deciding exactly what your plans are for the space, and are those plans "do-able."
Are you planning to use the basement for entertainment? Do you wish to add a full bathroom that you can afford? Would you like a children's playroom? How about another bedroom, a home office or a "media" room? Perhaps you simply need a lot more storage space.
Design and planning are the most important steps in the renovation process. You can tackle planning your renovation yourself, but it's best to bring in the professionals to help evaluate and overcome challenges such as limited headroom, a lack of natural lighting, insulation, and structural support columns. Contractors will also give you an estimate on your project, as well as a concept layout. Once you have the layout, you may want the contractor to finish the job, but sometimes, you have enough information to then tackle the project yourself.
If you're planning to remain in your home for years to come, a basement renovation can only add to the enjoyment of your home. You can match the basement décor to the rest of your home, or use a completely different decoration plan; you and your family live there, so its "look" is up to you! Once the renovation is complete, you'll be wondering why you didn't do it sooner!
Published by Martin Aranovitch on April 1, 2008 10:43 PM
