When deciding to have a basement renovation, the first step is to have a basement remodel planner to keep things organized. Basement remodeling takes a lot of time and effort to achieve the desired basement layout plan. A lot of people can easily remodel their basements based on interior design. Still, the most important step to look out for and to include in your basement remodel planner are below.
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How to Lay Out Plans for a Basement Remodel
Do you want to remodel your basement room? You don’t have to look from design magazines as we have compiled awesome basement designs for you. Here are some guides for your basement layout ideas! You
Inspect the existing structure
Examine the internal framing and framework for continuity. To find any pockets of rot or decay, use a simple awl to poke at wood ceiling joists, wall studs, and sills. Check for insect damage, particularly in vulnerable areas like window wells, exterior doors, and foundation seams. Any areas that need attention should be replaced or repaired.
Test for moisture issues
Without a contractor’s assistance, residents may conduct a simple moisture test. Cut many plastic sheets into 2 foot by 2-foot squares and tape them to the foundation walls and floor in different locations. Inspect the sheets for moisture after ten to fourteen days. You can have a foundation leak if condensation forms under the plastic sheets. If condensation occurs on the plastic sheet’s top surface, you should consider changing the humidity levels.
Schedule a professional inspection of the HVAC system
Inspect the heating system and ductwork with the help of a local pro. If your basement remodeling plans include a toilet, a plumbing inspection is also necessary. Budget for any recommended repairs you believe are required, and rest easy knowing that carbon monoxide leaks and other potentially dangerous HVAC problems will not be an issue.
Measure for ceiling height
Headroom is one of the most significant first steps in completing a basement. For local building code standards, check with the county office, but most require a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet. Determine whether to dig out the foundation floor and relocate any current ductwork that restricts ceiling height with your basement remodeler.
Tackled foundation cracks and waterproofing projects
Small cracks and minor waterproofing projects may be handled by homeowners, while others need a specialist contractor’s services. Take the time to look over your base and the surrounding grade for any signs of water damage. You may correct grading with minimal excavation and fill small cracks and chips in the floor with hydraulic cement. Before beginning your basement renovation project, a basement waterproofing contractor can suggest installing a membrane or other waterproofing solution.
Invest in a second sump pump
A backup sump pump is needed in homes with a sump pit to prevent basement flooding. If you’re spending thousands of dollars on your finished basement, it makes sense to spend a few hundred dollars on a battery-powered backup sump pump.
Layout space
Furniture and room layout makes a difference in a finished basement, just as they do in the rest of your house. Consider natural lighting when deciding where to put your crucial meeting area. Make sure that all bedrooms on this level have adequate lighting and that furniture is placed away from the main traffic flow.
Create a budget and pad it
Create a rough budget for your basement renovation project. It should include any demolition costs and the cost of materials and labor. Remember to factor in furnishings and ancillary expenses such as permits and inspections. Add ten to fifteen percent to the original budget for incidentals and expensive surprises. Make arrangements for financing using the padded number.
Top Basement Remodel Designs and Ideas in 2021
The most exciting step is to have a detailed basement design. Here are some ideas to design your basement.
Game Room
Every family requires those mutual hours of relaxation and bonding. A game room is one location where the whole family can hang out. An easily accessible recreational area where children can hang out while their parents do not have to worry about their children’s safety. This is the perfect design if you want some time with your family.
There are game rooms dedicated solely to video gamers and game rooms with pools, ping-pong tables, and arcade games. If you have a lot of space, some game rooms can be very lavish, with more leisure activities for the whole family.
Mini Theater
The basement’s dark lighting helps with turning it into a mini-theater. This basement plan is the perfect design for families who love to watch movies or television together. Set up a widescreen and comfortable couches or lazy boys to give you the best movie theater experience. It is also ideal to have the correct basement lighting so that it won’t be completely dark. The perfect basement flooring is a carpet for extra comfort.
Gym
A basement gym is typical these days as many people are into fitness. The basement can carry the gym equipment’s weight, and with enough space, you can have a complete gym setup. If you are not too fond of lighting, you can remodel it into a cardio track or a space for Zumba or circuit training. Make sure to choose the correct basement flooring to avoid any injuries!
Music Room
A music room is best for musically inclined individuals or families. The basement makes a suitable venue as a music room with its enclosed space. It can be a cool little soundproof place to practice your instruments in. Likewise, it can double as a studio where you can hold recording sessions or even a band set up to jam with your family or friends.
Office Space
Working from home is the current trend right now with the pandemic. Converting your basement to an office space is the best idea, especially when your household is full of remote workers. You can utilize the basement as a co-working space among the household members. Include in your basement remodel planner an alternative for off-office hours.
Things to Consider When Planning a Basement Remodel
Budget
The first thing to always consider is how much you can afford to remodel a basement. We have tons of ideas that we can do to the basement remodeling; however, sticking to a budget is necessary. Always know that there would be extra costs during the renovation. It is ideal for adding a small buffer to your budget. We don’t want any surprises in the end.
Space and size
Space is essential when remodeling your basement. Ensure that your basement remodel plan is suitable for your basement’s room. You may want to set up a bowling alley, but the basement is not big enough. Plan something ideal for your basement’s space and size.
Basement cracks, molds, and moisture
Before anything else, make sure to check if there are any basement cracks within the basement walls and foundations. There must be no cracks, as this would hinder your basement remodel plans. If there are cracks, your basement might have leaks and moisture. It can cause basement molds and may ruin the basement flooring. Check for any basement molds to keep your basement safe.
Utility
When planning for a basement remodeling, ask what your goal is. Do you want to utilize the basement for something you need space for, or do you want the basement to be extra space to hang out? It is vital to figure out your end goal with your basement. You could remodel the basement into many things but make sure it is something you genuinely need and desire.
Different Tips and Tricks to Use for Basement Remodel Plans
Do you think the old house could use a makeover? It’s possible that upgrading your basement is the best option. Your basement may currently be a dark, dingy space used only for storage and laundry, but it has the potential to be so much more. A comfortable game room or additional family rooms are also desirable features for current residents or resale.
A finished basement gives a home a more civilized feel and, best of all, keeps your less important items dry. Since your new basement combines both form and function, you can find yourself spending the majority of your time there, particularly on those hot summer days!
Plan it out
Any remodeling project that starts without a proper plan is doomed to fail from the start. Of course, the objectives are to improve your home’s value, create new living spaces, and conceal some of the less desirable appliances (I’m looking at you, furnaces). Planning out the exact layouts and materials needed to complete your remodel will take some time.
Even if many homeowners aren’t architects, they can go into the process knowing exactly what they want from their new basement. What characteristics are the most significant to you? When you’ve decided what you want, talk to a basement remodeler about it, and you’ll be able better to estimate the basement remodel cost and timeline of your project together.
The contractor may also have a few suggestions for improving the overall result you hadn’t considered.
Know Your Options
When you make the right changes, any basement can become a versatile room. If your basement gets wet, you’ll need to waterproof all of the exterior walls, but that’s not realistic. The pleasant places are what we want to think about. How about a wet bar or a pool room? Have you ever fantasized about having a home theater or a space dedicated to watching the big game?
If you have a big family, a new bedroom or guest room may be a good idea. If you transform your remodeled basement into a rentable apartment, it could just pay for itself. The list goes on and on, from classrooms to playrooms.
Estimate a Budget
Remodeling projects are similar to Rice Crispies in that no two are alike. Your primary concern should be if the project’s costs can be recovered by resale value. Your basement is likely to add value equal to the building’s price, if not more than. In the long run, income assets are almost expected to pay off, as a private apartment with all the bells and whistles will continue to pull in more revenue.
So, though $20,000-$60,000 could sound like a lot of money right now, if you follow these simple steps before hiring a basement contractor, you’ll end up with not only a beautiful new space but also the assurance that your money was well spent.
Make planning easier by hiring a professional basement remodeling contractor.
For whatever ideas you have in your basement remodel planner, it would be best to hire a professional basement remodeling contractor to help you achieve your plans. In this way, you will easily stick to your budget, ideas, and goals. It would also help hire a contractor to do the necessary spot checks relating to your basement’s safety and security.
If you are located in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., and have plans to remodel your basement, then you don’t have to keep on searching. We are here to help your basement remodel dreams come true! We are professional in basement remodeling with our extensive service and long years of experience. Talk to us today!
