Having a finished basement is an excellent way to improve the value of your home and add more usable space to your house. Most families have realized the need for additional space or spare room especially after spending a lot of time in their homes during the pandemic.When planning for basement renovations, most people tend to only focus on the end product; they either don’t know or forget all the steps needed to get there are equally important. Many aspects come into play when it’s time to work on your unfinished basement; they include the age of the home, the desired basement remodel ideas, financial circumstances, and other issues. These will affect pre-preparation work and costs.
How To Prepare Your Basement For Remodeling
It is vital to get your basement ready for renovation by making sure it has no active leaks and it’s clean. These steps are important and should be done even before purchasing framing walls and insulation for your home’s basement. Below are preparation steps for basement remodeling projects:
Check The Foundation
You need to assess your basement’s foundation to determine if it has leaks. It is also not uncommon to have a cracked basement wall or concrete floor which normally happens as a result of excess moisture, stress, or settling. If you spot cracks, it is advisable to act quickly to avoid more costly problems in the future.
Install A Drainage System
Flooding can happen in any place including Idaho Falls, ID, and can be destructive in finished basements. The best thing to do is to install a drainage system to minimize and eliminate the problems associated with flooding such as damaging insulation, drywall, carpet, wall finishing, and other moisture issues like mold growth.
Consider Adding A Sump Pump
If you decided to install a drainage system, you also need to add a sump pump by installing it as well because it can be very helpful when heavy rain pours down and you have to discharge large volumes of water.
Add Insulation In Your Basement
Most people opt to skip or ignore insulating their basements because they spend little time down there than other areas of their homes. Insulating the basement has many advantages including saving a huge amount of energy while also avoiding overworking your HVAC system during heating and cooling.
Assess The Ceiling
You should assess the ceiling of your basement especially if it’s an old house whose ceiling height may not be high enough to comply with the fire codes of your state or city. You should discuss your options with the basement renovation contractor you’re going to hire whether it’s for comfort or you wish to comply with fire codes.
Basement Waterproofing
Concrete basement walls sometimes are porous meaning they allow moisture to seep through them from outside. This also leads to moisture build-up leading to mildew and mold growth. If left unchecked, mold damage can be extensive and pose a health hazard.
Steps To Take For Your Basement Remodeling Project
It is important to know the following steps for the basement remodeling project. They include:
Apply For A Permit
Since there are structural and electrical changes that will take place, you should apply for a permit. Building permits are important when selling your house as well as protecting you in case there will be changes in your state’s building codes.
Clean Out Your Basement
You should get rid of all the junk in your basement which may include trash, bins, boxes, or old unused appliances. Alternatively, you can talk with the team of basement renovation experts that you’re going to hire.
Test For Moisture
Basements can easily soak up the moisture since it is built just below the ground or soil. Whether your home has concrete or hardwood floors it could end up getting damaged which affects other areas including the basement ceiling and walls. A moisture test should be done by experts will enable avoiding issues like mold growth.
Work On The Electrical
You should complete all electrical work before finishing the basement walls. This is crucial because electrical work is mostly done behind the walls. You should hire an experienced electrical contractor to do the work.
Seal The Walls
After the electrical job has been done, you can now seal your walls. You need to first insulate, frame, and install drywall.
Finish The Flooring
For the basement flooring, choose materials such as laminate and vinyl. Avoid hardwood floors which are prone to absorbing moisture. It is advisable to avoid adding a carpet to your basement floor because it is prone to flooding unless you are ready to deal with the issue when it happens.
Complete The Ceiling
You can choose to leave your basement ceiling the way it is with its simple look. However, you can also opt to install a drop ceiling if you wish to give a better appearance.
Cost Breakdowns, Timelines, and Considerations
Basement renovation costs will all depend on the square footage of your project. It could cost between $5000 to $35000 for basement renovation work but some people can spend up to $100000.
The timeline for finishing the construction process of basement renovation will also depend on its size, the work required including the preparation job. Some of the things to consider when renovating your basement include light sources, putting safe stairwells, flooring options, the age of your house, and more.
Call the Basement Remodel Professionals in Idaho Falls!
Now it’s time to hire the best professional team or contractors for your basement renovation work. At Remodel Professionals of Idaho, our basement renovation services are quality and exceptional.
Our charges are affordable and fair. We will not do any work without your permission and we also don’t give any hidden fees. We have a wide experience when it comes to basement renovations in Idaho Falls and our contractors are highly trained.
Contact us at (208) 538-1745 today and let us make your dream of finishing your basement come true. You will be able to add space for an extra storage room or any other purpose such as a bedroom, game room, or even a home gym.
