A basement renovation is a relatively common type of home renovation for most homeowners. Basement renovations can turn an ordinary plain basement into one of the most-used rooms of the house. But before you get into the nitty-gritty of your renovation plan, ask yourself the four following vital questions.
What do I want to use the basement for?
The end goal of your renovation can help you determine other factors, such as budgets and timelines, as well as what features you’re planning for the renovation; these features include your layout plan, décor, and the addition of fixtures such as plumbing or electricity. For example: if you plan to turn the basement into a home gym, you will have a much different layout and décor plan than if you plan to turn the basement into a guest suite.
The most common uses for basements include: an entertainment/media room, a home office, a craft/project room, a home gym, a playroom for children, as well as a guest bedroom or guest suite.
How much money am I willing to spend?
Do you have a specific amount of money in mind for the renovation, or are you willing to spend whatever it takes to turn the basement into the space of your dreams? If you have a set budget for your basement renovation, then you need to be prepared to take certain things off the table or find ways to achieve certain renovations for a cheaper cost. Your budget will help determine many aspects of your renovation, including the materials, the extent of professional work you can hire out, and even the type of renovations you can accomplish.
Will I do the renovating myself or hire professionals?
Are you planning on hiring professionals to handle the renovation, or will you be handling it yourself—possibly with the help of a few friends? It is possible to do an entire basement renovation by yourself—with some exceptions. In some areas, you may be required to hire professionals to handle certain types of installations, such as electrical or plumbing installation. You can even hire professionals for part of the renovation project, which may be ideal if you are not experienced in certain types of work, such as putting up new walls, installing floors, or repairing moisture damage.
What is my timeline for completing the renovation?
Basement renovations can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months—or potentially even longer, depending on the extent of work you want or need done, whether you’re renovating alone or will have professional help, as well as the size and overall scope of the renovation project. If you have a specific timeline in mind, such as needing the basement renovated so that you can rent it out, then you will need to plan accordingly.
When you decide to undertake a basement renovation, you should be prepared for the possibility of delays, difficulties, and other unexpected problems; one of the best ways you can prepare for unexpected issues is by answering the above questions and ensuring that you have a solid understanding of the type of renovation you want, and how far you’re willing to go to get it.