| Finishing your basement can almost double the | | | | drain lines and pump-up system.Lighting is |
| square foot living space of your home. A | | | | another important aspect of finishing a |
| finished basement can include new living | | | | basement. If natural light can be installed, |
| space such as a recreation room, a game room, | | | | via the installation of windows, then I |
| a bar and even bedrooms and | | | | highly recommend it. Besides letting light |
| bathrooms.Finishing a basement or remodeling | | | | in, windows also add character to the |
| a basement is also a relatively inexpensive | | | | finished basement. In addition, ceiling |
| remodeling job as frequently outside | | | | lights should also be included in the |
| construction is not required. And since it is | | | | finished basement plans, and the more the |
| not a critical living area it can be | | | | better. Finally, workspace lighting should be |
| completed at a leisurely pace. Consequently | | | | added where necessary and each set of |
| finishing a basement is a project that do it | | | | workspace lighting should be controlled |
| yourself homeowners can tackle.Prior to the | | | | separately.Ceiling height is another major |
| start of finishing a basement, a do it | | | | concern when finishing basements. Frequently |
| yourself homeowner should first develop a | | | | homeowners elect to go with dropped ceilings; |
| well thought out finished basement | | | | however dropped ceilings can significantly |
| construction plan. To help in formulating a | | | | reduce ceiling height if not carefully |
| basement construction plan a homeowner should | | | | planned. A drywalled ceiling can preserve |
| carefully evaluate the condition of their | | | | more ceiling height and give a better |
| home's existing basement and what type of | | | | finished look to the basement, however |
| living space they want to achieve in the | | | | careful planning needs to be made for access |
| finished basement. Frequently when finishing | | | | points to valves and to kitchen and bathroom |
| a basement, the mechanical equipment such as | | | | plumbing traps.Frequently finished basements |
| water heaters, furnaces, and water and oil | | | | include home theater systems. Particular |
| storage tanks will need to be moved. With | | | | attention should be given to electrical |
| careful planning some of this movement can be | | | | wiring for basement home theater systems. |
| minimized.When finishing a basement a | | | | Besides electrical wiring, there is speaker |
| homeowner should also consider any water or | | | | wire, cable wire, and Cat-5 wiring that is |
| moisture problems that do exist or could | | | | typically required for a quality home theater |
| exist in the basement. Perimeter drains may | | | | system.With a well thought out basement |
| be required. In addition the exterior and | | | | remodeling plan a finished basement can be |
| interior concrete walls of the basement may | | | | major plus to your home, both in personal |
| need to be sealed.If a bathroom or wet bar is | | | | utilization and resale value. Addressing up |
| to be installed, then plumbing will need to | | | | front key items such as basement water and |
| be carefully considered, particularly if the | | | | moisture issues, as well as lighting and |
| home is on a private septic system. A pump up | | | | ceiling heights concerns, can help to ensure |
| waste water system may be required and if so | | | | you get the finished basement you have been |
| a portion of the existing concrete floor may | | | | dreaming about.For more help on finishing |
| need to be removed to allow room for the | | | | your basement, see HomeAdditionPlus. |