Basements aren’t just for storing things or doing laundry. To accommodate a variety of uses, families are now renovating their unfinished basements into everything from guest quarters to offices and even rental garden apartments. As a result of this, people are getting a lot of value for their money.
Renovating your basement has been found to be a great way to increase the resale value of your home by around 70 cents for every dollar spent. When it’s time to pack up and move, you’ll be glad you did since you’ll have more space to work with.
It’s important to conduct some research before you start hammering nails or shopping at your local home improvement stores. Before you begin rebuilding your basement, be sure you have the answers to these questions.
Is Your House Worth More Than You Paid for It?
There is a lack of financial resources for many homeowners to invest in improvements. For those of you who fall into this category, you must exercise caution when remodeling your property. To clarify, what does that imply exactly? Over-improvement occurs when you spend more money on your home than you can recoup when you put it on the market.
The cost of remodeling your basement will be determined by the scope of the work involved. In order to figure out how much it makes sense to spend, you will need to look at your financing choices, comparable homes in your neighborhood, especially those that recently sold with completed or refurbished basements, and a recent appraisal of your own home.
how much is your house worth?
As long as you can afford it (and resale value isn’t an issue), go ahead and spend your money where it means most to you. Do you have a wet bar in your home? Is this a massive cinema? Take a chance. If you plan to stay in this house for the rest of your life, it may be worth your while to invest some money into making it more functional for your family and your way of life.
It’s a smart decision to invest in neutral fixtures that will appeal to a broader market of potential purchasers rather than more specialized or specialized things. Vinyl plank flooring and well-sealed granite countertops are also good options for long-term durability.
Secondly, how is the building’s structure holding up over time?
It isn’t just historic properties that require some TLC. Even recently constructed buildings may have structural flaws that must be addressed immediately. Even in your basement, you may be able to see the passage of time.
Before beginning a basement remodeling job, thoroughly inspect the area. The foundation of your house is what you’re looking at, not a new living space that’s yet to be built. Be on the lookout for things like water puddles and gradual leaks, drooping ceilings, and strange noises coming from the pipes or the electrical system. A competent contractor and maybe a structural engineer will be needed to assess the situation and recommend a safe, long-term, cost-effective solution.
Stability is a concern for engineers.
If you live in an older home or one that has been considerably enlarged since it was first built, it’s a good idea to consider upgrading current systems that you’ll need to take care of in the next five years, anyway. So why spend so much money on a basement redesign if you’re going to have to tear down the ceilings or drywall to fix or replace plumbing and electrical wiring and HVAC ducts?
When rebuilding your basement, it’s a good idea to think about what could go wrong, both now and in the future. Make sure to set aside a portion of your money for unexpected repairs and choose fixtures that can resist wear and tear. You can save money and time by using mold-resistant paint, waterproof flooring, and slip-covered furniture when you’re cleaning up after a disaster.
Inquire about the type of water you’re dealing with.
Let’s be honest about it. Moisture is inevitable if you have a basement that is at least partially submerged in the ground.
Moisture enters a basement through a concrete slab that lies on dirt, which is common in basement construction. This can result in anything from a slight increase in humidity to puddles several inches deep. Because basement walls are typically composed of concrete blocks, water can leak in as well. An external window or door that isn’t properly sealed could let in water, which could lead to leaks in your walls.
How to cope with a leaking roof
Preparation is key. It’s worth the $30 investment to purchase a moisture metre for use in an already-finished basement remodel. Irrespective of whether or whether you’ve experienced water damage in the past or are now seeing new signs of dampness in your basement, it is critical that you address these concerns as soon as possible. For about $10, you may purchase a hygrometer, which measures the relative humidity in a room.
Rethinking your home’s outside drainage system is an easy method to solve perplexing water problems in a subgrade location. Rainwater or runoff water that has nowhere else to go is a common cause of leaks around your home’s foundation or roof. If your basement is leaking due to a lack of drainage, installing French drains is an excellent solution.
Are There Any Specific Requirements in Your Community?
Even a simple basement remodel must adhere to local building rules. In order to create the ideal mother-in-law or party room, you may have to compromise on some aspects due to city regulations and/or cost constraints.
Everything from the height of your ceilings to the width of your hallways and the structure of your staircase might be regulated by these laws. When it comes to building a kitchen, they may or may not allow you to do so. When you’re completing your basement, they’ll tell you what kind of exits are required, including emergency exits.
Plans and a building permit are on the table
If you want to turn your finished basement into a livable rental property, you may have to meet more stringent guidelines during the remodeling process. Building codes typically require separate thermostats, electric panels, and water meters for each home.
Take out your licenses. To ensure that your remodel goes off without a hitch, make sure you have all of the necessary permissions in place. With a brief trip to the city hall, you can ensure that your work is being done lawfully.
It’s a good idea to make sure that any contractor you hire is properly licensed like basement remodel Alexandria VA, insured, and bonded. If the contractor fails to complete the project, fails to obtain the necessary permissions, or makes an error that costs you money, the homeowner is protected by a bond. In the event of property damage or harm to the contractor and their employees, the contractor’s liability insurance will take care of it. If something goes wrong, you’ll have both of them to fall back on. Begin the project by requesting proof and verifying it yourself.
How Much Room Do You Have to Work With?
For many basements, the ceiling height is the deciding factor. It is a requirement of the International Residential Code that basement ceilings be at least seven feet in height. In addition, make sure you check your local building code to see whether it imposes any further height restrictions.
There are techniques to raise the ceiling in a basement, but they’ll cost you a lot of money. It’s possible that you could.
Reroute ductwork that may interfere with your desired living space.
The structural beams should be raised or replaced.
Lower the current floor by excavating it.
Try to make your home’s ceilings appear as high as possible if they are low (but habitable). Avoid ceiling fans and use recessed lights instead of flush- or semi-flush-mount lighting fixtures in your bathroom. The illusion of larger ceilings can be created by hanging drapes or shades from the ceiling rather than the window frame. Also, avoid using ornate moldings and trim, which can make a room appear smaller.
