Basements aren’t just for storing clothes and storing things. Basements are being transformed into everything from guest rooms to offices to garden apartments to upscale gathering spots by families. Doing so is a fantastic investment for them.
Renovating a basement can increase the value of your home by 70 cents for every dollar spent. Make it into functional space and you’ll reap the benefits when you move.
Before buying a sledgehammer or going to a home improvement store, do your research. Answer the following six questions before your basement remodeling Massachusetts.
1. What is the value of my home?
Renovating one’s home can be costly for many people. Don’t overdo it on house improvements if you’re one of them. Meaning? To “over-improve” means to spend more money on a house than it’s worth.
The cost of finishing your basement will be determined by the amount of work you put in. Consider your financing options, comparable homes in your neighbourhood, particularly those with finished or remodelled basements, and a recent home appraisal when determining how much to spend.
If you’re flush with cash (and the resale value isn’t an issue), put it to good use. Is there a wet bar there? Multiplex? Yes! As long as this is your primary residence, it may make financial sense to invest in alterations that better fit your family’s needs and lifestyle.
Specialist or speciality items are more risky investments, but neutral fixtures are less risky. Vinyl plank flooring and granite countertops are both inexpensive and long-lasting options.
2. How is the organisation?
Maintaining your home isn’t just a problem for older properties. Structural faults can arise even in newly constructed buildings. From your basement, you may be able to see the time (and outside).
Inspect your basement properly before you start any remodelling work there. This is the basis of your home, not a place to live in the future. Look for puddles, cracks, slow leaks, drooping ceilings, and electrical or plumbing problems in the walls and floors. However, you’ll need a contractor and a structural engineer to come up with a safe, long-term solution for the majority of issues.
A building’s stability is tested by engineers
Make improvements to systems that may need replacing in the next five years if you reside in an older or significantly extended home. Is it worth spending money on a basement remodel when you’ll have to tear down ceilings and walls in the process?
When remodelling a basement, be prepared for any unexpected issues that may arise. Make sure you have a contingency fund and invest in long-lasting fixtures. Mold-resistant paint, water-resistant flooring, and slip-covered furniture make cleaning up easier (and cheaper).
What’s the water like there?
Tell the truth. There will be moisture in your basement if it is located underground.
There is a lot of water leaking through the porous concrete in basements built directly on dirt. As a result, the air is slightly humid, and small puddles form. Concrete-block basements are vulnerable to water infiltration. A wall crack or a weak seal around an outside window or door might also be a concern.
A representation of moisture
Premodel. A moisture metre costs $30, so if you’re redesigning your basement, invest in one. If your basement smells of mould or mildew, is sticky or clammy, has had water issues in the past, or has new water stains or moisture, this is very important. Humidity may be measured in a home for under ten dollars using a simple hygrometer.
If you’re worried about groundwater seepage, consider redesigning your exterior drainage system. Many leaks occur when runoff water is directed toward the foundation of your home or when precipitation collects around it. In order to prevent basement leaks, it is a good idea to install French drains.
What is lacking in your town?
Even if you’re only doing a simple basement remodel, there are local building codes that must be followed. Because of local regulations or financial limits, you may not be able to build the mother-in-law suite or party room of your dreams.
Ceiling height, hallway width, and staircase building can all be regulated by these laws. You may not be able to design a full kitchen or install particular appliances if you have a limited budget. Your finished basement must also include exits, including emergency exits, according to the rules.
Table top blueprints
There may be additional regulations if you plan to rent out your newly renovated basement. Electric panels and water metres must be separated from the thermostats.
Permits. Even if you’re hiring a contractor, be sure you have the right permits. At city hall, you can examine your work for accuracy.
Before selecting a contractor, make sure they have the proper insurance and bond in place. A bond protects the homeowner in the event that the contractor fails to complete the project, obtains the necessary permissions, or makes a costly mistake. Damage to your home and injuries to contractors and employees are covered by liability insurance. Both will protect you from harm. Before you begin, verify the facts.
What’s the size of your abode?
The height of the ceiling is critical in many basements. There must be 7-foot ceilings in basements according to the International Residential Code. Height restrictions imposed by local building codes are possible.
Basement ceilings can be raised, but it is an expensive process. Perhaps…
- Re-route any ducts that might be in the way of your personal space.
- Replace or raise the trusses.
- Make the floor lower.
- Low ceilings can be made to appear as high as feasible. Use recessed lighting instead of flush- or semi-flush-mount fixtures. Hanging drapes or blinds close to the ceiling gives the impression of higher ceilings. Lower ceilings and other architectural details can shrink a space.
Shine! A gloomy room can be made cheery and breezy with white paint and lots of lighting. If your basement is small, keep it open and fill it with multipurpose stuff. It gives the impression that it’s bigger. Add mirrored surfaces to your living area, such as framed portraits and mirrored side tables.
Saving a few millimetres can pay out in the long run. There is no headroom required for installing vinyl sheet flooring as an alternative to other basement flooring options that are waterproof. In comparison to other sub-grade flooring options, this one is more durable.
What will you do with it?
It is possible to use basements for a variety of purposes. The appearance of a room and its intended use are diametrically opposed.
Be honest with yourself and your family about what they plan to do in the basement and what they won’t. No, they’ll be playing on the lower level alone. Is it worth it to spend the money on a new suite? Is a beverage chiller the answer to your wine-drinking woes? Will you be able to work out downstairs in six months?
Stairs leading down to the basement.
Adapt. In the long run, using your basement for a single function is a recipe for disaster. Consider. What are your plans for using the home theatre? Black recliners and a wall-sized projection screen may not be the best answer even if they are used “every weekend.” For game nights, guests, and double features, a normal living area with excellent chairs, a big-screen TV, and blackout shades works well.
To construct a multi-purpose basement, invest in furnishings that can expand with you. What we mean is beautiful flooring that can tolerate overnight guests, tween horseplay, absorb the impact of your home gym, and handle household dust…and yet appear brand new! “
Basement waterproof flooring options include luxury vinyl plank and tile, vinyl sheet, and more. Is the design difficult to understand? You can find out more about vinyl flooring and rigid core here. A representative from our fiirm can assist you in making a decision about the basement flooring.
