The toughest part about finishing your basement is just getting started.
Thinking about how you could use that extra space, all the fun you could have down there, what great shape you'll be in and how you might design your basement. That 's the easy part.
Trust me though. As fun as it is to dream and cut out pictures of your ultimate basement, it's even more fun to build it yourself.
If you finish your own basement you will never look at another basement or even another house for that matter the same way again.
7 posts to help you get started:
Finishing a Basement - There a 8 major phases to finishing your own basement. This article will give you an overview of each and links to detailed posts. Plus, the one secret skill that you'll need to complete the job. Hint: You used to have it when you were a kid!
Imagine the benefits - Increasing your home's value by thousands. Complete design flexibility.
Basement Permits and Inspections - Don't let the permit process scare you. Read through this post to put your mind at ease.
Design Time - I loved the design phase. Once I learned how to do the design and how helpful it was to have a design I spent tons of time planning my new basement space.
HVAC - Will you need to expand your heating and cooling to make sure your basement is comfortable? How do you do that? What does it cost? I'm still writing this section but there's a start at least. 3 options for heating your basement.
Working Solo - Tips and tricks for literally finishing on your own. As in 1 person. As in, my wife is upstairs pregnant and watching movies.
One Small Wall - Get going already. Forget all the stuff above and just build a wall for kicks. You can hang some pegboard on there and have a spot for some tools - here's how.
Perfect Basement Finishing Weekend - What's that you say...? You can only work on the weekends? Welcome to the club. No problem, if you follow some of these tips you can still finish your own basement even if you only work on it on the weekends.
Once you get started and gain some confidence in your ability you'll be ready to tackle the other major basement phases electrical, plumbing, and finishing.
2 Areas People Always Ask About
Here are two things I was worried about before I got started with my basement project. These really kept me up at night and prevented me from getting started. Put your mind at ease, these are not hard to solve. Here's everything I know.
Basement Waterproofing - Does your sump pump go off a lot? Have you had a basement flood before? Does your basement smell like a gym locker sometimes? I had all of the above and solved them. HOW I solved them may surprise you.
Radon Gas Testing - Are you freaked out about Radon gas? Don't worry... well, worry a little. Radon can cause cancer. Even if you're not ready to finish your basement you should test your house for radon. I researched the inter-webs for 4 days and boiled it all down to these key points.
The only big phase that I contracted out was the drywall phase. When I priced it out I just couldn't do the work for less and I knew I could save months and months of time by letting the pros do that step. It took them about a week and they did a fantastic job.
Cheers - Jason
Not quite ready to start? But you'd still love to get some inspiration, some ideas and some money saving tips? Signup for the email newsletter. I usually only send about 1 email a week and it's chock-full of home improvement and basement goodness.
I desperately want to finish my basement. The ceilings have exposed plumbing and seem low to begin with. (I have a small Cape). Any suggestions for a low ceiling?
Anne-Marie - Yes! I do have a suggestion... I would consider spray painting the ceiling. All of it! There's a picture of one on my Pinterest page. I'll keep a look out for more photos of that technique and post them to Pinterest if I find them. It looks really cool, I kinda wish I had tried that. -Jason
http://pinterest.com/pin/18436679694634348/
This is a great web site! Great ideas and planning. That first demo or remodeling job is always scary but with proper planning and the right tools it gets done fabulously! Love reusing materials and the wood pallet wall is an awesome idea!
So glad I found this sight! I built my house 8 years ago; and STILL have not closed in my basement! I am going to get started! My basement is shared with my garage; so it will only be about 500 sq ft. I want a full bath; but don't know how to configure the floor plan? Thanks for the great ideas!
Thanks for commenting David. Good luck with your project. The key is to focus on progress not perfection. Don't give up on it if you get stuck, just take a few days break, then come back and give it another shot, you will get it! -Jason
Luv the great advice; but I have another problem??? Heating and air! I live in the South and the humidity alone will kill you! I am considering the mitsubishi mini split. Do you know of anyone who has used this product; and been very pleased with the results?
I don't know anyone whose used that. Hopefully it helps, basements can be great for beating the heat as they are usually insulated by being underground. -Jason
What sweet pictures! Oh, those chunky painted legs...don't ya just want to bite 'em? I have a six month old boy who hasn't been doused in paint yet. I think it's time!
I had been kicking the idea around in my head about finishing our basement, but couldn't seem to find any good resources on framing, etc. Then I found your website! I'm totally sold on the idea, have my plan drawn up and I'm going to get my building permit this week. Thank you for the encouragement and expertise!
BOOYAH! I totally know how you feel. You've got an inkling of an idea and you're like "do people really do this?" And then you get just little push and some place to go for "real" answers and you feel awesome because you knew all along that it's something you could do. And you can and will. Suddenly something out of reach financially and seeming out of your control is right there in the palm of your hands. Let me know if you need any help. Have fun! - Jason
So, here is a question: what if the basement is dry and all, but it is just, legit concrete walls and floor? Am I supposed to do something to the concrete (like...paint it with something?) to insulate before framing it? What about a sump pump, what heck do people do with those when refinishing? Any advice is enormously appreciated...
Leah - With the exception of the insulation my basement was also just concrete floor and cinder block walls. Like you I did not have any moisture issues. Basement was dry! So no, I don't think you need to paint the walls with drylock or anything like that. I made the area holding my sump pump a storage area, other than that, I didn't touch it. Good luck! - Jason
How about if the basement does not currently have any egress windows? Any good, cost saving ways to address? Thanks
Tina - Wish I had some more content on this topic as I know they're expensive. But... I don't, at least not right now. Anyone else have some egress window tips? Please chime in. - Jason
I just came across this site yesterday and have been reading thru a ton of info and every word seems so logical and understandable.. I know this post is pretty old but I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth... I have researched the egress window thing and unless you have the equipment and the time and knowledge, there really is only one way .... hire a specialist... the decision to make is not about the window but about whether or not to use a window, with limited use, or simply install a door with an outside entrance... something MUCH more useful than just a window with little extra cost... I hired a contractor to do my basement in three or four stages.. over a year ago, and I prepaid him for his work in $1,000 chunks. He went on vaca, last March (After the first few prepayments and I haven't seen him back since so I am going to do it myself. He is a relative!!) I have done a number of small renos around every home I have had so 2 X 4 stuff is not new to me... problem now is my age and physical issues. Bending over to pick stuff up, and tilting my head back to nail or screw overhead is virtually impossible... and my helper Arthur-Ritus is no help at all.. But, I figure if I attend this "GYM" of reno my basement, might even help it all out if I do undergo the physical issues and pursue this project... Your information is so really good I wish I had read it before I got started.. amazing stuff sir and your reader's comments and your answers simply add an additional layer of icing on his beautiful cake. Thank you. Eldon
Eldon - Thanks for the encouragement and jokes. I found it to great exercise for the mind and body, especially my pointer finger opening the beers when I needed to further assess a situation.
-Jason
I have a "finished" basement that was done by the previous owners when they had the house built to save money. Problem is, they really had no idea what they were doing and never finished. I can work with the framing and drywall as is, but I would like do redo the ceiling, add an exterior door next to the one car garage, finish the roughed in bathroom, and add carpet and tile. There is already electric throughout. Do you have a rough idea how much we can expect to spend? Everything I am reading is based on a complete finish. Thanks for the great website!
Quick question.....about to buy the "book" as it looks really good, but needed to know if I would be able to access it from multiple devices (if i download it on my laptop, will I also be able to download on my iPad?)
Hi Joe. Yes, you can access it from multiple devices. The book is a .pdf, so you can put it anywhere. You're login will work from any device, so you can login to the members site and download 1 or 100 times, it's up to you. Videos also work across 99% of devices. It works great on iPad, absolutely. - Jason
Jason, great site and awesome book. I need a designer program for my MacBook, got any suggestions? Also, you should do a sequel and build a garage with a finished second floor. Thanks!
Josh - Wish I had an easy answer for you. I just did about 30 minutes of serious searching and found ZERO Mac compatible basement design software programs that I would recommend. (if you had a PC I'd highly recommend buying this one)
There are two different MAC options on Amazon but they both rank 2.5 stars and the reviews are horrible. Soooo... I recommend using Microsoft Visio - which you can get for Mac, or Sketchup (which is hard to learn) or paper and pencil, which sounds like a cop-out but is actually a pretty good option.
Good luck! - Jason
I am looking for some opinions on a basement room with recessed can lights. The room is 22 X 15. I currently have 6 can lights in the space...spaced evenly, but I am concerned that this is not enough. One of the cans is an eye that will be pointing at a fireplace. The other 5 will be split between two switches. I am considering going to 8 lights. I have been trying to find a number for lumens for a room this size online, and most have this room around 7 65W led floods. Any thoughts on the number of lights in a room this size?
Hi Mike - My basement family is about the same size it's 15 x 20. I currently have 5 recessed lights and one sconce light in there but there's also one of those tiny windows and my double walk-up doors are on one side. At night - 6 lights doesn't seem to be quite enough.
However, I planned all along to add some up-lighting behind some crown molding to really add some cool light when I turn it more into a theater room. To prep for that I install a switched plug into the ceiling - close to where my uplighting will start.
Hopefully that helps you out. Good luck on your basement! - Jason
Would you recommend finishing a basement that is only 7ft tall? If so what are some ideas?
Hi Matt -
Yes, absolutely. The height is a little challenging but there are ways around it. I recommend using sconce lighting or (wall) lighting versus a lot of recessed lights.
Adding crown moulding will help the room feel taller than it is. When you furnish it, go with low couches and chairs (thing Ikea) style and white or very light furniture. Other than that you finish it just like any other basement. I think you'd be surprised how fun it can be.
Jason
I purchased my home in 2009, We have not had the money to invest in finishng our basement, wanted to get your ideas on doing it little by little as we can? I am not very handy, and I would rather pay someone to do it but that has not worked out so far. I have a neighbor who is preety handy and he wants to help me finish it, just wanted to get your thoughts
What's your advice on starting from scratch iv got enough room to comando crawl under my house where we live used to be a river hundreds of years ago so stones for miles but I want to dig it out myself house is on 5x5 piles i think 1.8m long with I'd say around 2 to 5 ft deep what used to be a box frame from the concrete to set the foundations to the house so ill have to dig around them and i wanted to reinforce it and put in new foundations 4 1 each corner and get rid of those big bulky concrete foundation, I've done carpentry built a few houses but we live on a major fault line being new Zealand and all was also wondering about earthquakes idea was to dig out around 4 by 4 meter by say 2.8 high ceiling just a basic big box for storage maybe bit of a work shop on one side but all in all any feedback is welcome
Hi Codes - I'm afraid the digging out portion of finishing your basement isn't something I can give advice on. My caution would be that safety and security should come first and digging big holes under your house and around your foundation is probably best left to a professional firm. Cheers - Jason
Blocking from rim joist to first joist for framing a wall in my basement, these are engineered joist. My mind thinks two 2x4s one from flange to flange second one from web to web? Is that the correct way? Thanks
Hey Jason, what do I do with a finished baesmeng that is not insulated . Been here 7 yrs no moisture problems but basement is cold. Looks great but not comfortable
Do have a duraflame infrared heater does ok. Advice????
Hey Nick - Insulation would help some but ultimately you'll need a decent heat source for down there. Here's a run down of some of my favorite options for heating your basement.. You could start with a heating source and then add some insulation to your walls when you're ready to finish your basement. - Jason
I recently had my basement waterproofed by a firm that installed a sump pump. We have had two storms and my basement has failed both times.
During the first storm it ran for one cycle and stopped. Water than began seeping out of my basement floor,where it meets the wall. The sump pump was fill of leaves and other storm debris. The firm sent someone to clean it out.
Several days there was a second storm and the sump pump again failed. It stopped pumping and sewage began to pour out as well as debris. I called the city sewage department and they discovered that the firm had broken a sewage pipe that allowed sewage and debris to enter the trench that flows into the sump pump.
The company cleaned out the basement trench and sump,pump, but yesterday I noticed there is still some debris at the bottom of the pump including chips of cement that came from their cementing around the sump pump barrel. Shouldn't this be cleaned out as well? I was given no paperwork from this company concerning the sump pump and I have no idea what brand of sump pump it is.
Hi Cynthia - There shouldn't be any debris in your sump pump bin. The company you worked with to have this stuff installed seems a bit sloppy in their work. Hopefully they will make this right. - Jason
So where exactly do I go to sign up for this newsletter I keep reading about?
Hi, I'm wanting to finish our basement but don't know the right steps to get started , floor plan and drawing up something to apply for a permit what's the first step to getting this started I have a drywaller doing that part but I need framing and electrical the windows are already in and big and the duct work is all there too just no interior walls or electrical plugs should I hire someone to do the framing ?
What is a benchmark to pay to tie into existing heat/air with 4 vents (2 rooms, bathroom, media room) and also the sucker (maybe called a return)
If I had to add a new duct system or HVAC ( have'nt confirmed which way I am going here) in my project at what phase of the project do I do this? I would assume after framing?
I'm ready to begin framing and want to place foam insulation against the exterior walls. While trying to figure out what r-value I should use I'm stumbled across some info that looks like it may be a code thing here in CT. Do you know if this is a code item in some parts of the country? I don't want to install it, put up the studs, then have the town inspector tell me it's not thick enough (but the stuff is expensive).
Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can provide. - Charlie
Hey Charlie- I don't want to lead down the wrong path. At the end of the day, your county officials are there to help you through the process and getting them involved early may even give you cred later. I'd give the inspectors office a call and get the most current code directly from the horses mouth.
Best of luck,
Jason
I have a 12x15 ( 180 sq. ft ?) room in basement I’d like to finish into usable space. I was told I’d need (86 ) 8 ft 2x4s. That doesn’t sound right to me. How can I determine how many I’ll need? How far a part should the studs be , and is it ok to use foam board instead of roll insulation?
Hi Pamela - I'd get the following:
(50) 2x4x8 studs
(2) 2x4x12 pressure treated (bottom plate)
(2) 2x4x16 PT (bottom plate
(2) 2x4x12
(2) 2x4x16
That includes a little extra for mistakes, corners, and drywall backers.
Hope that helps,
Jason
Love this site
Im building a non-load bearing 14’-0” , (2x4) partition wall in basement, (w/one door), to enclose main breaker box. I’ll use Tap-Cons & treated lumber for plate. Then add a few outlets, light box, and a switch. Finally, finishing with prepainted bead board..
Question: What is correct way to attach wall to concrete floor?
• Does wall need to float on treated wood plate to adjust for possible floor movement?
• Weep holes Y/N?
• Expansion foam between concrete floor & treated 2x4 plate, Y/N?
I wish I had found this website before I started insulating my basement. I live in Massachusetts and have 2 year old new construction. I guess my builder have done water proofing on the basement exterior walls. However, I have to run dehumidifier during summer months. I don't have sump pump in the basement and its dry. I started putting the foamboards without waterproofing paint. Then voila I found this website. So the question that i have is do i need to rip off the foamboards (i've put 8 boards) do the paint and re-stick the boards or just leave that area and paint the remaining area and then put the foamboards? Another query is given the new construction and external waterproofing do I need waterporrofing paint?
Hi Jason.
Enjoying the advice your giving. Don’t drink beer but like Pepsi or lemonade. Thought you should know were kinda going slow with this project. Depends on extra money available. lol. I’m also a young woman of 79yrs young. Net month. So you know I hate to pay people to do a job when I can do it myself (learned that from my father). So I need to get rid of stuff stuff stuff. Then I want to insulate the ceiling in basement. Need to know what size foamboard 1/2 orï 1 in. Then do I staple to studs or glue them.
signed up for email and no basement calculator