Building a basement is an increasingly popular way to update the size, shape, and function of your home. Adding a basement is also an inexpensive way to add value to your home!
For most people, the conversion from a first-story into a second-story is with the addition of a kitchen, living room, or bedroom. For those who already have a family room or utility room on the first floor, this addition will be easier than for someone who moves up from a second-floor bedroom to a full-fledged bedroom.
Then there’s the question of cost. A general consensus says that new homes cost between $400 and $600, while modified old homes cost around $300. Newer homes usually have upgrades such as new plumbing or electrical systems built in, which saves you some money.
To make new basements less expensive than modified ones, consider using less expensive materials such as cardboard boxes or padding to hold the ceiling up.
Contents:
Plan location and layout of basement
After you have decided where your basement will be, it is time to create the space below. Your newly created basement should be large enough to hold at least one large vehicle, so do not make the same mistake twice.
To give your home more value, a good size basement can store several things: A gaming system, media storage, a craft room, and more. If you are looking to add an additional bedroom or marriage room, then the third bedroom or spaces can be added in!
So how much storage does your house require? As mentioned before, one vehicle can hold up to seven pounds, so a small storage space is fine. If you have more than that, then there is an additional need for space.
A good number to consider is five thousand of total square feet. This means that if your home has 500 square feet of interior space, it has five thousand (five times five thousand = one million) square feet of usable space.
Determine structural support needed
When building a basement, there are some things that must be considered. There is the standard height of a flat-top wall, the distance between studs in a wall, and the amount of overhead clearance needed.
Mostly, these questions are asked when determining if a second family member or friend needs to connect to the house’s electrical system. If so, then another member of the family or someone responsible for maintenance comes around to add more wiring and plumbing.
While this article does not talk about determining whether or not a basement is needed, it does talk about how to add one if one is. The majority of articles talk about adding an above-ground room for storage or function, but this article also covers adding an egress roof if something dangerous outside threatens people inside.
Hire a specialist contractor
When building a basement, there are some basic rules that need to be followed. These include how deep the hole needs to be, how high the ceiling must be, and what type of plumbing must be installed.
Those new to this project should note that doing a bit of preliminary work at home, such as marking locations for studs or putting together a basement kit is recommended. This helps the contractor know what items are included in the construction process.
In terms of the contractor work, this includes finding a place for the water supply, laying out electrical connections, and overall planning and creation of the space. Once all of these are completed, then the builder can start building!
The best tip when working with a contractor is to listen to their instructions and take them to heart.
Plan for waterproofing and insulation
Before any major renovations or additions to your home, it is very important to take care of your home. You can add more rooms or doors, but not additional square feet of space. Both your flooring and insulation should be maintained, as well as any ductwork or air conditioning systems.
If you change the heating or cooling system, it is important to determine whether or not the new system requires an addition layer of insulation. Ducts can become leaking over time, and adding enough waterproofing material around them is a must.
As you can see, having a good plan for your home starts before each project. Creating a plan can be doing some walking and looking at different homes and systems they have remodeled with, but also removing information from this guide.
Install finishing materials
If your home has a unfinished basement, you should consider adding some finishing materials to give your home a complete look. Adding vinyl flooring, wallpaper, and lighting accents are some of the many ways to do this.
Many businesses and stores offer free estimates for basement design and plans. You can also call around to see if anyone else has a similar sized space that could be used as a basement.
If it is really the right fit for you, then a good budget would be around $5,000 to $10,000 for the entire project. This would likely be paid in full by insurance companies and potential customers since it was an honest work done.
Not everyone has a huge basement which is why there are other considerations such as what size feet someone has and whether or not there is enough room for expansion.
Decide on lighting and electrical outlets
When building a basement, there are some important parts to consider. The first is determining what light sources or outlets the basement needs.
Most homes have moderate lighting conditions, so no power or lighting is sufficient. For example, a bedroom and a bathroom are typical conditions for a home.
A full-sized kitchen is also part of the home, as is an area for storage or an entertainment area. All of these places need electrical and physical connections.
Then, there are areas that require special treatment such as an office or a place to store stuff with ample lighting. If there is only one room that needs new treatment, do not add another room to the house to meet space demand!
Instead, find another way to add space (see bullet point!). Each bedroom should have a nightstand and bring out the lights and outlets accordingly.
Soundproofing and ventilation systems
If your home does not already have a basement, you can add one. A little bit of research can help you determine if the home has one or not, however.
Before you add a basement, check the house for safety and ventilation issues. Are there ceiling leaks or low spots? Can people easily enter and exit the basement in an emergency?
If the answer is yes to all of these questions, then it is definitely worth adding a basement. There are many ways to use the space below the house. Some use it as a storage space, others use it as a recreation area.
Sub Basements can be very soundproof and ventilated compared to what above ground.
Storage options in a basement
A basement does not have to be a hidden storage room, it can also be a great way to add additional space. Adding a kids room, storage closet, or storage system is an easy way to expand.
Device storage is a highly realistic way to add additional space in a low-cost fashion. You can buy cheap devices and games for your son or daughter’s bed room or extra space needed for that big gaming system you’re looking at.
A basement does have some limitations. If the depth is too great, there may be issues with water intrusion and seismic issues. If the depth is not enough, there may be issues with air loss and fire safety. either way, there are solutions!
Device basements are also very useful for hiding away collectables, clothing rooms, or other utility rooms.