How to renovate your Basement: The ultimate DIY Guide

Are you looking for some extra space in your home? That unfinished basement with all that exposed joist, concrete and unwanted items, apparently seeming dreary and dull, is an ideal place you can transform it into a comfortable habitable zone you would love to live in. But there is a problem, the renovation projects have become more expensive these years so it is suggested to not break the bank and undertake the work yourself.
Luckily, you have a lot of options to make the most of the finished basement, you can turn it into an extra bedroom, gym, a theater, or a functional home office.However, before starting the remodeling, you need to have enough understanding of the requirements and you must consider in order to avoid any future problem.
In this article, we will walk you through the process step by step which will allow you to get the right understanding of how to complete this project efficiently.

1. Plan the renovation:This is the most important part of the renovation project. Before you begin, set your goal, set a budget, and duration of the work. Make sure what exactly you want to do with the space. For that, make a list of “must do” and “good to do” as it will help you perform the job efficiently. Then, determine what it will cost you to complete the project. Do not forget to have some extra money for unexpected expenses that you may need during the course of renovation work.

2. Get the necessary Permits:Basement remodeling is rarely a DIY able project because it demands you to adhere to certain codes. Whether you are living in Vancouver Canada or somewhere else, you must check the local governments building department to check what they have said about it. If you go on a project without following the codes, it may not be an issue at the moment but it may affect the value of your home at the time of sale because of the incomplete documentation.

3. Moisture test:Dampness and humidity in the basement area are a real challenge and you must get rid of them before installing a drywall. If not, your whole renovation work could be ruined by sneaky leaks. Basement area is prone to mold breeding due to high dampness on the floor caused by the frequent condensation of humid air. To tackle this, use dehumidifier as it is the easiest solution that will not only dehumidify the space but will also improve the air quality.

4. Wall covering and paint:Proper wall paint is something that brightens the basement and gives a fresh and lively look. Because moisture and dampness are observed to be one of the serious problems, always choose water resistant paints for walls and ceilings. Apply two coats of stain hiding primer and then a fresh coat of white color paint and the walls will give a striking look.

5. Flooring:Basement floor is generally rough concrete and you must work on it to make it more plain, comfortable and attractive. There are plenty of flooring options but you should go for the ones that are water resistant. Vinyl sheet, Vinyl Plank, and Laminate flooring are the best options that will work better for moist floors. They are easy to install and are very much affordable.

6. Lighting:Basement is the area where you need to have a proper lighting system. In order to do that, Emphasize on making small windows to maximize the natural light entrance. Also give extra attention to electric wiring by running a conduit in the ceiling and create a playful ambience in the space with maximum number of lights possible. LED lights have come a long way and are the best option to combat dimness these years.

7. Storage room:No matter how spacious your basement is, you still need a storage room where you can keep all that unused accessories. A small storage room will allow you to keep the place clutter free, help you stay organized and above all, it adds value to the home. The storage area can be easily made by adding shelves, cabinets and small vertical storage boxes at a suitable place.

Want to consult a Pro?
If you still think, you cannot perform this task yourself, the best option is consult a professional remodeling company and it will do the job for you. Cbest Homes is a reliable custom home building company in Vancouver Canada that helps people get their renovation, remodeling and construction done in a professional way. Without any delay, contact us today.