Remodeling Basements

Remodeling basements is an excellent way to improve your living space and add value to your home. You already have a floor, walls, and ceiling, so it's relatively cost effective. Basements are appropriate for playrooms, home office, home gym, and home theaters.

You can expect that up to 90% of your costs will be returned in the additional value to your house - and that's within 2 years of the renovation. The longer you own the house, the higher the return.

Sounds great. But hold on. There are a few things you should know about before you start. You're using space that's below grade, and surrounded by cement walls. This presents problems which you must address during construction. There are 3 challenges involved in remodeling basements.

3 Challenges - Water intrusion is the biggest concern. The fact that the basement has never had water in it when it rains is no guarantee that it won't happen next year.

My in-laws owned a house where the basement was dry for 40 years. My son is in the house now and he had water in the basement last year. Water leads to mold and potential health issues. Whenever you are remodeling basements, you MUST waterproof the space.

Here are a few steps you can take: reroute downspouts; grade slopes away from the foundation; apply water-resistant paint to interior walls. Two other possibilities (more expensive) are to add a perimeter drain, and install a sump pump. You would have to factor either of these into the overall cost.

The second issue is water vapor that permeates through the porous cement. This is more prone to happen in newer homes because the cement hasn't cured yet - it takes many years because the cement is up against the soil on one side, and that soil gets damp whenever it rains.

This natural occurrence can be addressed by putting a vapor barrier along the inside of both walls and floor, and waterproofing on the outside of the walls.

Lastly, there's humidity. Incorporate good dehumidification into the project, along with the vapor barrier, and you shouldn't have a problem. Controlling these conditions is important, even if you're not thinking of finishing the basement.

Why? Because 35% or more of the air upstairs is the natural airflow rising from the lower level of the house. It's not a health issue because the humidity is usually highest in the summer months, when the house has good air circulation. But as a general rule, it's always better to minimize moisture indoors.

There's one more thing you should do. Check with your homeowner's insurance agent to see what implications the improvement might have on your coverage/premiums. People put a lot of money into remodeling basements. It would be a shame if water damage ruins the space and your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover it. Can't hurt to check.

Other Considerations - Okay, you've thought about all that and you're still remodeling basements. Great, now consider an issue which impacts your budget. How long will you use the space? Are you doing this to increase the resale value of the house, or is it for your own enjoyment? If it's for resale, spend as little as possible.

Think about anything you are willing and able to do yourself. If you decide to be a partial do-it-yourselfer, complete your work before you have contractors walk through for pricing. One piece of good news is that the plumbing, electrical and HVAC sources you will need access to are all located nearby.

Determine if your existing electrical panel will handle the additional outlets and lighting. The contractor (or electrician, if you're doing the contracting) will need to know in order to accurately give you a price.

Every basement has columns. While remodeling basements, will you box them, or paint them, or work them into the layout so that they're hidden?

Every basement has a stair, and the space below and behind the stair is usually difficult to make good use of. A storage area is always useful. You can never have enough of that. A 1/2 bath or sauna will also fit nicely.

Most basements have direct access, but many don't. If material has to be brought in and out through the living areas of the house, make sure the contractor protects the affected floors & walls (up to 4 ft off the floor) with Masonite or some other protective covering.

If the house was built prior to 1980, remodeling basements might have to deal with asbestos insulation around the pipes. Your renovation will probably disturb that insulation. If this is the situation, read this article (submitted by Joe Lederman of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center

Asbestos can appear in roof shingles, dry wall, attic insulation, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds and electrical wires.

Most homes built before 1980 could have used asbestos or other environmental defected insulation methods. Those involved in home improvement and remodeling scenarios must be aware that exposure to asbestos can become a significant health problem when high levels are inhaled over time.

Millions of people were wrongfully exposed to the substance when manufacturers repressed any evidence that shows asbestos’ toxic qualities.

When involved in home improvement or remodeling basements, it is especially important to embark on the proper inspections to insure the safety of your family, the workers and your reputation.

The removal of asbestos must be done by professional abatement contractors who are trained in handling toxic materials.

Although not all asbestos is considered dangerous, it is best to leave any suspected materials un-disturbed until a professional can determine the best course of action. Once the removal is complete, green alternatives should be considered, such as: cotton fiber, lcynene and cellulose.

The Department of Energy concluded that cooling and heating counts for up to 50-70 percent of all energy used in the average home in the U.S. In today’s state, this philosophy can also save natural resources.

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If you'd like some information about Basement Windows, click here.

If you're planning a large renovation, get your hands on HOW TO CONTROL YOUR REMODELING PROJECT. You can learn more about it at this page.

If you have any questions or comments about remodeling basements, click here to submit them.

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