Similar to any other home remodeling project, the key component to any successful basement remodeling project is proper planning. As many homeowners have discovered, basement renovations entail a lot more than just choosing what you want to transform your basement into. But knowing what you want your basement to look like when it is complete is a good starting point. It should be used to help you plan and budget your basement renovation. Budgeting is huge in a basement remodel because so many things can go wrong and there can be so many surprises in a basement renovation if you're not an experienced basement contractor. Regardless, basement remodeling projects are some of the most popular remodeling projects today and typically result in additional living space that the whole family and friends can enjoy. Consider the following before you get started.

The thing about remodeling a basement is the little fact that most basements weren’t designed to be “living spaces.” Perhaps the biggest things that stick out are the lack of a structural ceiling, the lack of natural light (windows) and the dampness and amount of moisture in a basement. These are all things you will have to take into consideration and plan for if you plan on doing a basement renovation. If you don’t know what you’re doing this is a great time to enlist the assistance of a competent contractor to help you assess the situation.

Meeting with a contractor during your planning phase can be a huge help as a good contractor can give you a good idea of how much everything will cost and how much time it will take. Even if you don’t hire contractors to renovate your basement, it’s still a great idea to hire one beforehand for an hour or two to help you better assess the situation and help you see things that you may not even be thinking about. Below is a list of things you’ll want to take into consideration and plan for when planning for a basement renovation

Moisture – Moisture is probably the biggest threat to any basement renovation. Before you make remodeling plans it’s a really good idea to test your basement for moisture. Moisture can lead to mold which can lead to some serious health complications so it’s best to avoid it at all costs. To test for moisture in your basement you can simply apply a plastic trash bag flat on your concrete floor and tape all around the edges and leave it there for at least a couple of days. When you remove the bag two days later if you notice any moisture or condensation under the bag, you have moisture somehow penetrating your basement. If you have moisture in your basement, you’ll want to have your basement checked out for moisture issues. There are many causes for moisture problems in the basement but the biggest culprits are poor lawn drainage, lack of or deteriorating rain gutters and plumbing leaks within the basement.

No ceiling – Another common problem with basement renovations is the lack of a ceiling. Technically there is a ceiling but most basement ceilings are covered with ducts and pipes. The two most popular options for basement ceilings are drywall ceilings and suspended-tile ceilings. Suspended tile ceiling are a bit more ideal for basements because they allow access to the ducts and pipes that are most likely suspended from your basement ceiling. A common problem with installing a ceiling in a basement, however, is that it will most likely shorten the room even more than it already it is. Most basements are shorter from floor to ceiling than the typical room in your home and when you add a ceiling to a basement that fits that criteria, you’re just making it that much shorter. At that point you’ll have to make another decision and leads to the next item on the list of considerations.

Flooring – Most basements have a concrete floor as flooring and most folks don’t find that terribly appealing. Before you decide what to do with your flooring, it’s a good idea to measure and see if the floor to ceiling height will be acceptable to you. If it’s not, you may have to consider digging into your existing basement floor. While you’re evaluating your basement floor, this is also a great time to check the condition of your foundation. If you’re planning on using your existing basement floor, you’ll want to check it for cracks as that may be a point where moisture is getting into your basement. As far as flooring goes, tile is ideal in a basement because you want flooring that is easy to dry and clean in case of plumbing leaks. Carpet can pose some problems in a basement when leaks do occur because the carpet will absorb the moisture and create the possibility of mildew and mold down the line.

No natural lighting – Since most basements are underground, they don’t get much natural light. How you address the issue will depend on your budget. Building windows or doors into your basement to allow more natural light to get in is ideal but can get pretty expensive. For those working with a tighter budget, you just want to make sure to allow a little more flexibility in the budget under lighting because you will need more light fixtures than normally required to adequately illuminate the basement. Renovating a basement is a ton of fun. There’s no doubt about it but renovating a basement also comes with its unique set of challenges and obstacles. So long as you plan and budget for them, remodeling your basement should be everything you hoped for! For more basement remodeling tips and to find basement remodeling projects for your basement renovation, make sure to check out Handy Canadian.

Photo by: Randy Pertiet