So you’re considering adding a fourth bedroom, but your main floor space is maxed out. Looks like it’s time to do something about that unfinished basement; maybe add a small exercise room and office, while you’re at it. A basement makeover is perfect for these colder months as you will be drawn to working on interior projects.

Here are some things to keep in mind before starting the renovation:

Create a project plan that outlines your projected schedule, estimated costs, budget, and the type of work to be completed. This will be updated as you go through the different stages of the renovation and will provide you with a valuable tool to keep you on track.

Start searching for magazines, the Internet, and home improvement stores to get a good idea of ​​what you expect your basement to look like. Decide what type of rooms you need, such as an exercise room, a TV room, a game room, etc. If you shop around, it can be surprisingly reasonable to hire a designer for a consultation; Within a few hours, they can provide valuable information on paint colors and design ideas to get you started.

Designate a file folder for paint chips and design ideas.

If you plan to do the work yourself, you should consider the following points. If you are hiring a contractor, make sure you understand the following topics so you can ask the right questions. Make sure you get at least three quotes and that all necessary changes are documented. If the contractor will not take care of a certain area, that must also be documented.

Inspect your basement for any of the following problems:

Do you have to bend over to avoid hitting your head on a beam or conduit?
Are there traces of moisture or mold on the floor or walls?
Does the basement smell musty?
Looking for pencil-wide cracks in walls or floors?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then the costs of fixing these problems should be added to your budget.

Obtain a building permit if you are modifying your home’s structure, window sizes, exterior doors, or changing occupancy needs by adding an apartment. Find out the required heights for a basement ceiling from your local building official, as this must be taken into account.

Look for Moisture – Moisture on floors or walls should be corrected before beginning to cover these areas with rugs and insulation. Common sources can include cracks, poor drainage, gutters, and flowing eaves downspouts.

Air Circulation – Determine if the basement will require additional heating, a dehumidifier, or additional ventilation.

Bathroom: Planning to add a bathroom? If so, additional plumbing requirements should be considered.

Electrical: Will you have extra plugs, heat registers, etc. Also, in the case of a laundry room or stove, you may need high voltage outlets or vents. Also, make sure the wiring is in place for cables, computers, phone lines, etc.

Smoke detectors – Decide on the best location for an additional smoke detector, as they are required on each floor of the home. Carbon monoxide detectors should be located near any gas appliance, fireplace, or furnace, and near the entrance to an attached garage.

Windows – Decide on the placement of additional windows and consider their effectiveness as a light source, escape route, and energy efficiency.

Escape Route – Determine if all family members have a safe means of escape during a fire or emergency.

Boiler room: Do you need an enclosure for your boiler, water heater, etc. Also, make sure there is adequate airflow for your type of oven.

Soundproofing: Adding that family entertainment center is a great idea, but what about the speakers located directly under the bedroom upstairs? You will need to determine if additional soundproofing materials will be needed.

Storage: You cannot have enough storage; Will you need additional cabinets, shelves, containers, or other means to store things?

Additional bathroom: It would be very useful to have a small two-piece bathroom on the ground floor; make sure you decide this before you start.

Wall Systems: Traditionally, basement walls are built by insulating, adding vapor barrier, wood studs, drywall, taping, and finishing with paint or wall covering. Although it is widely used and cheaper than other alternatives, this can be time consuming and complicated. Make sure you’ve researched other wall systems like the Owens Corning Basement Finishing System. It is a kind of panels that combine all these layers in a single panel. Slightly more expensive, you can visit their website at http://www.franchising.owenscorning.com/bfs/products for more information.

I know this sounds like a lot to think about, but the more prepared you are, the easier the project will be. Have fun and enjoy your new living space.