When people purchase a home, they might not have a finished basement. They will want to consider finishing it so that they can use it for a game room, office, or family room.
People use their finished basements for all different reasons. In order to finish their basement, they must consider the cost that they will go to in order to have a room that they can use.
How Much Money to Finish a Basement?
For many people, the average costs for finishing their basements are between $25 and $50 for each square foot.
Sometimes the cost can be a lot more depending on what type of renovations they wish to do. The price can reach up to $90 a square foot. In many cases, finishing a basement can cost people up to $30,000.
Things to Consider When Finishing Your Basement
For those that are dead set on having the room the way that they want it, they will need to definitely plan for the expense. They should make arrangements well in advance of the time that they will actually be doing the work so that they are sure that they can afford it.
Here are some things they need to consider when they are looking into whether or not to finish their basement:
Purpose of the Room
Figuring out the purpose of the room might take a bit of planning. People will have to draw out a floor plan so that they know what they will be using it for.
Many people talk it over with other people that live in the home or with a trusted friend that they can bounce ideas off of. Once they know what they are going to use the room for, the rest of the planning falls into place quickly.
Carpeting
They will also need to decide whether or not they want a carpeted floor.
This is all part of the planning stages of finishing the basement. Some people like vinyl flooring, others like wooden, and still others prefer that it is fully carpeted.
Drywall and Preparing to Paint
Finish drywall and make sure that all of the surfaces are sanded and ready for paint. This is something that they need to remember to do.
Color of the Walls
The color of the paint for the walls also needs to be chosen. Most people prefer a neutral color although there are people that love to spruce up their basements by adding a splash of color to the walls.
Whatever they decide on, they will also need to determine if they are going to do the work or if they are going to hire someone. The cost comes into play no matter what so they will need to be aware of how much all of it is going to set them back.
Window Coverings
Deciding on window coverings is another big point that they must look into. Some window coverings are expensive while others are more reasonable.
They will want to look at a lot of different ones before they decide on something that will make their room look nice for a reasonable price.
Electrical Outlets
Making sure that there are enough electrical units for the various parts of the room is an essential part of finishing the basement. If they need to add more of them, they will want to look into how this is done.
If they need help in this department, they should look into a good contractor that will give them a good rate for adding more electrical outlets to the room.
Water Source
Making a water source if there is not currently one is another issue that must be looked at. In most cases, there is some type of water that is already there and they can make the most use of it.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Another issue that they have to deal with is whether or not there will be heat and AC in the basement. They will need to have this completed at the beginning of the transformation of the basement and most likely they will need to hire someone to do it.
Lighting
Lighting is also another important factor that must be considered. They need to decide whether they want ceiling lights, track lighting, lamps, or another light source.
All of these will cost money so it is something that they need to decide on early in the process so that they can be sure that they have enough money to do what they wish to. Redoing a basement is a lot of work and very many details must be considered throughout the process.
Furniture
Another issue is that of furniture.
People need to decide which pieces they want to have in the room. A decent set of furniture can be purchased so that they can be used for all types of fun.
Will There Be a Bar?
People like to have bars in their basements.
They will need to decide early on if this is what they want so that they can save enough room for it. It is also necessary that they invest in bar stools if they are planning to do something like this.
Appliances
Deciding on what appliances will go in the room is necessary. Most people put their washer and dryer in the basement.
Other appliances may also be something that they wish to have. Deciding what they want to have in the room will make the cost higher if they wish to have a lot. It’s something that they must consider.
Entertainment Center
If they are planning to have an entertainment center in their basement, they will need to determine where it will go. The modern look is to hang it from the wall so they will need to find the best wall to mount it on.
Since they can watch TV, listen to music, and play games all from one unit, this is the way that most people are going. It makes a lot of sense to mount it on a wall that does not have the sunlight during the day so that people can utilize it often.
Cupboards and Shelving Units
For storage space, many people decide to put in cupboards and shelving units. If they wish to do this, in many cases, they set them up behind the bar.
This will give them lots of places to store dishes, towels, silverware, and various other items that they might need in their basement when it is all completed.
Accessories
Planning the accessories is also important.
People will want lamps and decorations to finish off the room when it is done. They should also consider getting plants to finish off a great coordinated look.
Final Thoughts
Finishing a basement is a job that is worth it. People find that the money that they invest in it is worth it in the long run.
They can use the room for many different reasons and they can enjoy it to the fullest. For many homeowners, the day that the basement is finished is a great one.
They love that they have space for people to relax and enjoy themselves so they throw a party to have their friends and family over for some fun. Doing it up right will allow everyone to have a fantastic time and to see the finished basement for themselves.
