You may have thought of creating extra room in your house–maybe for a new bedroom, kitchen, storage room, recreational room, or a guest room. While most people consider remodeling one of the empty rooms in their house, few think about remodeling their basement.
For many, the basement serves as the space for storing items they don’t use often or haven’t yet donated. It is the space where they store holiday decorations, unused furniture, and gardening tools, and they rarely access the area. However, you can remodel your basement and give it more utility and functionality.
Depending on the design and architecture of your house, you can create a large room that can house a full kitchen, or just enough room for a bunk bed and a mid-sized wardrobe. To get the most from your basement remodel, it is best to engage a design-build remodeler who will give you more creative ideas for basement finishing. With more homeowners finding themselves in need of extra space, basement finishing is becoming the go-to idea. The return on investment of the average basement remodel is about 70%, according to research conducted by Home Advisor.
However, there is a lot of work involved in a basement renovation, and design aspects of the house, that you should consider before embarking on the renovations. It’s very likely that most of your house utilities such as gas, electricity, air conditioning system, and the fuse box are located in the basement. Consequently, you need to plan before starting the renovations so that you don’t interfere with these systems.
Consider the following when you are planning to remodel your basement.
1. Make Sure the Basement Is Not Damp
Often, the water and sewer system of the house is located in the basement, and this may make it wet and damp. You don’t want to start remodeling without fixing the water problem in your basement. It is better to have a professional plumber look for current leakages and possible leaks that might develop in the water and sewer system. This will save you time and money when you begin the remodeling process.
2. Consider the Building Codes of Your State
If you are planning to remodel and convert your basement into a bedroom, you should be aware of the building codes of your state. The safety restrictions are stricter if you plan to remodel the basement into a bedroom. Most states will require you to install a window large enough for a person to escape through in case of an emergency. The exit should have direct access to the outside of the house.
You may also need permits for extensive renovations that may touch on the gas and sewer systems. Your state may also require you to install a fire extinguisher or smoke detectors.
3. Contract Design-Build Remodelers
This is by far the best option for basement renovation. When you have professional remodelers do the renovations, you will not need to worry about calling a plumber or electrician, getting permits, and all the other aspects involved in renovation projects. Design-build contractors are an all-inclusive team with builders, architects, electricians, plumbers, and designers working together. This means that no aspect of your basement remodeling is left to chance. Additionally, remodelers consult you first and discuss the best-fit designs. As such, your basement remodeling will run smoothly, and you will be impressed with the results as they will reflect your tastes and preferences.
A basement renovation will give you that extra room that you need in your house. Basement renovations can be complex, and it is advisable to seek professional remodeling services from your local design-build remodelers. A well-done basement remodel will not only create extra space in your house but also improve the interior aesthetics.