Basements usually take up a third of the available space in a home. The most common uses for basements though are as storage space, home offices or laundry rooms. Basically, basements aren’t used as much as they should be. The only reason homeowners shy away from remodels though is because of the cost involved. That’s why here we are going to talk about some remodeling ideas that will help you make the most of the area in your basement without spending too much money.
Why a remodel?
Wouldn’t it be comfy if you had some more living space at home? Since the exterior walls and the floor are already in place, remodeling your basement can help increase your home’s living space extensively without you having to spend a lot of money. Some other utilities like water, gas, electricity, sewer lines, etc. are easier to reach too and won’t cost as much. You will also be glad to know that your basement doesn’t need as much heating or cooling as the rest of your home.
Plan as per your requirements
You need to remodel your basement based on your personal needs. Try and envision what your finished basement will look like. Do you want to create a play area for your kids or a rec room with a TV and pool table?
Planning, budgeting and scheduling
Before beginning, you need to have a detailed plan, a concrete budget and a schedule in place. If you have any prior knowledge of any of these tasks, you could do them yourself to save some money. The alternative would be to hire a contractor.
Reducing cost
You need to know how much the remodel is going to cost you. Get an estimate from the contractor. Ask them for a sketch of the completed project too. Are you thinking of adding a laundry room or bathroom? Try positioning them next to the water heater. You will save money on the plumbing this way.
You could also consider splitting the remodel into smaller parts. A large and complicated project will certainly require the help of professionals. There are some things which you can do just as well on your own though like painting, carpeting, hanging the wallpaper, etc. This will help reduce costs drastically. You can get all of the tools required for these DIY projects at any local home improvement store.
Another cost effective idea for your remodel is renovating particular elements of your basement. You could polish and clean a concrete floor instead of getting new flooring. You could also leave the stone or brick exterior walls the way they are. It will help create an interesting decor.
With these ideas, saving money on your remodel will no longer be just a dream.