What You Need to Know Before Refinishing a Basement

Is your home feeling a little cramped? Extra square footage may be found beneath the surface—in the basement. Refinishing a basement can give you a little more room, whether you want to turn it into an additional living space, in-law suite, or maximize your storage area. Before you start the project, here's everything you need to know about refinishing a basement.

Address Moisture Issues

Since they're underground, basements are often more prone to moisture issues and even flooding than other areas in your home. Before you start dreaming of a remodel, take stock of your basement and fix any potential moisture concerns.

A waterproofing company can seal your basement and help keep water out. Another option may be to install a sump pump or dehumidifier to manage moisture levels.

Test for Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, odor, or color. Prolonged exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Since radon can seep into your home through the ground that surrounds your basement, it's a good idea to test for it before you begin refinishing it. A local radon testing company can perform the test and let you know next steps if an elevated level of the gas is found. If radon is present, you can set up a radon mitigation system to make the air safe to breathe.

Get Finished Basement Ideas

Once you have the green light for radon and moisture concerns, start brainstorming what you'll do with your new basement. Basement remodel ideas include installing a bedroom, a home theater, or a small gym. Just remember that you need to consider whether you need to work around any load-bearing walls. Besides that, you're really only limited by your imagination, the size of your space, and your budget.

Who to Hire When Refinishing a Basement

Who do you hire to refinish your basement? Your best bet is to hire a local basement remodeling contractor, particularly one who is familiar with your area. 

While there are some parts of a remodel that you can tackle yourself, such as painting the walls or choosing the furniture, you need to have a pro come in to handle any structural changes and protect the integrity of your home.

For example, per the International Code Council, occupiable spaces need to have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet, 6 inches. Many basements are shorter than this. If that's the case for yours, you'll need a professional to raise the height of your basement without damaging the rest of your home or adjacent properties.

To protect your home and investment, look for the signs of a bad basement remodeler. Avoid companies that aren't insured, don't recommend getting permits, or are in a hurry to start the project.

A reputable contractor will always have the right insurance and licensure, understand and respect the permitting process, and will often be booked well in advance.

Build a Basement Remodel Budget

All that prep work and planning should help you prepare a budget for your basement remodel. Take a look at your finances and determine what you can comfortably afford to spend on your renovation. Then, subtract 20% from that amount, as you want to leave a good cushion in your budget. 

Renovating a basement on a tight budget can be done. It's just a matter of knowing where to save and what to leave out. For example, if your basement is already one big room, sticking with an open floor plan rather than dividing the space into rooms will help reduce the final cost.