Get matched with top basement remodelers in Altheimer, AR

When considering finishing your basement, take into account a few pros and cons:

Pros

• Can increase the value of your home

• Separate space from the rest of the house 

• Customize and personalize the basement to suit your needs and style

• Increase the amount of living space in your home

Cons

• May not regain enough value to cover the cost of finishing

• Lack of natural light if it’s below ground level

• Moisture or flooding can cause costly damage

• Installing plumbing and electrical can be messy and costly

Generally, a wall can bow up to 30% of its thickness, or around 2.5 inches for an 8-inch-thick structure, before it becomes an urgent situation. If your basement wall bows more than 1 inch, it's time to have a basement inspection to determine if a repair is necessary, depending on the soil conditions and structural specifics. Walls nearing 4 inches of bowing will require significant repairs. More than 6 inches of bowing usually means the wall will need replacing.

Building a bar in the basement will likely add value to your home, although it’s unlikely that you’ll see a significant return on investment (ROI) unless you plan on using the space for you and your guests. If you think you’ll use the area frequently, though, it’s probably worth the investment, and you should see a bump in value if or when you sell your property.

Walkout basements are not generally included in a home’s square footage, although they may be if they meet certain conditions that depend on local regulations. A finished walkout basement used as a living space may be counted toward square footage in some locations as long as all codes for livable space are met.