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Yes, you’ll use a macerator pump to install a basement bathroom without breaking concrete. The purpose of breaking into concrete is to connect the drain pipes to the main sewer line. But a macerator pump will bypass this step and break up solids until they are soft enough to pass through a discharge pipe. That pipe will carry the waste to the sewage line.

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

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.

Finishing a basement normally takes four to eight weeks, but the timeline depends on the size of your basement, your contractor's availability, and the extent of finishing work. Framing the basement will take three to five days, while adding electrical and rough-in plumbing can be another three to five days. Adding drywall can take five days, and floor installation can take two to three days. Final touches, like painting and adding trim, will take another week.