"Amanda was really very good! At first I was very skeptical, thinking why did I pay money to just speak with someone on the phone about my kitchen remodel project... but after just a few minutes of her addressing some of the issues/questions I emailed to her earlier, I knew it was worth it. It was very clear that she knew her business and she gave me several ideas that I had not even thought about. I told her that I would definitely recommend her to friends and I will very likely use her again myself for my next home project!
Renovations that add functionality or more comfortable floor space generally add the most value when remodeling your home. Attic or basement finishing can add floor space without altering the home's structure, saving you renovation money while adding valuable space. Smaller improvements, such as installing smart-home components or replacing entry doors and windows, also experience high ROIs.
Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.
Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.
Adding a bathroom to your basement can increase your home value since homes with multiple bathrooms sell for more. The return on investment (ROI) for a basement bathroom is 50% to 75%. The actual return varies with your home and location. Adding a half bath to your home increases the value by 2.9% while finishing a basement increases the home value by 6.6%.
If you have the woodworking experience to build a bar from scratch and you have the time, DIYing the work is a no-brainer and can save a few thousand dollars. However, if you’re looking to include a sink, additional lighting fixtures, or high-end bar tops and cabinets, it’s usually a better idea to call in a pro. It will cost more, but the finished product will likely be worth it.
If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between $40,000 and $90,000 on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.
The Beowawe, NV homeowners’ guide to basement remodels
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
An unfinished basement has a lot of potential for a family room or guest suite. So how much does it cost to finish a basement? Read on for all cost factors.
Hiring a bad basement remodeler can wreak havoc on the look and longevity of your unfinished space. Here are red flags to look for as you vet basement contractors.
