Ask any homeowner and they will tell you that designing, remodeling and/or repairing a basement can be a daunting undertaking. In spite of that seemingly rough reality, the end result is well worth all of the challenges and obstacles. When it’s all said and done, you will have created a magnificent living space comparable to none!
Basement Theater Custom Design
Your Basement Helper exists to help you accomplish your dreams. We are your one stop source for everything related to downstairs. We cover everything from basement flooring ideas, designing and installing basement bars, adding up the cost to finish a basement, to examining basement floor plans and much more.
Have questions concerning the best flooring for basement or the basement flooring ideas? Or, what about the best floor paints for downstairs? Whatever your question, at BasementHelper.com, we have answers and solutions.
Where Do You Start?
As with any major undertaking, there has to be a starting point. When it comes to your downstairs dream, the starting point is deciding what you and your family will be using your basement for? Entertainment? Sleeping? Parties? Meetings? Home office? Watching movies? Playing video games? Just a simple but cozy place to hang out? The easiest way to clarify your needs is to make a list of the ways you plan on using your space.
Once you have that list, you need to answer another set of critical questions. Will you need a bedroom or two? Will you need a bathroom? If so, what type? A full bath or a half bath? Are you planning on having a bar, a wine cellar, a pool table, a billiards room, a media room and maybe a theater? Will you be installing pinball machines, an air hockey table, a ping pong table and/or other games such as an indoor children’s playground? How about a sauna, Jacuzzi, whirlpool or a mini indoor swimming pool?
Once you have answered those questions, the next process can get a little dicey. This is where you determine if you have enough square footage to make your dreams come true. Needless to say, if you desire to have a twenty seat media room, a full wet bar complete with a popcorn popper, a pool table and a full bath, but you only have eight hundred and sixty five square feet to work with, that’s not going to work. Consequently, your only option would be to expand your basement; which will be expensive no matter which route you take.
Are you willing to get involved in building basement walls and building vapor barriers? And what about the insulate basement aspect? You will more likely than not need to insulate your basement against moisture.
Once you have successfully answered all of the above questions, you have now reached the point where you are well on your way to turning your basement vision into a reality!
Take Your Basement Budget Serious!
The next step, after mulling over the square footage, is pinpointing your budget. This step cannot be glossed over! You need to be meticulous about establishing your budget. Common mistakes to avoid are miscalculations, mathematical errors, omissions and oversights. This is why it is important to check and then recheck your budget before proceeding with this project.
Contrary to commonly held erroneous beliefs, cost overruns can be avoided. This is why you’ll want to utilize construction estimating software. Doing so will insure that your estimates are as close to reality as possible. Currently, one of the best building cost calculators is free. You can find it at Basement Building Costs Estimator.