Eclectic Homes

Tips for Remodeling a Basement

October 26, 2020

Remodeling your basement is not going to simply increase the living space of your house, it can also be a sound financial investment. According to”Remodeling” magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners who remodel their basement can expect to recoup around 73 percent of the investment. Of course, a gorgeous basement won’t simply increase the value of your house, it will also make it a lot easier to sell and more enjoyable to live in.

Plan for a Toilet

If you are planning to install a bathroom in your basement, decide where you want to put it early on in the design phase. Suffering through thick concrete walls is something you simply wish to do after. Another point to think about is waste disposal. Gravity assists with transporting waste once the toilet is above floor level, but can work against you if the toilet is below floor level. Before you panic, call your public works department and ask for the sewer-line depth of your area; if you have your own septic tank, assess yourself. Possible solutions to some top sewer-line depths are freestanding sewage-ejector methods and composting toilets.

New Bedroom, New Window

Remodeling your basement to your bedroom will immediately increase your house’s habitable square footage and solve crowding issues brought on by developing children, a new baby or grandma moving in. However, don’t forget to incorporate an exit window when pricing the project. California building code requires basement bedrooms to have their very own egress window, which must be big enough to permit a completely outfitted firefighter to input. Installing a basement window is not your standard DIY job. You will have to remove a section of the basement walls, excavate around the window opening and provide adequate draining.

Damp-Proofing

One of the huge problems with basements is they are moist. This creates all types of scents, mold difficulties, allergies and flows –maybe not the ideal environment to sleep, eat or unwind in. Before you spend thousands of dollars on your basement games room or basement kitchen, consider damp-proofing. It will save money in the long term, permit you to enjoy your new room and can be demanded by California’s building code.

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