Finishing your basement can add significant living space and increase its resale value if done properly.
But which factors should take priority when planning to remodel a basement? It ultimately depends on your family and real estate market needs.
How to Add Value to Home With a Basement Renovation
Lighting
Lighting will transform the basement into an inviting living space for both family and guests.
Basements have the power to transform from unorganized storage spaces full of outgrown toys, old furniture and boxes into functional offices, guest bedrooms, play areas for children or full entertainment centers. No matter what you use your basement for, ample lighting fixtures must be strategically installed throughout its entirety for proper illumination of all areas of space.
Ambient lighting (mood lighting) is essential in creating the right ambiance and can be achieved through chandeliers, pendants, track or recessed lights. Ceiling fixtures also offer accent and task lighting with various glowing colors and sculptural shapes that add personality and style.
If your basement lacks natural light, installing egress windows may be the way to bring in natural illumination. While this project can be costly and time consuming, dimmer switches will allow you to tailor brightness based on individual needs or mood.
Flooring
While there may be numerous flooring options to consider for your basement remodel, hard floors tend to work best as they can better withstand flooding and moisture. Carpet can become fire hazards quickly; instead consider luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which offers affordable alternatives that provide the appearance of wood or stone for an inviting atmosphere.
Installing a bathroom will surely boost the value of your home and expand its enjoyment, but it can be costly. When selecting your tub, shower and sink components, it is essential that you work with a professional installer so everything fits as intended.
Before embarking on any renovation work, be sure to test all surfaces for moisture. Moisture problems are expensive to resolve and can significantly lower your home value; adding preventive measures like basement vapor barriers and dehumidifiers could save money in the long run.
Plumbing
Before renovating your basement into a bedroom, bathroom, or family room it is essential to identify rough-in plumbing. This step will allow you to determine if your desired space can be completed within your budget and will prevent costly mistakes during construction. For homeowners adding bathrooms it can be especially important as accidental drilling into water lines or blockages could occur without knowing where existing pipes exist.
If your main sewer line lies above foundation level, installing a sewage ejector to allow your new basement bathroom to function will likely be required in order for it to function. Once in place, this large barrel will force all waste and sewage directly back into its main line without depending on gravity alone.
Remodeling their homes not solely to increase financial returns but to better fit their lifestyle and sense of style is often what drives homeowners’ renovation projects. Finishing off the basement of your home is an effective way of adding living space and increasing its overall value.
Electrical
Many homeowners opt to remodel their home not for its financial return on investment (ROI), but for its added utility and enjoyment. This non-financial ROI begins right from day one and gradually grows over time regardless of changes to real estate market or economy conditions.
Before beginning work on your Hamilton basement renovation, an electrician should identify where and how best to run wiring for outlets, switches, lighting (recessed and fixture), fans, smart home devices, and other electric elements. Generally, this should take place as walls are being framed but before the drywall installation takes place.
Wrapping Up
If you plan on adding a secondary unit like a bedroom, home office, kitchen/living area to your basement space, an electrician must also install a sub-panel and new service breaker to comply with code and ensure a safe electrical system in the space.
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