One of the most common goals young homeowners have is to finish their basement for a little extra recreation room or living space. However, finishing an entire basement can be a challenging job.
Before you even begin to break ground on your basement finishing project, you’ll need to be aware of several things including what exactly you want the finished project to be, the laws, codes, and regulations surrounding it, and what aspects of the project you should trust to the professionals.
At Eagle Construction, we have years of experience in home remodeling and basement finishings, and that’s why we’re here to make you more aware of everything you need to know before going ahead with the project.
What Can You Do With Space?
While the basement of your dreams may not be a reality just yet, you already have a ceiling, floor, and walls. Those aspects alone eliminate a huge expense that you can’t avoid when building an addition. The options are virtually endless for what you can turn your finished basement into. If you’re conflicted about what direction to take your basement finishing project, check out these professional suggestions.
Home Theater – This one’s for the film fanatics. A very popular choice for basement conversions, home theaters can incorporate multiple different aspects of your personal taste and style, not to mention, it’s quite an impressive way to entertain guests.
When opting for this conversion, you can choose to go all-out with theater-style seating, or use a large, L-shaped couch to maximize seating space. Installing a larger TV or projector screen as well as a quality sound system can also enhance your experience ten-fold.
Game Room – Another great option for entertainers is a game room. If you’re looking to use your extra basement space for recreation, consider a ping-pong table, pool table, arcade style gaming systems, poker tables, or anything that really gets the competitive juices flowing.
Home Bar – If you’re looking to upgrade your home with a bit of class and status, converting your basement into an at-home bar could be the way to go. With this project, you can create a social environment that’s great for weekend hangouts, and you can deck the place out with unique and interesting bar-room decor.
A Second Living Room – Sometimes, one living area just isn’t enough. Turning your basement into a second living area is not only a great use of space, it’s also a great way to add to your home’s value. If you have kids, this choice can be especially beneficial, since it gives them their own space to watch TV and hang-out without impeding on your own personal space.
Home Gym – For those who consider fitness a passion, it can be a great idea to convert your basement into an at-home gym. Whether you want to transform your basement into a yoga studio, weight room, or cardio and conditioning area, this concept saves you both money and time by eliminating the need to venture to the gym every time you want to work out.
Important Building Codes and Regulations to Keep in Mind
Turning an unfinished basement into a finished one can be a construction-intensive project, so it’s important to be aware of many building codes and requirements in your area. In addition, you’ll also want to ensure that the foundation of your structure is properly equipped for elements of nature.
Building Permits and Inspections – Before beginning your project, you’ll need to find out what permits and inspections are required. You can call your city or county clerk for this information, and they should be able to adequately explain their required permitting and inspection process.
Electrical Code Requirements – When it comes time for you to finish your basement, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing everything on the up and up. Depending on where you live, your basement finishing project may be considered a wet area. This means that it will require ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) outlets.
Plumbing Code Requirements – Much like when dealing with electrical work, the area in which you live may require specific coding surrounding plumbing. Can you use PVC pipes or polyethylene or are you required to use copper piping? Can you use wooden studs and joists or can you use steel? These are both examples of code requirements that you’ll need to consider when preparing for a basement refinishing project.
Proper Waterproofing – Water accumulation can pose a serious threat to a perfectly planned and executed basement finishing project if you don’t take this aspect into account. Consider ways that you can waterproof your project, such as the inclusion of proper drainage or a sump pump if need be.
Radon Testing – Before beginning any construction work on your basement, you should take the time to have the space tested for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that’s produced by decaying uranium. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to health issues like lung cancer, so be sure you are taking the time to do this properly!
Bring in the Professionals to Ensure a Flawless Job
As you may have noticed by now, a full-fledged basement refinishing project is no simple task. With as much work and planning that goes into such a project, there’s no shame at all in relying on professional assistance in order to ensure your project ends up exactly the way you intended.
At Eagle Construction and Remodeling in Blandon, PA, we are committed to working closely with you on home projects that deliver exceptional quality at an affordable price. One of our greatest passions is designing and creating well-built, endearing, and accommodating homes that fully reflect the vision of our clients.
If you’re interested in discussing or starting a basement finishing, home remodeling, or construction project, don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more about what we do and how we can help you!
