Are you looking for a way to add living space to your home? Struggling with the idea of adding a room or building a story onto your house?
There are a million reasons to finish your basement - and only one or two reasons not to. In this article, we'll go over the most compelling reasons to finish your basement. We'll also discuss some problems that people experience when they're finishing their underground spaces. The more you know about the pros and cons, the easier it will be for you to make a decision about whether this home improvement is right for you.
Seven Great Reasons to Finish Your Basement
The benefits of finishing your basement are clear?
1. Expanded Living Space
Unfinished basements aren't counted in your home's square footage, because they're not considered living spaces. ...but they can be, as long as they're properly finished. If you're looking for a way to expand your living space without adding on a room to your home, finishing your basement is the way to make that happen. This means you'll get more square footage without taking up yard space.
A typical homeowner adding 200 square feet onto their home spends about $48,000 for their home addition. Meanwhile, the average cost to finish a basement costs $30,000 - and for that price, you can add square footage equivalent to the entire first floor of your home.
Finishing your basement, you'll add significantly more space to your house and do it for less money than you would spend building an addition. That's a big benefit!
Costs vary depending on what you do to finish your basement, so the best way to find out how much you'll spend finishing your basement is to get a quote from a reputable contractor.
The basement is a perfect space for a home office, workout room - or perhaps both! Whatever space you're hoping to add to your home, your basement can be made into the perfect venue.
After a long day spent at home, indoor spaces can start to feel claustrophobic, especially when you're sharing space with a loud teenager or several housemates engaged in their own activities. Finishing your basement can help create separation for the people in your household, thus preventing arguments and keeping the peace among members of your family. A finished basement can also create a great "get away" space for parents, where they can quietly watch television, listen to music and enjoy themselves away from the kids.
Do you get tired of cleaning up the kid's toys at the end of every day? Bet your kids do too! The great thing about a basement is that it's hard to reach, so it doesn't have to be a public space. You get to decide if the guests see the basement - which means you can also decide to not clean it up at the end of every night. It's a great relief at the end of the day to not worry about cleaning up your basement living space.
Do you need a guest space for overnight guests or family visits? Work with your contractor to create a basement bedroom. Work with a contractor who understands building codes surrounding egress windows, as basements have to be safe for anyone sleeping there.
People travel less now - and take their vacations at home more often. Finishing your basement turns it into the perfect staycation spot where you can add a pool table, ping pong table or a kitchen bar. Work with a contractor to make your basement into a place where you can enjoy yourself, and relax.
There are not many reasons not to finish your basement, if the price is right and you need the space. Working with an experienced contractor can help you avoid the problems that people typically experience during and after the remodel.
One problem that homeowners sometimes experience after they've gone through the finishing process involves issues with the long-term viability of their remodel. For example, the homeowner might install a home gym only to decide later that they don't need such a space in their home. You can avoid this problem by working with a contractor to create a flexible space that can be used for many purposes.
Lack of preparation and failure to address issues before finishing the space is another problem that homeowners might experience with their basement remodel. For example, cracks in the foundation that lead to leaks, pipes that have oxidation or pitting, and outdated sump pumps can all lead to moisture problems which can cause mold and mildew to build up in the space. Hire a contractor who will address these issues before finishing your basement, to ensure your home remodel will be a success.
All basements can benefit from being finished, but if your home was recently built, many contractors will recommend waiting a few seasons to allow your foundation to settle. To find out if basement finishing is a good project for your home, have a consultation with an experienced Louisville contractor. Call us today to make an appointment.