{"id":5176,"date":"2020-03-26T12:00:25","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T19:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=5176"},"modified":"2023-09-29T22:45:59","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T05:45:59","slug":"how-to-renovate-your-basement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Renovate Your Basement: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deciding to renovate your basement is a great way to add value and usable space to your home. An unfinished basement may allow you to store unwanted items. But that space isn&rsquo;t as functional as a finished basement. This guide on how to renovate your basement will help you through each step of renovating a basement, from how to make the space ready for construction to adding in the finishing details.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-1\">Step 1: Decide How You Want to Use the Space<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-2\">Step 2: Set a Budget<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-3\">Step 3: Clean Out Your Space<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-4\">Step 4: Conduct a Moisture Test<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-5\">Step 5: Research Local Codes and Requirements<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-6\">Step 6: Insulate Your Basement<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-7\">Step 7: Take Care of Electrical and Plumbing<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-8\">Step 8: Frame and Put Together Any Additional Walls<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-9\">Step 9: Paint<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-10\">Step 10: Put in the Flooring<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-11\">Step 11: Install the Ceiling<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-renovate-your-basement\/#step-12\">Step 12: Add the Details<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/\/75nk_ioExGA\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"step-1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-one-decide-how-you-want-to-use-the-space\">Step One: Decide How You Want to Use the Space<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you renovate your basement, you need to know how you plan to use that space. Your dream for your basement may help determine everything from what flooring you choose to what color you paint the walls. So, spend some time in the space and decide how you want to use it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re planning a&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/5-home-improvement-projects-will-delight-house-buyers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">renovation to appeal to home buyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or to increase the value of your home, you may want to create a more open design. Then, future owners can use it for their own purposes. On the other hand, if you&rsquo;re planning to stay in your home long-term, you may want to develop your space exactly according to your desires. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"options-for-your-newly-renovated-basement\">Options for Your Newly Renovated Basement<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may want to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up a home gym.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A home gym in the basement may add value to your home. The equipment, however, may add thousands to your budget when you renovate your basement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put in a second living room or a rec room. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adding an extra gathering space can add significant value to your home, especially if you started with an unfinished basement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up a wet bar.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A wet bar may add value to your home for families at any stage of their lives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put in a playroom for the kids.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A playroom may, however, make it significantly more difficult to sell your home to a family without children. So, take that into consideration as you plan how to renovate your basement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Design a game room.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A game room can add appeal to members of any family, which may be a selling point when you&rsquo;re ready to leave the house.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add a bedroom.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The basement is a great place for a spare room or for an older child to have space to get away on their own. In order to count as an official bedroom for home appraisal purposes, you will need to make sure that the bedroom has at least two exits in the event of an emergency.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put in a home theater. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like a living room, a home theater can help add value and living space to your home.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up a dedicated space for laundry.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A big laundry room may not make a big difference in the overall value of your home. But it can be appealing to buyers who are looking for more usable space.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"dont-forget-about-storage-space\">Don&rsquo;t Forget About Storage Space<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you&rsquo;re considering how to set up your space, remember that you may still need to leave some room for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/home-storage-solutions-top-15-home-storage-ideas\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">storage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. All those items that have been in your basement in the past will still need a place to go in the future. While the garage can offer some space as you renovate your basement, you don&rsquo;t want to lose your parking spot.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider creating a closet or building a storage room into your basement plans. If you need other temporary or long-term storage solutions, check out&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=contentlinks\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neighbor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn more about the options available in your area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-2\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-two-set-a-budget\"><b>Step Two: Set a Budget<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you can set out to renovate your basement, you need to have an idea of how much your project will cost. Establishing your budget is an important step. This will help you choose the right materials and finishing features. It will also help shape each stage of the process. Make sure you have a budget in mind before you begin your project. It&rsquo;s especially important to have a budget before you start purchasing those important materials.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-much-does-it-cost-to-finish-a-basement\"><b>How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>In general, you can expect an average of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/smartasset.com\/mortgage\/the-average-cost-to-finish-a-basement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$25 to $50 per square foot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to finish your basement. An average basement renovation costs around $30,000. But your final price tag will depend on a variety of factors, including what you want to do with the space.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-do-i-calculate-my-basement-budget\"><b>How Do I Calculate My Basement Budget?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calculating your basement renovation budget starts with assessing the funds you have available. How much do you have saved? How much do you want to borrow? You may want to consider several factors when determining how much you want to spend when you renovate your basement, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"what-renovations-do-you-want-to-make\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What renovations do you want to make?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re planning to put in a full bathroom or kitchen when you renovate your basement, for example, you may need to consider the cost of plumbing. A home gym may raise the price of your renovations due to the cost of exercise equipment. Take a look at what materials you may need for your renovation before you get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"is-a-diy-basement-renovation-an-option\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is a DIY basement renovation an option?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you&rsquo;re experienced with DIY techniques, you may still need to bring in an experienced contractor to help with your renovations. Electrical or plumbing modifications, especially, should be handled by a professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"how-fancy-do-you-want-the-space-to-look\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How fancy do you want the space to look?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people want a very fancy space, with just as much attention to detail as they want upstairs and throughout the rest of their home. Others are content with a simpler, functional space.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"what-allowances-do-you-need-to-make-for-local-codes\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What allowances do you need to make for local codes?&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may, for example, need to add an exit from your basement to make it a usable living or bedroom space. This can add to the cost. We discuss building codes more in-depth in Step Five.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<html><body><div id=\"in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/host\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'first in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"first-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <header>\r\n      <h2 id=\"can-we-pay-you-to-store-vehicles\">Can we pay you to store vehicles?<\/h2>\r\n    <\/header>\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path d=\"M26.7552 20.0573C26.2911 20.9853 26.2499 22.3578 26.2499 24.375H33.7499C33.7499 22.3577 33.7088 20.9853 33.2448 20.0573C33.0557 19.6792 32.8 19.3973 32.3888 19.1841C31.9442 18.9535 31.2108 18.75 30 18.75C28.7892 18.75 28.0558 18.9535 27.6112 19.1841C27.2 19.3973 26.9442 19.6792 26.7552 20.0573Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M28.0777 4.32887C29.3195 3.87732 30.6805 3.87732 31.9223 4.32887L48.7973 10.4652C51.0173 11.2725 52.5 13.3777 52.5 15.7462V33.1425C52.5 33.7407 52.4058 34.3605 52.1888 34.9629C47.861 46.9738 35.9939 53.5676 32.1164 55.464C30.7986 56.1086 29.2843 56.1505 27.9278 55.5549C23.9729 53.8185 12.0728 47.6941 7.77513 34.8948C7.58399 34.3255 7.5 33.7394 7.5 33.1762V15.7481C7.5 13.3807 8.98165 11.2729 11.2027 10.4652L28.0777 4.32887ZM22.4998 24.1662L22.4999 24.375C20.4289 24.375 18.75 26.054 18.75 28.125V35.625C18.75 37.6961 20.4289 39.375 22.5 39.375H37.5C39.5711 39.375 41.25 37.6961 41.25 35.625V28.125C41.25 26.0539 39.5711 24.375 37.5 24.375L37.5 24.166C37.5016 22.4546 37.5037 20.19 36.5989 18.3802C36.0848 17.352 35.2859 16.4621 34.115 15.855C32.9776 15.2652 31.6017 15 30 15C28.3983 15 27.0224 15.2652 25.885 15.855C24.7141 16.4621 23.9152 17.352 23.4011 18.3802C22.4961 20.1901 22.4982 22.4547 22.4998 24.1662Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg><\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"list-your-unused-space\">List your unused space<\/h3>\r\n        <p>People are earning $1,000s per year from their garages and outdoor space.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M13.125 9.375C11.0539 9.375 9.375 11.0539 9.375 13.125V46.875C9.375 48.9461 11.0539 50.625 13.125 50.625H46.875C48.9461 50.625 50.625 48.9461 50.625 46.875V13.125C50.625 11.0539 48.9461 9.375 46.875 9.375H13.125ZM28.125 16.875C28.125 15.8395 28.9645 15 30 15C31.0355 15 31.875 15.8395 31.875 16.875V20.625H35.625C36.6605 20.625 37.5 21.4645 37.5 22.5C37.5 23.5355 36.6605 24.375 35.625 24.375H26.25C25.2145 24.375 24.375 25.2145 24.375 26.25C24.375 27.2855 25.2145 28.125 26.25 28.125H33.75C36.8566 28.125 39.375 30.6434 39.375 33.75C39.375 36.8566 36.8566 39.375 33.75 39.375H31.875V43.125C31.875 44.1605 31.0355 45 30 45C28.9645 45 28.125 44.1605 28.125 43.125V39.375H22.5C21.4645 39.375 20.625 38.5355 20.625 37.5C20.625 36.4645 21.4645 35.625 22.5 35.625H33.75C34.7855 35.625 35.625 34.7855 35.625 33.75C35.625 32.7145 34.7855 31.875 33.75 31.875H26.25C23.1434 31.875 20.625 29.3566 20.625 26.25C20.625 23.1434 23.1434 20.625 26.25 20.625H28.125V16.875Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"approve-your-renters\">Approve your renters<\/h3>\r\n        <p>You're in control. Approve who rents and the hours of access.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M31.2776 51.9974L31.7666 51.5417C32.0789 51.2503 32.527 50.8317 33.0706 50.3224C34.1576 49.3041 35.6276 47.9224 37.158 46.4698C40.1682 43.6127 43.5576 40.3461 44.596 39.1282C46.7163 36.6414 48.1719 33.6468 48.8127 30.4251C49.5529 26.704 49.173 22.847 47.7211 19.3418C46.2692 15.8366 43.8105 12.8407 40.6559 10.7329C37.5015 8.62514 33.7942 7.5 30.0001 7.5C26.2061 7.5 22.4973 8.62504 19.3428 10.7329C16.1882 12.8407 13.7295 15.8366 12.2776 19.3418C10.8257 22.847 10.4458 26.704 11.186 30.4251C11.8268 33.6468 13.2824 36.6414 15.4027 39.1282C16.4411 40.3462 19.831 43.6128 22.8415 46.4698C24.3721 47.9224 25.8422 49.3042 26.9294 50.3225C27.4731 50.8318 27.9212 51.2504 28.2336 51.5418L28.723 51.9979C29.4428 52.6672 30.5579 52.6668 31.2776 51.9974ZM28.723 51.9979C28.723 51.9979 28.7232 51.998 30.0001 50.625L28.723 51.9979ZM30.0001 50.625L31.2776 51.9974C31.2776 51.9974 31.2771 51.9979 30.0001 50.625ZM30 32.8125C33.6243 32.8125 36.5625 29.8744 36.5625 26.25C36.5625 22.6256 33.6243 19.6875 30 19.6875C26.3756 19.6875 23.4375 22.6256 23.4375 26.25C23.4375 29.8744 26.3756 32.8125 30 32.8125Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"get-paid-monthly\">Get paid monthly<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Sit back and collect automatic payments each month.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n    <footer>\r\n      <button>Learn more about hosting <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\">\r\n          <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M18.8304 5.17619L4.55227 11.6663H11.1779C11.8199 11.6663 12.3404 12.1867 12.3404 12.8288V19.4543L18.8304 5.17619ZM19.029 3.43822C20.0069 2.99374 21.0129 3.9997 20.5684 4.97757L13.0612 21.4935C12.5438 22.6316 10.8404 22.2627 10.8404 21.0124V13.1663H2.99417C1.74398 13.1663 1.37497 11.4628 2.51312 10.9455L19.029 3.43822Z\" fill=\"#EFF5F8\"><\/path>\r\n        <\/svg><\/button>\r\n    <\/footer>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h2 id=\"step-three-clean-out-your-space\"><b>Step Three: Clean Out Your Space<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to renovate your basement, you&rsquo;re going to have to clean out all of the &ldquo;stuff&rdquo; currently occupying that space.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>You may have used your basement for storage for years. Past occupants of your home may even have left items in the basement. Before you can turn that basement into usable space, you need to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/four-ways-get-rid-extra-clutter\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clean out<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> what&rsquo;s already in there. Make sure you have a clean slate so that you&rsquo;re not working around items you no longer want as you start your renovation!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleaning out your space ahead of time will also make more room for the professionals as they come in to provide estimates and advice about your basement. Consider hosting a&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/yard-sales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">yard sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get rid of those unwanted items.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-4\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-four-conduct-a-moisture-test\"><b>Step Four: Conduct a Moisture Test<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&rsquo;re using your basement for storage, you might not worry about a little bit of dampness. But when you&rsquo;re ready to renovate your basement, dampness and moisture could prove a much more significant problem. Trapped moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth. It could even warp the future new floor in your basement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start looking into damp basement solutions, test for moisture. You can use:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"a-calcium-chloride-test\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A calcium chloride test.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">calcium chloride test<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is usually conducted in three locations for every 1000 square feet of flooring, you&rsquo;ll place carefully weighed calcium hydroxide into a container, which is covered by a plastic seal. After 72 hours, you can weigh the container again. Any extra weight in the container is due to water evaporation, usually from a concrete basement floor.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"a-relative-humidity-test\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A relative humidity test<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is usually conducted by professionals. They&rsquo;ll drill into the concrete slab directly or use meters installed when the concrete was poured to test the humidity levels of the floor. This method can often prove more accurate and provide more information about humidity levels throughout your basement space.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also conduct a full inspection of your home before you renovate your basement. Then, you can make sure that there are no unwanted cracks or crevices where additional moisture can sneak in. If you notice cracks or areas of the walls that seem to have accumulated more moisture than they should, you may need to make repairs before continuing with your renovation. Check for<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pools or drips of water<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially after heavy rain when they may be easier to spot. If you notice cracks or find any signs of water, they need to be repaired before you start your basement renovation. Also, make sure the ground is graded away from the foundation to help reduce the risk of water getting into your basement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-happens-if-the-basement-humidity-levels-are-high\"><b>What happens if the basement humidity levels are high?&nbsp;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relative humidity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in your basement and throughout your home should, if at all possible, remain at or below 50%. At 80% relative humidity, the risk of mold and mildew starts to climb. Fortunately, the presence of that humidity does not necessarily mean that you cannot continue with your basement renovations. It may simply mean that you need to make a few modifications to your plans. These tips can help you work around high humidity levels in your basement:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify any moisture sources.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Is there water coming into the basement? If you notice water during heavy rains, you may have a leak somewhere that needs to be repaired.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install a dehumidifier.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Make sure you clean it out and replace its filters frequently to prevent mold and mildew growth.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid using carpet in the basement.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While carpet can give your basement a warmer, more homey feel, it can also collect moisture. Instead, choose a hard flooring and use rugs for decoration and comfort.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep air circulating through the basement throughout the year.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If your basement remains at a relatively consistent temperature, you may be tempted to avoid using climate control in the basement. Keeping air circulating through the area, however, can help stave off excess moisture.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"step-5\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-five-research-local-codes-and-requirements\"><b>Step Five: Research Local Codes and Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you dive in with your renovation, take a moment out to research local codes and requirements for renovations. Call your local city planning department or examine<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsguide.com\/blog\/resources-building-codes-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">building codes by state<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You may need to apply for building permits or ensure that your building is up to code before you get started on your renovation. Make sure to consider these two common requirements for basement renovations:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many exits your basement must have:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you intend to put a bedroom in the basement, for example, exits are critical. Some cities may require at least two exits from any space you&rsquo;re in regularly.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How high the ceilings must be:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In some cases, there may be ceiling requirements that dictate how you can use your basement space. Make sure you check them out before you renovate your basement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Familiarizing yourself with the necessary codes and procedures before you start with your basement renovation is essential. You don&rsquo;t want to run into expensive fines or problems down the road when you discover that you don&rsquo;t have the right permits or that you failed to ask the right questions early in the renovation process.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-6\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-six-insulate-your-basement\"><b>Step Six: Insulate Your Basement<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<img  decoding=\"async\"  class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5180 pk-lazyload\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"someone adding insulation around a basement window\"  width=\"5616\"  height=\"3744\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/How-to-Renovate-Your-Basement-Insulation.jpg\" ><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&rsquo;ve taken care of the pre-renovation work, it&rsquo;s time for the<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> active renovation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to begin! The first step is insulating the basement walls. Oftentimes, walls in an unfinished basement are simply cinder blocks. Adding insulation can help protect your energy costs and increase the comfort level of your basement. You have several options for basement insulation, including these three popular options:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spray foam<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This foam can fill all of the cracks and crevices to help prevent mold and mildew growth. Spray foam can be a messy proposition. It may also cost more than other insulation methods. But it also provides an extra element of protection and can help prevent moisture from making its way into your basement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foam board<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This material should be between two and four inches thick. The exact thickness will depend on your climate, as well as your local codes and requirements. You can fill any seams around your foam board with house wrap tape or use spray foam for the seams.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foam and fiberglass insulation:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When you use foam board and fiberglass, you will install the foam board directly against the concrete or block walls. Then you frame the wall and add fiberglass insulation between the studs. This method can prove much more inexpensive than the other methods described above. But it shouldn&rsquo;t be used if you have ever struggled with high moisture levels in the basement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a id=\"step-7\"><\/a><\/p>\n<html><body><div id=\"2_in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/host\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'second in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"second-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <h2 id=\"earn-1000s-per-year-with-your-unused-space\">Earn $1,000s per year with your unused space<\/h2>\r\n        <button>Become a Neighbor host<\/button>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h2 id=\"step-seven-take-care-of-electrical-systems-and-plumbing-in-your-basement\"><b>Step Seven: Take Care of Electrical Systems and Plumbing in Your Basement<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you proceed with your basement, take the time to map out the rooms. Where do the outlets need to be located? Do you have any pipes or plumbing that needs to be added, especially if you&rsquo;re adding in a bathroom or kitchen? You should generally contact a professional plumber or electrician to ensure that those details are up to code when you renovate your basement. Some cities even require specific certifications to work on electricity or plumbing directly.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-8\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-eight-frame-and-put-together-any-additional-walls\"><b>Step Eight: Frame and Put Together Any Additional Walls<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<img  decoding=\"async\"  class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5181 pk-lazyload\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"professional sealing drywall seams\"  width=\"4200\"  height=\"2803\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/How-to-Renovate-Your-Basement-Drywall.jpg\" ><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you planning to add distinct rooms to your basement? You might want to add more than one bedroom or put in dividers between specific areas of the basement. Once you&rsquo;ve insulated the exterior walls, it&rsquo;s time to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.budgetdumpster.com\/resources\/diy-home-improvement.php#framewall\" target=\"_blank\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frame those interior walls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The four basic steps are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cut your 2x4s to the correct length. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On vertical wall joists, subtract 1\/4&Prime; plus the thickness of the top and bottom plates.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Install blocking between overhead joists. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attach a 2&times;4 every two feet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Put the wall together on the ground. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will need joists every 16 inches. The 16&Prime; mark should be in the center of each joist. Make sure to account for doors and windows, which may mean shifting joists accordingly.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tip the wall up.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Attach the bottom first, then the top.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your walls are framed, you can hang your drywall. This is the outer surface of the wall that everyone sees. Drywall sheets can be hung either horizontally or vertically. In most homes, however, horizontal drywall will decrease the number of seams and make it easier for you to put it together. Measure each piece of drywall to make sure that it ends on a stud. You will need to trim away excess drywall and cut out holes for your outlets, vales, windows, and doors.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you make the walls smooth and ready for paint? Once the drywall is up, caulk the seams and screws. Add drywall tape to seams in the wall, then caulk again. This will give you a solid, smooth surface throughout your basement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-9\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-nine-paint-your-basement\"><b>Step Nine: Paint Your Basement<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your basement walls may require several coats of paint before they look their best. Start with a coat of primer. You may want to use a waterproof primer to help keep your walls clean and dry. Then, add two coats of paint to keep the walls looking their best. If you&rsquo;re going to use the basement as a kid or family-friendly space, you may want to use washable paint. This makes it easier to remove grit and grime, as well as crayon, marker, and the other materials that kids often add to the surface of walls.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h5 id=\"pro-tip\">PRO TIP<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Painting your basement before you put in your flooring can offer one key advantage: no matter what you spill, it&rsquo;s not going to be on the finished floor of your basement!<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a id=\"step-10\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-ten-put-in-the-flooring\"><b>Step Ten: Put in the Flooring<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your basement flooring can help set the tone for the entire basement. But choosing carpet when you renovate your basement can be a recipe for disaster. Any flooding or leaking may result in mold, mildew, and, ultimately, the need for carpet replacement. If you do choose to use carpet, consider carpet tiles. These are easier to pull up and dry out or replace individually if needed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may also want to avoid hardwoods, which often create a thriving breeding ground for mold and mildew. They can also degrade over time if there&rsquo;s any moisture in your basement, let alone high levels of moisture. Instead of carpet or wood, consider<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/floorcritics.com\/best-flooring-for-basements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">better basement flooring materials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Floor tiles with built-in vapor barriers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Floating floors, including cork, laminate, and sheet vinyl<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ceramic tile<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also choose to simply put an epoxy seal over your concrete floor. This method may leave you with cold, hard floors in the basement. But it&rsquo;s also highly resistant to water damage and doesn&rsquo;t usually attract germs and bacteria. Other types of flooring will also install easily over the epoxy if you decide you want a change down the road.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever type of flooring you choose, make sure it&rsquo;s either waterproof or water-resistant. Inevitably, flooding or water damage will sneak into your basement. Choosing the right type of flooring can help decrease the damage &mdash; and the bills you&rsquo;ll face.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-to-finish-a-basement-floor\"><b>How to Finish a Basement Floor<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install subflooring, especially if your basement has high humidity levels. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lay down polystyrene insulation sheets, and then put the plywood sheets on top. This will form a solid base for any type of flooring you want to add. It will also provide a moisture barrier that can help protect your home.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the instructions for your flooring.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some types of flooring, including bamboo and even laminate, may need to acclimate to the area where you plan to put them down. Open the boxes and leave them for a few days while you take on the rest of your tasks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lay down the flooring.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Make sure to measure carefully around outlets, vents, and doorways to ensure a smooth floor.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seal the floor, if needed.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; A seal can help protect against moisture damage or damage to the floor through regular use. This is a good way to protect stylish tile floors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a id=\"step-11\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-eleven-install-the-ceiling\"><b>Step Eleven: Install the Ceiling<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you don&rsquo;t have to have a finished ceiling in your basement, it can help the space look more complete. Check your ceiling height before installing a ceiling, since it can make your space appear even lower or smaller. Simply painting over the ceiling can make it look better without sacrificing space.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may also choose to install drywall when you renovate your basement. This option will take a little space out of the walls, but it will make your basement look more finished than paint alone. The process to install drywall on the ceiling isn&rsquo;t dramatically different than the process of the walls of your basement. An extra set of hands can help hold the drywall in place through the installation. Alternatively, you can use a drywall jack to help hold the drywall while you screw it in place.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you choose a drop ceiling, you can cover all exposed pipes and floor joists while leaving hatches that provide access to those areas. Make sure to leave access hatches at convenient locations so that you can easily conduct any maintenance needed on your home.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"step-12\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"step-twelve-add-the-details\"><b>Step Twelve: Add the Details<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your basement has been framed and prepared, it&rsquo;s time to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/spring-cleaning-list\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clean up the space<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and add the details that will make the space complete. Now, you can put in that home theater equipment, bring in the gym equipment, or add the game tables that you&rsquo;ve been excited about since your basement renovation began.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hang pictures or posters on the walls for decoration, add curtains to any windows, or take care of those important last-minute touches. You&rsquo;ve transformed your basement from a basic storage space into a useful, incredible addition to your home. Now, it&rsquo;s time to enjoy it!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Deciding to renovate your basement is a great way to add value and usable space to your home.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[54,55,11,56,57],"class_list":["post-5176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-home-maintenance","tag-basement-renovation","tag-home-advice","tag-home-organization","tag-home-renovations","tag-how-to-renovate","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.4 - 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