{"id":1283,"date":"2015-06-22T19:13:43","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T19:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/?p=1283"},"modified":"2015-06-22T19:13:43","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T19:13:43","slug":"how-to-finish-a-basement-for-an-affordable-price","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/how-to-finish-a-basement-for-an-affordable-price\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Finish A Basement Affordably"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finishing a basement can get expensive fast. However, by having a great plan of attack, you\u2019ll be able to create the space you\u2019ve always dreamed of on a budget. All it takes is a little extra elbow grease.<\/p>\n

1. Prepare Properly<\/h1>\n

Before any renovations can be made in your basement, you\u2019ll need to make sure the space is ready to be finished. This includes things like ridding the area of all moisture and mold by actually fixing the underlying problems, as well as simply thoroughly cleaning the space and eliminating pests.<\/p>\n

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Source: Flickr User: \u6e96\u5efa\u7bc9\u4eba\u624b\u672d\u7db2\u7ad9 Forgemind ArchiMedia<\/div>\n

2. Planning Is Key<\/h1>\n

Home improvement projects tend to be slippery slopes when it comes to unpredicted expenses, meaning that starting without knowing exactly what you\u2019re getting yourself into is a great way to either waste money or overspend to the point where you can\u2019t finish the job.<\/p>\n

Create a plan that\u2019s within your budget and stick to it, and have a solid idea of what you want the finished project to look like. This will help you avoid having to make more costly changes as you go.<\/p>\n

3. Wire It Right<\/h1>\n

You\u2019ll obviously will want electricity in your finished basement. Making the addition of proper wiring an essential step of the renovation process. Whether you\u2019ve got no electricity down there or just a single dangling bulb, you\u2019ll need to get the space ready for more lighting before you move on to other steps.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got experience in the field, this can be done yourself. However, most of the time it\u2019s safer, more efficient, and cheaper in the long run to hire out the work to a professional.<\/p>\n

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Source: Flickr User Phil and Pam<\/div>\n

4. Pay Attention To The Pipes<\/h1>\n

Another important step of finishing your basement is to make sure the plumbing is in the proper working condition. While this does include adding any pipes that might be needed for the addition of a bathroom, it also includes making sure the current plumbing in the vicinity is functioning properly.<\/p>\n

Replace worn out and leaky pipes that might break in the future and ruin all of your hard work. By taking the preventive steps to ensure you\u2019ve got great plumbing before you move on, you\u2019ll probably be saving a good amount of money in extra repairs down the road.<\/p>\n

5. Try To Find Deals<\/h1>\n

If you\u2019re looking to install expensive exterior modifications like doors and windows, who you purchase these items from can cause total costs to vary greatly. Try to find a company that supplies builder clients on a regular basis. A lot of the time, they\u2019ll have leftover items from incorrect orders that you can get for a sliver of the typical retail cost.<\/p>\n

6. Be Flexible With Your Flooring<\/h1>\n

Unless you\u2019re dead set on making the basement the nicest room in the house, there are plenty of options when it comes to what floor materials you\u2019ll be using that are cheaper than traditional methods.<\/p>\n

If people will be tracking mud in from outside, carpet is a bad idea. On the other hand, tile and hardwood floors can get expensive fast. One good option for those on a budget is use laminate hardwoods, typically costing around $2 per square foot. Not only are they easy to install yourself, they also provide great moisture blockage and will look nice for years.<\/p>\n

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Source: Flickr User grantlairdjr<\/div>\n

7. Pick The Right Ceiling<\/h1>\n

Consider what the primary use of the basement will be. If you\u2019re planning on putting something loud down there that might disturb other residents, like a home entertainment center or a drum set, you might want to use more expensive soundproofing materials for the ceiling. However, if a little noise seeping upstairs won\u2019t be a disturbance, you can save money by installing a simple drop ceiling instead.<\/p>\n

8. Lock In That Heat<\/h1>\n

Not only will this help you save in energy bills, it will also make your basement space more welcoming and livable. It\u2019s important to avoid cutting corners with this step, as cheap wall insulation could let your heating dollars slip away, outweighing the benefits of the lower price point in only a short time.<\/p>\n

9. Get Creative With That D\u00e9cor<\/h1>\n

One great idea that can help you save is to give you basement a rugged, repurposed look. Try to give new life to old and outdated items that you\u2019ll be able to find for cheap.<\/p>\n

Maybe one wall would look great with a brick accent consisting of leftover materials from a nearby construction company. Or perhaps hanging a ton of old records from the local thrift shop could really make the space pop. D\u00e9cor doesn\u2019t have to be expensive, you just have to put in the effort to find alternative options.<\/p>\n

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