A basement remodeling project can be a terrific way to take an existing unused space and convert it into an extra bedroom, a children's play area, a home theater and more. Take into account the size of the area, the water logging conditions in the Portland, OR area in which you live, and the new use of the basement before you begin finishing your basement. It takes some creativity and a lot of hard work to get a basement from a dank and dark space to a bright and cheerful family room or entertainment center. Basement remodeling is always done to create a new space for leisure, although you can just as easily turn your basement into a home office.
The first step towards a beautifully finished basement is waterproofing. Moisture problems in your basement can quickly lead to icky mold and mildew growing on the walls, peeling paint, musty odors, and cracked and crumbling walls. Even if your basement looks perfectly dry, it is advisable to take care of water proofing before basement finishing to avoid damage from flooding or leaks later.
The flooring too may have to be reinforced by laying a sub floor over the concrete basement floor. This provides a base for your other floor coverings. Use light colored paints on your walls to create an illusion of brightness. For finished basement that will have multiple uses, don't clutter the entire area with furniture and equipment. Instead, section off the basement into separate areas by using partitions, or putting up walls.
The only thing standing between you and your dream finished basement is planning. The lack of a detailed plan that includes the use of the new basement, the age of the people using it, the marking of boundaries between separate areas are all factors that could eat into your budget, and delay the basement remodel project if not taken care of. First of all, take time to have brainstorming sessions with family members to determine your collective vision for the new finished basement. Also, factor in the special design modifications you'll need depending on the age group of the people using the basement. For instance, an extra bedroom for your parents to use when they visit will also need a tub-attached bath, as well as appropriately comfortable furniture. Lighting should be bright enough, but not so much that it hurts their eyes. These are all things that can be extremely expensive to fix once you've already begun the basement renovation project.
We live in a 1 1/2 story house built in 1919. Our bathroom's ceiling is currently set up along the roof line and we would like to get a shed dormer to utilize the entire space. Currently can't fully stand to take a shower. We're looking at just building a dormer with a window and keeping the existing fixtures, claw foot tub and plumbing.
Emily S
I need contractor to remodel a condo. Scope of work is as follows: wood flooring common areas , carpet in bedrooms, slate pavers in kitchen, painting throughout, light electrical, plumbing fixtures in kitchen and baths, resurface cabinetry throughout, tile in showers, granite or concrete countertops in kitchen and baths, light rough carpentry, install new appliances kitchen, etc. Please contact me so we can discuss scope of work and project timeline.
Mark F