Remodeling a Basement

Finishing a basement is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to increase living space in a home. Remodeling A Basement will help you visualize an inspiring range of basement remodeling possibilities, and go about the remodeling process in an organized and efficient way.

Youll find all phases are covered, from the physically demanding dirty work to rewarding finishing touches. Professional contractor Roger German covers basic construction techniques and the special problems associated with basement building, such as moisture, framing against concrete, and plumbing for bathrooms and laundry rooms.

• Provides in-depth, pro-level advice, including tips, trade secrets, and what to do when something goes wrong
• Gives photos of finished projects help you visualize the possibilities in a basement remodel
• Shows how to deal with common challenges in basement building: moisture, framing on concrete, evacuating water, working around heating and plumbing fixtures
• Covers a variety of spaces: family rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, workshops and hobby rooms

Introduction

How to Use This Book

1. Getting Started
Old and New
Water: The Bane of Basements
Evaluating Walls and Floors
Checking the Mechanical Systems
The Critical Path

2. Inspiration and Ideas
Rec Rooms
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Laundry and Utility Rooms

3. Design and Planning
Design
Planning
Building Codes and Permits

4. Demolition and Repair
Demo
Basic Structural Repairs

5. Framing Walls
Anatomy of a Wall
Layout
Building the Walls
Building Soffits
Framing Check

6. Mechanicals
HVAC
Plumbing
Wiring

7. Walls and Ceilings
Insulation
Hanging Rock
Finishing Rock

8. Finish Carpentry
Setting Doors
Extending Jambs
Installing Casing
Setting Cabinets
Installing Baseboard
Fitting Closets

9. Paint, Stain, and Floors
Finishing the Trim
Floor Coverings

10. Finishing Up
Running Base Shoe
Final Plumbing
Finishing Electricals
HVAC
Door Hardware
Final Touches

Resources

Index

This book is designed to help you remodel your basement. I strongly urge you to read (or at least skim) all of it before you pound a nail. Doing so will help you make informed decisions about the nature and scope of your project. Youll be able to determine how much you want to tackle yourself, when it makes sense to hire a professional, and how much the project will cost, both financially and emotionally.

In the chapters that follow, Ill take you step-by-step through the entire process of remodeling a basement, from evaluating the basement youve got now to polishing off the last detail of the one youve created. Youll learn about designing and planning; how to frame walls and run electrical wire and water pipe; how to hang, tape, and finish drywall, install doors, cabinets, and trim; how to lay carpet and ceramic tile; and much more.

As you design, remember that its your home, your space. Be creative. As you tackle the actual building, have fun. Of course, there will be times when the work wont be fun. Thats when you have to keep the long view in mind. Persevere. Or, if youre truly stumped, do what the professionals do: Hire a professional to help.

I am convinced that you can do the job (most of it, anyway) yourself. These are not just hopeful words of encouragement. I know from experience. For 10 years I have taught a basement-remodeling adult-education class at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Im a remodeling contractor. The class meets for 18 weeks, one night a week for three hours. I like the hands-on approach, so I pick one of the student basements and we remodel it as a class. We dont complete the project in our 54 hours of class time, but we get a lot of it done.

When we start, some students hardly know which is the business end of a hammer. Nevertheless, the results are remarkable. Whether its the class basement or students individual projects, Im always impressed by the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that Ive seen in the finished basements.

Almost all of the photos of the remodeling processes shown in this book were taken during the course of a class remodeling project. The charts, plans, and materials lists included in the book are also taken from this project. I hope this continuity will give you a sense of what a real project is like as you work your way through the chapters. The two most common questions I hear in class are Can I save money doing the work myself? and How long will it take?

Yes, you can save money doing it yourself. How much? About half of what a pro would charge. For basement remodels Ive done, the overall costs are about half for material and half for labor. Of course, if you throw in a $6,000 whirlpool tub, the percentages change. But, in general, doing the work yourself will save about half the cost.

When Im asked, How long it will take? my answer is always, Longer than you think it will. Im not being coy. As a professional, Ive worked for months on a single basement project. Thats 8 to 10 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week, and with professional subcontractors who have the tools, time, and experience to do the work as efficiently as possible. Just making a basement rec room and a half-bath will take a professional a month if everything goes right, which is rare in any kind of remodeling project.

I bring this up not to discourage, but to encourage you. So it takes you six months or a year. The thing is to start. And, if you keep chipping away at it, youll eventually have the basement of your dreams, and the satisfaction of having done it (or most of it) yourself.