Consider These Three Things Before Starting Your Basement Remodel

Remodeling or finishing your basement is a great way to add additional living space to your home without changing your floor plan. In many cases, an unfinished basement offers a blank canvas of sorts—you can easily transform it into a second living room, an exercise space or a guest suite.

However, before you pull the trigger on your basement remodeling plans, there are a few crucial planning details you’ll need to consider.

3 Things to Think About Before You Remodel Your Basement

Will your finished basement have a direct exit?

In order to be up to code, your newly finished basement needs to have an easily accessed direct exit to the outside. If your basement doesn’t current have an accessible exit, you’ll need to include the cost of adding one into your budget.

Do you want more than one room?

Depending on how large your basement is, you may plan to divide it into multiple rooms to maximize your space. However, keep in mind that adding more than one room tends to exponentially increase the costs. Anytime you add in extra walls, drywall, doors, HVAC, flooring and electric into your plans, you should expect the cost to go up significantly.

What quality of fit and finish do you want?

If the rest of your home already has upgrade fit and finishes, you may want your basement’s trim, lighting, cabinetry, flooring and bathrooms to match. Make sure to consider the quality of your new basement’s fit and finish in your projected remodeling costs so you can budget for exactly what you want.

Whatever your plans for your basement remodel may be, you’ll be glad you took the time to consider these three questions before meeting with a contractor. You’ll be able to have the basement of your dreams without any unnecessary surprises.

Read more about remodeling your northern Virginia home here.