Basement Renovation Tips

Basement renovation projects can be enjoyable and rewarding, however, they require pre-planning, budgeting and the right materials. A little professional expertise also doesn’t hurt. Ultimately, a new basement makes your home stand out. It also helps you get the most out of your life’s biggest investment.

Sam Beninato is a nationally acclaimed home renovation expert and President of RENOCanada. He is the bestselling author of How to Make Your Bathroom Cost Free and has been a regular guest on HGTV. For more information on luxury basement makeovers, visit renocanada.com or email Sam at sam@renocanada.com.

There was a time when the basement was merely unfinished space used for storage. Not any more. Today, they’re fully functioning, liveable spaces, where people go to unwind, relax and enjoy home theatres, bars or custom gyms and spas. They are also the ideal place for home offices and nanny suites or for separate living space for elderly relatives or older children. Best of all, a newly renovated or refinished basement will build equity in your home, and makes your house more valuable and more attractive to potential buyers.


Improve the Existing Space

The key to building the best basement is to create useable space. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a home gym or theatre project if you don’t have the room to move around, stretch, set up the equipment or properly position speakers. So be aware that a full-scale basement renovation will likely require the moving or taking down of existing walls. Should the space be unfinished, you may need to box immovable items like basement support posts.


Ceilings

Ceiling height must be a prime consideration. Most new subdivision homes have ceilings at least seven feet high, however older homes do not. In cases where the ceiling is low, some owners will need to dig out concrete floors and repour new ones to give their basements more height. 82 inches is the ideal minimum for a basement ceiling; anything less and you’ll start to feel cramped.

Proper Drainage

Rough-ins for basement bathrooms, kitchens and bars are also a consideration. Builders often put pipes into the concrete, saving you valuable time and money when you want to renovate. If you have them already, your job is much easier. If not, however, you’ll need to think about drains and other considerations.

Trends in Material

Like any home renovation project, a basement project can be done luxuriously or on a budget. Do you want engineered hardwood floors, laminates or carpeting? Do you envision a shower-spa with tempered glass, stone walls and heated floors? What about a custom bar with a granite counter top? Or enhancing the basement with French doors, crown moulding and higher end trim? The possibilities are endless and, ultimately, the cost will match your budget. However, be sure to go over all the items with your contractor so you’re aware of the costs upfront.

Walk Outs

Walkouts from basement apartments are great lifestyle enhancers and allow family members or tenants to come and go as they please. However, these are fairly complex projects and can be quite costly. Always leave a job like this to professionals, as walk out projects often require drawings, permits, and serious excavation.

Finding the Right Price

The costs of a high-end basement renovation vary. Without a bar or kitchen, you could expect to pay about $40 per square foot for an average basement project of 1000 square feet. Bars, kitchens, and bathrooms require more work and therefore you should budget appropriately. For those who aspire to have the ultimate ‘WOW’ factor, the high end, ultra luxurious lower level makeovers can easily start at $75,000.