Ultimate Basement Renovation Guide

If you have a basement in your home, then you are sitting on a gold mine. Basements are valuable spaces that you can use for just about any purpose. In fact, basements are one of the most popular types of home renovations because they allow homeowners to maximize their space and offer plenty of benefits. Renovating a basement is definitely a worthwhile investment.

So, now that you’re considering a basement reno, where do you start? We’re here to walk you through the process of how to renovate a basement. We’ll discuss everything from layout planning to structural vs cosmetic upgrades, setting a budget, acquiring permits, selecting materials, and all the other basement finishing steps.

Why Renovate Your Basement?

Whether you plan on putting your home on the market soon or have no plans to move, an unfinished basement is a liability and causes more problems than many realize. Unfinished basements often have moisture problems that can lead to mold, mildew, and cracks in the foundation and walls. And due to the lack of proper insulation, an unfinished basement can cause your energy bills to be higher. It’s also harder to sell a home with an unfinished basement. Many potential homeowners are aware of the headache an unfinished basement can cause, so they are more likely to pass even if they like the rest of the home. 

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People who renovate their basements get to:

  • enjoy more usable space
  • tap into their creativity
  • add value to their homes
  • upgrade their homes and lifestyle
  • improve your home’s efficiency
  • create additional income by renting out their basement apartment

While a basement makeover can be lots of fun and add tremendous value to your lifestyle and home, it can be costly and very involving. But the good news is that the benefits far outweigh the cons.

Basement Finishing vs Basement Renovation

Making changes to your basement can fall under basement finishing or basement renovation. Basement finishing steps include addressing the foundational elements of your basement, like the floor, walls, ceilings, windows, etc. It is structural work that allows your basement space to be safe and usable and includes installing things like drywall, plumbing, insulation, and ventilation. These upgrades ensure you have a healthy base for renovation work.

Basement renovation involves updating or repairing your basement to make it more functional and appealing. Upgrades can include new flooring, painting, installing cabinets or shelving, installing light fixtures, and other cosmetic changes that add functional and aesthetic value to the space.

What to Look Out For – Assessing the Condition of Your Basement

As you plan for your basement renovation, you need to have a good idea of the condition of your basement. Conducting surface or cosmetic renovations without addressing underlying structural issues can lead to a lot of costly headaches later on. Be sure to correct any structural problems before you begin your renovation. A common issue for basements is moisture. If you have an unfinished basement, there’s a chance that you may have some moisture issues in your basement.

The signs of dampness include:

  • Cracks in the wall or foundation
  • Mold and mildew
  • Musty odor
  • Condensation
  • Puddles

Before you install drywall in your basement, make sure that any moisture issues are corrected and proper waterproofing measures have been put into place to prevent future moisture problems.

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Types of Basement Renovations

There are different ways to utilize your basement space. With so many possibilities, the best choice for your household will boil down to how you plan to use your basement space. Here are some basement ideas to consider:

Many homeowners in Ontario are renovating their basement spaces and renting them out to tenants to generate income. A basement suitable for renting out must be a self-contained unit with a kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance.

If you have small children, you can create a special play area in your home where they can play freely. This allows you to keep the other areas of your house neat and tidy and keep all toys out of sight from guests. A basement renovation tip for a kids’ playroom is to make sure that the furniture and fixtures are kid-friendly, with soft and easy-to-clean flooring options.

 Design a fun room for everyone in the family! Make it the ideal place where family members can hang out and have a great time. The key is to incorporate elements and activities that accommodate each person so there is something for everyone. Think about including gaming equipment, a table for cards, or an entertainment station along with comfortable seating.

A home theater allows your family to enjoy movies from the comfort of your home. Equip your basement with a good sound system and home entertainment system, appropriate lighting, and comfortable seating, and you’re good to go!

With more and more people now working remotely, many homeowners are transforming their basements into workspaces. This may be a great choice for you. Design a space where you can escape from the activities of the household and work in a quiet area that’s conducive to productivity. Some basement renovation tips for creating a good working environment are incorporating natural lighting where possible, decluttering the space, and creating a warm atmosphere with appropriate artificial lighting.

Meet your fitness goals from the convenience of your own home. Creating a home gym will help you save money on gym memberships and time by eliminating the commute to and from your gym. One misconception about home gyms is that you need to purchase expensive equipment for it to be worth your while. The truth is you just need a few basic pieces of equipment to start, and you’re all set. Make sure you choose a flooring option appropriate for a home gym.

Adding a kitchen to your basement is convenient. When you are hanging out in your basement, there’s no need to go all the way to the main floor for food. You can have a kitchenette in your basement that contains basic kitchen items.

The more bedrooms you have in your home, the better. If you have young adult children who need additional privacy, a basement bedroom can provide that. And as a plus, it adds value to your home.

Getting Started – Key Steps to Finish A Basement

One of the crucial basement finishing steps is planning. Many things must be taken into account when planning a basement renovation. Research can help you know what to expect and plan better.

Before you embark on a basement renovation, it’s important for you to determine the goal of the project. Do you need a dedicated area for work? Do you want to be able to work out effectively from home? Do you have young children who need a play area? Do you need a space for entertaining family and friends? Do you want to increase your household income? Your goal will guide you in making the right decisions on how to renovate a basement and help you avoid unnecessary spending.

Establishing a realistic budget for your basement renovation is a critical step in understanding how to renovate a basement or basement finishing. This is a must before you begin purchasing materials or hiring contractors. You’ll need to have an idea of the general costs associated with the type of renovation project you’re planning so you can plan financially. Work with the funds you have available from savings or a loan. Remember to leave room in your budget for unexpected expenses. We recommend setting aside about 20% of your budget for “surprises.”

Once you have determined the goal of the project and know what your budget is, it’s time to decide what to include as part of your steps to finish a basement. When planning a basement renovation, it can be very easy to find yourself falling in love with many different ideas. The more trendy design ideas you see on Pinterest or Instagram, the more features you may find yourself wanting to incorporate into your new basement. It’s important to stay focused and determine what things you need. Create a wish list that prioritizes must-haves over nice-to-haves. This will give you direction and can help you pull your ideas together.

How is your budget? Is it too high or too low? The only way to find out is by checking out various websites of any remodeling service providers in GTA. That way, you will be in a better position to draft a reasonable budget.

Remember, you have dreamt of transforming your basement for the longest time. Now is not the time to pick any contractor you come across. We suggest you find out what their former clients have to say about them. You can find this information on their website’s review section and the comments, likes, and retweets on their social media platforms.

How long does it take to renovate a basement? It can take anywhere from 4 weeks or longer. You don’t want this project to drag. Please make a point of asking the company you settle for the period they are likely to take in things like throwing out drywall, flooring, lumber, and any other material.

Understanding Local Bylaws and Building Codes

Anytime you embark on a construction project, there are local bylaws and building codes that you must abide by. These ensure that buildings being built or modified are safe for occupancy. Some renovations require certain permits before you can begin the project.

So you’ll want to know what permits your reno will need. Consult with an experienced basement renovator about your project and what permits you need. Moving forward with a renovation project without the required permit is a shortcut that will cost you in the long run.

Understanding Cost

It’s a good idea to be informed about the different expenses associated with basement renovations. These include labour, materials, permits, and other costs. The size and condition of your basement, your location, the quality of the materials, and the type of renovation work being done will all need to be factored into the cost of the renovation.

How Much Will It Cost To Finish Your Basement In GTA?

 The total amount you are likely to spend depends on the finishing you want. The finishing you are going for is also dependent on the intentions you have for the basement. However, you are likely to spend $25 to $50 per square foot.  Averagely speaking, the total amount you might spend is $30,000 from start to finish.

How Long Will It Take To Finish The Basement In GTA?

It depends on the size of the project. The contractors you bring on board may take about four to eight weeks. However, if the project is too big, it is best to take all the time it requires; that way, you’ll avoid ending up with half-baked results.

DIY vs Professional Renovation

If you have confidence in your DIY skills and know how to renovate a basement, you may be interested in doint the work yourself. Most people do this to save money. If you decide to go this route, keep a few things in mind. You may run into some surprises along the way that may require a professional.

DIY projects often look much easier than they actually are, and sometimes injury or damage can occur. Getting professional contractors to renovate your basement is advisable. An experienced team knows the ins and outs of basement renovation and can deliver good results.

Planning the Layout

The layout of your basement should accommodate its purpose. The space should be easy to navigate and convenient. Know the measurements of your basement. This will come in handy when planning the design and buying furniture.

Assess your storage needs and find creative ways to incorporate storage in your basement. Consider keeping an open layout for convenience. This allows natural light to flow through the space more easily. Also, ensure that you have adequate lighting in your basement. Basements are typically dark areas, which can make the space feel depressing. If you do decide to go with an open concept layout, think about creating zones to dedicate certain areas of your home for certain purposes.

Selecting Materials

Picking materials can be challenging because there are so many options to choose from. The key is to choose materials that fit within your budget and are also appropriate for the purpose of your basement. For every luxury material, there is a more affordable option that looks similar. You want your materials to be practical, durable, and low maintenance. Another thing to consider about your materials is whether they fit into the theme of your basement.

Planning Finishes

Your finishes will determine the look of the basement space. The finish should tie into the design and include the the hardware for your cabinets, shelving, light fixtures, flooring options, paint, doors, countertops, and more. Take time to weigh your options and make a selection based on durability, affordability and appeal.

Planning Furniture, Lighting, Accessories, Plumbing Fixtures

When it comes to furniture, you want comfortable seating and furniture that is durable and a good fit for the purpose of the room. You also want to avoid going overboard with fixtures and accessories.

Your lighting system should support the purpose of your basement. So if you need more adequate lighting for a workstation, think about finding ways to add supplementary lighting to boost productivity, and elevate the mood in the space.

DIY Basement Finishing Guide

Supervising the contractors from the point of knowledge is vital. If this is not the case, you are likely to miss out on any irregularities due to incompetence and the outcome of the project will not be pleasing.

With the steps to finish a basement  below, you’ll have a clue about what to expect.

The basement requires preparation: This is important because it paves the way for bringing in different ideas to transform the space while taking all the necessary precautions into account.

For how to renovate your basement in GTA, you need to get a permit from your local authority. Having a permit is vital than most people care to admit. Without the permit, you could still carry on with the project, but you’ll have a hard time without some of these papers when it comes to reselling the property.

Also, you need to know the equipment you require for finishing. You could get those or have your hardware organize the delivery of what you need to your house. Alternatively, you could leave everything to the contractors.

Once all the permits and requirements are in place. The attention shifts to the basement entirely. The condition of the walls, ceiling, and floors needs thorough checking to identify the damp areas. Once identified, the contractor uses a dehumidifier to reduce and maintain humidity levels in the space. You can also have them waterproof the entire basement.

Here, the contractor will require your input on the design you are going for.  The main questions you’ll receive include whether you want a drop ceiling or an exposed one?   Do you want drywall or plaster?  All the above questions are vital in your steps to finish a basement, and you need to discuss them with the contractor prior.

You have to keep in mind the type of insulation, wall materials, ceiling flooring, utility location, the color of paint, and the trim styles you want.

The contractor will show up with tools like a circular saw, hammer, ladder, insulation adhesive, nail gun, dust mask, level, tape measure, goggles, utility knife, masonry drill, and a durable working apron.

How to Finish a Basement wall

With all the requirements in place, your contractor is free to work in the basement. Let’s start with the walls.

The first thing to do is measuring the wall from the ceiling to the floor. After measuring, the contractor should subtract a quarter inch from the total height found. The next thing is to cut the insulation with the utility knife. After cutting, the next step involves placing the cut insulation against the wall to ensure it’s the right size.

If it fits, apply insulation adhesive to the insulation’s back and press it on the wall for the recommended amount of time. Ensure to repeat the process till the entire wall is covered. It is also vital to ensure that all the spaces between the insulation boards, ceiling floors, and all corners are properly filled.

After insulating, the next most crucial step is framing the walls. For proper framing, the contractor has to mark the places that require framing. He has to draw a line on the floor and the line has to be four inches from the walls.

The contractor should measure the walls to the required length. The plates are also measured to the desired inches, and then they are laid to align with the first lines.  After aligning the top and bottom plates, the studs are then installed.

After framing successfully, utilities are installed. This stage involves installing any plumbing, electric, and air ducts required before mounting the drywall.

The dry walls are to be hung horizontally or vertically based on what works best for you. The good thing about the horizontal way is that It leaves fewer seems to fill, unlike the vertical option.

The next thing will be marking and cutting the drywall to a point where they end on the stud. With drywall stud screws, secure the wall. Fill in the seams and ensure that the screws have been covered using drywall mud.

Painting marks the end of the wall finishing. Here sandpaper must be used on the areas where the drywall mud was applied.

How To Finish The Basement Ceiling

There are several types of finishes to choose from. You could opt for a drywalled ceiling, open ceiling, or drop-ceiling installation.

This ceiling is named like that because it is the second one from the structural ceiling. The drop ceiling is installed to make it easy to access utilities above them. The ceiling is made of frames and tiles that interlock.

This ceiling is the most preferred in Toronto. They are installed the same way drywalls are installed. Marking holes in the drywall is the first thing to do. After which, the adhesive is applied to the points where the drywall sheets are to be hang. It is vital to press the drywall to the adhesive. Nailing the drywall to the joist will ensure it does not fall off. The final step involves painting the ceiling.

This is the simplest one of all the three types. Most people in Toronto go for this option because it is not only time saving but also pocket-friendly. You only leave the ceiling open. The wood beams and pipes are not so appealing; hence can be masked with dark-colored paint.

After finishing your walls and ceiling the contractor gets to the floor. Here, you get to pick the floor depending on the intentions you have for your basement renovation. If you are having a hard time picking the best floor, your contractor will be more than happy to lend you a hand.

Unless your floors were previously finished, you need to install some subfloors. Here is how subfloors are installed.

The goal for the subfloors is to create a flat surface. For this reason, dips that are deeper than 3/16 inches are filled with a self-leveling compound.

The compound is allowed to dry. However, the contractor has to check the dips to ensure they are properly leveled. An adhesive is used to secure the polystyrene insulation to the cement. After that, plywood sheets are laid on top of the insulation and are secured with a masonry drill as well as concrete screws.

After dealing with the subfloor, the contractor will install the flooring you choose.

Related Article: Separate Entrance to Basement Cost

Hire Contractors Experienced in How to Renovate a Basement

Now that you know the steps to finish a basement, it’s time to get started. RenoDuck is here to help you get the most value from your basement renovation. Add value to your lifestyle and home with a well-designed basement. Get in touch with our team to learn more about our basement renovation services.

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