Finishing your basement is a great way to add space to your home and can offer a great ROI. Before you get started you need to know that finishing the basement is a big project. Additionally, you should determine your budget, decide what to turn it into, and look for code violations before you start.

Determine Your Budget

Before you take on a project like finishing your basement you need to know about how much you will spend, and how much you are willing to spend. The average cost to finish your basement is around $32 to $47 per square foot. This is dependent on the materials used and the layout of your basement. Now that you know the basic cost of the basement you need to determine how much you are willing to spend to determine what materials you will use. You should work with a professional to ensure that the project is done correctly.

Decide What to Turn it Into

When deciding what you want to turn your basement into, you should think about your wants as the homeowner but also about what buyers look for. For instance, adding a theater room to your basement might not have the ROI you expect. It can help increase value, but it depends on where the home is located. In an affluent neighborhood, it is not that unique and so won’t offer up a greater ROI. Other options available for your basement are to create a home bar, game room, a formal living room, home gym, or extra storage.

Look for Code Violations

Before you start finishing your basement, you need to check for any existing code violations. These can happen if you have an older home or if the original contractor didn’t build to code. One important thing you need to have checked is egress windows. These are important for an exit in the case of a fire. If your home doesn’t currently have these, you will need to include this in your project. Ensuring your basement is built to code will help you know that your basement is built safely and correctly.

Finishing your basement is a terrific addition to your home. The best part is it is a project that allows you to make a space you will enjoy. Before you start, make sure you have done enough research so there are so many surprises in the process.

Check out this article on how to add more living space to your home !