Makeover Basement
Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Basement Makeover project
December 2021
Homeowners have many important questions about their Basement Makeover Project. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What problem areas do I need to watch out for? Can I recover my Basement Makeover investment when I sell? Can I do some of the work myself? What can I do to make sure that the work is done right?
Costs, materials and best practices for the example Basement Makeover project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.
Basement Makeover - Project Overview
Important considerations for this project are summarized below.
| Project description | Remodel basement living space. Update flooring, walls, switchplates and decorative hardware. Add built-in speakers, wall mounting system for flat screen television, crown molding and recessed lighting. Install new window treatments. Use above average grade of materials, fabrication and installation quality. Estimated costs do not include furniture and flat screen television. |
| Project size | 568 square feet of renovation |
| Do-it-yourself assessment | The typical Basement Makeover project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Basement Makeover requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| First year Return on Investment - ROI | Returns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Basement Makeover project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% - 91% of its initial cost. |
| First year Return on Investment - ROI | Returns will be impacted by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Basement Makeover project can return as much as 67% - 78% of its initial cost |
| Green rating | Basement Makeover projects can incorporate renewable or sustainable resources and environmentally friendly materials. |
Basement Makeover - Project Plan and Details
The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Basement Makeover. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Basement Makeover project. Click any task name for task details and an up-to-date Homewyse example cost estimate for the task - this essential information will help you control Basement Makeover project cost and quality.
Do you expect to spend more than $250 on your Basement Makeover project? If so, it is important create and manage a detailed plan for all project activities.
| Task | Service Provider | Time | Difficulty | - |
| Develop Basement Ideas | Interior Designer | 5 to 15 d | - | |
| Waterproof Basement | Waterproofing Contractors | 2 to 15 d | - | |
| Remove Flooring | Demolition Laborer | 1 d | - | |
| Remove Paneling | Demolition Laborer | 1 d | - | |
| Prepare Basement Flooring | Flooring Contractor | 1 d | - | |
| Frame Basement Walls | Carpenter | 1 to 2 d | - | |
| Install Stairway Handrail | Finish Carpenter | 1 d | - | |
| Install Engineered Wood Floor | Flooring Contractor | 1 to 2 d | - | |
| Hang Prehung Door | Finish Carpenter | 1 d | - | |
| Repair Wall | Drywall and Plaster Contractor | 1 to 3 d | - | |
| Install Crown Molding | Finish Carpenter | 1 to 2 d | - | |
| Install Baseboard | Finish Carpenter | 1 to 2 d | - | |
| Install Window Blinds | Finish Carpenter | 1 d | - | |
| Replace Electrical Outlet | Electrician | 1 d | - | |
| Install Track Lighting | Electrician | 1 to 2 d | - | |
| Paint Rooms | Painting Contractor | 1 to 3 d | - | |
| Paint Door | Painting Contractor | 1 to 3 d | - | |
| Install Wall Lighting | Electrician | 1 to 2 d | - | |
| Install Light Switch | Electrician | 1 d | - | |
| Install Ceiling Speakers | Electrician | 1 d | - |
Basement Makeover - Proven Ideas and Project Tips
Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Basement Makeover project plan.
- To maximize return on the Basement Makeover project, limit cost to no more than 5.45% of home's total, post project value
- For best home resale value, follow a consistent design and decorating theme throughout the home
- For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Basement Makeover
- Select finish treatments that harmonize with furniture and statement accessories
- To avoid budget busting surprise expenses, it is imperative that you make all component and material selections before any work begins on the Basement Makeover project
- To keep Basement Makeover costs low, do not move walls or relocate plumbing fixtures or electrical boxes
- Understand how your project will change property taxes (assessed value) and home insurance - before the project begins
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detector adjacent to rooms with heat generating appliances and equipment
- Use furniture, fixtures and accessories scaled appropriately to the room size
- Use bright lighting to make a small room appear larger
Hiring Local Professionals
Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project.
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