| There is no doubt about it; if you remodel | | | | out the basement. This is the perfect time to |
| the basement you will add more value and | | | | bring the kids into the mix! Make it a family |
| equity into your home. In fact it is one of | | | | clean up project. You definitely have to |
| the best home improvement projects to do just | | | | remove all the junk before you begin |
| that. It's basically "free" space that can | | | | painting, nailing 2x4's and building walls, |
| give you plenty of extra square feet to put | | | | and the list goes on. |
| in a family room, bedrooms, baths, etc. But, | | | | |
| before starting any kind of basement | | | | Once you have everything cleared out of the |
| remodeling project you will want to | | | | basement, do a good inspection. What do the |
| accomplish several things first. Here's a | | | | walls look like? Is there any type of mold |
| look at a few good tips to keep in mind when | | | | problem? Are there cracks in the foundation |
| contemplating a new basement remodel. | | | | or floor? Do you have water coming in |
| | | | anywhere? These are all very important issues |
| Of course, the very first thing you will want | | | | that can greatly affect your entire basement |
| to do is decide on whether you are going to | | | | remodeling project, or even bring it to a |
| do the remodeling job yourself or hire an | | | | screeching halt. |
| outside contractor. There are advantages to | | | | |
| both, but if you do not have the necessary | | | | If you do notice problem areas that need |
| experience in areas such as electrical | | | | addressed, be sure you address them. Don't |
| wiring, carpentry and plumbing, then hiring a | | | | make the mistake of simply trying to cover |
| contractor is your best bet. That said if you | | | | them up. It will always come back to hurt you |
| do have some basic carpentry skills, doing | | | | later. I've seen it happen so many times. And |
| the work yourself will give you a great deal | | | | then when it does, you're looking at spending |
| of satisfaction and pride that will last a | | | | even more money in the future to make it |
| lifetime. | | | | right. So do it right the first time and |
| | | | you'll be happier down the road. |
| If you do choose to remodel yourself you will | | | | |
| next want to design the project and come up | | | | Now that you have accomplished all the |
| with plans on how you want to do it. Are you | | | | preparation work, you can begin your basement |
| only going to basically paint the walls, add | | | | remodel project. Put these tips into action |
| a floor or a few walls, etc? | | | | and you will make your home improvement |
| | | | project go a whole lot smoother. |
| Once you have your plan it's time to clean | | | | |