If you want to remodel your basement to increase the amount of usable space in your house, that’s fantastic. But, do you know what you are doing? Taking on such a project can be quite a challenge, and you should be aware of the common mistakes in a basement remodel that you should avoid. Whether you want to create a new laundry room or a home office in your basement, you should ensure that you do things the right way. As a result, we have created a list of common blunders to avoid to help you complete your remodeling job successfully. So let us see the dos and don’ts of a basement remodel.
1. Not calling for a home inspection
Your basement is susceptible to issues that can develop over time. And, if you are the second or third owner of the house, those issues can aggravate. As a result, it is a good idea to hire a home inspector before you start modifying any area of your house. That way, you will know exactly which problems you might encounter and how to solve them. For instance, you will know if the electric lines and water pipes go through the walls and floors, and how to avoid them. And it might be essential if you want to tear down a wall or drill holes in it.
2. Avoiding decluttering
If your basement was a deposit for all the items you gathered over the years, it might be a good idea to declutter it. Especially when you want to do a basement remodel, you will need the space to be empty. Working around piles of junk or stacked bulky furniture can endanger your safety. As a result, sort your belongings and move anything that may prevent you from executing a safe job out of the way. You can throw out anything you do not need anymore if it is in bad shape, or you can sell it at a garage sale if it is in good condition.
If there are things that you want to keep, like furniture, glassware, or other valuable items, you can call a moving company to help you move them to another location or store them in a storage unit. In addition, remove anything fragile first so that it doesn’t get damaged when you move out larger objects. After you pack your glassware for storage and your basement is clear, you can start your remodeling project.
3. Neglecting safety
Besides making the area you work in safe by removing the items that could be dangerous, you also need to protect yourself from any injuries that can happen during a remodel. After all, one of the first lessons we learn in life is that safety is a priority. Therefore, never start your project if you don’t have the necessary safety gear. Gloves, hats, overalls, boots, safety goggles, and protective masks are mandatory. Wear them at all times while you are working and replace them the moment they get damaged. In addition, ensure you know how to use the tools you need and that they are of excellent quality.
4. Ignoring natural hazards
Parts of our homes are predisposed to water damage, and the basement is the first one on the list. Floods caused by rain are more common than you might expect, and some regions of our country are more predisposed than others to such hazards. Thus, never think that it won’t happen to you. Instead, be prepared for anything and focus on having a flawless drainage system. Also, think about installing a sump pump and waterproofing your basement with the proper materials. That way, you will avoid the possibility of having too much moisture, mold, or mildew.
5. Making too many rooms
One of the common mistakes that we’ve seen in a basement remodel is making too many rooms. Your basement should reflect the space of your house above, so it should be just as airy and spacious. You won’t acquire the extra space you need in your basement if you make too many small rooms. Instead, you will get a cramped space, perfect for developing claustrophobia. Remember: your basement is already underground, so the goal is to make it appear as though it isn’t. Use in-line cabinets, shelving, movable furniture, and pocket doors to maximize space in each room. That way, you will make sure there will be enough space to move around.
6. Choosing the wrong lighting
Basements are usually pretty dark spaces that can always use some extra light. And whether you want to turn your basement into a guest room, kitchen, laundry room, or office, you will need lots of light. Therefore, install some extra windows or add lots of artificial lighting. Use lots of spotlights, accent lights, or track lights, and make sure you illuminate the stairwell properly. In addition, place lamps or hanging lights in all the dark areas and corners. It will help enlarge the space and make it feel more welcoming.
7. Lowering the ceiling
In older homes, all rooms have lower ceilings. Unfortunately, basements are no exception. As a result, if you want to remodel a basement with a low ceiling, make sure you don’t take up more space. Avoid building a dropped ceiling and, instead, go for a direct mount option that will save you a lot of space. Also, if you know your basement ceiling is low, prepare a plan for what you want to build there. Because not every type of room is appropriate for a low ceiling, you should avoid making a kitchen, for example. Instead, make a game room, home theater, or guest bedroom. A low ceiling will not be as uncomfortable if people stay seated in the room or do not spend too much time there.
8. Ignoring the importance of soundproofing is one of the most common mistakes in a bathroom remodel you can make
Another one of the common mistakes people make during a basement remodel is ignoring the importance of soundproofing. Most of the house’s mechanical systems are close to the basement, in its walls, or the ceiling. As a result, if you want to build a home theater in the basement, you will need to block off all of the humming sounds coming from the walls. You may also want to keep sounds from the basement away from the rest of the house. If you build a laundry room in the basement, you wouldn’t want to hear the washing machine from your living room.
9. Moving the furniture by yourself
After you finish remodeling your basement, one mistake that you should avoid making is moving the furniture in by yourself. Basement stairs can be dangerous if you don’t know how to carry furniture properly, and you can seriously injure yourself. As a result, we strongly advise you to contact a moving company to assist you in getting your furniture into your basement. Also, there are many benefits of this apart from being safer, as there’s plenty of help coming your way after you hire a moving company. It will be faster and less expensive, nothing will be damaged, and you will be more relaxed. Also, movers will get your furniture back from the storage space or another location exactly when you need it.
10. Avoiding acknowledging that you need help
Remodeling your basement can be a difficult task, especially if you have never done it before. You need to be well organized, plan everything in detail, and know all the problems that could emerge during the process. In addition, you might not have the knowledge and the tools you need to do specific tasks. Therefore, if you find yourself in such situations, it’s better to call in professional remodelers to do the job. They have the know-how, the tools, and the experience to do a perfect remodel. Working with pros might also be less expensive than doing it yourself. They know where to find the best materials at fair prices and will do the project correctly from the start, whereas it may take you several tries to get it right.
Final words
If you want to avoid making common mistakes in a basement remodel, be sure you understand what such a project entails. Everything should be meticulously planned, the best materials purchased, and safety should always be a top concern. If you think you will not be able to complete the project on your own, do not hesitate to employ the services of experts.