Finishing a basement...

Defying · Mar 7, 2011

So we close our first house Friday.... It's been a horrible process, but almost done...

It's a new construction that has a 600 square foot UNfinished basement. It has tall ceilings, big windows, and we actually have a blueprint to turn it into a small 1 BR Apt. Althought that's NOT something we plan on doing at this point...

BUT I would LOVE to finish it.. as of now, it's just the cement brinks. I am guessing finishing it would consist of the following: framing, insulation, drywall, floors and celing.....

It already has the lightfixures, and wired for electricity...

Now, I am willingly admit, Idon't know the first thing about this... BUT I feel like this shouldn't cost that much....

What should I expect to pay??

Is this something I can I hire an experienced handyman for and save some money, or should I do through a contractor/company...

Regardless, would love to know what to expect to pay.

:toast

)

djmatt · Mar 7, 2011

you need to seriously consider if you have the time to do it yourself, how much you wanna spend, and then go from there. What I mean is you can get it done cheaply with minimal expenses by doing it yourself, or you could more than likely get a few reference and have the place priced out. check out the DIY websites if you dont have a lot of experience.

I would use the words cash, and find somoene in the trades that does cash jobs. A lot of guys are strangled with back child support payments from when they went outta work or what not, or drank gambled or smoked away their paychecks.

600sq ft yourself with the right priced materials can be done for I'd assume 2k with 15% overage for materials

Defying · Mar 7, 2011

thanks for the response DJ. I can barely hang pictures on the walls, really don't think I have the skills to do this....

What you think it would cost to hire someone that you're talking about.. 5-6k??

PublicsMoney · Mar 7, 2011

Go to your local lumberyard and ask them if someone is slow as far as business in concerned and tell them that you are willing to pay cash. Depending on where you live, you can probably get someone to do it for 20-25 bucks an hour as long as you buy the materials. I d do it for ya but I am sure you live to far away.

Good luck
Pubs

Defying · Mar 7, 2011

PublicsMoney said:
Go to your local lumberyard and ask them if someone is slow as far as business in concerned and tell them that you are willing to pay cash. Depending on where you live, you can probably get someone to do it for 20-25 bucks an hour as long as you buy the materials. I d do it for ya but I am sure you live to far away.

Good luck
Pubs

Publics wouldn't by hour just make them work slower?

CoachCB · Mar 7, 2011

If you're putting in a bathroom, it will cost more than $2K. Defninitely hire someone to come in and frame it and drywall it for you (unless you know how to do that, there is a bit of a science to it). There are a lot of things you could do yourself at that point; painting, molding (both footboards, shoe molding and crown), flooring- tile or laminate in the bath, but it would probably be best to pay a carpet guy (if you plan to carpet the rest).

Another thing to consider is to get an estimate on doing the apartment. It may not cost much more and may be worth it to just do it....

---

CujoLatte · Mar 7, 2011

You can do it yourself Defy. It will cost you around 4 grand with the carpeting. I did about 5 basements. The only thing I hired out was the spackling of the sheetrock. It took the guy one day to do the whole basement would have took me 3 weeks and would be half as good a job.
It takes about 2 weeks to do the whole basement. Once you get rolling you can move quick! I put drop ceilings in another job that looks hard but is ridiculously easy!

Willie99 · Mar 7, 2011

be your own GC

get quotes from tradesmen, hire the one you like best

do you know people who know people?

omahamoneymaker · Mar 7, 2011

Your'e going to be looking at more than 2K I can guarantee that unless you are just framing walls, throwing in some insulation and slapping on some drywall. The flooring alone will cost that. Are you planning to put a floor down or just leave it concrete?... just kidding. A good place to start getting an idea is to go to Menards or some sort of Hardware place and just start pricing out the materials. Drywall and finishing it $700, carpet $1300, ...... you get the idea.

I am currently doing my basement which is 1500 square feet, 500 of it I have for storage and is unfinished. I have been keeping the receipts and some tracking of costs, etc. I am doing it myself and figure it will cost me about 8K. That's $8 a square foot. That will include a bathroom with shower, some cabinets, really nothing overboard. So, if you can do it for a similar cost it would be about 5K. No shower, a bit less, no bathroom save 1K. No cabinets, save another 500 or more. Believe me, when you get going on it you will find all the hidden costs.

mplastered · Mar 7, 2011

Willie99 said:
be your own GC

get quotes from tradesmen, hire the one you like best

do you know people who know people?

Good advice. Get at least 3 bids on every step. Did you meet the guys who built your house? Contact them. Make sure they are all on the same page as far as layout and quality of product used. Can make a big difference.

TheRightSide · Mar 7, 2011

this being a basement adds more to it. You need to know what happens when it rains like hell. I would not do anything right away. Make sure the drainage around your house is up to speed.

When you do frame the walls you need to use the right kind of stuff. I would use the metal studs for all the framing. I would use the green wallboard which is mold and mildew resistant. I would 100% make sure to put in a bathroom. The value of that will be good. Spend the money now for a small bathroom with a pedestal sink and a standup shower will help it look bigger.

buddyboy · Mar 7, 2011

You need to know what happens when it rains like hell. I would not do anything right away. Make sure the drainage around your house is up to speed.

+10 on that

wait a good year so you can see what happens in all seasons.

Plus you have new construction, give the house a year to settle. See if any cracks develop in those block walls. Once those walls are covered in drywall you won't be able to see any cracks.

when you do cover the walls, put foam sheets directly on the block and frame steel studs over that. think of sandwiching the foam between the steel studs and the block.

is the floor already insulated?

between now and next year do some research on best practices for basement finishing.

QUEENOFHEARTS · Mar 7, 2011

Post some photos here.

Assuming that all of the walls are cement blocks???? No necesito to frame or use Sheetrock.

Padded upholstry is another option. As far as flooring goes... The possibilities are endless. Nothing wrong wrong with s finished cement floor polished smooth with a nice area rug.

The electric and plumbing are the only 2 things that are expensive.

Getting the cheapest bid is the worst advice anyone could give you !!!!
Going with someone who is out of work is terrible advice !!!
They are out of work for a reason.

Handy man ??? I do not think so. More bad advice.
Would you want a plumber to paint your house? Or a tile man installing upholstery or wallpaper ?

Definitely not.

Make it a bonding project between you and your wife.

Go with experience and highly recommended referrals. Do not use friends or family !!!!
Or friends of friends.

If you find one excellent craftsman , he can lead you to the next in line. The best contractors know who the other best really are.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

Stylez · Mar 7, 2011

My basement is currently a swimming pool ,

All Maple hardwood ... what a shitty day

C.P. · Mar 7, 2011

When I had my house built 5 yrs ago, I did wait 2yrs for the house to settle (per the GC’s advice)…
I hired a friend of the GC…great guy…
I have 2000 sf of living space in the basement…
I went WAYYY over budget…but I’ve got the “”shit downstairs”…
A couple great points in this thread…
Don’t be CHEAP…once it’s done..It’s DONE..
I did all the vapor barriers, insulation of walls & floor, outlets every 3ft, can lights every 5ft, custom bar, custom bathroom, tile, carpet, 2 back-up sump pumps (AQUANOT),..Etc..
Believe me, I’m not trying to brag or embellish this story at all…
All I’m saying is get the right guy, don’t be cheap and do it right the 1st time…
And YES, there are many, many hidden costs….bol…

Doug · Mar 8, 2011

I agree about being damn sure you won't get any water there before starting.

The extra bathroom is worth it.

Get any permits to make it legal as well.

You could skimp on the floor with super cheap indoor/ outdoor carpeting for a few hundred bucks and change it after a few years....once you are sure the basement stays dry. I wouldn't do a wood floor in a basement in case a water heater , washing machine or something leaks down there.

The cheapo carpet fits a basement well, IMO.

Defying · Mar 8, 2011

thinking bout tile in the basement..

FearTheRaven · Mar 8, 2011

Finishing a basement is definitely worth it in the long run. Just make sure you prepare and check for any possible leaks, damp spots when it rains hard.

Had my Pops and a few buddies help finish my basement. Took a while because I'm not good at home improvement stuff, but well worth it.

If you have the rough-in for the toilet I'd definitely put in a bathroom, adds nice value.

Albatross · Mar 8, 2011

A bathroom will cost ya about 3-4k to do it right. Usually a basement finish runs about $20-35 per square foot. Only finishing that small of an area the cost per square footage will be skewed a little. I am a general contractor in GA an that is the averages here. I did finish a high-end basement (3200 sf) and the bill ran about 275k.....It was bad ass! If you have room in the bathroom and a tub area has been stubbed out, put a cultured marble or tile shower in and place those materials on all 4 sides along with the ceiling. Then put a steam unit in it. Cost about 1,200 installed for the steam unit, but you will be thanking me later for doing it. Just remember to slope the ceiling, put a seat in, make sure the shower door closes the shower area in completely. I have that in my basement.....AMAZING!

C.P. · Mar 8, 2011

+1....I've got-it...again

Don't Be Cheap

Finishing a basement...

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