A Guide to Finish your basement

Everybody wishes they could have a bit more room. If you have a basement that isn't finished, a little effort can go a long way toward giving you the extra room you need without the high cost of a home addition. We'll lead you through the process step-by-step to give you a room that can be used for more than storage containers, from the price of renovating a basement to how to put the finishing touches on a drop-ceiling.   Cost to finish a basement Finishing a basement cost roughly $25-$50 per square foot on average. However, because of many aspects of renovating a basement, anticipate the price to rise if you choose top-of-the-line lighting and flooring. A complete basement finish, including walls, ceiling, and floors, will cost roughly $30,000 on average. Make careful to plan for debris disposal, whether you're rebuilding an existing finished basement or starting from scratch.   Does Having a Finished Basement Increase the Value of Your Home? Although a completed basement isn't counted as part of your home's square footage, because they're usually in high demand, you'll often see a return on your investment when it comes time to sell. According to research, the national average had a 79 percent rate of return, which means that every dollar spent renovating a basement returned $0.79.   Steps by Step Guide: The walls, flooring, and ceilings are the three distinct projects that make up finishing a basement. However, we've divided our advice into pieces, with step-by-step guidance on getting ready for the project. Step 1: Fill out an application for a permit. Obtaining permission is required for the job. While you could finish your basement without a permit, it could cost you more money in the long run if you try to sell your home or if something goes wrong and you don't have documentation of the work done. Step 2: Deal with Dampness It would be best if you never hung drywall in your basement without first checking for wetness or excessive humidity. All you have to do now is take the necessary precautions to waterproof your work environment. A dehumidifier, a sump pump, and full basement waterproofing are all options for dealing with a moist basement. With the money you're spending on finishing your basement, it's wise to seek advice from a professional to determine which option is ideal for you. Step 3: Select Materials Is it better to use drywall or plaster? Is it better to have a drop ceiling or an uncovered ceiling? Which is better: carpet or laminate? All of these are questions you should think about before beginning the project. It's best to think about things ahead of time because supplies will take up most of your cash. When compiling your materials list, keep the following in mind:

• Insulation type
• Wall material
• Ceiling style
• Flooring type
• Utility locations
• Paint colors
• Trim styles