Finishing your basement is a major investment in time and resources. You must take the time to lay it out correctly and efficiently. Decide on wall placements, kitchen, and bathrooms before you even get started. Plumbing and wiring all needs to be laid out before anything else. First off though lets get started with some ceiling options.

Finishing your basement is a major investment in time and resources. You must take the time to lay it out correctly and efficiently. Decide on wall placements, kitchen, and bathrooms before you even get started. Plumbing and wiring all needs to be laid out before anything else. First off though lets get started with some ceiling options.

For the majority of finished basements a drop ceiling will be installed. This is for numerous reasons including ease of installation and future accessibility to existing plumbing. Most dropped ceiling will need to be hung at a minimum of two to three inches from the bottom of your joists. This may vary if you have any low hanging plumbing or wish to add drop lighting. If you are adding a subfloor in your basement this also needs to be taken into consideration now because it can greatly reduce the height of your room. The conventional drywalled ceiling is another option in your remodel but it is costly and removes the possibility of maintenance to your plumbing and wiring in the future.

If you have decided to plumb for a bathroom and or kitchen you now need to decide how you will remove your waste water and bring in supply water. Many basements will need a pump installed to bring there wastewater out to the sewage system. Some systems are below your basement floor level and may be added into as you would a normal plumbing installation. A certified plumber is recommended for advisement and installation of these systems as local and state codes can be extremely strict concerning sewage systems and you may cause problems for yourself down the line if all is not inspected.

If you have chosen to run your wiring through the floor to cabinets or walls now is the time to lay out and install proposed wiring. Again this is best left to a certified and insured electrician to eliminate problems with your local governing body and possibly insurance company. The basic process will involve the installation of conduit in your existing floor and into the new walls and ceiling. The wire will then be pulled throughout this conduit to any installations you will have planned for.

The last thing we will discuss is the installation of a subfloor. These are generally installed in finished basements for the added comfort and warmth. Generally a polystyrene base is installed and covered with plywood that is secured with concrete screws. Polystyrene is normally used for its ability to withstand water and its excellent insulative qualities. Some homeowners will choose to forgo a subfloor though depending on there needs. In this case whatever flooring choices you make will just be laid directly onto your existing concrete. Be warned though, water and cold could become a normal part of your room if this is your choice.

With any remodel there are many hazards and choices along the way. Please consult a qualified contractor for help along your way. Good luck and enjoy your new finished basement for many years to come.

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