Turning your basement into a living space increases the value of your home and makes it an attractive place for family, friends and guests. It also creates income potential if you make it suitable for renters.

Once the area is cleared and any masonry work completed, start by installing any electric, plumbing and air duct work. This is a job best left to a professional. Contact Basement Finishing Lehi for professional help.

Walls and ceilings are a key element of basement finishing and provide an opportunity to make the space feel more like the rest of your home. Framing walls is an essential first step, and there are many options for constructing them depending on your style, budget and local codes.

For most spaces, you’ll want to use traditional drywall panels, which are affordable and easy to install. They can be painted or finished to match your decor. If you’re not comfortable doing the work yourself, hiring a professional will save time and ensure that your project is up to code.

Local building codes set a variety of requirements that must be met to make a basement livable, including insulation levels and moisture protection. Familiarizing yourself with these requirements early will help you avoid surprises and make the best decisions for your budget, design and materials.

Basement walls must be constructed in a way that allows for access to pipes, electrical wiring and other utilities. The stud walls must be insulated to code, and a vapor barrier of the appropriate class may be required based on your climate.

Most basements have a lot of plumbing and ductwork running through the ceiling, and it’s important to account for these lines in your framing plan. They might need to be enclosed in a soffit, framed to hide them, or left exposed as part of your basement finishing design.

Some homeowners choose to skip the drywall and opt for a panel system that’s quick and easy to install. These systems typically include aluminum tracks and clips that hold the panels in place. They’re also lightweight, which makes them easier to hang and move around. One drawback of these systems is that they don’t resist moisture, so they can swell and mold when wet.

Flooring

If your basement floors are concrete and unfinished, you can upgrade them to wood or laminate flooring. You may also add a subfloor to create a moisture barrier and limit issues with leaking and dampness.

Before you begin any remodeling, consider how you’ll use the space. Creating an entertaining room with a kitchen and bar will increase your home’s resale value, while a bedroom or home office will maximize the usability of the space.

Then, determine the floor type that’s best for your needs and budget. If your family will be using the space for socializing, locate it near a window to bring in natural light. If you plan on sleeping in the basement, choose a location that’s at least 10 feet from any outside wall.

Most basements have things that will protrude through the ceiling surface, such as beams, posts, drain lines, water piping and wires. It’s a simple matter to frame or fur out around these projections, and then cover them with drywall for a clean and finished appearance.

Regardless of the finishing choice you make for your basement, it’s important to follow local building codes and zoning requirements to ensure your project is done correctly. Failing to do so could result in costly repairs later, and it could prevent you from selling your house or if an accident occurs that requires you to show your basement finishing work documents. It’s also a good idea to apply for a permit before starting the work. Doing so will protect you from legal issues and give you peace of mind that the work has been completed to the highest standard. If you don’t have the time or experience to tackle the project, hire a professional contractor.

Lighting

You’ll need a good lighting plan when basement finishing to make your new space livable. You’ll also want to consider how you’re going to use the space, so you can choose the right types of lighting.

Recessed lighting is a popular choice for basements because it’s easy to install, doesn’t take up much space, and provides adequate light for most areas in the room. You can get creative with these lights by using different color temperatures to create a mood or highlight certain features of the space.

If you’re looking for a more modern look, you can paint the ceiling instead of installing drywall. This is the easiest way to hide the wires and other utility items that are on the ceiling but allows for easy access to them when you need to do maintenance.

Another option is to hang pendant lighting fixtures from the ceiling. These can be quite decorative and may offer a variety of options such as a glowy, glowing color or a sculptural shape that adds interest to the room. If you go this route, you’ll need to carefully plan the layout of the pendants to ensure there are no dark spots in the room with the lights on.

For a truly unique lighting option, you can use a tray lighting system. This type of lighting uses a narrow, built-in ceiling perimeter as the base for hidden lighting that can be controlled via an app or switch. These can be a lot of fun and provide great lighting for TV watching areas. You can also opt for track lighting which uses switch-controlled individual, movable lighting units on a solid metal or wire track.

Plumbing

A basement is a whole different environment compared to the rest of your home. It’s a wet and humid area, where mistakes can be costly. This is why it’s important to have professionals in the right places to keep everything in line and on budget.

During the pre-construction phase, our Tradesman estimators will speak with customers over the phone to discuss their vision and set a realistic budget goal for their project. They will also visit the property onsite to take measurements and walk through the space with the homeowner to ensure the finished product matches their expectations. They will consider things like how the space will be used and what obstacles need to be worked around such as existing HVAC, sump pump systems or any other equipment that has code requirements for clearances or accessibility.

Once the initial design and pricing have been completed, construction begins. First, the tradesmen will frame the walls. This includes constructing wall studs using 2×4 or 2×6 lumber, installing pressure-treated bottom plates if necessary and securing them to the concrete floor with masonry screws or anchors. Then, they will install insulation and acoustic wall panels.

Plumbing is a critical aspect of any basement remodel. If you’re adding a bathroom, the plumber will need to install new drainpipes and supply pipes. These will need to be properly sized and routed to avoid water back-up or flooding. It’s important to note that plumbing is considered a ‘trades’ job, so hiring a licensed plumber is recommended.

Any plumbing work done in a basement requires a building permit. Failure to obtain a permit can lead to fines and/or delays in your project. If you’re not sure whether your renovation requires a permit, check with your local government website to see the rules and regulations in your area.

Electrical

When it comes to basement finishing, the electrical work may be one of the most complicated and costly parts of the entire project. This is because extending the home’s plumbing and wiring and making sure the HVAC system brings treated air into the new space will often require substantial changes to the existing electrical system. And those changes will almost always trigger a building permit and inspection fees.

Even if your intention for the basement is simply to turn it into an entertaining, socializing space, you’ll need at least some outlets to plug in electronic devices. And it’s important to design the electrical layout in advance so that you can determine how many outlets, switches and light fixtures you’ll need. It’s much easier to make changes during the planning phase than it is once construction begins.

Before hanging the drywall, electricians will typically run cables through the studs and install junction boxes to connect the receptacles. Code dictates that receptacles must be located within 12′ of each other, and 6′ of doors and windows. Switches and lights should also be properly placed, with tamper-resistant outlets (or plastic baby-proofing covers) installed for added safety.

It’s usually best to hire licensed professionals for the electrical and plumbing work when basement finishing, since they’ll have the right tools and knowledge to do the job quickly and correctly. Licensed tradespeople also know where to look for problems that you may not notice, and they can handle any issues that arise more easily than DIYers. Labor costs usually end up accounting for about 40% of the total basement finishing cost. But it’s well worth the investment to ensure that your finished basement is safe and livable.