Renovating a Basement? Step Up (Not Down) and Hire the Best Basement Contractor in Milwaukee County!
For a long duration, your basement has sat essentially unused (or at least underutilized). Why shouldn’t this room improve your home, and quality of life? Are you ready for basement remodeling that can make it your favorite room in your house in Milwaukee County?
Basement renovations are among the most popular home remodeling projects. The end results can be exciting: home theater rooms, game rooms, exercise studios, home offices, woodworking spaces, arts/crafts studios, wine cellars, bar areas … a basement remodeling has few limits, aside from size to work with!
The benefits of a finished basement are many. Enlarged living space is a positive for young, growing families. Improved entertainment options are great for family time or when company visits. Dedicated space for hobbies or personal interests creates the opportunity to hone in on one’s avocations. And, the bump in resale value seems to appeal to everyone.
Basement renovation involves a laundry list of details. The work usually takes many months. Costs can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
Hiring an experienced basement contractor, such as RNB Design Group, is critical to a successful basement remodeling in Milwaukee County. RNB Design Group has remodeled dozens of basements in southeastern Wisconsin over more than 25 years.
Getting serious about turning your Milwaukee County basement into your new favorite place? Plenty of decisions await.
Is My Lower Space Usable for Basement Remodeling?
Before diving in too far, check that your basement is amenable to refinishing. There’s probably more to ponder than you’d imagine!
The ceiling shouldn’t be shorter than seven feet for comfortable headroom. A foot or two higher provides an open, airy feel.
Designing a manageable layout requires a minimum 700 square feet of floor space. Ideally, at least 1,000 square feet exists. Any more is gravy (and filled with possibilities).
Know that you’ll have to work around load-bearing supports such as columns and beams. Placement of natural light sources, especially windows, factors in. So do mechanical systems, usually HVAC and plumbing.
Is the basement moisture laden? Waterproofing and drainage factor in. So do ventilation and air quality. Insulation and the climate control system might need to be addressed.
All this, before a single sheet of drywall is erected or any flooring is laid. Now you know why to plan for (potentially) a long haul!
Which Decisions Does a Basement Designer Expect the Customer to Make?
The specific decisions you’ll face rely on the end goal of your basement renovations. Are you building a home theater or media room? A wet bar and kitchenette? A home gym? A home office or study? Something else?
Some materials choices are pretty universal: flooring, walls, ceiling, insulation and doors. Most remodeling projects involve these.
How do you seek your finished basement space to “feel?” Modern? Traditional? Rustic? Industrial? All are popular design styles.
Personal touches matter with decisions about finishes: paint colors and trim. Lighting fixtures (recessed or pendant). Plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets and maybe showers). Cabinetry and countertops. Design of any storage features.
Basement refinishing in Milwaukee County has grown more involved with technological advances, too. Monstrous TVs require planning for both “where” and “how.” Smart speakers and sound systems offer amazing audio. Home automation systems, and smart lighting and thermostats, make environmental adjustments possible with a tap on a smartphone.
What is the Process of Basement Finishing?
Basement finishing is similar to any other remodeling project: a series of steps. This is why having an accomplished basement finishing contractor, such as RNB Design Group, is so important. Let them handle the stress and checklists!
The pre-remodeling steps aren’t glamorous. A basement should be evaluated to spot any potential complications. Next are drawing up detailed plans for the basement renovations, and obtaining needed permits and approvals. Subcontractors have to be identified and hired.
Demolition can begin} after furniture and stored items are relocated. Further steps, before the sledgehammers start swinging, are evaluating load-bearing supports and identifying necessary electrical or plumbing upgrades.
With the work site cleared off, construction begins. New walls arise, and windows in them. Wiring and piping are run. Insulation is frequently added to walls, floor and ceiling. Flooring – whether hardwood, tile or carpet – is laid.
The finishing phase is where the new space starts looking recognizable. Walls and ceiling are painted. Trim work is done on moldings and doors. Lights go up. Sinks and toilets get put in place.
Your new space is almost ready to enjoy! The last touches are testing operational components, verifying all is complete and, of course, cleaning up afterward.
How Long Do Basement Renovations Take? How Much Do They Cost?
Once the basement renovation process gets rolling, it’s easy to get excited. You’ve dreamt of spending time in this new, ultra-modern space. How long must you wait?
Small projects can finish in six to 12 weeks. Medium projects can take up to 24 weeks. Large projects – with multiple moving parts, and lots of space to address – might last 40 weeks.
Many variables enter in. The smart approach is to plan ahead, maintain frequent communication with the basement contractor, and prepare for unexpected delays. Hangups with accessing materials, or working around subcontractors’ schedules, are unfortunately common.
Remodeling done correctly is not cheap. Basement refinishing is no exception. A small basement project can run up to $30,000; a medium-size undertaking, up to $60,000. Large basement projects can exceed $100,000, often involving the creation and outfitting of several rooms.
Homeowners can save money on basement completion costs by choosing cost-effective materials, and using local contractors. Some elements of a project might be do-it-yourself for the right person(s). Planning is always the most effective cost controller.
What are the dreams for your Milwaukee County basement? Tired of living with space you know could be used so much better? Start exploring the possibilities - contact RNB Design Group for advice and guidance on transforming your basement into the space you’ve been wanting. Give your lifestyle a step up, every time you go down a few steps in your Milwaukee County house!