You might have a space in your home just waiting to be given the title of ‘room,’ and not even know it. If you have a basement, then you have the potential to create another bedroom, living space, games room, or any other room you’d like. At the moment it’s probably jam packed with boxes and boxes of junk, but it’s time to look past its current form: with a bit of effort, you could have an additional room – and add value to your home, too. Below, we take a look at five things to think about before taking the plunge into converting a basement.
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What do You Want the Space To Be?
There’s a lot of potential when it comes to converting a basement. A bedroom? A games room? A spacious office? An art room? Before you start investigating whether it’s feasible to convert the basement, you’ll have to decide what you want the space to be. Creating a space where your teenagers can hang out with their friends will be a lot less demanding than if you have grand plans to create a top-class guest room, for instance.
Understanding the Challenges
You’ll quickly discover why people generally don’t spend too much time in their basements. They’re dark, they can be wet, they can have mold issues. A big part of the conversion process will be overcoming these challenges. Depending on the structure of your house, it might be possible to open up one side of a basement and let in natural light; if not, think carefully about lighting so that it doesn’t feel claustrophobic down there. If you suspect there might be issues with mold, have the basement serviced by a company like ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba, especially if you’re planning a guest room; mold can cause respiratory issues, as well as a musty smell. In all, you’ll have to focus your efforts on making your basement feel, well, less like a basement!
Weighing Up the Costs
Any conversion can be expensive, but basements especially so, as they usually need a complete overhaul. With that being said, they’re very often a good idea from a financial point of you, as the value they add to the home usually outweighs their cost. Still, make sure you’re keeping an eye on how much you’re spending to make sure it’s worth it.
Remember It’s Primary Function
You might have ideas for another room when you look at converting a basement. Bear in mind that it will have other functions. All your electricity and water likely roots through the basement. It’ll be vital that any conversion doesn’t affect their operations. Don’t just think about the here and now, either. If you’re planning to add more electricals or plumbing in the future, they’ll have to go through the basement somehow!
Speak to the Experts
Once you’ve figured out your plans, it’s a good idea to talk to an expert before proceeding. Basement conversions can be tricky, and having a professional eye looking things over will stop you from making avoidable mistakes.
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