How To Finish A Basement; it’s always highly suggested to have a plan first. If you retain my design services, I start all my Basement Finishing Design Service clients out with a questionnaire I call the “wish list”. Just contact me to link to my download for this easy to fill out PDF form but the questions asked are really to layout and list what rooms, areas, features you need and or want. We know there’s a clear distinction between NEED and WANT, yes? So you prioritize this wish list as step one of “How To Finish A Basement“!  It could be that you are just tired of seeing the basement messy and unfinished. Maybe you realized that all that clutter and that unorganized storage warehouse may turn into an entertainment area, wet bar, an office and or extra bedroom you’ve dreamed about with a nice play area for the kids and also making it much safer for them to play in. Nothing worse than a child running around and hit their heads on a steel support post or trip and fall over one of those pipes sticking out of the floor, right?

Just remember that kids get older and the little toys go bye, bye and the need for more recreation is in order. Some of my Basement Finishing Design Service clients call their new space a “Teenage Haven”, at least until the kids are off to college. They tell me it’s best they know where the kids are and allow them to hang out with their friends but at home where they know they are safe and not out getting into trouble. So a game area hang out as they call it or fun room is a must along with of course a TV area. These days, many clients want a big screen area with or without the kid thing present. Pool tables, foosball, ping pong, poker and many other games are popular in a game area of a finished basement. Adult entertainment is a common request of me in almost every design and although you fist think of the young child’s needs with the adult needs but if I master plan your basement design, I think way ahead to when you might become empty nesters and use the same space for yourselves without any added future remodeling and redesign cost. In short, it can be designed for now and then and just part of “How To Finish A Basement“!

Wet bars, snack bars, kitchenettes are common on most wish lists I see and any of these request are a mere convenience since the basement is on another level of the home. Bedrooms and bathrooms as well are always requested and since the basement will be used daily, I’d suggest at least a half bath or maybe a full bath if anyone is sleeping in this new finished space. I mean to say that a toilet is far away upstairs if a badly needed moment occurs, right? My company, Basement Finishing Design Service was started long ago due to my talents in these and many other areas of building and design. My thought process goes on and on and no matter the NEED or WANT, this wish list comes first in the planning and then a design for this space is needed. That’s where I come in as seen at How It Works! My slogan “It’s All In The Plan” didn’t start with me but I like it because any great How To Finish A Basement outcome of functionality, flow, appeal, theme and so on for a design is all in the planning. When you see the words, “Good Planning Pays Off In The End” this means that if it’s planned well, you’ll not only be happy with the new space usefulness and looks overall, you’ll save lots of money, time and frustration, period. Costly rework from poor planning is no picnic!

How To Finish A Basement isn’t about tossing up walls where a contractor may suggest; after all, he’s a contractor, not a designer. Standing in an empty space and pointing to where things should go will only end up looking like you did just that. It takes a little bit of time in this planning and I’m here for you to work with you until we have the most desirable design while making the best use of all space available. Then and only then as you know the first steps in How To Finish A Basement, you are ready to get those free apples to apples bids from more than 3 reputable contractors to finish the basement  and they better offer you more than a hand full of current references; I’ll explain why in another topic. What’s great about using my plans is that not only is it easy to read and follow (even if you’re a DYI home owner) its designed to your wish list, your desires and designed to the current IRC codes for permitting as well. I use extensive detail in my plans as seen at Basement Design In 3D, that all bidders have to bid the same plan and have 3D views to also build from making no mistake to what you expect from them. Even if you’re doing it yourself, you need a plan first and hopefully one I create for you.

Please visit again and look for future topics on “How To Finish A Basement 102” as I’ll discus laying out walls and plumbing and much, much more or simply get started by contacting me! My advice and suggestions are always free to clients that have retained my services.

An FYI note from John Browning, Basement Designer;

Having been in construction for over 35 years has allowed me much knowledge of all areas of the building trades. Below on the right sidebar are different topics about basement design and how to use the space. If I have not covered a topic you have in mind feel free to email me and ask me any question about any type construction project. You may also retain me for consultation and more detailed construction advice and or plan review of you existing plan or project even if it’s to check for errors. Remember; I can do any type of design concept needed or redesign what you already have and no matter where your project may be all through my proven design by email process. Please contact me today for a free quote to provide you with a professional design.