2 boys under the age of 7, a cat, 2 guinea pigs, and myself living in a 1200 sq foot condo. 1200 sq feet sounds ample, but we are all always on the main floor which consists of about 350 sq feet of living/dining/kitchen space all together. The goal for today is to get the basement safe and welcoming enough to be able to go down there to watch TV and play.
How to finish my basement
How I did it: So, I started this on my own, doing some of the basic insulating on my own. Then I got some help getting some of the carpentry done to frame in the walls. Then I did some more insulating. (I'm in Canada, eh? :) ) From there, I grabbed a friend to help do some drywalling. Once the sheetrock was up, I hit a wall (not literally). No one I know likes to do crackfilling. So it sat like this for YEARS.
I finally broke down this year and contracted some retired folks to come and pick up where I left off. Lots of money later, we aren't 100% finished but the end is in sight. We're just waiting on some window replacements and then some final trim work so the majority is done.
Lessons & tips:
- Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- And don't be afraid to pay for work you don't want to do - the alternative is that it doesn't get done or doesn't get done well.
- Chose a contractor you trust.
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
Our basement is a mess and not very inviting. I want to make it livable.
newvanessa is finally feeling like herself
It is done…and a lot over budget…but it looks great….
newvanessa is finally feeling like herself
all the walls are finished and painted….electrical outlets are all in and the light fixtures are almost all done, just need….door and trim…and the flooring and wal la….new place to put all my stuff…
newvanessa is finally feeling like herself
All the drywall is up….most is primed and half of the celinings are done…
I painted two rooms over the weekend…
love the colors..the Art room should be coming along adn done by next week, trim, and doors etc…
the fireplace is installed…
Well, the ceiling tiles have been removed (apparently the guy who owned the house before us hid some pretty weird stuff up there…insect repellant?).
We have also patched the foundation, so hopefully it won’t leak any more. Oh, and we are only going to have to put studs on a portion of a wall because the rest of the basement is in pretty good shape that way.
newvanessa is finally feeling like herself
about halfway done….plumbing, cable, electric, heating walls are all up, just need drywall…and the trim work..it is just going to be gorgeous….art room, bedroom, bathroom, exercise room, store room and another livign area…not sure what I am going to do with a 3000 sq foot house…. but I will just love it.
If you need help on what to do next just give me an email. My basement is 90% complete with a theater room and I love it. My brother and I did it.
newvanessa is finally feeling like herself
I have walls…..I have well studs..no drywall yet….
So our foundation has sprung a leak (all over my berber carpet), so what better time to de-70’s my wood panelled basement?!
Things to remove:
- wood panelling
- ceiling tilesThings to add:
- stud walls
- insulation
- dry wall
- new ceiling tiles
- pot lights
- rough in bathroom
- paintYIKES! This may take a while…..


