If you’ve ever thought you had more space in your home, you’ve probably considered the idea of a finished basement versus an unfinished one. The finished basements are attractive and appealing and can add a new dimension to the home. However, they require an enormous amount of work to build and maintain.
As a homeowner, you need to visualize how you will go about it and evaluate the benefits against the drawbacks before making a choice.
The Benefits of Finishing Your Basement
A completed basement has several benefits, which explains why they are so popular. Finishing your basement might be desirable whether you need additional space for your family or a particular room design.
Here are some benefits of a finished basement:
1: Increases Home Value
A finished basement can improve the value of your home, typically between 70% to 75% of the price. The idea is to add the living area of your home, which will provide an obvious benefit when selling your house. When prospective buyers look at your house, they’ll be awed by the fresh look the basement will have. Because it gets completed, it takes much of the work of the future homeowners and their hands.
2: It Gives You More Space
Because it adds a whole new habitable floor to your house, finished basements are one of the most popular choices. Your basement is typically used for storage because it is unfinished. Once completed, it becomes an addition to your livable house with new rooms that you may design however you choose.
3: Creates Privacy
Are you looking for a space to get away from the world? Given that it is one or two levels below the rest of your home, a completed basement affords you that. Finished basements offer the perfect opportunity to create additional space for larger families. Family members can host friends in basements, and others can enjoy peace on the other floors, or vice versa.
4: It Provides Safety
The finished basements also provide security options. Basements can be the most secure place if natural disasters occur, such as tornadoes. With a new, cozy living space, you’ll be ready if the time comes. You’ll have TVs, couches, and fridges that can store food and water, making an inviting, safe place to curl up.
5: Provides Design Freedoms
Another advantage to finishing your basement is the freedom of design it offers. Contrary to other rooms of your house with a living room, kitchen, or bathroom area, the basement can be yours to create however you like. Here are a few ways you can remodel your basement:
- Home Theater: Bring your movie-watching experience to a new level with a theatre in your home. With comfy seats along with a wall-mounted display and popcorn, it’s like watching a movie in your home.
- Fitness Area: Do you want to improve your fitness routine? Create a comfortable fitness space with weights and equipment in your basement to eliminate the hassle of going to the gym.
- Office at Home: If you’re looking for an efficient space to concentrate on your work in the basement, a room in your basement can make the perfect home office. Customizing the layout and size to suit your required space is possible.
- A Stylish Wine Cellar: Make your wine cellar an enjoyable space with chic sofas and marble countertops. Set some of your favorite bottles on glass and create the perfect space for guests to enjoy or relax after a long day.
Cons of Basement Finishing
While a finished basement may be attractive, it has certain disadvantages. These are the things you should consider during the process of planning. In most home-based projects, there are bound to be challenges to conquer. It is possible to weigh the challenges against the benefits of the finished project.
The disadvantages of a finished basement can include the following:
1: It Has a High Cost
Cost is among the most significant drawbacks of having a finished basement. The cost of the whole project will vary a little based on the design you’d like for your home theatre. It will likely cost more than a space with couches, carpets, and television. There are also the following factors:
- Electricity: The basement needs good illumination to make it a living area. It will also mean adding new lighting and tackling an increase in energy costs.
- Plumbing: Are you planning to install the bathroom you’ve always wanted in your basement? It is an entirely new set of challenges since you’ll be able to add plumbing costs to the completed basement.
- Floor Plan: What kind of floor plan do you desire? An option that works with the current layout of your basement could be the best option for you; adding more rooms could increase costs.
What you want and determine whether it fits within your budget. The cost of a basement will increase with the complexity of your design. Electrical, plumbing, and other expenses can quickly start to mount up during construction, so it’s essential to understand clearly.
2: Might Not Recover All Costs
Although adding a finished basement will raise the value of your house. However, you’ll only be able to recover about a quarter of the price. This problem is less crucial to some homeowners because they’re willing to pay for the extra comfort and space that an unfinished basement can provide.
3: Increases Maintenance
A basement that still needs to get finished needs little maintenance. You may go down there occasionally to vacuum and dust off old items, but generally, it isn’t essential.
When the basement gets completed, it will be the same as any other area of your home and is subject to regular cleaning and maintenance. Basements tend to be brimming with humidity, and you’ll need to devise a plan to stop mold growth. Dehumidifiers can be an excellent solution for keeping your basement tidy and fresh.
If you take care of all the cleaning by yourself, this can add extra time as well as energy into your daily routine.
4: Must Adhere to Building Codes
While it’s part of your house, it is a basement remodeling project that the local building codes of your area must govern. If you adhere to a given code, your construction may be able to continue. Getting in touch with the municipal and learning all the delicate intricacies of constructing a basement will take some time. For example, there should be at most 6 feet between electrical outlets.
You must follow these rules to ensure you can complete your basement with confidence that the work gets done correctly.
Find or Build Your Dream Home with Ottawa Home Pros
Suppose you’re looking to purchase or construct your dream home. You may have decided that upgrading your basement isn’t for you, and you’d prefer to build with a fresh start. In that case, Ottawa Home Pros is ready to assist with more years of experience delivering high-quality work for the entire upstate Ottawa region.
We’re committed to providing superior customer service, professional craftsmanship, and stunning designs to our customers. Bring your dream home to life and start working with Ottawa Home Pros by calling (613) 288-9145 and emailing info@ottawahomepros.com.
