[H8IAST8]

I'm looking to finish my basement. Looking for contacts in the DSM metro.
Framing
Plumbing
Electrical
Drywall

[imported_ankle23]

just sent you a PM.

[Hawk4Life76]

If you don't mind - what is the price range, design, square footage, etc.. I'm always curious to hear other ideas/suggestions.

[ohhawk]

Originally Posted by H8IAST8

I'm looking to finish my basement. Looking for contacts in the DSM metro.
Framing
Plumbing
Electrical
Drywall

PM sent.

[H8IAST8]

I have no idea. I just started thinking about it, and wanted to eventually get quotes, etc. Its about 800 sq ft, will have a bathroom (not sure on a shower or tub/shower). The main living area will probably be 17x 25ish. So that would leave a bedroom/office/kids room/ gameroom of about 13x22ish? I'm hoping to do it all for $10k ish.

What are your thoughts?

[bandgrocks]

Lots of variables to determine if you can make the $10k number.

-How much of the work are you going to do yourself? This is where the money is spent.
-How much framing, plumbing, HVAC work is needed, and how difficult is the work? Is there already some framing done, is the bathroom already stubbed-in, and do you have HVAC vents in the best places to heat/cool the room(s)?
-What quality of finishes are you using, high end or middle of the road?
-What type of floor covering (carpet vs solid surface)? JMO - do carpet you'll appreciate it in the winter.
-Are you doing a dropped ceiling or drywalled? There are pros and cons to each. If you do a drywalled ceiling make sure there is nothing you need to get to in the floor joists, cause once its closed, you have to tear it up. I had my central vac system installed because if I didn't do it them, it would never get done.

I spent $6500 on materials to finish 780 sq. feet with a 3/4 bath (don't do a tub, do a shower only) a great room (tv/kids play room) and computer/reading nook. Don't finish everything, and make sure you have storage space and easy access to your mechanicals. I saved some money because I didn't have to have a lot of framing done because the builder actually did most of it when he built the house. If you can do the work yourself, you can make the $10k amount.

[H8IAST8]

I want to drywall the ceiling and i was planning on carpet. I will do virtually no work myself. I only have 2 vents right now. I'm thinking I will need at least one more, probably 2. Did you contract all the work out yourself?

[bandgrocks]

I contracted everything out - because I didn't have the time to devote to finishing the space. I spent well over $20k with labor and materials, but that was in 2005, and with the economy the way it is, who knows what you could get today. A lot of these independent contractors need work and may be willing to negotiate.

Here are some suggestions - I only have two HVAC vents, it is a little cool in the winter, but in the summer its great. If you want heat in the bathroom, add an exhaust fan with a heater (well worth it). I insulated between my basement ceiling and first floor of my house to add a noise barrier, you don't have to, but depending on what you're doing in the basement you can cut down the noise and I'm glad I did it. I would suggest making the door(s) into rooms where your mechanicals are bigger, it just makes it easier if you ever have to have anything replaced. I spent more money on the carpet, because I wanted a good pad, and a good thick carpet knowing it was going over concrete and would help with the keeping the floor warmer. Don't forget about things like telephone jacks, cable outlets, electrical outlets, speakers, etc. I have cable outlets in two places, and I believe code requires an outlet every 6 feet. Choose recessed lighting to help with the low ceiling height, and do lots of lights (unless you have a walkout). If you have a way to have additional storage, do it - I have a custom built in with a huge bank of cabinets which is great to hide childrens toys, games, and whatever else. The built in also houses my TV, satellite receiver, and sourround sound receiver, plus some really nice bookshelves.

There are a few little things I would do differently if I had to do it over again, but nothing major. I love the space, and my kids love the space, plus I can shut the door and everything is out of sight if I have company.

This is JMO, good luck with your project.

[cmonhox]

Originally Posted by H8IAST8

I want to drywall the ceiling and i was planning on carpet. I will do virtually no work myself. I only have 2 vents right now. I'm thinking I will need at least one more, probably 2. Did you contract all the work out yourself?

Not to be a debbie downer, but seriously doubt you'll be able to pay under $10k and do virtually no work yourself. Especially if you're going to have a bathroom down there.

I finished about 500 sq feet in our basement, did 75% of the work, and paid around $8k or so back in 2004.

IIRC, some of the estimates I had for the 500 sq feet for the full job and no work on my part were $15-$20k.

Seriously though, if you want to save some $, framing, electrical, duct work is all pretty easy and did all that myself. Left the drywall, trim work, carpet to the pros.

[H8IAST8]

I think construction materials are down from 2004 aren't they? I also plan to buy the lumber when prices are down in late fall to early winter.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

This shows lumber producer prices are at or below 2004 values
http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/Surv...a_tool=XGtable

Did you have any built-ins? Did you get multiple quotes for each part of the job?

[cmonhox]

That works out well for you having construction material prices similar to 2004; would def. aid in keeping to the 10k goal. Can't remember why they were high in 2004, think there was some natural disasters (hurricanes maybe??) creating shortages?

I only took two quotes, simply b/c I had some personal ties to the contractors. Each contractor gave two quotes, one for a total if they did everything, and what it would be if I did parts.

Didn't have anything pre-framed or built in.

I was running out of time, so had the contractors do the things that would save me the most time and look the best (drywall/mudding/texturing, all of the trim work and door hangings, carpet).

If you can find someone to do it all under $10k, that would be great. Prob. stating the obvious, but if you don't know them, check for references, prior work, etc.

[masoncityhawkeye]

Anyone give a rough-rough estimate if you finish a basement.
800 sq feet
1 large rec room
1 bedroom
wetbar
3/4 bathroom

we are house shopping and might like to get one with unfinished basement to get it how we want and save a little.

[H8IAST8]

Thanks for the info. I am skipping the contractor, and I am no hurry to finish.

[H8IAST8]

Originally Posted by masoncityhawkeye

Anyone give a rough-rough estimate if you finish a basement.
800 sq feet
1 large rec room
1 bedroom
wetbar
3/4 bathroom

we are house shopping and might like to get one with unfinished basement to get it how we want and save a little.

I think it varies greatly, but minimum of $10k, and that is if you plan to do some of the work, and do the contracting yourself, etc. etc.

If you go to a contractor, they can easily charge $30k. So i would say your estimate is between $10k-$30k

[BlckNGldHwk]

First things first...do you have ANY water problems in your basement? Do you have a sump? Is your house in a location which is conducive to pooling? I ask this because I spent the months of March-June working on finishing my basement. I know a contractor and they did their work at cost (had them do framing, dry-wall (including ceiling), hvac, plumbing for 3/4 bath and electrical. That alone for the total ~1000 sq ft was $13,500 and like I said, that was at cost. I did the painting, all the trim and doors myself (well with a ton of help from friends and family). I had finally completed the 700 sq ft in the 'great room', laminate flooring, quiet walk underlayment, 3 inch painted trim and quarter round etc... Two weeks after getting the furniture and electronics and everything down there our entire basement flooded. Laminate and trim were a total loss. Moral of the story: if you have any issues with water or think you might in the future, look into alternative options for flooring. If you do carpet, consider installing it in 3 large strips in the event of flooding you can simply remove the affected area and dry/replace if needed. I decided I didn't want to deal with any of that crap again so I simply stained and sealed the concrete slab for a nice professional looking floor that is impervious to water/moisture.

Side note: If you're looking at doing zero work yourself then I think you will struggle getting anywhere near $10k.