Enhance your Nashville home’s value and functionality with a budget-friendly basement finishing. With creativity and planning, transform your bare basement into a cozy living space extension!
key takeaways for basement finishing
Why renovating your basement?
- Transforming a basement can increase a home’s value and usability for a 30-40% lower price than an a home extension.
Top tips to save money for your basement remodeling:
- Set a realistic budget.
- Allocate funds for essential elements like insulation, drywall, and moisture control.
- Consider doing some of the work yourself, like painting! But you would want to hire contractor for highly technical and tools + labor intensive work like drywall, flooring and insulation installation.
- Look for cost-effective materials to save money – we can help you with this!
Assessing your basement's condition before basement remodeling
Before transforming a basement into a functional space, homeowners should focus on assessing their current basement condition, understanding the local regulations for renovations, and designing a space that aligns with their budget and needs. This step will help you set up a realistic budget to work with your basement remodeling contractor. It’s essential to understand what are the must-do remodeling work and what are the want-to-do renovation work on your basement.
Ceiling Height: Check if the ceiling is high enough for comfortable movement. Basements with low ceilings may feel cramped and might need adjustments, such as digging down to lower the floor, which can be costly.
Natural Light: Evaluate how much natural light enters the space. Basements often lack sufficient windows, which can make them dark. Consider enlarging existing windows or adding new ones if the structure allows. Windows enlargement can be costly too, your contractor will be able to recommend different options at different price range. You also need to be compliant to local codes: basement windows may need to be large enough for a person to pass through (in case of fire etc.) and your local contractor like Tura Renovation will be able to assist you.
Moisture Levels: Moisture is a common issue in basements. Look for signs of dampness or water damage, such as water stains, mold, or a musty smell. These issues need to be addressed before starting any renovation to avoid structural damage and health problems. Your basement renovation budget should always include insulation to reduce temperature, moisture and noise.
Structural Soundness: Check for any signs of structural damage like cracks in the walls or floor. It’s important to fix these problems to ensure the safety and stability of your home.
Planning the use of space: Think about how you want to use the newly finished basement. Whether you need a home office, an extra bedroom, a game room, or a play area for children, make sure the space can accommodate your plans. This includes considering the placement of walls, electrical outlets, and lighting. Your contractor will help you design the best layout and functionalities according to your budget. Here is where you would want to save or splurge!
Your local contractor like Tura Renovation will be able to help you design a functional basement renovation and balance between the “must-do” remodeling and the “want-to-have” depending on your budget.
Choosing the right materials
Vinyl Flooring: This is a great choice for basements due to its water resistance and affordability. Vinyl flooring comes in various styles, including designs that mimic more expensive materials like hardwood and stone. The cost can range from as low as $1 per square foot for basic options to around $5 per square foot for higher-end designs that mimic materials like hardwood or stone. In comparison, real hardwood flooring often starts at about $8 per square foot, going up to $25 or more, making vinyl a significantly cheaper option. Local Nashville shop.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: Tiles are ideal for damp areas and typically cost between $1.50 and $5 per square foot, depending on the style and quality. This is much more affordable compared to natural stone tiles, which can range from $5 to $10 per square foot or more. Home Depot offers good prices for ceramic tiles.
Basement-Specific Carpet: Specialized basement carpets are designed to resist moisture and mold, costing about $3 to $6 per square foot, installed. This is generally cheaper than traditional high-end carpets, which can cost $8 per square foot or more, making them a cost-effective choice for a warm and cozy basement floor.
Moisture-Resistant Drywall: Known as green board or paperless drywall, these options are more suited to moist environments like basements. They typically cost about 10-20% more than regular drywall, which averages around $0.40 to $0.65 per square foot, making them a cost-effective solution at approximately $0.50 to $0.80 per square foot.
Paneling: Water-resistant panels, which can mimic the look of more expensive wood, are another budget-friendly choice for basement walls. These panels can range from $15 to $40 per panel, depending on the material and finish. This is generally cheaper than using real wood panels or other more costly materials, which can easily exceed $40 to $100 per panel.
When choosing materials for your basement renovation, it’s important to pick options that are not only suitable for basement conditions but also budget-friendly. You would also want to consider the durability of the material. Durable, low-maintenance materials may cost a bit more upfront but can save money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements.
Your local Nashville Contractor will know the ins and outs of each material and help you figure which one to use in your basmeent remodeling project while being budget conscious!
Obtain Basement remodeling permit
It is important to follow local building regulation and rules in Nashville to avoid paying fines or having issues when reselling your home. This includes obtaining permits in 90% of the case for basement remodeling.
Why Permits are Important:
- Safety and Compliance: Permits ensure that your basement renovations comply with local safety standards, particularly for critical work like electrical installations and plumbing.
- Avoid Legal Issues: Without the necessary permits, you could face penalties. In Nashville, the cost for permits can vary depending on the project size and scope, but generally, the fees for residential remodeling permits start around $50 for minor alterations and can go up to several thousand dollars for major renovations.
Cost and Convenience:
- Permit Fees: For a standard home renovation or basement finishing & basement remodeling, permit fees might range from $200 to $1,000, depending on the complexity and value of the construction.
- Contractor Inclusion: When you work with Tura Renovations, the cost of obtaining permits is included in our service package. This inclusion not only simplifies the process but also ensures that all aspects of your project are properly vetted and approved by local authorities.
Tura Renovation includes permitting in our price, and we will also take care of asking for permit, planning a basement remodeling that fits the local codes and requirement. We will also take care of permit inspections. So your renovation is hassle free!
Hiring the right nashville local contractor
- Electrical Wiring and Plumbing: Hire licensed professionals to avoid risks like fires or flooding from poor wiring or plumbing mistakes.
- Waterproofing and Mold Prevention: Prevent long-term problems by hiring experts in basement waterproofing to address moisture issues and avoid mold, rot, and mildew.
- Tiling: An expert tile layer can handle small and tricky tile cuts and prepare a durable subfloor for bathroom floors that withstand traffic, wet conditions, and wear over time. They can also install heated floors.
- Cabinetry: Whether custom or standard, a professional cabinet installer ensures proper fitting into your bathroom plan and makes any needed adjustments.
- Carpentry: A carpenter can build and install custom cabinetry and finish trim throughout the bathroom.
We also include design, permitting, demolition, cleaning, on-site management everyday with our trusted craftsmen and much more! See why choose us here.
Chek-out how Tura Renovation can help with your Basement renovation and also our other Remodeling Services! We offer amazing craftsmanship with all included and fair price!
What you can DIY and save money on!
If you’re looking to cut costs on your basement remodel, there are several tasks you can do yourself if you’re willing to learn and put in the time:
Painting: You can paint your own walls if you take your time and pay attention to details. Make sure the walls are clean and smooth before you start, and use painter’s tape to get clean edges. Some good advices here!
Installing Fixtures: Learning to install basic fixtures like lights or shelves can also save money. There are plenty of tutorials online that can guide you through the process.
Wallpaper: Applying wallpaper can transform a room and is something you can do on your own. It requires careful preparation of the walls and precise application to look good. For a step by step guide check out here.
Tools You’ll Need: To handle these tasks, you should have a basic set of tools, including:
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Circular saw
- Nail gun
- Caulk gun
- Drywall tape and mud
- Paintbrush
Safety Gear: Always remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask to protect yourself from debris and fumes while working. More on safety gear here: Safety Gear for DIY Projects.
Doing some of these jobs yourself can significantly reduce the cost of your basement remodel. Just be sure you feel confident in your abilities to take on these tasks to ensure a quality finish. We can also offer free assistant and guide you through DIY finishing of your home! Our head-craftsman Matt loves to share his tips and assist our clients out for free if they choose to DIY finishing their basement remodeling project!
check out our recent remodeling projects
Matt @Tura Renovation
Matt is Tura Renovation's head craftsman and project manager. He has 20 years of experience in bath & kitchen remodeling management. He is also an expert tiler and mill worker. Matt loves to share his passion for restoring homes and for craftsmanship! His main goal is to deliver the best customer experience to Tura's clients, no matter the budget or the scope of work. When Matt is not at work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking in beautiful Nashville parks, gardening, being involved in local no-profits and going to downtown music gigs.
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