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Many people prefer having bigger living spaces. Whether they want a home that accommodates their growing family, extra storage, or office space, finishing the basement provides the much-needed additional space.

Unfortunately, as excited as you may be about finishing the basement, it may be overwhelming and rarely comes cheap. So, exactly how much is it to finish a basement?

An unfinished basement is prone to water damage and can quickly turn ugly and smell funky due to the presence of molds. Also, the unused space can quickly become a harboring ground for pests and rodents.

Finishing the basement is a foolproof strategy that maintains your home in excellent condition. It also provides extra space and helps homeowners monetize.

And the best of all, real estate experts have proved time and again that basements increase your home’s value! No wonder an increasing number of home buyers take a keen interest in houses that boast functional basements.

So, how much value does a finished basement add?

Whilst it’s quick to neglect the basement stairs, keep in mind that it’s the initial element everyone sees when they visit the basement. The steps leading to the basement are among the most significant aspects of a finished basement in regards to functionality and configuration, and the styling possibilities are unlimited. With that in thought, these are a few preferred ways to finish your basement stairs.

Basements are more susceptible to sustaining flood damage than anywhere else in the house. For starters, it’s the bottom-most part of any home. During storms, your basement will be flooded in no time without proper drainage.

A common practice among homeowners and their basement that is often deemed harmless is leaving specific components unfinished. However, it becomes dangerous when you’re in a hurricane-prone area.

Maybe you just bought a new home or didn’t have the time to finish your basement stairs; whatever the case, the state your stairs are in is no longer acceptable to you.

Don’t worry. It’s common among homeowners to leave this step to be finished later. However, putting it off ’til later can make its design and execution seem like an afterthought. Just because it’s in your basement doesn’t mean no one will ever see it. Read on below if you are in the mood to revamp your basement, starting with its stairs!

Since basements are below the ground, they’re more prone to taking water than other parts of the house. Floor drains in a basement steer water into the sewage system, preventing flooding. But these fixtures aren’t very visually appealing. 

What to do with floor drains in the basement? Many homeowners end up covering their basement floor drains when finishing the floor because of their appearance. They either cover the drains temporarily using temporary caps or permanently using cement.

But is covering a floor drain a good idea? Before deciding on this, continue reading to see the pros and cons of having a floor drain.

A bowed basement wall is usually curved from the outside to the inside. To identify such, look for a bulging wall that forms a convex shape. The problem with bowing basement walls is usually referred to as inward deflection.

A basement wall that is bowing is most probably cracked too. The cracks could be horizontal or vertical. The cracks tend to open up more when it rains and contract during the hot weather.

Choosing the right flooring for your concrete basement floor needs to be done with so much care. There are many factors to put into consideration when you want to install laminate flooring over concrete, especially when handling it as a DIY project. The aim is to ensure that the laminate flooring lasts long. 

There is a high risk of damage by excessive moisture when laminate flooring gets installed over concrete. Basements are the most humid areas in most homes due to condensation and they’re also prone to flooding. However, if you prepare your concrete basement floor well, laminate is a very practical option.

Having a finished basement goes a long way in increasing the property value of a home. So having a finished basement is no doubt an asset as it increases the square footage of the usable space in the home. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not know what a finished basement is. Real estate agents get asked so many questions about what is considered a finished basement.

If the question how long does it take to renovate an apartment has become relevant to you, you will find all the answers in this article.

In Toronto, the greatest determinant of time spent renovating a condo depends on the floor size. Let us look at some of the condo renovation steps and the length of time each of them takes.