Trying to determine whether or not it is worth it to finish my basement. I will be doing the majority of the labor myself (except for all electrical work...no plumbing necessary).

-768 sq ft
-Planning on using drywall for all walls/ceiling (no drop ceiling)
-Only 1 outlet...will need electrician to hook up outlets/lights
-Floor will be carpet

Overall, a modest job when it comes to finishing basements. Nothing too fancy, but nothing super cheap either.

Any idea what it will cost for materials/electrician?

$5000 conservative estimate

$500K liberal estimate.

idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam



Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.

Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM

Have similar sized basement. Finished in 2009. Has a full bath, one bedroom, and a small storage room. Cost $12,000, but had some custom recessed shelving and stone work. You're looking at abou 7500.

WingNut Wrote:
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> $500K liberal estimate.


I don't know that seems pretty low. Half a billion for a website so I would imagine this project would be at least 5 million.

Planning to rent it out with the forthcoming change of zoning laws in fairfax county?

LOL IRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WingNut Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > $500K liberal estimate.
>
>
> I don't know that seems pretty low. Half a billion
> for a website so I would imagine this project
> would be at least 5 million.


I think he wants a basement that works

Unless you are a professional drywall hanger/finisher save yourself the hassle and pay a pro. This is the best money you will ever spend.

Archie Bunker Wrote:
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> Unless you are a professional drywall
> hanger/finisher save yourself the hassle and pay a
> pro. This is the best money you will ever spend.


+1 on that. And if competent will finish the job seamless and fast.

768 sq ft Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Trying to determine whether or not it is worth it
> to finish my basement. I will be doing the
> majority of the labor myself (except for all
> electrical work...no plumbing necessary).
>
> -768 sq ft
> -Planning on using drywall for all walls/ceiling
> (no drop ceiling)
> -Only 1 outlet...will need electrician to hook up
> outlets/lights
> -Floor will be carpet
>
> Overall, a modest job when it comes to finishing
> basements. Nothing too fancy, but nothing super
> cheap either.
>
> Any idea what it will cost for
> materials/electrician?


If you are truly working with empty space, it will run you $2500. And it won't look cheap. More if you want to do things like built-ins, crown molding, solid wood doors, home audio/video, etc. Don't forget to draw permits.

Is it a walk out basement? If not,you better check the codes. They changed back in 2005 or so concerning basement finishing---escape window etc...

Meowch Wrote:
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> Is it a walk out basement? If not,you better check
> the codes. They changed back in 2005 or so
> concerning basement finishing---escape window
> etc...

Good call! I think the rule is that finished space must have two points of egress.

No fuckin' way you'll only spend $2500 even if you do most of the work yourself.

Hire a pro for the dry wall. One grand + $ basement dry walling is truly a pain in the derrière.
I did that. Great decision.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2013 11:13PM by Paxriver.

Fuck a pro.

You can always add more mud and just keep sanding. What can go wrong?

idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam



Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.

Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM

Attachments:

Meowch Wrote:
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> Is it a walk out basement? If not,you better check
> the codes. They changed back in 2005 or so
> concerning basement finishing---escape window
> etc...


Nope, it isn't a walkout, but I've already factored in the egress situation (something I obviously can't do). Slight inconvenience and expensive, but something that would need to be done. Thanks for the concern!

How hard is it to put in a window/door?

LOL IRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WingNut Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > $500K liberal estimate.
>
>
> I don't know that seems pretty low. Half a billion
> for a website so I would imagine this project
> would be at least 5 million.

Don't forget the 24 Billion your Tea Party masters pissed away in the government shutdown.

I have experience in basement egress windows. Depending on the grade of your lot, they can be expensive. (lots of digging involved) The sill of the window cannot be higher than 44" from the floor. The window must be approximately 32" inches wide and 42" tall. (Big enough for a firefighter wearing self contained breathing apparatus to enter) The well must be approximately 4'x3' and may be 5 feet deep. The well requires a drain connected to the drain tile. Cutting the foundation can be a pain in the ass, depending upon the construction (concrete vs. block). I have used windows and wells from Ready Exit Inc. Average cost for a contractor to do the egress job is $4000.00-$5500.00.

Fairfax County used to have Finished Basement Publication containing all the information you need to know to have one done in Fairfax, including permits, egress rules etc.

I am fairly certain that you will need more than one electrical outlet. I seem to recall it was something like one per wall plus additional ones if the wall was more than a certain number of feet. Actually it pays not to skimp on electrical outlets and capacity. You may not think you need it now, but down the road you may get annoyed with having to run extension cords or having the circuit blow every time you try to run the vacuum cleaner. Much of the money for an electrician comes from getting him to show up and pull cable. The costs for boxes and outlets is relatively low. (At least it was for us.) Take advantage of having him there and get the extra work done.

Also be aware that you may be required to install a hard wired smoke detector in the basement as part of the project. I can't remember whether that was a code requirement or something our insurer wanted.

Finally let me ask are you sure about not having a drop ceiling? Drywall does provide a much nicer look which is why we went with it. The trade off though is you can no longer access the area above if you need to run new electrical lines, do plumbing repairs or even shoot screws through the subfloor to deal with squeaky hardwood flooring.

I'm pretty sure you can't get away with only one electrical outlet. Depending on code, need one every 6 feet. Something like that.. Code..Smoke detector needs to be hard wired now.

Archie Bunker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have experience in basement egress windows.
> Depending on the grade of your lot, they can be
> expensive. (lots of digging involved) The sill
> of the window cannot be higher than 44" from the
> floor. The window must be approximately 32"
> inches wide and 42" tall. (Big enough for a
> firefighter wearing self contained breathing
> apparatus to enter) The well must be approximately
> 4'x3' and may be 5 feet deep. The well requires a
> drain connected to the drain tile. Cutting the
> foundation can be a pain in the ass, depending
> upon the construction (concrete vs. block). I
> have used windows and wells from Ready Exit Inc.
> Average cost for a contractor to do the egress job
> is $4000.00-$5500.00.


^^ Good information. Our contractor had a tough job cutting through the rebar in the foundation. An egress window is a project you want done well to avoid future problems.

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

We had two large windows cut into the concrete when having our basement finished. I think they were $2K/each, but no digging on the outside was required. They look fantastic.

Probably getting trolled here but I'll bite.

Definately want to make sure your permits are in order. My buddy bought a place out in Centerville a couple years ago and the previous owner did the basement up pretty good but had no permits. When they went to close the sale it ended up being a mess that cost the owner about $5K to open up the exits as the guys are saying on here.

Thanks for all the info guys...just for clarification, there is only 1 outlet in there right now. I realize when I finish it I'll need more than 1.

@Archie Bunker / @223, thanks for the egress numbers...big help!

If you don't have an exit door or a full window with a full well, you missed the cheap boat. There was a run on basement refinishing before the new code went into effect. Now you will need digging, a foundation cut, drainage work, and finish work. For a small basement, the egress will rival the cost of the rest of the job.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/hss/5330117660.html