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So you’re questioning whether to finish your basement or leave it unfinished? There are a lot of things to take into consideration before you make the decision. Whether you’re building from the ground up or already have an unfinished basement, let’s walk through the pros and cons of both options, helping you decide what to do with that extra space in your home.
A finished basement offers valuable features to your home, but what features qualify a basement as finished? To begin, a finished basement is a space that is livable and comfortable, with a look and features that match the rest of the home. Features that finished basements have include drywall, refined flooring (not concrete), non-exposed ceilings, heating and cooling, accessible stairs, and at least one emergency exit.
The main benefit of finishing your basement is the extra living space that you can enjoy. Maybe you’re in need of extra space when guests are visiting or staying over? What about a quiet office secluded from the rest of the house? If you’re into fitness, why not build a home gym? There are so many ways to make the most of extra living space, and your ideas are never limited when going this route.
On the financial side of things, the value of your home can see an increase when choosing a finished basement. On average, a finished basement adds roughly 70% of the initial cost to your home.
So what are the pros of a finished basement? More living space, creative freedom, and increased home value.
Like any project of this size, there are several things to think about. Cost is the biggest one. A finished basement can be pricey, and while it does add value to your home, there is a possibility that you just break even after the cost of construction. Many homeowners who finish their basements do so to upgrade their lifestyle rather than for a return on investment.
Another challenge is the following building codes. Each area has specific building codes for things like ceiling height, windows, and electrical wiring. Navigating these codes can be challenging without a reputable contractor who will know the ins and outs of the codes for your area.
In short, the cons of a finished basement are cost, not being profitable, and being required to follow strict building codes.
If you’re stuck on deciding which option to choose, here are some things to think about before calling a contractor.
Create a budget for yourself beforehand. This will help map out how much you can do when adding features, rooms, and customization.
Create a plan for what the space will be used for. Will it be used for guests? A rec room? A home theater? Having goals in mind will make the decision easier.
On average, it takes 4-8 weeks to finish a basement, depending on factors like the complexity of the project and the basement size. It’s important to consider what contractor you want to hire for the project, what time of the year you want construction to take place, and when you want it all said and done.
If you’re on a budget or can’t decide between a finished or unfinished basement, a partially finished basement might be for you. A partially finished basement allows you to choose which parts of the basement you want to finish. Maybe you only want a single entertainment room with drywall and flooring, and the other half of the space to be used for storage. Partially finished basements are a budget-friendly way to get functionality without the expense of a full remodel.
Are you interested in getting your basement finished? At Premier Construction, lower-level finishing projects are some of our specialties! We help homeowners in the Des Moines Metro design the space of their dreams and custom-build it to their specific needs.
No matter the project, our team is here to bring your vision to life. Request a quote today!