DIY Basement Finishing Projects

Ok first let me say that anyone can do ALL of the work themselves if they are super ambitious and willing to learn all of the trades! But even I do not do all of the work myself! Some phases of the are just best left for other professional in the trades to finish for us!

For "NEWBIES" who have never done much home remodeling at all, here's what I recommend you attempt to accomplish by yourself during the basement remodel:

1.) All Framing
2.) All electric (Except connections in the panel box or load center of home!) Note: Electric MUST get inspected by a licensed electrical codes inspector!!!
3.) All plumbing with the exception of Sewage Ejector System and actual pressure tie-ins (these should be done by a Pro) Note: many townships require plumbing to be done by a licensed plumber!!
4.) All trim (base, window and door, chair railing, crown, door installations and stairway trim
5.) Tile (baths, bars, exterior door entrance areas)
6.) Bar cabinetry installation
7.) Set Bathroom vanity's, bathroom accessories
8.) Set Bathroom fixtures
9.) All closet shelving
10.) door knobs installation
11.) Insulation in all exterior walls
12.) Home Theater wiring
13.) Built-in bookcases, stereo racks, cue stick build-ins, shadow box build-ins
14.) All lighting (recessed, wall sconce, surface fixtures)
15.) Painting and/or Staining

What I recommend NEWBIES DO NOT attempt to do themselves:

1.) Drywall hanging and finishing (CALL A PRO!) This needs to be perfect and you will not get it right the first time, just trust me on this one!
2.) Sewage Ejection Systems for bathroom and Bar drainage. (Call a Pro plumber)
3.) Electric panel box "hook-ups" ( call a pro this is dangerous work if you do not understand it completely)
4.) Carpeting ( carpet needs to be installed and "stretched" properly so it does not "relax" and wrinkle-up)
5.) Installation of code-approved exterior egress windows and doors. (this requires cutting through the solid load bearing walls to install correctly. Best left to a Pro contractor)
6.) Perimeter Waterproof Systems ( this is a messy and physically hard job and must be done correctly to ensure that you do not EVER get water coming back into your newly finished basement! Note: Only those who need to have a system like this installed need to worry about this one! YOU ALREADY KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Well I hope that this gives you a rounded insight as to what you should be planning on doing yourself and what you should be hiring a Professional subcontractor to complete for you! This is not rocket science but something's are definitely best left for others with more experience to handle for us!

I just wanted to mention that as an additional service of my basement remodeling company (The Basement Remodeling Company), I do basement designs and floor plans for clients that want to do the work themselves but need a professional Design Layout and a detailed floor plan from which to build from and use to order building permits.

When a client asks me for this service, I will also include a detailed materials list with an estimated material cost sheet for the home owners to shop from. This way nothing is missed and the client knows exactly how much they need to spend on materials from the gate! I am also getting ready to begin doing this over the internet and will soon be adding this service (basement finishing 101) to my website http://www.1basement.com

The plan also comes with 6 hours of video instruction and training that details a finished basement remodel from A-Z for the client to follow! It's like having a subcontractor from every trade standing beside you showing you exactly what to do next! The videos are extremely detailed and very technical as well. I will be offering this service over the internet for a limited time only!

For more information about basement remodeling and basement finishing ideas visit: http://www.1Basement.com

Here's to "Living Down Under"

Edward Case