What qualifies as a 'finished basement'?
What to look for in a finished basement
- Sufficient lighting. One important element of a finished basement is proper lighting. ...
- Wall duplex electrical outlets. Cline said wall duplex electric outlets—which allow you to plug two devices into each outlet—are another component of a finished basement.
- Heating. “Heating is essential,” Cline said. ...
- Waterproofing. ...
- Radon mitigation. ...
Why would a basement be left unfinished?
When should you not finish a basement?
- Storage. The basement makes a great storage area.
- Expense. It can cost a great deal of money to finish a basement.
- Space. The biggest reason to finish a basement is to make the space usable.
- Workshop. If you use the basement as a workshop, there’s little reason to finish it.
- Resale.
Will a finished basement add value to a home?
Unlike commercial real estate, homes are generally not priced strictly on square footage. So whether a basement is included in square footage or not, a nicely finished basement generally adds to the value of a home, says Carrie Abfall, a real estate agent with Re/Max Real Estate Professionals in Columbus, IN.
What to do with your unfinished basement?
- Woodworking Shop
- Photography Studio
- Dance Practice Room
- Workout, Yoga, or Meditation Room
- Recording Studio
- Art Studio
What is the point of an unfinished basement?
Unfinished basements usually make fine storage space. Unfinished basements are often a good location for laundry facilities. An unfinished basement usually needs less cleaning and overall maintenance, as it is not considered "living space."
How do you tell if a basement is finished?
To be considered a finished basement, stairs must lead to the basement and be permanent. If the basement is accessible by a ladder or a loft, it is not a permanent structure.
Is a finished basement a good idea?
According to Zillow, homeowners can expect to see an average of 70 percent return on their investment with a basement finish/remodel. So, even if this house isn't a forever home, finishing your basement still makes sense. It's also important to weigh the personal value a basement finish would add to your home.
Does a basement have to have a ceiling to be finished?
The International Residential Code (IRC) says a basement living space must have a clear, floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7 feet (6 feet for bathrooms).
What is a Yankee basement?
They call it a “Yankee basement” or, well, sometimes a “root cellar,” where basically you take the interior perimeter of the foundation wall, move in about 2½, 3 feet and then dig down there. So you leave this sort of berm of soil to support the foundation that's under the footing.
Does adding a bathroom in the basement add value?
Adding a basement bathroom can increase your home's resale value by 10%-20%. It also can turn a wasted space into an enjoyable addition to your home. The average basement bathroom will cost $3,000-$25,000, depending on the existing plumbing and condition of your basement.
Can you live in an unfinished basement?
If your home has space in the underground that is left unfinished during construction, you would have probably used that space as a dumping area to stuff various items. However, what many people do not realize is that their unfinished basement can be converted into an attractive living space with some effort.
Does finished basement count as square footage?
As a general rule of thumb, listing agents and appraisers don't count a finished basement toward the overall square footage, especially if the basement is completely below grade—a term that means below ground level.
What is needed to finish a basement?
In order for a basement to be considered finished, it must have a permanently installed heating and cooling unit with a continuous power source (such as an HVAC system, electricity, natural gas, a permanently installed propane tank, or heating oil).
What is a custom integrated design?
Custom Integrated Designs Ltd. offers full-service basement finishing and remodeling services to Castle Rock, Aurora, and surrounding Denver Metro areas. If you have any basement finishing related questions or you’re in need of professional services, please don’t hesitate to call 303-591-7100 or email info@cidbasements.com.
How do you know if a basement is finished?
A great way to determine if a basement is a finished basement is whether or not it’s heated and cooled with the same system as the rest of the house . If the basement uses a window AC unit or a swamp cooler to cool it down and a wall heater to warm it up, then it’s not finished.
What constitutes a finished basement?
So, what constitutes as a finished basement? A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls.
Does the value of a house increase when the basement is finished?
This is a question that comes up for a lot of people due to the fact that the property value of a house increases significantly when the basement is finished. There are many homeowners that have a semi-finished area in their basement that’s used as a bedroom, recreation room, or another amenity. Because the room is being used as a livable space, ...
Is a basement considered a living area?
A finished basement must be directly accessible and contiguous with the rest of the house. If the space doesn’t have permanent stairs or direct access then it isn’t considered a finished living area. Finished spaces only accessed by ladders, such as lofts, are also not considered living areas.
Can you access a basement through a basement door?
Most houses have interior stairs, but in older homes it’s common that the basement is accessed through a basement level door. Even though the basement may be finished, if the only way to access it is through an exterior, basement level door, it may still be ranked as unfinished.
What is the importance of a basement?
The important point is to construct the basement properly. Checking for any water damage or issues, making sure that the exterior foundation is in good shape, and checking the gutters and downspouts for debris to prevent basement moisture are some of the things you have to do before beginning the construction of your basement. ...
What is finished basement?
A basement that is completely constructed is termed as a finished basement. A finished basement is completely habitable. You can use it as a living room or a recreational room. You can also convert it into a game room, an office, a media room, a gym, and so on. It is a good idea to consider your, and your family’s needs, before finishing a basement. This will help you to use your basement space practically. For example, you may divide the basement area into two sections, one to act as a media room, the other, as a kid’s play area. All the finished basements do not require a complete redesign. For example, you can just put a sectional couch in the basement to divide the basement area. Fresh paint, new rugs, and good lighting fixtures will help to make your basement look good and new.
What is a partially finished basement?
A partially finished basement is also called as a half-finished basement. It is mostly used by children and teenagers. It can be used as a work area for the entire family. You may also be able to find showers and toilets in this type of basement. The main difference between a partially finished basement and a finished and unfinished basement is that it is entirely unmodified. You may find furniture, gym equipment or recreational appliances in a partially finished basement.
Is a partially finished basement mold free?
Unfinished base ments and parti ally finished basements are more vulnerable to moisture formation . Regular maintenance is required to keep them moisture-free, and thus mold-free.
Can you put a couch in a basement?
All the finished basements do not require a complete redesign. For example, you can just put a sectional couch in the basement to divide the basement area. Fresh paint, new rugs, and good lighting fixtures will help to make your basement look good and new.
Is a finished basement necessary?
A finished basement is a valuable addition to any home. However, it is not necessary that your basement has to have a flooring, addition of other rooms, and furniture, to use it for practical purposes. The important point is to construct the basement properly.
Can you divide a basement into two sections?
This will help you to use your basement space practically. For example, you may divide the basement area into two sections, one to act as a media room, the other, as a kid’s play area.
What is finished basement?
A finished basement is considered finished when the entirety is floored, insulated, and covered with drywall or paneling on the walls and ceilings. All utilities should be connected to those used on the floor above. A means of interior egress and windows for bedrooms are also necessary.
What is a partially finished basement?
A partially finished basement has finished and unfinished areas. For instance, many people will have a fully finished living area and maybe a bedroom or half bathroom in their basement. These areas will have fully finished walls, floors, and ceilings with all utilities done correctly. They’ll also have appropriate lighting and egress.
How much does a finished basement add to the value of a house?
A finished basement adds just under 70% of the value spent on a finished basement. If you’ve spent $40,000 to finish your basement, you can expect an increase in home value of $25,000 when it comes time to sell the house, according to real estate agents and other experts.
Is an unfinished basement a whole?
However, according to realtors and your municipality or county, it is still deemed an unfinished basement as a whole.
Can a basement have multiple bedrooms?
When the basement is finished, it is not required to have a specific number of rooms or bathrooms. A finished basement could have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms or just one room plus a utility room.
Do you need a vapor barrier for a basement?
Basement walls should be framed and insulated with a vapor barrier, plus drywall or whatever finished wall covering you choose. Inspectors will need to see the walls before putting on the drywall to ensure proper insulation and utility work is completed to code.
Do basements have to have the same plumbing?
Your finished basement must have the same utilities as the floor above. That means the basement must have the same power source and share plumbing with the floor above.
What is the difference between finished and unfinished basements?
What’s the difference between finished and unfinished? A finished basement means that the space is properly insulated and painted, there’s flooring and trim just as you’d find in any other room of the house, there’s electricity and temperature control — in other words, a finished basement is fully habitable.
What is basement considered?
Basements tend to fall into one of two thought categories: Either they’re regarded as dark, creepy spaces only suitable for storage and mysterious happenings, or they’re a prized home entertainment venue, ripe with potential for big TVs and even bigger couches.
What is an appraisal for a home?
The appraisal is an essential step in the purchase process when you’re taking out a mortgage to buy your next home. Appraisers are highly trained experts who assess a variety of factors — such as location, square footage, amenities, and comparable homes that have recently sold in the area — to determine a fair value for a property.
Why do you want a finished basement?
For this reason, finished basements tend to add value to a home because they increase the total amount of usable space, even if that square-footage can’t always be officially accounted for.
What does "finished basement" mean?
A finished basement means that the space is properly insulated and painted, there’s flooring and trim just as you’d find in any other room of the house, there’s electricity and temperature control — in other words, a finished basement is fully habitable.
Is a basement common in Terrell's market?
Basements are so common in Terrell’s market that he was able to share hard numbers on the difference in value between finished and unfinished basements, as well as offer insight on what you can expect to pay should you decide to take on the project of finishing a basement yourself. Source: (Moobin / Shutterstock)
Where is Summer Rylander?
Summer currently resides in Nuremberg, Germany, where she fulfills her passions of food and travel and avoids her dislikes of mayonnaise and being trapped in an office.
What is a bungalow house?
A bungalow is usually a small one floor house that can be expanded by adding a bedroom down in the basement or up in the attic, so it's more the name of a one story house with room to grow.
What is the difference between a partially finished basement and a finished basement?
The main difference between a partially finished basement and a finished and unfinished basement is that it is entirely unmodified. You may find furniture, gym equipment or recreational appliances in a partially finished basement.
How much does finishing a basement return?
In the United States, on average, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. For example, if you spent $1,000 on improvements, it would increase the value of the property by about $700. If you spent $10,000 on improvements, it would increase the value of the property by about $7,000.
What is the cheapest foundation?
Price: Generally, slab foundations are your cheapest option when it comes to foundations, an excellent choice if budget is front-of-mind. Low Maintenance: Of all foundation-types, slabs require the least amount of maintenance, adding to their pricing value.
What are the benefits of a walk out basement?
Some of the benefits of a walkout basement are added value, increased useful living space and additional natural light.
What is a full basement?
Full: Not to be confused with ”finished”, a full basement refers to the space being big enough to stand in. This type of basement can be used for living space or storage and typically increases the value of a home. Click to see full answer. Just so, what does full basement mean?
What is below grade?
Below grade areas are usually referred to as basements, but the definition is more specific than that. That is, the floor itself is below ground level.
How much does it cost to light a basement?
One important element of a finished basement is proper lighting. HomeAdvisor estimates the lighting for the average finished basement may cost up to $2,880. “Ceiling fluorescents are harsh (and) overly bright, produce eye-stressing glare, and cast minimal to no shades and shadows, thus making the occupants look sickly,” Cline said. As an alternative, he suggested using incandescent floor and table lamps.
How much does a basement cost?
According to a recent HomeAdvisor report a finished basement may cost anywhere from $7 to $23 per square foot —with the average total price tag around $18,400—depending on where you live, your contractor, materials and the plan for the space. Luckily, Remodeling magazine said you may recoup up to 70% of the cost once you sell the home.
How much does it cost to install a wall outlet in a basement?
These may cost an average of $1,110 to install, according to HomeAdvisor.
Why do you need to finish your basement?
Finishing your basement may increase your home’s value and offer a decent return on investment, but those aren’t the only reasons to do it. If you’re planning to stay in the home for a while, finishing the basement may offer more space, particularly if you’re working from home or have a growing family.
Can radon be found in basement?
Radon mitigation. You should also check the basement for radon, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause cancer. One in 15 homes have levels at or above where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends—but it’s possible to test for it and install a reduction system.
Can you buy a house with an unfinished basement?
“Purchasing a house with an unfinished basement can lower the purchase price,” Cline said. Once you’re already a homeowner, you may be curious how much it will cost to finish ...
Is it expensive to finish a basement?
Still, finishing your basement can be costly. Before making a decision, Cline said to consider these questions about your space, all of which can impact the length of time and cost of your project.
What is an unfinished basement?
An unfinished basement is a type of basement that is not prepared for use as a living space and often has a number of features that can make it rough or somewhat uncomfortable to be within. In this usage, “unfinished” does not refer to the process of finishing construction of the basement — ...
What is a basement?
The basement of a house or other building is generally an area that is wholly or partially located underground. It is often beneath the ground level of a building and can often be accessed from within the building, usually by stairs. This area can serve a number of different purposes, and often contains water heaters and electrical systems for much of the building. When a building has this type of basement, the space is typically usable for storage and other purposes, but is not especially comfortable.
Can an unfinished basement be converted into a finished basement?
An unfinished basement can be converted into a finished basement with a bit of work, and this is often done during remodeling. Unfinished basements were not originally intended as living areas. The basement of a house or other building is generally an area that is wholly or partially located underground. It is often beneath the ground level of ...
Can plumbing be exposed in basement?
Plumbing and electrical systems can also be exposed along the ceiling and walls of an unfinished basement, and though practical it is not typically appealing.
Is an unfinished basement a living area?
Unfinished basements were not originally intended as living areas.