(Newswire.net — October 9, 2023) — A basement renovation can turn an underused space in your house into an inviting and functional one for your entire family to enjoy. This “blessing” at home via a spare room can become anything one wishes, from a private bar to a home theater. It is a great project but needs meticulous planning not to waste a single square meter and complete it within the time frame.
A basement renovation length completely depends on the size of the basement and the project you have in mind. For instance, it will take only four weeks to renovate your 90 square meter basement, involving finishing walls, doing the flooring, and installing a drop ceiling. Meanwhile, converting a basement into a full-functional living area with a bathroom and a kitchen consumes more time – up to months.
Average Basement Remodeling
An average basement of 90 sq m (equal to 1,000 sq ft) can undergo a total reformation in around one month. Let us put down every step of the renovation project with the required time for completion so that you get a better picture of how long the process will take eventually:
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- The wall framing takes two to three days to complete. This work involves building the structure of the ceiling, walls, and floor.
- The whole electrical and plumbing work can last up to two days. In this phase, you run wires, install switches and outlets, and install pipes for drainage and water supply (if you aim to have a kitchen or bathroom in the basement).
- Insulation works take one or two days only. The purpose is to reduce noise and regulate the temperature.
- If you install drywall in the basement, you will spend around three to five days finishing it.
- Wall mudding and sanding works require up to six days. The task involves applying joint compounds to the seams, sanding, and texturing the surface.
- Four days are necessary to paint the walls. It is the final touch to the walls.
- Flooring work takes three to four days on average. If your budget is tight, vinyl and laminate floorings are preferable. Hardwood flooring is a more popular option, yet it’s pretty expensive.
- Installing baseboards and trimming works last around three days.
Those were the average timelines for each type of work included in the basement renovation. However, hardly any project is finished on time. Hence, the 27 days we counted on renovating a 90 sq m basement may last up to one month.
DIY VS Contractor
All these works resulting in a modern and functional basement can be performed either DIY or by hiring a contractor. The latter can be an owner-operator or have subcontractors working under him. Applying to a professional team will shorten the duration of the remodeling. For instance, if a worker has finished framing one wall, the other can start the electrical work while the first worker frames another wall.
Accordingly, the number of workers involved in the project has a direct impact on the length of the basement remodeling. If you decide to do the job yourself, it will take months to complete as you most probably are not as well aware of the nitty as a professional contractor.
However, it’s essential to ensure your hired workforce is reliable and efficient, satisfies your requirements, and comprehends your vision of the result and the budget constraints. Therefore, choose only reliable construction companies to deal with.
Basement Work Considerations
Before you start renovating your basement, consider the following pre-work considerations crucial for both a smooth process and a successful result:
- Budget Planning: The first step is determining how much you can spend on your basement project. Break your budget into costs of the labor, materials, and additional expenses. Base your calculations on the size of the basement, the quality of materials you are going to use, and the complexity of the renovation.
- Hiring a Professional Contractor: Only an expert contractor can finish the project to your satisfaction, on time, and within the designated budget. Before hiring one, consider several offers from the most reputable specialists in the neighborhood.
- Free Consultation: Most contractors offer a free consultation to discuss the renovation of your basement. They can also provide an estimate and set clear deadlines.
Final Inspection
The final inspection is necessary before you can use the newly renovated basement. It implies a country or city inspector checking and ensuring everything is up to code and safe to use. If everything is within the norms, you will receive a Certificate of Occupancy. And if things are to be changed, you must address them before applying for the certificate again. It may take a couple of business days before an inspector visits you, so include them in the time frame for your basement renovation.