4 Things To Consider Before Beginning Your Basement Project

Getting permits and obeying the laws

In different municipalities, there are different rules about what can be done in a basement renovation project. The first thing you’ll want to do is to find what the regulations are in your region for undertaking such a project and whether or not it can even legally be done. 

This will typically involve an inspection, and many different types of permits depending on the work you have planned. 

If you plan on redoing the plumbing in the basement renovation, you will need a special permit to access it and so on. 

Make sure you speak with the city or municipality beforehand so that you are aware of all the permits you’ll need to acquire before work commences. 

The Foundation

As everything in your home essentially rests on the foundation, it is critical to check the health of your home’s foundation before beginning work, maybe even before getting permits. 

An issue that some homeowners encounter is that there may be cracks in their foundation which left untended will allow moisture to leak into their new basement- which will be very costly in the long run. 

Fix any issues with your foundation before the basement project even begins and you’ll thank yourself later. 

Perform a thorough moisture check

Depending on how high the water table is around your home, you may regularly have moisture build up in your basement. This influx of moisture can also affect the quality of the foundation. Typically what happens is when temperatures drop and this moisture freezes, it expands and damages it making it more difficult for your basement project to begin. 

Check the windows, walls, floors and foundation for any signs of moisture and if there are troubling indications of flowing water nearby best check often for a while before beginning work. 

Design the basement of your dreams

Spend the time putting together the configuration you want. If this basement is to be a secondary suite, maybe hire a professional designer so that everything residents could want or need will fit nicely and aesthetically. 

Things to consider when designing your basement

1. Which kind of lighting will you incorporate into the space? There are many options for lighting and it's up to you to find the style and level you like.
2. Windows - How many and what size and shape would work best in the space? Will a lot of natural light easily come through them?
3. Flooring - will you use one type of flooring throughout the basement such as wood or laminate, or will you mix and match? Perhaps using tile in the bathroom or kitchen or carpet around a games area. 

You can design your basement inch by inch yourself if you so choose, but getting the help of a professional who is experienced in legal basement projects to guide you will prove invaluable in the long run.