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Thinking of tackling a roughly 1800sf walkout basement finishing myself. Not that I plan on doing all of the work (I will hire out some things such as drywalling).
There is a website called "I Finished my Basement". On the site are some good tips and also an e-book being offered for $37.00. Finish Your Basement
Just wondering if anyone has bought the book and if it is worth purchasing.
I guess it just depends on what you will be doing and what you are hiring out. Are you going to hire out plumbing and electrical and then do the framing yourself or what?
Actually the basement will be framed and have some electrical when we move in (new house build, they don't do a complete finish). I will probably have to frame one wall so I can divide a large room into two, plus frame out a closet and pantry. (My mother in law will live down there).
I live in South Carolina, the climate is mostly mild of course. Since there are still a lot of lots available and new homes going up, I thought about seeing if I could hire a drywall crew (mostly Mexicans) to complete the drywall installation and mudding.
If they are still building in your neighborhood then approach the workers themselves. Most of the dry wall workers and painters are Mexican and many speak little English. They are sub-contractors so just ask to speak to the boss man. Have him quote you. El jefe.....el hef ee....boss man
I did that with several sub contractors in my neighborhood.
Sounds like all that will be left would be painting, installing fixtures and flooring. That's easy enough to do--except maybe carpet if you don't have a stretcher but if you do Allure tile or Pergo or other laminates that is a DIY job too.
I think your "tackling" more than you can chew- since it would appear that this is something you've never done before.
Have a budget?
Have you inquired as to what you're "allowed" to do in a finished basement? When I hear "pantry"- that says kitchen. And a second kitchen could make the house "sound" or be construed as a multi-family structure. And the neighborhood is probably zoned single family "only".
Is the basement stubbed for bath? If not, are you ready to tackle tearing out concrete?
1800sq/ft will certainly require a separate HVAC unit- Thought about ductwork and where the furnace will be?
Electrical- an unfinished basement will have MAYBE one circuit- just some GFCI protected recepticles. That certainly isn't going to cut the mustard for 1800sq/ft.- especially with that kitchen(?) and HVAC. Sounds like a 300amp service might be needed.
Means of egress for a bedroom?
Then there's all the finish- walls,paint, flooring, lighting, cabinets, fixtures, yada, yada, yada.
And there's plenty more when you get finite.
Actually the basement will be framed and have some electrical when we move in (new house build, they don't do a complete finish). I will probably have to frame one wall so I can divide a large room into two, plus frame out a closet and pantry. (My mother in law will live down there).
I live in South Carolina, the climate is mostly mild of course. Since there are still a lot of lots available and new homes going up, I thought about seeing if I could hire a drywall crew (mostly Mexicans) to complete the drywall installation and mudding.
Most States require two exits for basement living.
Agreed, but shouldn't be a concern for the OP, tis a walk-out basement, so he's good there.
It might affect how he divides it up. It is usually required to have an exit directly from any bedroom
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