Help!!Better to drywall our basement or replace shoddy carpet? (square footage, price)

[fabumom07]

Hello,

We are attempting to get our house ready for the market this Spring, but I have a question I just can't decide on.

We purchased( built) in 2005- a house on a basement and have flooring and lighting( can lights, halogen spots) that we did in the basement, but it will take about $2000+ to drywall the walls and ceiling to make a finished basement. It will be nice, we have a double window and some nice furniture to make it a nice family room. I am sure it will add value to our 2500 sq ft home, which has a family room and study above ground.

The problem we have though, is that our downstairs carpet- family room, study, and staircase visible from the foyer - is in terrible shape. We spent so much on upgraded trim, cabinetry, hardwood entry and DR- that we had no money left and selected a cheap berber that had worn TERRIBLY! It has unraveled like a cheap sweater, is stretched out and shows every stain. It will take about $2300 to replace it with a mid grade frieze and good pad.

I don't think we can recoup doing both projects in this market. I am absolutely at a loss as to which project to take on. Finishing the basement seems like the best idea for adding value, and maybe doing a carpet allowance, but I feel the carpet makes me look like a bad housekeeper, and makes the house look cheap, which is so far from true. Everything else is of a high quality. Argh! No its not covered by the builder or flooring co.- I asked.

What should we do?? Thank you! - fabumom07

[Silverfall]

Me personally...I would replace the carpet.

It is a huge pain in the behind to replace carpet while you are living in the house. Dry walling a basement...much easier.

[Racelady88]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

Me personally...I would replace the carpet.

It is a huge pain in the behind to replace carpet while you are living in the house. Dry walling a basement...much easier.

I agree 100%.

[wendy1127]

Yes................?

[misplaced1]

I vote carpet. It will show much better and look like you take care of things. As a buyer I'd like to see exactly what I am getting as far as basement walls go and would prefer them uncovered so I know.

[KonaKat]

Definitely the carpet. For one, it's that first impression you're risking leaving the old carpet in. Clean up the basement really well so people can use their imagination. Good luck!!

[chet everett]

You have to do the carpet. If it is unraveling and stained it will be a HUGE negative. That said, I would try like the dickens to do SOME THING to get the basement closer to finished. I have had pretty good success with "piece work" type contractors -- the kind of guys that generally work for bigger builders but will do side jobs for a very low rate. Sometimes you can get the materials your self, do as much prep as you feel comfortable and then hire a guy or two that will FLY through a basement drywall project and charge a very low labor rate, as it is all "bonus" money" to them. Then you just put some paint on yourself and WHAM that $2500 job is done for something less than half. You can't do that in a part of the house that you NEED to live in day to day but for a basement you can put you labor in "for free" all winter long...

Good Luck!

[plaidmom]

Carpet all the way.

It may come as a shock but some of us in IN hate finished basements. Our water table is just too high. Like another poster said, I want to see those walls. I like a large, open utilitarian space for storage, laundry, work-out room etc.

[fabumom07]

Thanks to all respondents. I was tending this way, but of course there is a feeling of negativity with replacing the carpet which SHOULD be in good shape VS finishing the basement, which we have been planning for years. Our last house sold quickly in part because I took good care of the carpets, So it just kills me that these look crappy no matter what. With new carpets, our home will show like new and compete with the new lots down the street- IOW they can get a nice new home with lots of square footage for less than building. Bad carpet ruins that effect.

Chet- we are do it your-selfers and would get a good deal, but honestly I don't think we can recoup even a few grand for drywall and labor- its either or. We built the largest model of homes by this builder in our neighborhood, so our comps have a little less square footage.Also we choose our lot in snowy winter and were not told it was the water drainage lot, so 1/4 of our backyard is a slope leading to a drainage tile, on 1/4 acre. That will affect our price. People like but don't expect a finished basement here, so no one will be turned off , and some people will love the possibilities.

Thank you again for all the input, which will also be shown to my husband. Who of course thinks its ridiculous to replace 4 yr old carpet and is now a berber hater!

Partind advice- Don't buy cheap berber and spend lots of time choosing your lot!!

[fabumom07]

Thanks Plaidmom- and by the way plaid is fabu!- the house is really well built and insulated, and the wiring will be visible as well as pipes, etc. Its a huge basement so it could be all of those things. Good point!