For the past ten years I have wanted my basement refinished but it was never in the budget. I had one contractor give me an estimate of $40,000 to complete my basement ceiling to floor. It never crossed my mind that it was something I might be able to do myself.
The catalyst I needed came in the form of a free pool table. It was beautiful but I had no place to put it. My basement was unfinished and filled with cobwebs, dirt, dust and junk. I realized regardless of how much I could do, I had to do something. It did not have to be perfect, good enough would be fine, and anything would be an improvement. I just started, and within two months I amazed everyone, even myself.
Electrical: There was existing lighting in my basement but it was literally bulbs on a string. I changed out the light fixtures, and added two new ones by carefully reading the instructions. I also changed out the broken outlets and added a new one.
Cost: $150 Time: 2 days (included 1 day of reading)
Walls / Duct Box: This was the most daunting component but I was surprised by how easy it was. I watched multiple online videos and spoke in detail to the Home Depot and Lowe’s employees. I also had a knowledgeable friend help frame the A/C ducts on the ceiling and framing the walls was easy. My 15 year old son helped me man-handle the sheet-rock and by the last wall I was good at taping. It is not perfect, but I am proud of it anyway.
Cost: < $1,000 Time: 2 weeks
Wall Panel: I painted the walls dark green to match the pool table felt so I wanted a light wall panel to protect the bottom of the walls. The wall paneling was expensive so I purchased the Knotty Pine Wainscot Planking and stained it. They look wonderful, are extremely durable, and I cut them to length.
Cost: < $700 (including my new table saw). Time: 5 days
Ceiling: After watching how to videos I decided instead of a drop ceiling I would do a snap ceiling instead. The frame drills right to the joists so no leveling or wires needed. It sounded easy and straight forward, but this was the hardest part. I made multiple mistakes but am smarter for it. My only regret is I did not try a portion in a laundry room or a garage first to get the hang of it. My ceiling did not turn out great, but it is good enough.
Cost: < $450 Time: 2 days
Floor: This was the easiest part. I went with the Allure Vinyl Plank flooring. It went right over my concrete and I did not need to level the floor. It was as easy as peel and stick.
Cost: <$400 Time: 4 hours (SO easy).
Trim: Although there were lots of re-cuts and TONS of putty in my corners, the trim went on quickly. I found the windows to be the hardest, so I did those last. I also purchased and stained a piece of pine for a shelf around the edge of the room and framed in a pole in the center of my basement. I covered any bad table saw cuts with trim.
Cost: <400 Time: 2 days
Laundry Room Door: I needed a wide opening, in case I ever need a new washer, dryer or furnace, and I wasn’t sure how to close off the laundry room, so I decided on an accordion door. It was easy to install.
Cost: $150 Time: 1 day
This basement remodel took me over a month to complete and with the purchase of tools cost less than $5,000. Although the laundry, housework and family dinners suffered, it was worth it. We now have new living space for the whole family to enjoy. Just start somewhere. It will flourish from there.
