Has anyone tackled the job of finishing their own basement? Was it a nightmare or worth the effort?
We're in our new 'old Toronto home and the previous owner has framed up the basement walls and left us a bunch of drywall. We're now struggling over hiring a contractor vs. doing most of it ourselves. We will definitely have a licensed electician set up all of the wiring for lights / outlets where we want them - plus a plumber to set up a laundry area and a bathroom.
Most of everything else I think we can do? It's a 'dry' basement so we've been advised that subfloor probably won't be needed. Here's the list:
- hang and finish drywall
- frame windows and doors, hang doors
- install trim
- paint
- carpet (typically installation is included in price)
Are we crazy??? My husband and I are both handy, motivated and cheap! We don't want to pay someone to do what we can do ourselves!
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
Hi Casey:
My hubby and I are very avid do it yourselfers. We built our own house, with some assistance from the pros. You can definitely redo your basement. How much of it you actually do depends on (and most importantly) your comfort level, time and money. Also, how tollerant are you of having a mess and for how long?
I personally believe in leaving electrical, plumbing and mudding to the pros. They are experts and certified for a reason. However, if it is only some minor wiring and you feel comfortable laying the wiring for the lighting yourself, you can save some time and money by just caling an electrician in at the last minute to inspect and hook up the wiring. If not, figure out where you want the lighting, switches and plugs to go before the electrician shows up. Call City Hall about code requirements. For example, where I live, there has to be a plug on ever wall and one ever 12 feet if the space is a long one. And always make sure you have permits.
Drywall you should definitely hang yourself. It's not that hard and you save labour by the hour. Works better if you have 3 people for ceilings. One at each end of the drywall "standing on a chair or ladder) and one to screw it in, or get a 2x4 with a scrap piece of wood about 2 feet nailed in (like a T), and prop that under the end your not holding. Cedar shims at the base help if the floor is uneven too. Biggest tip ever, do not use lots of scraps of drywall to save yourself money. It costs more in taping and adds to the potential for more cracks that might appear. Put your drywall on horizontally around doorframes. Try and cut out the door frame from a solid piece of drywall. One of the biggest problem areas is cracks above the doorframe forming from scraps. You can put the tape and corner bead too. I like the sticky mesh. It's easy to work with.
Mudding is not my thing. I hired someone to do most of mine, though I can do it. Put on three [B]thin[/B]coats and sand in between each. Try one spot and see how it goes for you. I personally think it sucks.
Flooring is easy to do too. Just read up on it, go to a home depot class and take your time. The home depot reference books are good for basic stuff. If the installation is included in the cost, well that's great. You might want to look around and see if there are other places that have better deals for carpet too. Same with trim work. Meaure three times and cut once. There's a really good new book at Chapters called something like "1001 Trim Ideas" (I know 1001 and trim are in the title) that's really good for ideas.
Good luck and have fun!
As in Holmes on Homes, don't forget to check out permits. I can tell you that this house I have here, which I am about to sell, could be a big problem (fortunately the chances are a flipper or someone who will do a major reno will buy it so It might not be as big an issue as it could).
My dad did a bunch of work in the basement about 25 years ago when my parents owned the house. They had the electrician etc. (all good buddies of course) but they didn't bother to get a permit or to even check them out. Now I have discovered the electrical panel is in a space that is much too small. I could take a wall down but that puts it in the bathroom which is also illegal. That would mean the bathroom has to be completely gutted which presents all sorts of issues. All this because of 6" they could have easily addressed when they started to build the bathroom.
Meanwhile, I've been told that because that was obviously amateur hour and pushing the rules, there may be a lot of suspicion about the rest of the house. I can't tell you how pissed off I am because now I could be out some major resale money because my dad saved $50.
I can also tell you that the next house I purchase had better be able to show me the inspection certificates on any extras they have put in as I am not up for assuming anything again.
The other things I think you should consider are what things you should leave to a professional for insurance reasons. I do know most household insurance can be nullified if they find a non certified electrician has done any type of wiring. I assume the same is true of plumbing but you might be wise to check. There are ways to do some yourself and save some money. My brother did all of his but paid a journeyman type to come and check it all before inspection. That saved him some grief (he had a couple of things wrong) with the inspection and some money by not using a trade to do all of the work.
and both our marriage and we have survived LOL. (we did learn that he is better than I am at measuring and calculating, and I am better than him at spacial recognition - e.g. which corner of the wall needs to have the cut-out for the ductwork, when the stud wall is lying on the floor?)
If you have never done any of this stuff before, read lots and maybe take a course or two.......but generally speaking, it is not difficult once you know the principles and a few tricks.
One thing I would do first -- make sure that the insulation goes in between your joists near the ceiling of the basement - what is the floor of the first floor. And that there is vapour barrier up there too, if necessary. And if you have a sill gasket between the top of the cement foundation and the walls, make sure to caulk it to stop drafts.
RE: insulation - make sure you pick the right stuff and put it up right, (friction fit it soflty into the cavities - don't compact it) and put the vapour barrier on, and seal it properly, using acoustical sealant (stays pliable)....seal EVERYWHERE you think air may enter (electrical boxes, etc).
Drywall is easy to cut and to put up - again, use proper screws and measure - measure - measure - when you cut around things. Make sure your drywall sheets are flush (not with one sheet stuck out and the other not - it'll make for a bowed wall in the end). EXCEPT for the ceiling - that's a heavy job if you are drywalling the ceiling, and it may be better to get someone else to do that. We have used a drop ceiling on one house and it went in easily, but it is limited if your ceiling is not very high and in an older house this may be the case...in which case you will need to drywall it.
As others have said, hire someone to do the taping/plastering of drywall joints - it is worth every penny you will pay them!! EVERY PENNY!!!!!!!!! they are artists and unless you plan to become one, you will make a mess....trust me.
Electrical - DEFINITELY get someone who is certified - you don't want your house to burn down! Make sure you think carefully and plan where you want outlets and ceiling fixtures. Plumbing is easier and the consequences of screwing up are less....again, just read up and take a course or watch someone if you have a chance.
As to paint and trim and so forth - painting is easy to do, as long as you get good paint, good brushes (clean them!) and take your time (more thin coats are better than fewer thick ones). Trim is fussy, but if you have a mitre saw or at least a good mitre box, it's not so hard.
RE: Painting - if you have drywalled your ceiling DO NOT use the paint you can buy that they say is *just like spackle* - it isn't - it looks aweful and shows every dip and imperfection. If you want a spackled ceiling get a professional - if you got a pro to do the taping, you should be fine either way.
Flooring - we used cork planks on one floor - easy as pie. Just make sure to measure twice and cut once! Used wall-to-wall carpet on the other -- I got pros to install that, my knees thanked me....and the carpet looked great.
All in all, not too difficult to do, although it may take you some time, and do get help with some things the pros do better. I can guarantee you will be proud of your selves when you are done, though!
out 1923-built home, and the one thing that I would have hired someone for was the taping/plastering; we did hire a handyman for the plumbing as we moved the toilet, DH learned a lot from him and can now do small things; my father did the electrical (he knows what he is doing, being a marine engineer they have to know it all as they can be away at sea and not able to hire the "professionals"!); other than that, we did it all ourselves. We tiled, laid laminate flooring, installed kitchen, replaced windows, you name it, we did it. Some of the finish stuff ( baseboard, window trim) can be tricky too, but if you take your time, measure three times (at least!!) and be careful, it can be done.
Good luck !!!!
In our experience...its been the plastering that has given us a hard time..not the actual dry-walling. My Dad came in and helped DH hang the drywall, but then DH figured he'd try the plastering himself. OMG Not that I'd ever say anything to him...but it is TERRIBLE!!! :eek: Make sure you are very good at it..or hire a plasterer/painter. The rest I'm sure you can handle yourself. Good luck..those darn older homes are a huge pain in the you-know-what!!
:) Mel
should be left to the professionals and i happen to think that mudding and sanding of the drywall is one of them.
in addition to of course electrical and plumbing unless you're licensed or really know what you are doing!! in older homes there are always hidden bad surprises.
i'm all for cheap but in the end it has to not only look good but function and be safe. you can save on labour by installing the drywall yourself but do some homework or take a weekend class at home depot on the correct way to hang drywall.
good luck the investment of time and money are worth it in the end when you have more square footage to live in!
My girlfriend and her DH finished their basement themselves. It took them a while, but it looked great and was really cost effective. Their basement had quite a few bulkheads and a picture rail kind of thing around the entire family room. I think as long as you read up on it and get some advice from people who have done it before, youshould have no problem. However if you start it and find that you're not good at it and your "technique" isn't improving, then hire someone. I'd definately try it myself first though. Like you I'm handy and cheap :D
Drywall needs someone who knows what they are doing. The joints have to be pulled correctly or you will forever see cracks and screw holes dents where the seams are. It is also very tricky to do on the ceiling. In a basesment you need insulation and the proper vapour barrier to curtail any condensation which leads to mold etc. I am sure you can do most of it yourself but I would hire a good company with references for the drywall.