Regular visitors to this blog will no doubt remember reading an article from a few months ago that details how to turn your basement into a bedroom. Let’s face it: such conversions are getting more popular, especially with growing families.
Of course, as with any major remodeling project, you have to undertake a certain level of preparation before you convert your basement into a bedroom. If you’re unfamiliar with basement conversions, this blog post is for you.
Keep reading to find out the five basic yet highly essential prep steps you need to carry out before converting your basement into a usable space like a bedroom:
1. Get your basement cleaned and dried out
The thing about many people’s basements is they tend to flood. That is especially so in places where homes are located on flood plains. With that in mind, your first job should be to have the basement cleaned of any stinky floodwater and dried out.
It makes sense to hire a flood restoration contractor for such a purpose as they’ll have the experience, skills, and tools needed to make your basement habitable.
2. Waterproof your basement
Once you’ve had the basement cleaned and dried out of any floodwater, the next step is to make it waterproof. After all, you don’t want to go to the effort of making your basement look awesome only for it to get ruined by floodwater!
You have two options when it comes to waterproofing your basement: exterior or interior waterproofing. Both options have their pros and cons, and some homeowners opt for both methods for added peace of mind.
3. Add some ventilation to your basement
When you convert a basement into a habitable space such as a bedroom or family room, you need to ensure there is adequate ventilation in the room. Some homeowners can skip this step, particularly if there are windows in the basement.
If you do need to add extra ventilation, you can have a building contractor install a ventilation shaft for your basement conversion.
4. Make sure the conversion isn’t illegal
In some areas, you might need to get permission from your local government planning department for a basement conversion. You can usually carry out the first three steps without seeking any permission.
But, before the basement is clearly something else like a bedroom, you need to check that you’re allowed to carry out the conversion. The good news is you’re likely to find it’s a “permitted development” in your house.
5. Only use licensed contractors for the conversion
When it comes to carrying out the actual conversion into a bedroom or other usable space, keep in mind that you should only use approved and licensed contractors. Doing so will ensure that if anything went wrong, you’ve got some legal recourse.
It’s also worth noting that you’ll end up with a result that will both meet and exceed your expectations. If you use unlicensed contractors, you’re taking a big risk and could end up with a bad outcome.
