Essential Things to Do Before Converting Your Basement

Converting your basement is an amazing way to get more space in your home. If you have a basement, you probably use it for storage, if you use it for anything at all. It can make a good place to keep your hobbies or crafts or anything that you would like to spend more time on. But if you feel like that space is going to waste or you need more living space, converting it is a great idea. It could become a laundry room, a games room, an extra bedroom, or anything else you feel like creating. However, before you get started on a basement conversion project, you need to consider some important things.

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Waterproof

Unfinished basement spaces are typically not very habitable. You might be fine going down then for a few minutes, but you probably don't want to hang out there for hours. One of the issues you'll need to deal with to turn it into a livable space is moisture. Basements can be prone to flooding and other problems with water. You might need to carry out foundation repair to prevent any leaks in your basement. A drain and pump might be necessary to help keep water out of the basement too. Installing a vapor barrier protects against condensation.

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Assess the Space

Every basement is different. You could be dealing with a variety of variables if you want to convert your basement, and they can all affect how (or even if) you can convert your basement. For example, do you need to divert drains beneath your house? Does your home have solid concrete or timber subfloors? Are there difficult ground conditions that need to be taken into account? All of these questions need to be asked before carrying out a basement conversion. Of course, a contractor can answer these questions for you so that you don't need to do it.

Check Planning Permissions

Converting a basement into a livable space may be something that you can go ahead and do without permission. However, in some cases, it might be a project that requires planning permission in order for you to go ahead with it. Whether you need permission or not will depend on where you live and what your local rules say. Even if you don't need permission, you most likely need to follow the local building codes. This is to ensure the safety of your new basement space.

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Consider Your Budget

Lastly, remember to think about your budget for converting your basement before you decide whether it's the right choice. You need to have a sensible budget that will help you to achieve what you want to do. There are ways you can control and manage your spending and keep it within a tight budget. However, there's only so much you can do before your budget may just be too small, and it won't be a realistic amount for converting a basement.

Do these things before you convert your basement to make sure you're ready to take on the project first.

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