Framing a basement is a great way to put your basement to some good use. This article should give you an overview of the project and its cost, in case you choose to do it yourself.
A finished basement can add a lot of value to your home. In addition, it will provide you with lots of free space, that can be put to some great use. You can use a finished basement as a home office, kid’s play area, entertainment room, home gym, guest bedroom or for any other purpose. Every basement that has been finished must be framed, to give it additional functionality and make it an extension of your home. Basement framing is a complicated task and must be finished with the help of a professional contractor only.
Basement Framing Tips
The first step to framing a basement is coming up with a good architectural plan. Take into account the purpose that you intend to use the basement for. You may have to divide your basement into various functional areas, if you have a very large basement. A smaller basement can be framed for a single activity area. Basement framing is done on the similar lines of home construction, with stud walls and drywall finishing.
You can use 2 x 2, 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 inch framing boards as per the purpose of your basement. Standard boards come in a size of 2 x 4 inches with a thickness of 1.5 inches. Before buying materials, make sure they are rigid, moisture proof and seasoned. You may also have to make provision for framing the ducts, electrical outlets, water lines etc. This work has to be done prior to the renovation.
Basement Framing Cost
It is dependent upon numerous variables, some important ones include size of your basement, labor and materials, size of studs and boards used and several other individual specific expenses. The cost of basic materials for framing a small basement, may start from $200 and may go high, depending upon the size of your basement. You can considerably cut down your cost of tools and equipment if you choose to hire them. However, this cost may get offset if you take several months to complete the job yourself. Professional workers and carpenters may charge you about $15 – $20 per linear foot for basement.
However, if you decide to do it yourself, you will save several thousand dollars on this project. However, do take into account the complexity of the project, your talent and time at your disposal. A medium-sized basement may take up to one year to frame and finish if you decide to go on your own without help. This may cause a lot of inconvenience to others in the house. Moreover, you may have to spend a lot of time doing research, if you insist on doing it on your own. This includes reading several DIY framing books, watching videos and spending lots of time in the aisles of home improvement stores getting the right material.
A feasible solution to getting your work done without adding too much of expense would be, splitting the project between a professional and yourself. You can take care of all the groundwork such as electrical, plumbing, leveling etc. A professional can raise the actual walls and do the construction work. Again, you can give finishing touches by painting walls. This way, your framing job can be completed without any delays or imperfections, and that too well within your budget.
Considering all cost variables, you should be prepared to shell out at least $10,000 for a 700 – 800 square feet area towards basement framing. While assigning a contractor for your job, make sure he is reliable.