Phase 1: Basement prep and framing
Getting started
- After all the planning and preparation, it's finally time to
get going!
Down come
the walls - My remodeling project starts off with a little
demolition!
1st mishap - My
first big mistake- luckily nobody was hurt!
Basement wall
cracks - Whether it comes from wall cracks or rod holes, moisture
is the number one enemy in any basement. Learn to see the signs
of water damage, and fix your problems before they get worse!
Lumber and
tools - Buying the right tools and the first batch of 2x4s
is the next step in my DIY basement remodeling project.
Starting
construction - FINALLY it's HAMMER TIME!
Moving ductwork
- If your house is like mine, the builders aren't concerned with
your finished basement when they decide where to run the ductwork.
See how I solved this problem!
Finishing
the 1st wall - One wall framed in...many more to go! Check
here to see how I framed the wall around my furnace and main duct!
Around
the corner - The next step was three short walls and a closet.
See how careful planning helped me avoid a problem later!
Five short walls
- One long wall is MUCH easier, but this area of the basement
was a bunch of short ones instead!
The big wall
- It was a much needed break to frame in this straight 28' section
with NOT OBSTACLES!
One more
crack to repair - Next it was time to pull out the Drylok
again to repair a rod hole in the foundation.
Framing
around windows - The two basement windows in the theater area
turned out to be quite a challenge!
Framing
the office - Nearing the end of the rough-in was not without
its challenges. Guess what? More pipes and ducts to work around!
Finishing
the office - The last wall of the office (with the door opening)
presented another challenge...
Basement
design decision - Full wall, half wall, or no wall? Which
way would be best for the overall basement design and for the
home theater acoustics?
Framing
support poles - It's always a challenge to make sure the poles
are square. See how mine turned out.
Framing
the last wall - Just a short 8 foot section, and framing is
complete!
Phase 2: Electrical and drywall
How
much does an electrician charge? - Electrical work is something
best left to a trained professional! This section to help you
pick your electrician.
How much
to install drywall? - Whether you're hanging and finishing
the drywall yourself, or hiring a contractor to do the dirty work,
check here for tips on making the job go smoothy.
Electrical
rough-in - Finally it was time for the electrician to begin
his work. Unless you're doing the entire basement yourself, finding
a good electrician is a key part of any basement remodeling project.
Soundproofing
- A simple, inexpensive way to add some soundproofing to your
basement is to caulk the bottom plate of your roughed-in
walls.
Drywall,
insulation, and ceiling hardware delivery - A 180 degree bend
in my stairway made it very difficult to get everything downstairs.
My basement was transformed from nice and neat, to one big mess!
Installing
insulation - Installing insulation in your basement will keep
it much warmer in the winter! Installing insulation in interior
walls will help soundproof your basement too! |
This
is the place to come to follow along with our progress on the
project. I'll update this every week or so, or whenever we accomplish
something worth sharing!