A basement remodel, no matter how desirable it might be, is a major renovation project. It's a very different situation from remodeling one of your rooms upstairs, because you're basically starting with uncharted territory. Although you could squeak by with nothing but some paint on the wall, an area rug on the floor, and some furniture, you aren't going to end up with the comfortable living space that you've been envisioning. When considering finishing your basement, here are some things to think about:

1.Concrete floors aren't always level. This was probably done purposely so that floors sloped towards a floor drain. Check your floors with a level to determine how much slope you're dealing with. Then you can decide if you'd rather try to even them out with a thin concrete overlayment or by building a wooden floor.

2.You may need to have new ductwork run to heat and cool the basement area, or you may need to move existing ductwork to accommodate a finished ceiling.

3.You need to consider where you want electrical outlets, lighting, and switches located so that they can be wired in.

4.If you're including a wet bar or bathroom facilities, you'll also need to have some work done on the plumbing. You'll also need to upgrade your sump system to make sure that it's adequate . After all, you'd hate to get your basement all fixed up only to have it flood.

5.Check to see if your walls are perfectly straight. In most basements they aren't. You can remedy this by putting on both a top and bottom plate and then adding 2x4" studs.

6.Basement areas need to be insulated in order to keep them comfortable. You can either apply a vapor barrier directly to the walls and then use unfaced insulation, or you can purchase special insulation that is foil-faced and can be used to cover both jobs.

7.Think about the type of ceiling you want to put in. Although many people prefer the look of a plastered ceiling, it isn't really the best for a basement application. The reason that so many people put in tile and grid systems is because they will provide easy access to wiring and plumbing if necessary.

8.Remember that you don't need to finish your entire basement area. The more you remodel, the more it's going to cost you.

9.Plan your basement on graph paper before you even begin. Decide if you want one large room for entertaining or a playroom or if you want to divide the space to create a bathroom, an office, a laundry, a workshop, an extra bedroom, or other area. If you count on your basement for storage, you also need to remember to work storage space into your overall plan.

Although it may seem like a lot of work just preparing to remodel your basement without doing the actual work, the more carefully you plan all the details, the more satisfied you're going to be with your new living space. Since remodeling a basement can almost double the amount of usable space in your home, it's a project that's well worth tackling.