Finishing a room in the basement of a new house?

Question

Hello, I am getting ready to buy my first home (23 yrs old). It's a 2 bedroom 800 sq ft brick home with a full unfinished basement. I would like to put up a room, about 12x12 in the basement so I can bring in a roomate to help with the bills. I think I only need to put up two walls (using the corner of the basment for the other two walls). Any advice on how to go about starting this project, including cost, can I do it myself, what I may need, ect.... Thanks

To clarify- the basement is 800 sq ft, the room size I'm planning on building will be 12 X 12. The room will be built around a window (block window with vent). Electrical outlets are already available on the two foundation walls. My friend (the future roomate) will not be signing a lease or anything like that. I'll label the room as a den, or office; not a bedroom when I sell down the road. I'm looking for advice on how to erect the two wall to enclose the room, maybe how to apply the corning, if I need to drywall. Ideas for ceiling, floors, closet, ect. Maybe someone has a good link for me to check out. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

First, because you plan to rent out the room, you need to get building permits to build this room. Many legal and ethical reasons for this. Plus, if you are planning on renting the room out, you need to check with your mortgage loan co. and home owners insurance co. to see if you can do this. Thought of what you are going to do for an extra bathroom? Does this house have enough electrical amperage to accommodate this, and what is the egress(emergency escape) out of this room? Time to re-think this one. From a contractors point of view, and the husband of a lawyer, RE-THINK and PLAN.

Answer 2

whitch two has a very good answer..home depot or lowes can guide you through the project.
you will need to get a building permit from your city or county to comply with laws and ordinances...and they will put you on a time schedule and an inspection schedule, so these things aren't easily done if you have not done it before.
you will need to rent some of the tools needed for fastening the bottom plate of the wall to the concrete floor, and you will need to buy or borrow the drywall tools: screw gun; 6" knife;10"knife; 12"knife; and mud pan. if you are going to wire or plumb any part of your project you will need a licensed electrician/plumber for those parts. you will need to know the building codes for your area that apply to the project you are doing and comply with them (this is why the permit and inspections, they are also nice to have on hand when you sell), but a standard piece of information: the wall studs are placed every 16 inches, that is a national standard and your inspector will hold your feet to the fire on that.
research your project before you start and count the cost...you may decide it is simpler and easier and less expensive in the long run to hire it done, because these construction and remodeling lessons can be quite expensive and sometimes quite painful
good luck with it and congratulations on the new house.

Answer 3

Me and my husband just did this 2 years ago, first you need to make sure the area is insulted. Basements hold some dampness, etc. make sure the area you are choosing also has a window for air circulation. list of items:
2x4's - for framing out the area, and studding every 16
inches.
insulation- if needed
sheetrock- mildew proof, reccomended for basements,
kitchens, bathrooms.
I hope this helped you out a bit,
Good luck!

Answer 4

How come you want to put up walls? 12X12 would be a nice space without walls.

But if you wanna do it, go to home depot and get a pro to hook you up with all the goods you need.

I would put a space for a closet and that's all.

Answer 5

if the new room does not have a door to the outside or a window then u can not have a bedroom.....all bedrooms have to have an egress other than the main bedroom door, national building code.....

u need a contractor for all this work: u need electric, plumbing, hvac, framing, flooring, sheetrock......plus ur homeowners will go up.....plus if ur on a septic tank system u need to make sure it is sized for this extra bedroom, they r sized per bedroom not bathroom!

plus permits..........

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 6

Drop ceilings aren’t that no longer instantly ahead once you've effortless adventure and some mechanical skill it’s an excellent DYI project if the drywall is already taped and finished with compound then basically primer it with any drywall primer and paint

Answer 7

you can get info from your local Home Depot or Lowes. You need a building permit, it will be cheap though. What I would do though is not put up walls and just rent out the whole basement to a roommate.

Answer 8

First, I'd check with your town office to make sure you're zoned for an apartment. There's codes and stuff. Otherwise, Corning makes a finishing system that looks cool.