 | Mike Goebel
has been involved in the construction and home improvement industry for more than 40 years and is currently the Senior Vice President of the Home Center Division at Star Lumber & Supply Co. Inc. You may contact Mike by e-mail at mgoebel@starlumber.com or by phone at (316) 942-2221. |
Home Improvement
2001-05-01 10:25:00
Kids... toys... help!
Question: Our children have overtaken the first floor of our house with their toys. We would like to create a recreation room for them in our basement. How do we go about starting this project?
Answer: Finishing a basement can be a very cost effective way to add usable living space. The space is already there, as are the floor ceiling joist and most of the walls. Also, basement area is easy to heat and cool and usually your existing furnace and air conditioner are sufficient.The first step is to determine how much money you are willing or able to spend on the project.The second step would be to decide if you want to or are able to do the work yourself. If you decide that you'd rather not, an experienced sales person at your building material supply store can steer you toward several good remodelers. The Wichita Area Builders Association remodelers council is also a good source of reputable companies.The third step would be to decide what you would like. How will it look? What features, bathroom, bar, sound proofing etc. would you like to include?. It will be a place for the kids to play now, but what changes will you want to make as they grow up? You can get ideas from events like the Parade of Homes or from decorator and design magazines. If you decide to use a remodeler, he can also give you some great and up-to-date ideas.Finally, visit your building supply store to get information about the cost and availability of the materials you'll need. If at this point you've decided to handle the project yourself, an experienced sales person can help you estimate the quantity and cost of all the materials you'll need. He or she can also make suggestions on how to save money and time as well as make the job easier and more rewarding. He or she will also be able to ‘hold your hand’ through the more difficult procedures.It's a good idea to let the sales person know up front as much as you can about the size and scope of the project as well as your budget. If your sales person is under the impression that getting the job done as cheaply as possible is your main concern, you may miss out on some really nice improvements that cost just a little bit more. On the other hand, you do not want to run short of money before the project is complete because you over spent at the beginning.It's also a good idea to check with Wichita Central Inspection or Sedgwick County building Code Enforcement departments to see what, if any, building permits you might need.This may seem like a lot to do before you even drive the first nail, but having a good plan before you start can save you time, money and a lot of headaches further into the project.
