Digging Out the Basement: 5 Things to Know Before Starting This Drastic Project

Digging out the basement is a popular project for owners who like their current homes but need a little more space. If you’re expecting another child, want to work from home, or need a playroom for the kids, digging out the basement is a great way to add another bedroom, a home office, or a playroom if you’re out of room upstairs. If you love your home and don’t want to have to move just to get more space, you might consider utilizing the untapped space underneath the home. This project requires careful planning and expert advice, but if you feel you are ready to tackle the beast, read on for a little advice of how to get started.

Check Safety Concerns

Obviously, with a project as drastic as this one, your first step will be to consider safety of the area. First, you need to carefully survey the area to ensure there aren’t any pre-existing problems that could create issues for you. Even if you plan to do most of the work yourself, you still need to have a professional survey the area so that you don’t destroy any plumbing lines or dig anywhere that you shouldn’t. Even if you have a plan, it can be very dangerous to dig blindly, so get the help of a professional before you take shovel to soil.

What Will the Space Be Used For?

You must decide on the purpose of your basement when it is being remodeled. The basement could create new bedrooms. The basement could serve as a "man cave" or entertainment area. The basement could become a playroom for the kids. You have to have a good idea of what you want to do before you do anything. Once you decide the purpose of the room, you can get a better idea of the measurements for the basement and where you want certain amenities to be placed. If you know what you want to use the room for, you can work with your contractor to customize the area how you’d like.

Do You Have Enough Room?

Your basement may not be big enough for your plans. A half-basement is only large enough for a playroom or office. A full basement is large enough to create bedrooms or add a bathroom. You must temper your grand vision for the space with the reality of its size. You may want to have a contractor come to your home and offer you an estimate for the job. Contractors can draw up rough plans and offer advice for the space. You cannot proceed until you know what you can do with the room. If the space is not very large, you have to scale back your plans. You’ll also want to think about what type of furniture you want to have in the room. It’s best to take measurements and compare them to the blueprints, especially if you plan to put existing furniture in the new basement.

Can You Afford It?

Your renovation may seem feasible in your mind, but you need to get an estimate from a contractor on the actual cost of the remodel. A contractor can consult you on the cost of the project, show you how to reduce the cost of the project and offer you options that help to defer the cost of the project. Whatever you do, do not start digging until you’ve talked to a professional. The last thing you want is a huge hole under your house that sits there for months because you don’t have the money to finish it. Don’t take advice from your buddy who knows a little about houses—consult a professional and don’t get started until you’ve received sound, specific advice from the pros about the project.

A contractor can do part of the job, and you can finish the job if you don’t want to pay for labor—just be sure you involve a professional in the planning so that you don’t take any wrong turns. A wrong turn could be dangerous and costly, so if you don’t know what you are doing, don’t take any changes. Remodeling and updating your basement requires some thought, but you can get a wonderful finished project is you make each decision above wisely.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance, women’s interests, and the home niches. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. The professionals of Pest Detective who specialize in pest control in Vancouver suggest that you have the ground treated before you start digging out the basement since it could be infested with termites or other bugs.