Turning your basement into a liveable apartment area may be more work depending on the state of your basement. But an actual separate living space will increase your home’s property value and may provide an opportunity for additional income if you choose to rent it out. The overall budget for a basement apartment will vary depending on the condition of your apartment, finishes and materials you choose, and the demolition or renovation that needs to take place. For instance, walls may need to be torn down or put up, new windows may need to be installed, an independent heating and air unit should be considered to ensure a comfortable and moist-free environment.

So what makes it a “basement apartment”?

In order for the basement to actually be considered a basement apartment, the floor plan must include a kitchen (ideally furnished with a refrigerator, stove and oven top), full bathroom, living room, dining area, at least one bedroom, closet and storage space, and a separate entrance. The best way to kickstart a basement apartment project is to consult with a contractor to determine budget, plan of action, layout and floor plan. You may choose a standard apartment layout design with an enclosed bedroom or a studio apartment with an open floor plan.

If you choose to rent out your basement apartment, neutral colors and materials are best for attracting renters. Be sure to research your city’s laws and make sure your apartments meets legal requirements for serving as a rental property. These days, there are plenty of options available online for both short and long term rentals, including Airbnb, Zillow, realtor.com, and many more.

Want to get a free estimate on your basement apartment project, right now?

Concrete

Refinished concrete floors are becoming increasingly popular. For some, working with what is already available is the most affordable and convenient option. Cracks and crevices can be easily repaired, and stain and Epoxy can be applied to take a drab concrete floor to the next level. Depending on the state of your floors (and your level of comfort with DIY), refinishing a concrete slab could possibly be an easy project to complete yourself. Before staining, be sure to thoroughly clean off all the dust and dirt from your floors, baseboards, and walls. After the staining is complete, seal the floor with Epoxy to protect your newly stained floors. Once you’re ready for decorating and styling the space, just add a few area rugs for warmth and comfort.

Carpet

Carpet is an option some people love and others despise. But carpet may be ideal for your finished basement, especially if considering turning it into a playroom for young kids. Before settling on carpet, however, it is important to completely finish a basement to prevent future water damage, mold, and mildew from ruining your carpet and other fixtures. Additionally, anti-microbial carpet padding can help prevent bacterial growth in your basement carpeting. You may choose to install a cheaper option if expecting a lot of foot traffic or pet hair. Another good solution are carpet tiles, which are easier to replace, especially if a carpet area is only slightly damaged.

Tile

Floor tiles are some of the most recommended materials for basement flooring because the base of tile slabs lift slightly above the concrete floor to allow for moisture to pass through. This option will reduce the possibility of mold and mildew growth. A benefit of tile is the limitless color and texture options available. Interlocking floor tiles can be easily replaced, cleaned, or even updated without a lot of hassle. They are also an affordable floor choice to help cut down the cost on your basement project.

Thinking about remodeling your basement can be daunting. There are so many decisions that go into a remodel: DIY or contractor, linoleum or hardwoods, extra walls or open concept? But when it comes to your next basement remodel project, don’t let finances stand in your way. A basement remodel is an investment that will add value and usable space to your home. This may mean a few upgrades or a complete overall depending on time, energy, and budget, but the project will be well worth the work. Whether you choose to save intentionally and pay out of pocket, charge your credit cards, or apply for a loan, there are several viable methods for paying for your next project without too much headache or stress.

FHA 203K Loan

This loan program through the Federal Housing Administration allows homeowners to remodel their primary residence to build equity without a second mortgage or Home Equity Line of Credit. Instead of multiple payments with different rates of interest, this loan enables homeowners to include remodel loan payments with their monthly mortgage payment at a normal FHA 30 year fixed rate. This loan can be used for small projects like new windows or upgraded linoleum, or massive basement overhauls.

Use Your Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

Your home equity line of credit increases with each monthly mortgage payment. Depending on how much money you’ve put down on your home, you may have a substantial amount to borrow against to use to pay for your basement remodel. This loan essentially works as a credit card, allowing the homeowner to use the money as needed and your monthly payment will vary depending on how much of that credit you have used.

Credit Cards

Did you know you can use your credit cards to pay for a basement remodel (depending on your credit card limit, of course). Using credit cards can be convenient especially for DIY projects and supply purchases. Some contractors accept major credit cards, so be sure to ask upfront if this is an acceptable for of payment. Credit cards mean a project can be started immediately without the hassle of applying for loans, but be careful to pay off balances quickly to avoid decreased credit card scores and increased interest rates.

HomeStyle Renovation Loan

This loan is specifically for home buyers or anyone refinancing a home living in Colorado. This home covers repair, remodel, renovation, or energy improvement projects necessary for your newly purchased or refinanced home.

Whether working on small DIY projects or hiring out a contractor for a massive basement overhaul, it’s important and helpful to understand the difference between a basement remodel and a basement finishing project. Depending on the state of your basement, finishing or remodeling will increase the value and versatility allowing for more space for entertaining, relaxing, hosting, or even renting.

A finished basement is often included in a home’s overall square footage, a liveable space with drywall, electricity, plumbing, and flooring. A refinished basement may include the addition of more walls, bathroom(s), and a kitchen or kitchenette. A finishing project varies in time and cost depending on the basement size and type of materials and features selected (check out this article for four cost saving tips).

A basement remodel is often a more expensive and lengthy process. It may involve cutting out windows, adding French doors and a back patio, adding more walls, or even completely updating and massively renovating an existing finished basement. A remodeled basement could become a luxury guest suite or Airbnb rental, a family movie theater or game room, wine cooler or man cave. The options are limitless, so the cost and time constraints will drastically differ depending on the project. If looking to save money, an additional bathroom or bedroom will add value without necessarily breaking your budget.

Though the costs of finishing and remodeling a basement can be expensive, keep in mind this is an investment that will benefit your property’s value in the long run. A liveable basement can be rented out for supplemental income and serves as an attractive feature for potential buyers. Ultimately, a finished or remodeled basement means more home to enjoy for you and your family.

When it comes to finishing an unfinished basement, the costs can easily skyrocket with each additional amenity, material, and unforeseen expense. The size and condition of your basement could dramatically impact your budget for creating a liveable and comfortable space. Staying within budget may seem daunting but it is definitely possible when determining materials and settling on a basement plan and style. Flooring, walls, electricity, and plumbing are four of the most expensive things to consider when finishing a basement.

1. Determine and prioritize your budget

Your budget needs will depend on the size and the condition of your basement. Finishing and renovating are two different projects entirely. To help you out, we’ve put together a few ways to save money on your basement finishing project. You may choose to finish the basement first (i.e. make it liveable by updating/adding electricity, plumbing, flooring, and walls), and refinish or renovate later when the budget allows. Before starting on the project, set a budget and prioritize the areas where you hope to cut costs and the areas you plan to splurge.

Once you’ve determined a budget and researched basements, contractors, and plans, it is important to refrain from deviating. Stay within the scope of your project to avoid adding unplanned expenses and increasing the timeline of your project. The best way to stay on budget is to stick with the original layout of your basement, stairs, doors, and windows if possible. Though plans can be changed, the changes can easily add up and topple the budget it you’re not careful.

2. Flooring

New flooring can quickly and easily become an expensive and laborious undertaking. But there are methods for finishing your basement floor without dropping thousands of dollars on expensive materials. Two of the cheapest options are linoleum and carpet. In fact, an inexpensive carpet with a quality pad underneath can add a high end feel to a low-end price tag. Because basements are more prone to flooding, it is a good idea to choose less expensive options that can be easily replaced in the event of flood damage.

Another affordable and increasingly popular flooring option is painting the basement concrete floor. This can be done quickly and cheaply — just add a few cozy area rugs (which can be affordably purchased at websites like Amazon, Overstock, and Wayfair).

3. Simple vs. complicated

Choose affordable and easily installed features. The bones and layout of your finished basement are the most important components to focus on during the finishing process as cosmetic details can be changed or updated later as your budget allows. Avoid adding extras (like extra closets or an extra bathroom) that will just increase the budget and add extra time to the construction process.

4. Open concept is ideal

An open floor plan means fewer walls, studs, and wiring. An open basement will be much easier to finish, and provide a more welcoming and cozy aesthetic by not being so closed off by multiple walls and rooms.

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Everyone has a different definition of “luxury basements”

After working with hundreds of homeowners in the Denver area achieve their subterranean dreams, one thing I’ve learned – everyone has a different definition of “luxury basements”. With that in mind, our first step with every project is to bring folks into our showroom where we can frame out that individual’s version of the utopian basement.

Which is your Favorite of these Luxury Basements?

1. The Bar

Cocktail connoisseurs and tea-totalers alike can enjoy this gorgeous hangout space.

2. Family Room Entertainment Center

Getting everyone to decide on what to watch can be tough – why not all of them at once?

3. The Playroom

Parents are always amazed how much quieter the house is when the kiddos are on the bottom floor (and having a blast!).

4. Arcade

Hours and hours of fun – no tokens required!

5. Wine Cellar

Sommelier not included.

6. Cozy Living Space

You may never want to leave.

7. Home Office

Whether you’re actually getting work done, or just enjoying the solitude, having a stellar home office can have a huge impact on your bottom line – talk about positive ROI!

8. Guest Quarters

When guests stay over, they can crash in style!

9. Library

Create your own ideal reading environment, right in your own home!

10. Putting Greens

Think of all the money you’ll save at the country club!

11. Smoking Lounge

Smoke ’em if you got ’em!

12. Swimming Pool

Yes. It is possible to put in a swimming pool in your basement. As long as you’ve got the budget for it

Want to take the next step towards getting some of these luxury basements ideas in your home?

We’d love to talk with you and learn more about how to make your dream luxury basement into a reality. You can give us a call or swing by the showroom, during normal business hours, or if you prefer to get a quick estimate now, we can do that too!

When you need your basement to be completely redone, and aren’t sure exactly how you want it to look, selecting a basement remodeler to carry it out is no easy task. There are two primary steps to choosing a basement remodeler, and care has to be taken to avoid the common traps and pitfalls.

First, and most obviously, you need to be careful about the quality of the basement remodeler. This might take some time, but go through and find recent reviews of the company you’re considering, and find out if they deliver what they promise. The reviews you want to value the highest, and are the hardest to find, are the long-term ones that are written long after the project was completed. One of the easiest ways for a basement remodeler to escape higher costs for a project without consequence are to skimp on the durability of the construction, which will create significant problems in the long run. Even a minor slip up can create significant long term issues.

One instance that Brother’s Construction was called in to fix, happened because a basement remodeler did not give enough space for ventilation, and created a condensation problem on the ceiling. While the project seemed finished when the remodeler was paid, most the bathroom had to be scrapped and redone in order to fix the large puddle of water that kept forming whenever the air conditioning was turned on.

Secondly, you need to make sure they understand your vision. If it feels like they are just parroting back to you the same words you’ve used to describe your basement project, the odds are good that they don’t understand what you actually want. You need to make sure the basement remodeler you choose is focused more on your goals and plans, and less on finishing the project with as much money in their back-pocket as they can afford. Look out for when the materials seem lower quality than the examples provided, or when the job costs start to grow without explanation.

So you’re looking for ideas for your basement theater and coming up empty. All the basement design pictures and tips are already a few steps ahead of you, and you want more control over building your basement. You also want to know about the basic concepts of basement theaters before starting. If that’s you, look no further: this should help clear up the initial steps before designing a basement theater.

How much room do you have for your basement theater?

The first question is size. Take into consideration how large the room is, and where the screen should be located. Determine where the projector will be, which will let you know what size the actual screen will be (mark the corners of the screen for reference later). If the room, or planned room, in your future basement theater is rectangular, you want to aim for fewer, longer rows. But keep in mind the size of the screen relative to the corners.

“Serious” Home Theater vs. Family Friendly

Next, you need to choose your atmosphere. Typically this means determining whether you want more of a casual “family room” or a serious home theater. The family room would have more flexibility in its use, and could serve more functions than watching movies, such as multiple video game systems, or locations for more comfortable reclining. The more serious home theater, however, would primarily serve as a location for watching movies, and would be designed to look like an actual movie theater.

Building the Dream Basement Theater

And finally, you need to decide whether you want to hire professionals to be involved with the construction of your basement theater. In theory, if you have a lot of experience in construction, wiring, and sound, you should be able to carry out the basement theater with a decent amount of planning and execution. However, if you don’t have the experience and also don’t want to use the cheaper surround sound systems at your local electronics store, you want to consider hiring basement finishing professionals, who can take your newly ironed out plan and make it happen at the greatest level of quality.

So many times, I have given this advice to potential customers, and you can always tell when they don’t take it to heart. They will nod their heads politely, take one look at our prices and make for the exit to call up the cheapest option. And it will be years before they realize the size of their mistake.

Spotting a Low-Quality Basement Contractor

Picking the cheapest basement contractor may seem like a good idea when you’re trying to create a budget to renovate your basement. He will tempt you with cheaper prices, talk about how greedy the “other guys” are, and offer you unbelievable, “limited time only” discounts. But when it comes time for construction and the delays, unexpected costs, and mishandlings start to stack up, you’ll start to realize why some basement contractor was so much cheaper. And that’s just beginning.

Pay Now or Later?

The real problem with hiring the cheapest basement contractor will not be visible when he finishes the job. When the basement contractor has finally finished the basement, and disappears, you may think the nightmare is over. But as the years go on, things will begin to fall apart. The first couple times might seem coincidental, maybe there was one section that wasn’t put together properly. Eventually though, enough of the basement will break down that you will have to pay for repairs, and the cost will only go up from there.

Keep in mind as you hire a basement contractor

To be perfectly clear, basement contractors are priced for a reason:

Better materials cost more.

Cutting corners does not build a basement that lasts.

A higher price now is a lower price later.

Quality is not another word for profit.

Ultimately, our price reflects the value of our work. High standards don’t just make your basement look better, it gives you an expansion to your house that will last. When we use materials that cost more, it’s only because anything less would hurt you in the long run. So when a basement contractor is offering to cut the price in half, ask yourself whose pocket that missing money is going to come out of. Because it’s probably your own.

So please, don’t pick the cheapest basement contractor. Even if there doesn’t appear to be problems now, only one of the options will deliver a finished basement that will last.

It doesn’t matter if you’re catching up with friends, watching the game, or even looking for a nice place to take a break, having your own bar downstairs can really liven up your basement, and make it the ideal location for get-togethers. Unlike buying a boat that needs constant spending for maintenance, or a pool that needs cleaning, purchasing a bar is a low maintenance, high reward purchase. If you are searching for basement bar ideas and direction, look no further, Brother’s Construction can help.

Some folks know exactly what they want, while others need a little help narrowing it down. Below, I’ve outlined some of the most popular and tasteful basement bar ideas we’ve built for folks over the years. Not all basement bars are created equal, so I’ve broken them down by category to help you find the best basement for your budget and space.

Walk-Up Basement Bar Ideas

If your basement needs a bar, but you’re running low on space, the Walk-Up bar is the perfect choice for you. Since they only take up enough space for the physical bar, Walk-Up Bars are the ideal balance of size and value. Featuring just the bar itself, Walk-Up bars can give you the benefits of having a bar without dominating your basement.

The Pros: Walk-Up Bars need minimal space to work, and won’t take up the main focus of the basement as a whole. Especially if your basement is being used for multiple purposes, it might be best to go with the bar that is seen least (and costs the least).

The Cons: Though it can fit in tight spaces, Walk-Up bars can make larger groups feel cramped, so keep in mind how many people you want using it to determine if it’s the best basement bar idea. They can also be easily mistaken for counters or a kitchen area if they aren’t highlighted enough.

Get the Most Out of Your Walk-Up Bar:

Make sure to keep enough space for your Walk-Up Bar to be used: have some great places to sit around the basement, or even add some stools to create more of a bar environment.
Carefully consider the least used areas that would be best filled by a walk-up basement bar. In most basements, the nook under the stairs is wasted space, perfect for a bar.

Walk-Behind Basement Bar Ideas

When looking at Basement bar ideas, you can’t beat the classic walk-behind bar. Featuring a large space behind the bar for showcasing your selection, a storage area underneath for stashing your bar essentials, and booths for hosting basement discussions, Walk-Behind bars can create a great space in your basement for socializing.

The Pros: Nothing beats having the opportunity to hone your craft as a bartender with an actual bar. Walk-Behind bars are also the best home for your alcohol collection, with lots of room undercounter and on the back shelves.

The Cons: Walk-behind bars take up the most space out of all the options. The upside, of course, is having more room for more friends, but that might not always be needed. It’s also going to be the most expensive option out of all the basement bar ideas, but that can also be balanced against the value added to the house as a whole.

Get the Most Out of Your Walk-Behind Bar:

The best way to get the most out of a Walk-Behind bar is to purchase basic bar implements, and learn how to use them. Nothing is more impressive than a bartender with the skills to match the bar.
Drinking is best done as a complementary action. Make sure to have entertaining things around your bar (pool table, tv, bookshelf, etc.) to get the most out of your Walk-Behind bar.

Wet Bars – Basement Bar Ideas

When planning to build either type of bar, it’s important to consider whether you want to create a Wet Bar, and give your bar a working sink, drainage, and plumbing. Considered to be an essential part of any serious bar, Wet Bars can add significant value to any basement.

The Pros: As far as basement bars ideas go, Wet Bars are a necessary feature for many drinks. They also have a convenience factor, where having a sink nearby can take the hassle out of basic cleanup (not having to take fragile glassware up and down the stairs is a definite plus). I have yet to find someone who upgraded to a wet bar and regrets their decision.

The Cons: If your house’s existing plumbing was planned improperly, achieving a wet bar might not be ideal, since it would need significant work to gain access to the system. Though this is unlikely, it’s always something to consider before committing.

Get the Most Out of Your Wet Bar:

There are dozens of common drinks that will get the full use out of your basement Wet-Bar. Keep the ingredients around to maximize the benefits of your Wet Bar.
Though it’s applicable to all types of bars, make sure to use it! Plan to have gatherings and events that make any of these basement bar ideas a good one.

Want to know how much your basement bar could cost?