Remodeling A Basement: Build Like a Pro Series
Professional Level Advice Covers all Phases of Remodeling a Basement

By Roger German

From start to finish

Finishing a basement is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to increase living space in a home. Remodeling A Basement will help you visualize an inspiring range of basement remodeling possibilities, and go about the remodeling process in an organized and efficient way.

You’ll find all phases are covered, from the physically demanding “dirty work” to rewarding finishing touches. Professional contractor Roger German covers basic construction techniques and the special problems associated with basement building, such as moisture, framing against concrete, and plumbing for bathrooms and laundry rooms.

• Provides in-depth, pro-level advice, including tips, trade secrets, and what to do when something goes wrong
• Gives photos of finished projects help you visualize the possibilities in a basement remodel
• Shows how to deal with common challenges in basement building: moisture, framing on concrete, evacuating water, working around heating and plumbing fixtures
• Covers a variety of spaces: family rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, workshops and hobby rooms

Introduction:

This book is designed to help you remodel your basement. I strongly urge you to read (or at least skim) all of it before you pound a nail. Doing so will help you make informed decisions about the nature and scope of your project. You’ll be able to determine how much you want to tackle yourself, when it makes sense to hire a professional, and how much the project will cost, both financially and emotionally.

In the chapters that follow, I’ll take you step-by-step through the entire process of remodeling a basement, from evaluating the basement you’ve got now to polishing off the last detail of the one you’ve created. You’ll learn about designing and planning; how to frame walls and run electrical wire and water pipe; how to hang, tape, and finish drywall, install doors, cabinets, and trim; how to lay carpet and ceramic tile; and much more.

As you design, remember that it’s your home, your space. Be creative. As you tackle the actual building, have fun. Of course, there will be times when the work won’t be fun. That’s when you have to keep the long view in mind. Persevere. Or, if you’re truly stumped, do what the professionals do: Hire a professional to help.

I am convinced that you can do the job (most of it, anyway) yourself. These are not just hopeful words of encouragement. I know from experience. For 10 years I have taught a basement-remodeling adult-education class at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I’m a remodeling contractor. The class meets for 18 weeks, one night a week for three hours. I like the hands-on approach, so I pick one of the student basements and we remodel it as a class. We don’t complete the project in our 54 hours of class time, but we get a lot of it done.

When we start, some students hardly know which is the business end of a hammer. Nevertheless, the results are remarkable. Whether it’s the class basement or students’ individual projects, I’m always impressed by the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that I’ve seen in the finished basements.

Almost all of the photos of the remodeling processes shown in this book were taken during the course of a class remodeling project. The charts, plans, and materials lists included in the book are also taken from this project. I hope this continuity will give you a sense of what a real project is like as you work your way through the chapters. The two most common questions I hear in class are “Can I save money doing the work myself?” and “How long will it take?”

Yes, you can save money doing it yourself. How much? About half of what a pro would charge. For basement remodels I’ve done, the overall costs are about half for material and half for labor. Of course, if you throw in a $6,000 whirlpool tub, the percentages change. But, in general, doing the work yourself will save about half the cost.

When I’m asked, “How long it will take?” my answer is always, “Longer than you think it will.” I’m not being coy. As a professional, I’ve worked for months on a single basement project. That’s 8 to 10 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week, and with professional subcontractors who have the tools, time, and experience to do the work as efficiently as possible. Just making a basement rec room and a half-bath will take a professional a month if everything goes right, which is rare in any kind of remodeling project.

I bring this up not to discourage, but to encourage you. So it takes you six months or a year. The thing is to start. And, if you keep chipping away at it, you’ll eventually have the basement of your dreams, and the satisfaction of having done it (or most of it) yourself.

Contents:

Introduction

How to Use This Book

1. Getting Started  
Old and New  
Water: The Bane of Basements  
Evaluating Walls and Floors  
Checking the Mechanical Systems  
The Critical Path  

2. Inspiration and Ideas  
Rec Rooms  
Bedrooms  
Bathrooms  
Laundry and Utility Rooms  

3. Design and Planning  
Design  
Planning  
Building Codes and Permits  

4. Demolition and Repair  
Demo  
Basic Structural Repairs  

5. Framing Walls  
Anatomy of a Wall  
Layout  
Building the Walls  
Building Soffits  
Framing Check  

6. Mechanicals  
HVAC  
Plumbing  
Wiring  

7. Walls and Ceilings  
Insulation  
Hanging Rock  
Finishing Rock  

8. Finish Carpentry  
Setting Doors  
Extending Jambs  
Installing Casing  
Setting Cabinets  
Installing Baseboard  
Fitting Closets  

9. Paint, Stain, and Floors  
Finishing the Trim  
Floor Coverings  

10. Finishing Up  
Running Base Shoe  
Final Plumbing  
Finishing Electricals  
HVAC  
Door Hardware  
Final Touches  

Resources  

Index  

Soft-cover, 9-1/4 x 11 in., 176 pages, with color photos and drawings 
Published 2005

ISBN: 978-1-56158-659-2