4 Reasons You Should Finish Your Basement

Basement Remodeling in Madison WI

You might not think about it, but your basement really is a valuable asset. It’s not just storage space either—although it’s great for that as well. A finished basement is a perfect place for family time and hobbies. I know there are lots of parents who finished the basement as a clever way to keep a close eye on their kids and to offer a safe place for their friends to hang out. 

Finishing a basement is a great way to add value to your home.

Give your home a boost by finishing off the basement! You can add a lot of extra living space without building on or changing the footprint, but it’s also an incredible way to bump up the worth. Plus, who can say no to having that much more room for friends and family?

Basements offer functionality and comfort.

A finished basement is an often-overlooked treasure trove of potential! The extra space can be used for entertainment, storage, and more. When you’re ready to relax after a long day at work, head downstairs into a living area bursting with comfort or enjoy some alone time in this unique spot that sets your house apart from all others on the block. Make use of every inch underfoot – including handy spaces to store items instead of cramming them into overstuffed closets elsewhere. Turn your lower-level basement into an incredible oasis!

Finished basements help protect your belongings.

Protect your investment and keep musty smells at bay by investing in a finished basement. Unfinished spaces tend to have significantly less climate control which leads to higher humidity levels than their finished counterparts. Moisture wreaks havoc on your belongings, from wood furniture to electrical components like switches and outlets. Moisture issues can also contribute to the potential for foundational or structural damage! An eye-pleasing dry home addition that thwarts mildew will be appreciated all year round.

The cost of finishing a basement is often less than you think.

Remember, the cost includes a lot of things. You will want to budget for labor and material costs for installing floors, walls, and ceilings. If you add another bathroom, you’ll need to factor in the plumbing fixtures and any additional electrical wiring. When adding a bedroom on the lower level, you’ll want to make sure to add an egress window. Like with an addition, you’ll be adding interior doors, drywall or paneling, insulation for the walls, and also pipe insulation. Plus, any trim or millwork needed around the new windows and door openings will need to be added to the budget. This sounds like a lot of things to consider—but adding under is considerably more cost-effective than adding on! Ultimately, the project’s size determines how much it will cost you. 

A successful basement renovation can increase your property value by up to 20%, according to research conducted by Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR which shows that homes built before 1940 typically increased their value by 25% after being renovated, while those built after 1950 showed similar gains but only if included high-end renovations like granite countertops throughout most rooms.

Here are some tips:

  • It’s okay to leave some areas unfinished or unpainted. It won’t detract from the rest of the space, and you can always paint it later if you change your mind!
  • Be creative with storage solutions–you may not be able to fit everything into cabinets or closets, so find other ways to store items like shelving or stashed under the guest bed.
  • Remember lighting! While it might seem like an unnecessary expense at first glance, bright lights make spaces look bigger and more inviting, especially if there aren’t any windows.

The first step is to talk with home remodeling professionals like us, but to answer our question—should you finish your basement?

The verdict is in!

More living space, extra and better storage options, and increased value? YES! A finished basement adds a lot to your property.

  • A finished basement is great for family time and hobbies. You’ll love the options for entertaining friends and family. The additional livable space gives you extra room for everyone to be comfortable. 
  • A finished basement can also be used as a home office. It’s a great place to store essential documents and provides a quiet workspace away from the traffic and noise upstairs. Valuable storage space upstairs can be used for other things instead of all your office supplies–they’ll all be in the office instead!

There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to finish the basement. First and foremost, it adds value to your home. Having it finished will give buyers more options as well as make them more willing to pay top dollar. Finishing also makes sense if you plan on using this space regularly for entertaining guests or just relaxing at home!

Don’t do it alone. Have the experts at W.E. Davies + Sons help you do planning, construction, and permits, and do it in a way where you get actual value added to your home. Basement remodeling can be done the hard way or the right way. Make sure that when you’re done, it’s a place everyone will want to use.

Transform Your Home with W.E. Davies Remodeling. Call: 608-222-6609

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