Home improvement projects are a big commitment and you want to ensure you get it right the first time to avoid any future regrets. When taking on larger renovations, such as your basement, it is best to hire professionals to complete the work. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure that you successfully complete your dream basement renovation.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
To avoid headaches and costly mistakes, we recommend always hiring a professional for any major home improvement project. For starters, planning the reno can be difficult if you don’t understand every aspect of your project. Without the help of a pro, you may miss important steps or information, leading to disastrous outcomes. Most pros have extensive experience and know exactly what to expect.
Before you begin any renovation, you or your pro should conduct a thorough inspection of the space being worked on. Without this stop, important, and sometimes dangerous, issues may be overlooked. If you notice any red flags (like mold or asbestos) do not ignore them. It’s best to tackle the issue right away to avoid permanent damage to your basement.
The basement’s climate usually differs from other rooms in your home, so special materials are required in order to maximize durability. Consult a pro on which materials are best for your space.
Issues of Moisture
Your basement is prone to being a moist environment. If, after your inspection, you discover any moisture in your basement, deal with the situation right away. Ignoring even the tiniest amount of mold and continuing with your renovation is a costly mistake. If it’s preexisting, then it’s likely to happen again.
Blocking Access to Important Equipment
Heavy utility equipment that sits in the basement, such as water heaters, furnaces, and electrical boxes can be an eyesore. You may feel inclined to bury this equipment behind walls or in tight quarters that are hard to get to, this is a mistake. While achieving aesthetics, you are forgetting about the functionality of your home. If there are any issues related to any one of these pieces of equipment, with it tucked away it’s nearly impossible to reach and diagnose the problem. It is okay to ‘hide’ this equipment, just make sure you have an adequate amount of space around each piece so it is easy to access and repair if needed.
Sump Pump
A sump pump is an automatic pump located beneath your basement floor. This pump discharges water that has collected in the ground of your basement and releases it outside of your home to prevent water from pooling.
While not all homes require a sump pump, if you do have one, one thing that often gets overlooked during a basement renovation is installing a backup battery-operated sump pump. Sump pumps are great, until there’s no power in your home and your new basement gets flooded. Installing a backup battery-operated sump pump will ensure that you are protected through any and all floods even in the event of a power outage.
Taking extra time and putting in extra effort can go a long way when it comes to renovating your home. Take note of these costly mistakes made during a basement renovation and get it right the first time. If you are unsure if you should proceed with your renovation, hire a pro to help out moving forward.
