handsolow

In our house, we have an unfinished basement that I am hoping to finish sometime in the near future. I'm trying to figure out the best way to plan for this, and different ways to approach this.

Currently, all that is down there are the load bearing walls, framed out but not drywalled. A concrete slab flooring, and the stubs for plumbing.

In a perfect world I'd like my basement to include (in order of most desired):

1. Media/Entertainment room (with a mounted projector in the ceiling)
2. A sauna
3. A bar area
4. A pool table area

I have enough room for each of these things, and I know the general layout of how I would like them positioned (many rooms are determined by the load bearing walls).

Alas, I don't have the cash on hand to have all of these projects completed at once! How can I complete these projects piecemeal over a period potentially spanning years? Is there a good way to plan out these projects so that they won't interfere with each other's future construction? Advice? Pointers? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Charlatan

I would say that you should try as hard as you can to get all the drywalling done at the same time... you don't have to finish the rooms off, just get the drywall dust done at the same time. This will mean that you have to do your wiring and plumbing as well.

Then again I'm not all that handy...

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edmos1

yeah, I would run all wire, and plumbing first, which would be pretty inexpensive (relativley)
also might want to make sure you run good quality RCA or Composite or HDMI cable for your projector (this might be the most expensive part, as without knowing your set up you would need atleast a 6 M cable)
after you have wire and plumbing done you can dry wall.
Depending on the heighth of your ceiling in your basement I would strongly recommend submitting plans and getting a building inspector to signoff, you could increase your square footage significantly.

once building inspector signs off on rough plumb and wire, then drywall.
since this may be a ongoing long term project I would ask how long building permit is good for, you may have to submit several.

3Z3VH

For the sauna and bar... do you plan to have a wet-bar, or a self-steaming sauna ? Basically I am asking if you will need plumbing, or just the electrical.

Electrical is really easy, you can drill a 1/2"-3/4" hole right through the center of most 2x4s without weakening them by any noticable amount, meaning load-bearing walls can even have electrical outlets fairly easily. Plumbing is a different story.

The best thing to do as your first step is plan it all out to the point of where you will be placing funriture in the room and everything, before you do the first bit of work. You will want to know if you want it carpeted, if you want a padding under the carpet (which I suggest since it is on concrete) if you need to 'float' the floor at all first, which is to make it as flat as possible so there are no unusual bumps or dips (this is usually done only for Tile or Hardwood flooring that is to be placed on concrete).

basically, you will want to know how the FINAL room will look, and work your way from the surface backward to what the room is now, considering every piece between that finished product, to it's current state. Once you know the materials involved, you will learn more about how they will be best assembled, and the best timeline for what can be done first, according to your budget.

thingstodo

yeah...rough in all you can and the n hang and finish the drywall. That's the messiest part. Or seperate the rooms to drywall.

The more you can think about the future the better you plans will be before you begin. It's better to plan and rough in for more than you'll need rather than less. At the least, plan pathways where you can easily run wires later.

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Plaid13

If it was me i would start with the plumbing for the suana and bar Since thats the hardest stuff to change later. Then do the pool table area minus the pool table itself. Ok i would just look at a empty room and call it done. but im lazy. Then work on the entertainment part. get that fancy projector thing going and whatever else you want done to that room. Once you have that done you will start spending time down there and it will be more motivation to get the rest of the stuff done. You sit down watch a good movie or whatever lounged out in some comfy chair and then think ok that was great lots of lazy. then move to the pool room get that huge heavy pool table down there then play some pool with a few friends loose a few games and afew bucks to a friend and think gee i need a drink. so then start working on finishing the bar. Get the bar all finished and happy throw a party with a few friends drink too much. Wake up realize your hung over and drinking that much was bad and realize you want to relax in a sauna instead of drinking as much. so then you get to the sauna get it all done and finished and happy use it a few times and realize your finished with the basement. =) thats when you realize you want a bigger house and have to start all over again.

Mister Coaster

I'm looking to do the same thing, although my space and wishlist are smaller. All I want is...

• a guest room with full or 3/4 bath
• The rest of the finished area can be open for poker table & spare gaming computer
• small bar area in a corner

I'm NOT a big do-it-yourselfer, but I'm pretty artistic, I can follow a good set of directions. My uncle could help me with wiring. Plumbing, framing, flooring and drywall are all a mystery to me. Where are the best places to read up or get training for these things, because I sure as Hell cannot afford a company to do it all for me, it would be around $25,000.

Anyone ever take those classes at Home Depot?

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thermight

I am into my third basement project. I finished 900sq ft in my last house. Added a full bath, study and large family room.

After that my in-laws asked me to do theirs. Than one was at least 1500sq ft. Family room (w/ fireplace), kitchenette, full bath, spare bedroom and huge play area.

I am in a new house and have done a full bath & study. Have the home theater, wet bar, craft room and family area to go. Just need time.

The only home Depot classes I ever took were the wood flooring ones. It helps to have some basic handyman knowledge going in. I did not feel they gave enough details to do it all.