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From Basement to Guest Room
from:Lots of people love to have company come to stay with them, but there’s often the issue of where they can stay. These days, few homes have extra rooms, and with the economy tight it’s hard to add on a room. On the other hand, finishing a basement can give you that guest space; or even create a room that you can rent to bring in some extra money – something many people need!
So, when looking to finish a basement for use as a guest room, what are the steps to carry out? First, if the basement isn’t finished at all, you’ll need to put down a solid floor and finish the walls. Typically, it’s best to put a vapour barrier down on the concrete and hang it on the walls. After that, put down tile, hardwood or linoleum, and put up wood studs and insulation in the walls. Some people prefer carpeting, but for a basement apartment, a solid floor and throw rugs are best.
Next, you need to think about the things that a person is going to need to make the space liveable. First off, do you want the area to be almost a separate apartment? If so, you’ll want to give them a place for some sort of kitchenette – at least a fridge and microwave oven. Depending on the state of your electrical service, you may have to improve the amperage of your fuse box to be able to handle the additional load.
If possible, give the room an outside door, so your tenant can come and go as they please. In that situation, it’s also best if you put a lock on the door that separates their living space from the rest of the house. After all, you may not know them too well, and if they bring guests into their room, you certainly do not want total strangers having access to your home!
Another item to consider is a bathroom. If you truly want this basement guest room to be a separate room, it’ll need a bathroom. If there isn’t one down there already, you’ll have to install one. This can be a major expense, if a sewer connection is needed. If that’s the case, it’s best to call in a plumber to do the actual installation, but you can do the prep on your own and save yourself some money. This will involving getting a concrete saw and cutting out the area for the pipes to be put in place. As this requires a degree of physical strength, you may want to hire someone to do it for you, if you’re not very strong.
Following these basic steps are the best ways to start you on the path to creating a nice basement apartment.
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