Cost vs. Return on Basement Finishing

Cost vs. Return on Basement Finishing

Year	Median Home Value
1940	$2,938
1950	$7,354
1960	$11,900
1970	$17,000
1980	$47,200
1990	$79,100
2000	$119,600
20-year period	Median Home Value Increase
1940-1960	305.04%
1950-1970	131.17%
1960-1980	296.64%
1970-1990	365.29%
1980-2000	153.39%
Average 20-year increase	251.69%
Source: US Census Bureau

If you're planning on staying in your home for a long time, there's no better way to safely and usefully invest your money like a basement finishing. Remodeling the basement is the best way to increase your existing living space in a poor housing market with an investment that will significantly pay back for itself over a relatively short period of time.

Consider this: despite the occasional dips in the market, the value of a home after 20 years has invariably been more than 231% (and as much as 396%) of its previous value. On the chart to the left, the trend of the past 60 years has been broken down based on data from the US Census Bureau. Because of this historical increase in home value, nearly ANY home improvement that increases the value of your home will pay back for itself in the long run.

With a basement finishing, however, you have a special opportunity. Even with the poor housing market in 2007, Remodeling Online reports an immediate home value increase of 60.8%-96.8% of the price of the installation. Therefore, in Denver Colorado , where Remodeling Online shows a return of 83.8% of the job price, a $35,000 job will immediately increase the value of your home by $29,330!

If you increase the value of your home by $29,330, and the housing market follows the same trend that it's followed since 1940, then you can count on your investment to pay back by about $73,821 over 20 years. Subtract the original cost of the job ($35,000), and you still have a profit of $38,821! Your home improvement has earned you more than you'd paid in the first place!

In the meantime, you'll be saving a lot of money in your home. The US Department of Energy reports that, depending on the area, you can save between $250 and $400 per year with energy saved through basement wall insulation. This means that even if energy never becomes more expensive, you'll save $5,000-$8,000 in 20 years with your basement wall insulation alone.

Additionally, if you install energy-efficient fluorescent lights (a standard practice with a finished basement), you'll see enormous benefits. Using just six energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs in the home instead of 100x incandescent lights will save you $65 each year, according to General Electric, leading to a 20-year energy savings of $1,296 even if energy costs never increase in price again.

When all is said and done, a basement finishing can earn you an estimated 20-year profit of $26,856 - $57,169. And while you're waiting for your investment to mature, you can enjoy the most cost-efficient way to increase the usable living space in your home. How else can you invest your money so reliably and practically?

Total Basement Finishing would like to help you make the most out of your home improvement investment. Our basement finishing experts can help you design that's perfect for your home and lifestyle with long-lasting products that will look as good in 20 years as they do today. We understand that you want to invest in your home, and that this means finding products that will not grow mold, rot, and decay. Your basement finishing should increase in value, not worsen until you have to pay to remove and replace it. If you would like to speak with a a Total Basement Finishing System Design Specialist, call or contact us today!

( Detailed charts under the cut )

Newbie with urgent question!

[Sep. 24th, 2008|08:46 am]

ibbs

Hi, I hope you dont mind me posting this having not been a member before, but I'm currently getting quotes for having our kitchen plastered and tiled and there seems to be two ways of thinking... half of the 'quoters' say how important the drying time (from a few days to a week or so?) between plastering and tiling is, while the other half tell me that its no problem and they can tile the next day... which is true??

If it makes a difference, the plasterin needed is some smallish, but deep patches (maybe a foot or so in diameter and an inch or two deep) where the old plaster came off when removing the old tiles.

Very grateful for any advide :-)

Basement Lighting Basics, by Jacques Bouchard

1 comment|post comment

[Sep. 5th, 2008|10:30 am]

Basement Lighting Basics

Basement lighting is perhaps the most overlooked part of a reliable basement finishing plan. With few windows and what is sometimes a low ceiling, keeping a basement bright and attractive is something that must be carefully planned, or the basement can easily end up looking like a dark, unfriendly hole. However, with a little creativity and strategy, a basement can be a beautiful, well-lit area that’s comfortable and pleasant to be in. For the sake of your eyesight, comfortable living space, and enjoyment, Total Basement Finishing offers this advice about basement lighting.

( Read the rest of the article... )

Basement Finishing with Tile Floors

[Jul. 29th, 2008|08:51 am]

Using ceramic, stone, and marble floor tiles dates back to before ancient Sumerian times. They were seen in the pyramids of Egypt, the Coliseums of Ancient Rome, and royal palaces worldwide. In fact, since 4,000 BC, tiled flooring has been celebrated for the many beautiful ways it can be decorated and designed to add an impressive look to any situation. However, the best stone and marble floors are extremely expensive and ceramic floors have disadvantages that make them not the best choice. And even the nice marble and stone materials, when placed in a basement, have some clear downsides.

Ten Reasons to Avoid Stone and Ceramic Tile on a Remodeled Basement Floor

Unlike carpet and other flooring materials, they're a cold, solid surface underfoot. Their complete lack of insulation combined with the cold earth and concrete underneath results in an uncomfortable surface to walk on.

Hard tile surfaces reflect sound and are very noisy to walk on.

Stone, marble, and ceramic tile have a hard, unforgiving surface. Falling items break easily when the strike the floor and injuries on these floors can be more severe.

Most tile surfaces are slippery and dangerous when wet and less safe for children.

While marble and stone flooring offers a solid base, ceramic floor tiling is fragile and can crack, chip, shatter, and crumble.

Stone and ceramic tiles are usually grouted directly to the flooring. Removing and replacing them is an expensive, messy and tedious job. Click here to learn more from HGTV.

Installation is also a tedious, difficult, and expensive project. The tiles will need to sit untouched for at least a couple days after installation to properly bond to the floor. Click here to see an expert village video on how to adhere tile to your floor.

Marble and high-quality stone flooring can cost more than $25 per square foot.

Grout lines grow mildew, are difficult to clean, and should be resealed every year.

Ceramic tiles are often porous, allowing them to easily stain and grow bacteria. These tiles should will need continuous maintenance with sealants to prevent this.

Before to use caution when removing ceramic, stone, or marble floor tiles yourself. Old floor tiling can sometimes cause exposure to asbestos or other harmful chemicals that may be present as it's removed. Be sure to also take caution if you have a professional remove the tile for you, as they sometimes use hidden costs to allow them to charge extra to dispose of the flooring after removal or to move furniture from the area, prepare the subflooring for the tile, etc. Very often, finishing the basement floor costs much more than is expected!

When installing a basement floor, it's important to look at the product from as many angles as possible. While stone, ceramic, and tiled floors can look fantastic upon installation, they're just not the way to go in a basement. Because Total Basement Finishing does not manufacture our products, they're not bound to install anything but the best. They don't believe in ceramic flooring in a basement due to these disadvantages- if they did, they'd install it. Instead, they install a vinyl flooring that sits on raised pegs so that moisture isn't trapped directly underneath. The tiles come in a marble tile finish as well as a carpeted design and an unfinished sub floor that can have carpet laid on it (as well as MillCreek inorganic wood finish flooring). The flooring is usable immediately after installation, is ten degrees warmer than the concrete floor below (due to the air barrier), installs without grout lines and adhesives, will not shatter or crack, and is competitively priced with high-quality tile. The nonporous surface will not encourage mildew or bacteria growth, and they install and uninstall cleanly and easily. What more could you ask for?

Coming in the next two weeks or so: Using yard sale treasures to add light and beauty to a finished basement. I'm still working on the details for this, but I'm really excited about it!

Shower Heads

[Jul. 23rd, 2008|03:08 pm]

[	Tags	\|	shower heads	]
[	Current Location	\|	Work	]
[	mood	\|	productive	]

As any good basement remodeler will tell you, it’s the little things that really make the difference. Installing a basement bathroom is a great idea, and it pays back for itself by 80% or more when the home is sold. If you could make a major difference in how much you enjoy your remodeled space by spending another $50 or so, wouldn’t you choose to?

There are few ways to make a bigger difference with very little money than by choosing the best shower head for your new basement bathroom. Enjoying a relaxing, comfortable shower is a guiltless pleasure. And with a growing family, it can be your few precious private moments alone before a busy day.

To help you make the most of these moments, I have this advice for choosing the best shower head:

1. Choose a handheld shower head.

While fixed shower heads that are mounted to the wall may give a sleek designer look to a shower, they can be much more difficult to repair than handheld models and also lack many advantages. A handheld shower head can be mounted in a cradle to operate like a fixed shower head or removed for more convenience for children and seniors. Additionally, cleaning the tub, cleaning items in the tub, or washing pets is much easier with a handheld shower head. Be sure to pick one with a durable, high-quality hose that can stand up to water pressure without blowing out and will endure daily use without kinking or wearing down. If you strongly prefer a fixed shower head for your finished basement bathroom, keep in mind that it’s possible to install multiple shower heads in a single shower on one or both ends of the shower area.

2. Find a shower head with flow options that fit your preference.

Shower heads are available to fit any partiality in regards to water flow and pressure. If your basement bathroom is built in a home with very low water pressure and you like the relaxing feel of pounding water, there are shower heads on the market that can increase the volume of water coming through the shower head. More expensive models can adjust the water pressure from a gentle mist to champagne drops (the standard setting), a deeply relaxing massage, or a strong, invigorating jet of water.

If saving water is your top priority, low flow shower heads are available that can save a half gallon of water every minute- or about ten gallons of water during a 20-minute shower. Cut-off valves can turn the water off while you’re soaping up to save even more water.

If you live in a home where you risk being scalded by hot water if a toilet is flushed or a faucet turns on, be sure to install an anti scald adapter or pressure balance valve. This can cost as little as $15 and installs between the shower arm and shower head, shutting the water off if it becomes too hot.

3. Pick a shower head that’s built to last.

While shower heads can cost anywhere between $6 and $500, you won’t need to spend a lot of money to find a high-quality and comfortable one. $30 to $80 should find you a shower head for your remodeled basement bathroom that gives you the best value for your investment.

Brass shower heads are generally considered the best for a remodeled basement bathroom as a reliable, long-lasting option, but they’re also much more expensive than other models. Whether you choose a shower head made of brass or of some other metal, check to ensure that it’s easy to upkeep and will not tarnish.

If you pick a plastic model, be sure to purchase one that’s resistant to lime buildup so it will not easily clog your shower head. No matter which shower head you choose, however, it will eventually develop lime accumulation. When lime buildup slows the shower’s flow in your finished basement bathroom, wipe the accumulation on the tip of the nozzle away then soak the shower head in a lime-away solution or a fifty-fifty solution of vinegar and warm water.

4. Add a shower head water filter to your finished basement bathroom shower.

Your shower water comes from the same source as your tap water. During a typical shower, you take in about one cup of unfiltered water and immerse every surface of your body in heated tap water. Any dirt, lime, chemicals, or impurities found in your well water will also be present in your shower. If there’s chlorine in the water, it will both dry out and change the color of your nails, skin and hair. Chlorine will also strip the natural oils from your skin and will possibly cause mild skin and eye irritation. Heavy minerals will weigh down hair, and a variety of other health and beauty related effects can occur. Installing a proper shower filter can remove up to 98% of these materials, and because they only need replacement every 6 months or 10,000 gallons, they require minimal personal maintenance.

Basement Wall Products

[Jul. 23rd, 2008|12:20 pm]

[	Tags	\|	"mold resistant drywall", drywall, fiberglass	]
[	mood	\|	Snarky	]

Some of the things that people use on their basement walls makes me angry.

As part of a company that works hard to provide the best finished basement wall products in the company, it's discouraging to see the kinds of products other companies are offering. Here's some examples:

Drywall: Drywall seems to be recommended all over the Internet as the industry standard for basement finishing, but it's a terrible choice. While it IS a cheap product, there's definitely a reason for the price difference. If you have drywall in your home, you can expect to have a flimsy, easily broken product on the walls that will very quickly be ruined by water. Water vapor is constantly passing through the concrete of basement walls and floors, and as it collects behind the drywall, it's going to cause mold, mildew, and rot to grow there, contributing to the allergens and health problems in the home. Don't expect to mount anything on the walls unless you have a stud finder.

Mold-Resistant Drywall or "Green Board": See above, and add this- if it's mold-resistant, why don't they have it warranted for that? Call up your local mold-resistant drywall dealer and ask them how long their warranty lasts. Once you pin them down (they won't want to tell you), you'll find out that it lasts for 3, maybe 6 months. If the basement floods, of course, that warranty is void. Is that satisfactory? Seems to me that if they were confident about it, they'd stand by their product longer.

Fiberglass and cloth finished basement wall coverings: These are perfect for those of you that want a wall covering that your cat can climb. Just make sure that the cat weighs less than 12 pounds, because that's about the maximum it's going to be able to hold without special modifications on the area. These products make awful wall partitions, and their insulation often is placed on the wall with breaks that ruin its insulation value. These products contain organic material in the form of urea (made from cow urine), and that makes these products vulnerable to mold and mildew. If the basement ever floods through the foundation or a plumbing leak - even if you just spill something on the wall - it will soak the moisture up like a sponge! Floods will ruin the wall panels, and flooded or not, cleaning them is impossible. Before you buy a basement wall product, take this test: write on the wall with a pencil. If it doesn't clean, you're probably going to have trouble cleaning other things as well. The warranty doesn't last, and it doesn't apply if your basement floods.

Listen: Total Basement Finishing's wall panels have none of these problems. They can hold 300 pounds per square inch without the need for a stud. They're guaranteed for 50 years against mold and moisture even if your basement floods. They have an industry leading R-13 rating (99.99% of heat is reflected off and back into your home), and a class A fire resistance rating. They don't absorb water, their surface cleans easily, and their cement board build will not break under normal wear and tear.

There's better ways to finish a basement and people are not being told about them. It just makes me mad.

Introduction Post

[Jul. 22nd, 2008|02:55 pm]

Welcome!

Unlike other home improvement communities on LJ, this community is dedicated specifically to below-grade space. Additionally, I continuously research home improvement tips like soundproofing, vacuums, curtains, shower heads, and a variety of other things that I'd like to share with everyone. A great community is based on its users, however, and if you have any basement tips or home improvement tips of your own, I'd love to hear them! Examples of appropriate topics include (but are not restricted to) the following:

Problems with wet and leaky basements
Sump pumps and French drain systems
Battery backup sump pumps
Crawl space moisture and standing water
Crawl space vapor barriers and encapsulation
Basement finishing, remodeling, renovation, refinishing, etc.
Basement wall crack repair and sealing
Basement and crawl space humidity
Broken water heaters and bursting washing machine hoses
Basement windows
Damp proofing a basement
Basement finishing ideas
Basement flooring
Basement and crawl space insulation
Crawl space vents
Finished basement walls
Any home improvement tips you'd like to share

As the in-house writer for Basement Systems - the world's largest network of basement waterproofing contractors, I've got a strong foundation of knowledge on the topic and I'd be happy to see your basement questions and tips posted on the forum. If you have any questions or would like to see anything discussed with the rest of the community, please feel free to comment with them here!